on FREEDOM

Equal parts of both Fear and Excitement = FREEDOM

Malawi National Anthem

O God bless our land of Malawi,
Keep it a land of peace.
Put down each and every enemy,
Hunger, disease, envy.
Join together all our hearts as one,
That we be free from fear.
Bless our leader, each and every one,
And Mother Malawi.

Our own Malawi, this land so fair,
Fertile and brave and free.
With its lakes, refreshing mountain air,
How greatly blessed are we.
Hills and valleys, soil so rich and rare,
Give us a bounty free.
Wood and forest, plains so broad and fair,
All-beauteous Malawi.

Freedom ever, let us all unite
To build up Malawi.
With our love, our zeal and loyalty,
Bringing our best to her.
In time of war, or in time of peace,
One purpose and one goal.
Men and women serving selflessly
In building Malawi.

Read more: National Anthem - Malawi Anthem Text Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Tip for the day...

Don't go looking directly at the sun

Says Kaypacha Lescher

I'm no movie maker

Mzuzu short movie

A room with a view part 2

Some of Jimmy's family

While waiting for my elusive phone charger to return to me, Jimmy insisted that I try Malawi's local sorghum and maize beer at his favourite local, Bizza's Bar. Chibuku has an acquired taste and texture and a relatively low alcohol content. The bottles are refundable too, a good thing. Desire, the lady in the middle, taught me the national anthem. Now I feel like a Malawian :-)

Before my 11hour journey back to Lilongwe.

 It only takes 6hours to travel by bus. The trick comes in when it's not a scheduled coach and you have to wait for the bus to fill up with passengers before departing. A long, long journey ahead was made more exhausting due to the broken window next to my seat. Fortunately, I was seated next to a kind man and the two of us worked together to devise a plan to block the window, sum-what successfully, with a sign board. Phew! After departing the depot at 5pm and a dozen stops along the way, we arrived in Lilongwe at 11pm. I will definitely be taking the 7am SOSOSO Coach next time and always again. A little more pricey but worth it, they offer snacks and cool drink too. Good value.

A business. Cellphone charging at the bus depot. I wouldn't try it after talking to a backpacker a couple of weeks ago about her cell which gave up the ghost after using similar methods of desperation charging. There's a difference between low quality Chinese products and high quality Chinese products. You know what I'm saying.

A room with a view part 1

Last week I took myself off the see Mzuzu Village, North of Lilongwe. A 5½hour bus drive on the SOSOSO Coach next to a dear soul with an intense rash all over her body which caused her to scratch constantly for just about the entire journey. It seemed that the application of the Tsunami ointment did offer some relief but not for long. The picture shows my 'sadness' for her although she still had the strength to smile amidst the circumstance.

I was fortunate enough to be welcomed by Jimmy Chirambo and his wonderful family. Unfortunately I didn't meet the Mrs but will do when I get back. Jimmy is a respected citizen and passionate teacher in Mzuzu town. He opened his home to me and was the perfect host. His wife works away from home during the week so Jimmy and his sister-in-law together manage to raise 8 children, 6 of whom are Jimmy's. The objective for my visit was to collect a report on the progress on Jimmy's Moringa nursery. Unfortunately he hasn't had much success and I suspect it is due to the rainy and cold weather, especially at the top of the Msasa hill where he lives. Moringa, much like me, don't like to be cold and wet.

Plan B - Plan strategy and in 2weeks time implement a composting toilet system at his home. I have used a flushing toilet all my life and only now do I realize how privileged I actually am. Yes, they don't complain, but they also don't know life otherwise. The system will benefit the environment and increase the quality of life for anyone who is willing to embrace it. I do believe that the concept will spread like wildfire and the people may eventually become aware of their involvement and begin respecting the environment. I also suspect there will be less sickness and disease in the rural areas. It's a win win situation. Luckily I had my 'boy scout' toilet with me :-)

Chimwemwe (meaning Joyful) Nursery and Day Care is one of two centers started and supported by Jimmy. The teachers, Dorica (standing) and Deria (sitting) are passionate about their jobs and their energy shows it. I would love to get in there and add some artwork to the walls. Oh I wish I had more time, there's so much to be done. Thinking on a plan.

Dorica(left), Deria(right). Nsima making workshop in the dark powered only by cell phone torches. Much respect for the ladies. 

Pea and ground nut flour relish...nomnom 

A pig sty

The village where Jimmy lives is called Masasa and is situated just ouside of Mzuzu on a hill top. Exquisite scenery but rather disturbing when you see how the houses balance on edges of cliff faces. I wouldn't like to be here in the peak of the rainy season. The adrenaline junkie side of me says bring it on.

Bees Loves These

Malawian bees love maize. This lady was packing maize into little bags. She was so calm and they were working well together until I arrived and started insisting they set up a bee hive in the corner. Cash crop?

This is not Photoshopped. I'm so loving the shadow from the stamens. Still have to find out what tree it is. WLYK

Update:

A very knowledgeable friend informs me that this flower is from the Bauhinia family and is the floral emblem in Hong Kong. Check out the wiki - Bauhinia - very interesting species.

Moyo Moringa Farm

I found another passionate Moringa fan. Thank you Marcel for your endeavors, research and creating a certified organic Moringa leaf production. The farm is situated about 22km West of Lilongwe. A very well managed farm where the trees are allowed to grow tall for the benefit of leaf production.
Check out the website at moyoway.com

Newly introduced ducks seem very happy with their space in the world. The Duckweed in the pond is still in experimental stage and serves as good nutrients for the ducks and composting.

Citronella, lemongrass and baby fruit trees with Moringa forests in the background.

Rosemary and comfry rows. 

Moringa forest surrounded by Tathonia (Mexican Sunflower) hedges.

Tree hugger 

A Book

ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE

 - by Robert M. Pirsig

Here's a small review I found

An Inquiry into Values

It's all relative

Golomoti Farm

The plan that lead me to Monkey Bay was to visit a Moringa farm in Golomoti, Dedza region. A large government leased farm which has been planted with rows and rows of Moringa and Mango trees. You can also find a large presence of Neem, Wild Basil and Baobab trees. Most of the Moringa was planted in December and January and have already reached heights of approximately 2m and some bare beautiful fruits. 

Omega, the lady in charge, also owner of Doogles Backpackers Lodge in Blantyre, has had a challenging time with red spider mite and now a worm which still needs to be identified. Termites are also very present and Brian the farm manager informs me that they have tried to eliminate the nests but with no success. My suggestion is that they try to bring the land back to a natural balance and incorporate permicuture methods ASAP, but on such a large scale this is going to be challenging. The object of the farm is a quick cash crop so I visualize pesticides as the only short term solution.

Moringa Seed pods hanging on the ground

After visiting another Moringa farm (which you'll read about in my next post) I have learned and suggested that by introducing plants such as lemongrass, citronella, rosemary and Tathonia/Mexican sunflower among the rows should work to harmonize the bug population. I have also learned that the Chitimbe tree/Monkey Bread tree is good for keeping termites at bay. 

Healthy Neem Tree

Tathonia can be a useful hedging and is part of the marigold family but can be invasive if not managed properly. 

Omega and Brian

5 of the approximately 80 young calves, the boss ladies pride and joy

I'm hoping to get back to the farm before I leave to educate the staff and install a compost toileting system. To me, this is vital to the health of not just the staff and their families but to the farm itself. Healthy toilets = healthy humans. The toilet/long drop systems are inadequate and need reviewing but I'm finding, in general, a lot of resistance towards the idea.

Monkey Business in Monkey Bay

I thought I would take a day trip to Golomoti to visit a Moringa farm in the vicinity but the day ended in a sleep over at Mufasa Eco Lodge in Monkey Bay and I'm so glad it did. A brief drumming session with a Rasta maan/artist who goes by the pseudo name of Morning Star. The Malawian 'artists' all have the same style paintings and initial them with pseudo names and I tend to question the originality but I love them still.

Early morning cloudy sunrise. These columns were constructed decades ago by some Spanish (I think) but abandoned when the rainy season proved them to be a wash-out.

  

This collapsed tent and bicycle belonged to an Australian tourist. A fabulous way to see the country.

The African Queen (II) in need of some TLC. View from the hammock in the tree.

Grounding

A great place to stay. With Ricky and Felix to welcome you, you'll feel right at home.

The dining/reception area

And what great food. A dinner was served of a delicious Tia Style rice and pork dish and home made Dijon mustard...nomnomnom.

Chambo fish arrived early morning and I was sad not to be staying another night just to get my fill. I believe it's really good.

The first monkey troupe since my arrival. I guess that's why they call it Monkey Bay.

Just chilling and then my phone battery died and there was no power to charge.