Author Archives: marerobster

It could have been a farm seminar in Canada, if the faces were white, and the venue more sophisticated — farmers in animated discussion, sharing ideas and thoughts. Jessy explained business thinking to a young farmer. David went through the … Continue reading →

This morning I opened the door and almost ran into a young man standing there. “Hello, Madam.” “Do I know you?” No, I didn’t. He proceeded to tell me he was sick and had to go to his village for … Continue reading →

Yesterday we took our German neighbour, Max, who had a Zambia guidebook, and went in search of the Chimpanzee Orphanage by Chingola. Things were going well until we pulled up to another one of those police checks that frequent the … Continue reading →

Pastor Phiri, in the faculty meeting at Heart of Africa Mission, discussed why the budget went wrong. “An African doesn’t want another person suffering. If money is for another purpose but someone comes in bitter need, as an African refusing … Continue reading →

What a sight: several hundred farmers, mostly women, many with babies on their backs. They’ve come to learn to farm smarter. The headdresses are bright African scarves, except for my friend Lister, who wears a white ball cap from Hunters … Continue reading →

Vivienne, the woman we gave the fertilizer loan to last week, brought us two butternut squash from her farm. She told me how she went out there Saturday on her day off to top dress her last corn planting. She … Continue reading →

Johanna brought Vivian home with her this morning. This plump, vivacious woman is the secretary to the director of the Mindola Ecumenical Foundation, a large institution. She also operates a small farm of about 25 acres some distance from town, … Continue reading →

This morning there was a big fat cockroach about an inch long lying on its back by the stove. I grabbed a broom. Hardly outside, right side up again, it scurried away. Ugh! We actually haven’t had much in the … Continue reading →

Robert and Harold are deep into numbers for the building projects at Heart of Africa Mission (HAM). There are several buildings there, two of which we helped start two years ago, that still need finishing. Some funding has come in … Continue reading →

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. The shops downtown all have bright red clothing displayed in the windows — tops, skirts, trousers (don’t call them pants here – they’ll think you’re talking about underwear.) Young men try to sell plastic roses to … Continue reading →