Our day began at 9:00 am when we left Blantyre with Yasinta Mtambo and drove west to Mindanti in the Shire valley. We stopped at the bridge over the big, strong Shire River to take a few pictures, and then headed on to meet Fr. Steven Seyani in Mindanti. He leads worship in a small, older church across from the maternity clinic being built by St. James’ Church. A new church is being built but it’s taking some time. The big problem in Mindanti is water. Despite the efforts of Warm Hearts International, drilling and putting in a new windmill, there is not enough water being pumped and the water they have is too salty for drinking or agriculture. It’s a very difficult situation. From Mindanti we journeyed out to Chikwawa, to see our Christ Church Bronxville goats, or mbuzi, at last. The road was the very worst I’d ever traveled in Malawi. I was in the back of the van and my head hit the ceiling four times.
All Saints’ in Chikwawa Parish is right next door to a large cane sugar operation called Illovo. We gathered in the parlor of the priest’s house, which is the custom in Malawi. Fr. Patrick Mapundula is the priest for the parish, and he has a long career of service as a priest in Malawi. Our meeting was quite formal and a bit stilted at first. We learned that, due to a delay in building the khola, (goat shed), the goats were not yet in residence. I was clearly disappointed. Fr. Mapundula and Charles Mkhutche, (the project director/goat expert), could see how let down I was. They explained that the original site for the khola was rejected, but that they’d found a much better site and it was very nearly completed. The goats, which would be purchased locally, would be moving in next week, and they would take us to see the khola and the goats.
Fr. Mapundula produced a meticulous accounting of the money spent thus far. I explained a bit more clearly just how Christ Church Bronxville wanted to partner with Chikwawa Parish. John talked through the necessity for a business plan, and how we imagined this project working to the benefit of the community. Suddenly everybody loosened up. Charles told us about goats and we soon knew more details about gestation periods, births per year, supplemental food, etc., than I ever expected. It became clear that this project would be a true boon for this parish, and that, after about eighteen months, a significant income could be realized. This parish and this priest need help, and our goats offer hope.
We drove to the center of the village and I was delighted to see an absolutely beautiful khola constructed out of all natural, local materials. The goats will be on a raised platform, so they would not feel the damp and so their droppings could be gathered below and used for manure for gardens. The khola is big enough to hold one hundred goats, and workers were thatching the roof while we admired their work.
Charles and Fr. Mapundula were mystified to hear that I wanted pictures of the goats, but they were game to help, and I managed to take some photos of our mbuzi waiting to move into their new home. A marvelous benefit to this location is that there is good, fresh water and grass for grazing close to the khola. The goats will only need supplemental food. Also, as it is the center of the village, it will serve as a visible symbol of our partnership and a sign of blessing and hope for the future to the villagers, who are clearly in need.
As we spoke together and worked on the numbers, we came to the conclusion, with Charles and Yasinta, that we should not build two goat sheds but rather have one large one and concentrate on breeding. We’ll maximize our resources in a number of ways, including having to hire only one laborer and one night watchman.
As we returned to Fr. Mapundula’s house for tea, there was great conviviality and animated conversation about the future. Fr. Mapundula did not have any idea of the scope or the potential of this project. He kept saying, “I don’t know about goats. I’m a priest!” And I said, “I don’t know about goats either. I’m a priest too!” This is why we need Malawian experts on the ground here, like Charles and Yasinta who are knowledgeable and responsible leaders and guides.
Clearly the priests in Malawi play a pivotal role in their communities, and they are overworked and paid very little. They are willing to adapt to new ideas if it will help them serve God and their people. Time and again John and I hear the message from priests, “I have to learn. I need education.” These permaculture projects are not intended to be run by priests, but the relationship begins with the church and is then managed by experts. This way, the people will be more likely to trust in a new way of doing things. They will hear the message, from someone they trust, that our intention is not to give a hand-out and then walk away, but to implement practical and responsible projects that will empower Malawians. And that we will come and see.
I asked Fr. Mapundula to give a brief greeting to the people of Christ Church on videotape, and while he was clearly nervous, he graciously complied. We set some goals and deadlines for putting the business plan together, and exchanged contact information. Then, Yasinta, John, my mom and I climbed back in the van for the bumpy ride back to Blantyre.
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