How do I explain how we know Terri & Don Larson? To make a long story short, internet searching last year, I somehow came across their story. Don was a big wig working for Nestles, came to Mozambique to check out where Nestle was getting their cashews & was struck by the conditions of the almost farmers & how little Nestle paid them for their cashews. He returned to US & dug into his personal connection with God. Guess what God directed him to do?? Sell all his toys & house and move his family to Mozambique to set up a cashew business (The Sunshine Nut Co.) that would provide more $$ for the farmer and jobs for others. He also vowed to give 90% of the profits toward improving the community. WOW! I was so impressed that I wrote to them & they wrote back! Soon Terri & I were email buddies. Though we ended up in Egypt last year, Terri & I stayed connected. In March, Cyclone Idai hit Mozambique. When B & J said they wanted to go far away to place they'd never go again, I'd just heard All Hands & Hearts was going to open a base in Mozambique . Bingo. God always opens a door for us!
So here we are spending days with Terri & don & their son, William. We chatted freely over pizza the first night. The next morning, Terri & Delciu (local who helps her with everything) picked us up & we headed to out to see the 3 homes the Sunshine Foundation has purchased. At each home, they have hired a local woman (also in need of help) and ask them to seek out the neediest of the needy young children. They then live together creating a caring family.
As we pulled up to the first home, a gaggle of kids met us. Delciu had them line up. Rog & I scooped cashew pieces (rejects at the factory) into a small bag & passed them out to over 100 happy little ones! What a heathy treat! The kids in the 1st home were sitting quietly anxiously waiting for us. Today was a very special day! Each of the 5 year olds (in all 3 homes) got a book bag filled with crayons, pencils, ruler, erasers & a notebook and ta da...their brand new first school uniform!! Their eyes sparkled! After lots of hugs & photos, we headed to home #2 & home #3 passing out their new treasured backpacks & uniforms. At home #3, the parents had come and they clapped & were as excited as the kids. These parents oils not have had the $$ to buy the uniforms & backpack & therefore their child would not be able to go to school.
The Sunshine Homes had been nurturing their child for 3-5 years meeting their needs while the parents scratched out a meager living. These children had truly been given rich soil & solid foundation allowing them the best chance to bloom someday! It gave me goosebumps to see how the Larson's love & hard work made it possible!
We swung by the factory and did a quick tour before getting dropped off at our hotel where we quickly jumped into the pool to cool off.
Don picked us up at 6:30 and we spent another evening sharing stories. Don grilled chicken & Terri had made some delicious Parmesan potatoes & a bean salad.
How luck are we to spend time with people who've lived in Mozambique for 7 years and could fill us with information about this country & its people!
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Friday, January 31, 2020
Update 12
Our two glorious days in the bush ended when Goodman met us as we left the park & took us on a almost three hour ride to our hut in Mozambique on the Indian Ocean on one side & a river on the other. Sound gorgeous?? Not. The "toll road" was worse than most roads in Mozambique which says a lot. Our hut was "well used" and showed lots of water damage...but it had air conditioning & a frig. And since it was about 100F that was good.
We were hungry so we headed to the restaurant. I ordered shrimp...which was a bit gritty and the boys got chicken. Jen was too hot to eat. Mosquitoes invaded us just as we started to eat so we finished ASAP & headed back to our hut (or shift house as Jen calls it)...and crashed.
Unfortunately, Ben woke up feeling crappy. The wind was whipping & waves crashing both on the river & ocean side. We all just laid around til. 10. Then we covered our eyes & lowered our heads to make our way to the restaurant/veranda area. No one was hungry so we just got drinks Cokes & beer & bought a loaf of fresh bread. We were the only ones at the hotel so it was like our own private place. We played a couple games of euchre but even a win didn't perk Ben up. About noon,he took a Capri & headed back to the room. Rog & Jen played Yahtzee & I sat by the pool & did some writing.
By now we all assumed Ben had food poisoning so no one dared eat in the restaurant. So we bought more bread, & opened a jar of peanut butter. Then Jen & I went for a long beach walk stopping to watch the red crabs scramble and look for shells. The waves were gigantic & the sand whipped across our legs. About sunset, we ate more PJ & bread & all went to bed early...hoping Ben would be better in the a.m.
Woke up next day to a calm ocean, blue skies & a smiling Ben. We savored a few more hours on the beach watching fishermen in their small bamboo, handmade boats throw out & retrieve their nets. A few walked by with bamboo fishing spears.
We enjoyed the last of our bread with PJ and some granola bars. Packed up & several lady waitstaff showed up to carry our luggage...on their heads!! Luckily our taxi was waiting for us when we got to the veranda.
Our taxi driver spoke good English & conversed freely with us as we slowly inched our way navigating the bumpy road. He talked about corruption in Mozambique and how the Chinese were building most everything using their own labor & crappy material.
When we got to the airport, Jen did a bit of last minute shopping & then we ate a delicious lunch. It was difficult to say goodbye to B & J. We'd so cherished the time & experience we'd shared with them. A few tears & long hugs & then we got into a taxi & headed for Matola to meet the Larsons & they headed home to be with their kids.
Sent from my iPhone
We were hungry so we headed to the restaurant. I ordered shrimp...which was a bit gritty and the boys got chicken. Jen was too hot to eat. Mosquitoes invaded us just as we started to eat so we finished ASAP & headed back to our hut (or shift house as Jen calls it)...and crashed.
Unfortunately, Ben woke up feeling crappy. The wind was whipping & waves crashing both on the river & ocean side. We all just laid around til. 10. Then we covered our eyes & lowered our heads to make our way to the restaurant/veranda area. No one was hungry so we just got drinks Cokes & beer & bought a loaf of fresh bread. We were the only ones at the hotel so it was like our own private place. We played a couple games of euchre but even a win didn't perk Ben up. About noon,he took a Capri & headed back to the room. Rog & Jen played Yahtzee & I sat by the pool & did some writing.
By now we all assumed Ben had food poisoning so no one dared eat in the restaurant. So we bought more bread, & opened a jar of peanut butter. Then Jen & I went for a long beach walk stopping to watch the red crabs scramble and look for shells. The waves were gigantic & the sand whipped across our legs. About sunset, we ate more PJ & bread & all went to bed early...hoping Ben would be better in the a.m.
Woke up next day to a calm ocean, blue skies & a smiling Ben. We savored a few more hours on the beach watching fishermen in their small bamboo, handmade boats throw out & retrieve their nets. A few walked by with bamboo fishing spears.
We enjoyed the last of our bread with PJ and some granola bars. Packed up & several lady waitstaff showed up to carry our luggage...on their heads!! Luckily our taxi was waiting for us when we got to the veranda.
Our taxi driver spoke good English & conversed freely with us as we slowly inched our way navigating the bumpy road. He talked about corruption in Mozambique and how the Chinese were building most everything using their own labor & crappy material.
When we got to the airport, Jen did a bit of last minute shopping & then we ate a delicious lunch. It was difficult to say goodbye to B & J. We'd so cherished the time & experience we'd shared with them. A few tears & long hugs & then we got into a taxi & headed for Matola to meet the Larsons & they headed home to be with their kids.
Sent from my iPhone
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Monday, January 27, 2020
Update 11
When we landed in Maputo, our ride, Goodman was waiting for us. We climbed into his air conditioned van and headed for Kruger National Park in South Africa—about a 3 hour drive. I'd worried about getting into & out of SA without a visa but in the end, both turned out to be no big deal & didn't even cost us $$!
We stayed at the Elephant Lode where the roof was made of grass, monkeys played in the yard & elephants were grazing near by. Delightful! At 5:30 a.m., our safari guide, Lynne met us & we headed into the park. Lynne is SAfrican and made her first safari at the age of 2 in 1953. Kruger was a part of her and this trip was especially sentimental as it would be her last one before moving to Scotland. She was an expert in finding the animals. Think of the Magic School Bus series with our own Mrs. Frizzle at the wheel! We spent two days & covered a lot of ground but the park seems endless as you scan the horizon. Kruger is 14 million acres & has been a park since 1926. The animals don't even blink when you get close. We watched the baboons frolicking in the trees & river, the elephants & water buffaloes wallow in the mud, the grunting hippos bob up & down while the guys drank coffee & we watched the sunrise, the zebras & giraffes hug each other, the warthog lovingly shoo her babies into her den & then back in so her husk would protect them. There were birds of unique colors some with amazing tails & I think, six types of eagles perched in "The Bush."
Really, the name says it all. Small shrubs, tall grass and a variety of trees cover most the area making it easy for the animals to find food & cover. We saw lions so clearly one minutes and the next, they had disappeared. Only the sand rivers were open areas...in dry season the animals will dig there & find water below. Rog & I did a safari in Kenya ten years ago. There the vegetation much more scarce with an occasional tree so it was much different. I'd go on another one in a heartbeat! To spot & watch animals in their natural habitat is a spectacular experience!
B & J were also awed as we bounced about in our open Jeep feel like we were as close as possible to the animals. I can't help but think of how huge some of the animals are yet they don't need houses, cars, stores etc. And besides the elephant (18,000 in the park) that kill lots of trees by eating all the bark, the animals don't cause damage to our earth. Though I must say, may places it smelt like a barn yard...especially where the rhino dug his poop hole & his females made a circle of poop around it!
Picture that & imagine the smell!!
Sent from my iPhone
We stayed at the Elephant Lode where the roof was made of grass, monkeys played in the yard & elephants were grazing near by. Delightful! At 5:30 a.m., our safari guide, Lynne met us & we headed into the park. Lynne is SAfrican and made her first safari at the age of 2 in 1953. Kruger was a part of her and this trip was especially sentimental as it would be her last one before moving to Scotland. She was an expert in finding the animals. Think of the Magic School Bus series with our own Mrs. Frizzle at the wheel! We spent two days & covered a lot of ground but the park seems endless as you scan the horizon. Kruger is 14 million acres & has been a park since 1926. The animals don't even blink when you get close. We watched the baboons frolicking in the trees & river, the elephants & water buffaloes wallow in the mud, the grunting hippos bob up & down while the guys drank coffee & we watched the sunrise, the zebras & giraffes hug each other, the warthog lovingly shoo her babies into her den & then back in so her husk would protect them. There were birds of unique colors some with amazing tails & I think, six types of eagles perched in "The Bush."
Really, the name says it all. Small shrubs, tall grass and a variety of trees cover most the area making it easy for the animals to find food & cover. We saw lions so clearly one minutes and the next, they had disappeared. Only the sand rivers were open areas...in dry season the animals will dig there & find water below. Rog & I did a safari in Kenya ten years ago. There the vegetation much more scarce with an occasional tree so it was much different. I'd go on another one in a heartbeat! To spot & watch animals in their natural habitat is a spectacular experience!
B & J were also awed as we bounced about in our open Jeep feel like we were as close as possible to the animals. I can't help but think of how huge some of the animals are yet they don't need houses, cars, stores etc. And besides the elephant (18,000 in the park) that kill lots of trees by eating all the bark, the animals don't cause damage to our earth. Though I must say, may places it smelt like a barn yard...especially where the rhino dug his poop hole & his females made a circle of poop around it!
Picture that & imagine the smell!!
Sent from my iPhone
Update 9
My birthday! The 11th year in 11 different countries. I got lots of attention: balloons, signs, chocolate wafer cookies, white chocolate bar and Coke Zero! It was an aha moment when I realized I was the oldest person on base. At the work site, Ben took my shovel away & I got the easier jobs working under shade. I cut rubber inter tubes (actually made in USA) so they could line the wood post. So Ben did a lot of shoving, Rog continued to pound on strappings and Jen got to help finish up the temporary school and put the desk back in it. The kids hanging around were encouraged to come sit in them. An unforgettable moment!
At the evening meeting, since we'd all posted the fund raising page Ben helped design and we raised over $1000 dollars for AHAH—we were awarded a AHAH sweatshirt. Jen had so wanted it and was thrilled when she got it! She quickly put it on (in spite of the 90+ temp) as every cheered. She was over the moon excited! It was our last meeting, so we were asked to speak. Rog talked about how he loved being around such good people doing good work. Ben talked about how impressed he was with AHAH & all the volunteers. Jen & I mostly cried.
Last meeting note was to sing Happy Birthday to me.
After the meeting, we jumped in the van & went into town to play basketball with the locals. B & J played while R & I cheered. An intense game! When we got back, they had a birthday cake...well some banana muffin like balls...waiting & sang another round of Happy Birthday. Then I headed to my mosquito netted bunk bed to read my Facebook birthday wishes.
Now how's that for a birthday!
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At the evening meeting, since we'd all posted the fund raising page Ben helped design and we raised over $1000 dollars for AHAH—we were awarded a AHAH sweatshirt. Jen had so wanted it and was thrilled when she got it! She quickly put it on (in spite of the 90+ temp) as every cheered. She was over the moon excited! It was our last meeting, so we were asked to speak. Rog talked about how he loved being around such good people doing good work. Ben talked about how impressed he was with AHAH & all the volunteers. Jen & I mostly cried.
Last meeting note was to sing Happy Birthday to me.
After the meeting, we jumped in the van & went into town to play basketball with the locals. B & J played while R & I cheered. An intense game! When we got back, they had a birthday cake...well some banana muffin like balls...waiting & sang another round of Happy Birthday. Then I headed to my mosquito netted bunk bed to read my Facebook birthday wishes.
Now how's that for a birthday!
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Update 8
Last night, B & J popped corn to celebrate my upcoming birthday which every one devoured as crazy Scott ran a Trivia Competition. He's so full of fun! Yesterday he declared it was Nat'l Hug Day & stood by the dinner line with a sign describing a variety of hugs and requiring everyone to oblige.
Ben helped the staff develop a fund raiser so Tiana helped me set that up and AHAH Mozambique will benefit. Donations are already coming in so thanks to our great supporters!! Staff here is fabulous. Emille (from Traverse City) answers all our questions before & after arrival & made our transportation arrangements. She also keeps base clean along with a few alternating volunteers. Jonny, head director, stays so calm & is so friendly. Cat, Jazz, Monique and our old friend from Philippines, Ryan are project leaders. They are so knowledgeable & encouraging all the while they keep about 15 volunteers & around 8 hired locals working. And Tiana—truly the energizer bunny who offers evening entertainment as well as Portuguese lessons. Tonight many are playing Portuguese bingo. It's kinda like being at camp...a work camp.
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Ben helped the staff develop a fund raiser so Tiana helped me set that up and AHAH Mozambique will benefit. Donations are already coming in so thanks to our great supporters!! Staff here is fabulous. Emille (from Traverse City) answers all our questions before & after arrival & made our transportation arrangements. She also keeps base clean along with a few alternating volunteers. Jonny, head director, stays so calm & is so friendly. Cat, Jazz, Monique and our old friend from Philippines, Ryan are project leaders. They are so knowledgeable & encouraging all the while they keep about 15 volunteers & around 8 hired locals working. And Tiana—truly the energizer bunny who offers evening entertainment as well as Portuguese lessons. Tonight many are playing Portuguese bingo. It's kinda like being at camp...a work camp.
Sent from my iPhone
Update 10
Packed up this a.m. leaving behind things we'd not need once we leave here which meant we could leave behind one empty suitcase. We completed our exit questionnaires & gave a list of all who'd donated to our fund raising page so each would have their name put on a brick. (So thankful to them!!). Then we stood by the door along with 6 others who were also leaving today and got hugs from everyone as they left for the work sites. It's strange how 9 days of living, working & sleeping so closely together ...in such heat...can form such bonds. Yup, there were lots of tears!
So 10 of us loaded into the van & headed for the airport where we feasted on cheese sandwiches & potato chips...and more chips (aka French fries—misunderstanding) and COLD Coke Zero & beer. So refreshing!!
As we sat waiting for our flight, we realized that not once had we heard anyone be cross to anyone. Actually we didn't see any kids fighting or getting yelled at either.
Like so many times on these trips, my heart feels happy & my life's attitude has been adjusted.
Sent from my iPhone
So 10 of us loaded into the van & headed for the airport where we feasted on cheese sandwiches & potato chips...and more chips (aka French fries—misunderstanding) and COLD Coke Zero & beer. So refreshing!!
As we sat waiting for our flight, we realized that not once had we heard anyone be cross to anyone. Actually we didn't see any kids fighting or getting yelled at either.
Like so many times on these trips, my heart feels happy & my life's attitude has been adjusted.
Sent from my iPhone
Update 13
Animals we spotted on our safari:
Zebra
Impala
Owl
Eagles*
Wildebeest
Elephant
Hyaena
Giraffe
Hippo
Heron*
Monkey
Baboon
Water buffalo
Stork
Warthog
Kudu
Lion
Bird*
*variety of species
Most we saw many times & in large groups.
And I'm sure I forgot a couple....
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Zebra
Impala
Owl
Eagles*
Wildebeest
Elephant
Hyaena
Giraffe
Hippo
Heron*
Monkey
Baboon
Water buffalo
Stork
Warthog
Kudu
Lion
Bird*
*variety of species
Most we saw many times & in large groups.
And I'm sure I forgot a couple....
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Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Update 7
I've lost count of days. They are so full and overflow into the next day quickly. I think I left off on Sunday..our day off. We all slept in a bit then R & B went to the nearby village and picked up eggs & bread for our breakfast. Rain clouds burst open and didn't quit for most the day. Lightening forced us to hole up inside a room where 5-6 of us worked on a puzzle, some played Jenga & others read. No electricity made all of that a bit tough but we had solar lights...and each other. When the lightening finally stopped...the games did not. Scrabble, Yahtzee, Farkle & cards were added. Even played Brazilian Uno—a game that went on for a very loooong time!
Monday was back to work...in the mud. We did pretty much the same as last week only it was cooler thanks to the light rain on and off all day. Tuesday & Wed, I went to the site Rog has been working at. That site is in the center of a small community and I worked near the water pump so there was lots of activity. I loved the opportunity to play with the kids a copy cat game, practice counting in English and admiring the toys they showed me: a motorcycle & rider made out of clay, a boat made of a watermelon shell, a pull toy with squished pop cans for wheels & tic tac toe using can lids. The kids laughed so freely as they played in the mud puddles. Several came up wanting to dance...so I did...during breaks. Rog has been building a temporary building to use as the school until the real one is done. He splits the bamboo...makes him feel real African...and I & another volunteer nail it up to make the walls. Ben continues to be on the roof doing our kings & scrapings. Jen worked on sanding & painting the desk. Thursday we did a switch so B & J went to Site 2. Ben was still on the roof and Jen took over splitting & nailing up bamboo. Rog was up on the roof while I got stuck shoveling gravel into a wheelbarrow & dumping it into the huge pot holes our van keeps getting suck in. Eric, a character from Washington state, says we should collect toll $$ now. (Only paved road around here was built by the Chinese & they collect a toll.)
I finally suggested that when the next truck comes in, after we unload the bricks, we fill it with gravel & then have a few throw it off the back as they drive down the road. It worked!!
Was so happy to not have to fill anymore wheelbarrows! We do sleep well...8 or so to a room...to the sound of frogs, crickets & a few snorers. I wear a snore strip to keep mine to a minimum. Rog wears duct tape!
Who knew that'd work??
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Monday was back to work...in the mud. We did pretty much the same as last week only it was cooler thanks to the light rain on and off all day. Tuesday & Wed, I went to the site Rog has been working at. That site is in the center of a small community and I worked near the water pump so there was lots of activity. I loved the opportunity to play with the kids a copy cat game, practice counting in English and admiring the toys they showed me: a motorcycle & rider made out of clay, a boat made of a watermelon shell, a pull toy with squished pop cans for wheels & tic tac toe using can lids. The kids laughed so freely as they played in the mud puddles. Several came up wanting to dance...so I did...during breaks. Rog has been building a temporary building to use as the school until the real one is done. He splits the bamboo...makes him feel real African...and I & another volunteer nail it up to make the walls. Ben continues to be on the roof doing our kings & scrapings. Jen worked on sanding & painting the desk. Thursday we did a switch so B & J went to Site 2. Ben was still on the roof and Jen took over splitting & nailing up bamboo. Rog was up on the roof while I got stuck shoveling gravel into a wheelbarrow & dumping it into the huge pot holes our van keeps getting suck in. Eric, a character from Washington state, says we should collect toll $$ now. (Only paved road around here was built by the Chinese & they collect a toll.)
I finally suggested that when the next truck comes in, after we unload the bricks, we fill it with gravel & then have a few throw it off the back as they drive down the road. It worked!!
Was so happy to not have to fill anymore wheelbarrows! We do sleep well...8 or so to a room...to the sound of frogs, crickets & a few snorers. I wear a snore strip to keep mine to a minimum. Rog wears duct tape!
Who knew that'd work??
Sent from my iPhone
Sunday, January 19, 2020
Update 6
Day 4
Up at 5 am as usual & in van around 6. Rog was assigned housekeeping & the rest of us to Site 1. B & J worked as a team leveling purloins with Jen in a harness straddling the roof boards. I worked on a team shoveling, raking & leveling the foundation. Luckily, I was mostly the leveler. At noon, those who wanted left to go shop in Nhamatanda. Ben was happy to stay to prove he could work a full day! I stayed too. Ben spent the whole afternoon on the roof harnessed & nailing on strappings in the 95 degree humid & sunny weather. I was cutting the strapping & had set up my operation in the shade. Around 3, the clouds rushed in & we quickly gather tools but not before we got soaked & covered with mud. I think you could hear the SSSSSsss as the rain cooled down our heated bodies. Felt so good. Back to base, showered and drank another cold Coke.
Rog & Jen got back from their shopping spree with fresh fruit, pasta, beans & eggs for tomorrow's meal as Sunday is a day of & everyone has to fend for themselves. Jen also found some gorgeous fabric—2 yards for $3.
After dinner, we headed to the tiny town, Lamego which is only blocks away. Kids now recognize us & shout Ole as we navigate the mud puddles. The thumb war boys find us quickly for a few games. Jen spotted a tailor sitting at his treadle Singer sewing machine on his porch. She showed him a picture of what she wanted, he took her measurements & she left smiling with her fingers crossed.
We went to the bar which was crowded with locals watching a soccer game with much enthusiasm. We went up to the 2nd floor where we had a view & a breeze. Several of our little buddies spotted us and started dancing & doing somersaults for us. We provided entertainment for each other!
Back at base, B & J got to FaceTime with their kids & I got to with Jake's & Bek's. A real treat!! Euchre, just chatting with others & enjoying the Brazilian dance party filled the evening. It's so fascinating & interesting to talk to people from other countries. On base currently there's people from Spain, Germany, England, Australia, Columbia, Brazil, Portugal, Mozambique and about 10 US states.
Favorite conversations:
Portuguese: We founded you guys! It interesting watching how that discovery is working out.
UK: Love watching the reality show: USA
To which we replied, what about the reality show your royalty provide us. To which they said: remember you guys hated the royalty not too long ago.
And a Japanese guy whose family joined the mass exit to Brazil in the 40's said everywhere will eventually look similar to Brazil where's there's such a huge variation of facial features due to so many different nationalities making babies together. Brazilians pay the most for passports cause of that.
As Mark Twain said years ago, traveling enriches the mind and minimizes prejudices.
Sent from my iPhone
Up at 5 am as usual & in van around 6. Rog was assigned housekeeping & the rest of us to Site 1. B & J worked as a team leveling purloins with Jen in a harness straddling the roof boards. I worked on a team shoveling, raking & leveling the foundation. Luckily, I was mostly the leveler. At noon, those who wanted left to go shop in Nhamatanda. Ben was happy to stay to prove he could work a full day! I stayed too. Ben spent the whole afternoon on the roof harnessed & nailing on strappings in the 95 degree humid & sunny weather. I was cutting the strapping & had set up my operation in the shade. Around 3, the clouds rushed in & we quickly gather tools but not before we got soaked & covered with mud. I think you could hear the SSSSSsss as the rain cooled down our heated bodies. Felt so good. Back to base, showered and drank another cold Coke.
Rog & Jen got back from their shopping spree with fresh fruit, pasta, beans & eggs for tomorrow's meal as Sunday is a day of & everyone has to fend for themselves. Jen also found some gorgeous fabric—2 yards for $3.
After dinner, we headed to the tiny town, Lamego which is only blocks away. Kids now recognize us & shout Ole as we navigate the mud puddles. The thumb war boys find us quickly for a few games. Jen spotted a tailor sitting at his treadle Singer sewing machine on his porch. She showed him a picture of what she wanted, he took her measurements & she left smiling with her fingers crossed.
We went to the bar which was crowded with locals watching a soccer game with much enthusiasm. We went up to the 2nd floor where we had a view & a breeze. Several of our little buddies spotted us and started dancing & doing somersaults for us. We provided entertainment for each other!
Back at base, B & J got to FaceTime with their kids & I got to with Jake's & Bek's. A real treat!! Euchre, just chatting with others & enjoying the Brazilian dance party filled the evening. It's so fascinating & interesting to talk to people from other countries. On base currently there's people from Spain, Germany, England, Australia, Columbia, Brazil, Portugal, Mozambique and about 10 US states.
Favorite conversations:
Portuguese: We founded you guys! It interesting watching how that discovery is working out.
UK: Love watching the reality show: USA
To which we replied, what about the reality show your royalty provide us. To which they said: remember you guys hated the royalty not too long ago.
And a Japanese guy whose family joined the mass exit to Brazil in the 40's said everywhere will eventually look similar to Brazil where's there's such a huge variation of facial features due to so many different nationalities making babies together. Brazilians pay the most for passports cause of that.
As Mark Twain said years ago, traveling enriches the mind and minimizes prejudices.
Sent from my iPhone
Update 4
Day 2: Ben woke up with a heart shaped blister about the size of a quarter. So he got a free visit to the local hospital!! Here's his description: The waiting room was outside with rows of old chairs next to a building 5 ft off it's slab & right in front was an old truck on blocks with all the wheels gone. Inside flimsy beds with visible dirt on them and broken tiles. The doctors were in clean white coats. The Chief Dr examined Ben and the diagnosis: peed on by a beetle. Orlundu tried to translate it that to Ben :). Now that's a story to tell...and exaggerate!!
He spent the afternoon working on and completing the base fix it projects.
Jen had housekeeping duties in the AM and taught English to locals in the PM. Jen described it like this: We worked on introductions and did lots of vocab building using picture cards. They spent much time trying to teach the difference between okay, good & great...cause they always just say "fine." There were about 25 pupils mostly young kids...6 yrs and up. About 5 adults too. It was really fun!
Roger went to Site 1 & Jane went to Site 2. It was HOT and humid! Probably in the 90s. For Jane, shoveling & raking and being the Goffer. I was too tired when I got back to ask Rog what he'd worked on.
After the nightly meeting & supper, most of the 25 volunteers walked to the local bar & got a cold drink. We took the plastic chairs outside & sat in a circle enjoying the friendly conversation and the shade of a tree! When my Coke —no Diet Coke :( —was gone, I walked over to where the kids had gathered to watch the "foreigners." I took a big boys hands to form a bridge & London Bridges was soon in full swing. Then we play Blue Bird & Ring Around the Rosie. The kids either knew the games or caught on quickly. Yesterday I'd taught a few boys to play thumb war & they found me and wanted to play with me...then Ben...then Rog. These are the experiences that make me keep traveling year after year!
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He spent the afternoon working on and completing the base fix it projects.
Jen had housekeeping duties in the AM and taught English to locals in the PM. Jen described it like this: We worked on introductions and did lots of vocab building using picture cards. They spent much time trying to teach the difference between okay, good & great...cause they always just say "fine." There were about 25 pupils mostly young kids...6 yrs and up. About 5 adults too. It was really fun!
Roger went to Site 1 & Jane went to Site 2. It was HOT and humid! Probably in the 90s. For Jane, shoveling & raking and being the Goffer. I was too tired when I got back to ask Rog what he'd worked on.
After the nightly meeting & supper, most of the 25 volunteers walked to the local bar & got a cold drink. We took the plastic chairs outside & sat in a circle enjoying the friendly conversation and the shade of a tree! When my Coke —no Diet Coke :( —was gone, I walked over to where the kids had gathered to watch the "foreigners." I took a big boys hands to form a bridge & London Bridges was soon in full swing. Then we play Blue Bird & Ring Around the Rosie. The kids either knew the games or caught on quickly. Yesterday I'd taught a few boys to play thumb war & they found me and wanted to play with me...then Ben...then Rog. These are the experiences that make me keep traveling year after year!
Sent from my iPhone
Update 5
Day 3
Ben & I were on housekeeping duties which we knocked out in two hours, then we got to ride to the dump! We stopped & got a COLD 1 lt Coke and headed for Site 1 where Jen was. We did save some of the Coke for her. We picked up the shoveling & raking project for about 30 minutes and then the rain cloud burst. We took shelter & played Farkle till Cat, our site leader called it quits. We ran around in the blowing downpour locking up all the tools & dripping wet, we climbed into the van and headed by to base & with more rain in the forecast & all base jobs done, we had the afternoon off. Ben is getting accused of jinxing getting a full day of work in! He did spend much of the afternoon "working" in the office helping to create a brick fund raising option. I worked on catching up on writing, Jen read & worked on a puzzle. Roger was at Site 2 which had just a sprinkle so he worked all day mostly sawing. It's an hour away so didn't make sense to send us there. Believe it or not, the rest of us wish we were working on Site 2!
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Ben & I were on housekeeping duties which we knocked out in two hours, then we got to ride to the dump! We stopped & got a COLD 1 lt Coke and headed for Site 1 where Jen was. We did save some of the Coke for her. We picked up the shoveling & raking project for about 30 minutes and then the rain cloud burst. We took shelter & played Farkle till Cat, our site leader called it quits. We ran around in the blowing downpour locking up all the tools & dripping wet, we climbed into the van and headed by to base & with more rain in the forecast & all base jobs done, we had the afternoon off. Ben is getting accused of jinxing getting a full day of work in! He did spend much of the afternoon "working" in the office helping to create a brick fund raising option. I worked on catching up on writing, Jen read & worked on a puzzle. Roger was at Site 2 which had just a sprinkle so he worked all day mostly sawing. It's an hour away so didn't make sense to send us there. Believe it or not, the rest of us wish we were working on Site 2!
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Friday, January 17, 2020
Re: Update 2
Wow! What a long trip to get there, but you made it! Love your 2 stories thus far. I'm glad you're working with AHAH. Sending love & prayers from WOW & me.
Jean
On Fri, Jan 17, 2020 at 7:38 AM Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com> wrote:
We had our fingers crossed when we arrived as we had not gotten our Mozambique Visa before we left. Long story just suffice it to say...it was too confusing due to contradicting info. AHAH said, just get it at the airport. Visions of us getting all the way there and not getting a Visa kept drifting in and out as I sat on the airplane. But after waiting for about an hour outside the immigration office, we got them!! And luckily, our AHAH ride was still waiting for us. It took us just about an hour to get to the AHAH base!! Successsss!
In so many ways I can say I've been here before: kids milling around everywhere; Mamas carrying babies on their backs while balancing old miscellaneous jugs of water on their heads; tarps covering so many homes or what we'd call shacks built of bamboo, mud and some cement; the Chinese built highway lined with make-shift shores & all side roads muddy & chuck-holed, bicycles over loaded with people & carrying piles of you name it, mass of pedestrians & a variety of old & new vehicles...all fighting for a slice of the road. Rich green plants quickly recovering, blue sky with a huge rain front in the distance and even a rainbow! Most everywhere I look, a stark reminder that much of the world doesn't live like me.
Cyclone Idai in March 2019 wrecked havoc to Beira & the surrounding area. As AHAH usually does, their base is in the small town of Nhamatanda where they are building two schools but also becoming a friend to the locals. Small towns don't get the attention but suffer the losses usually even more.
After settling in to our assigned bunks & taking a quick cold shower, we crashed.
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Update 3
Day 1 on base: fixed our own breakfast, did assigned cleaning and than had an orientation which included a walk through Nhamatanda. With a line of kids following us, we located the bakery (mud oven/rolls only), the hardware & grocery stores (6'x4' room with limited selection), several bars and my favorite: the movie theater (4 post covered with tarps with a TV blaring an action movie with about 15 kids sitting on 4' logs.
We also got some background information from a local man hired by AHAH, Orlundu: Two tribes live in this area and are separated by the highway. Locals still prefer witch doctors to certified doctors. Witch doctors use lots of herbs & potions and are identified when babies. Babies are also identified as being witches who can do harm to others. Only ancestors can keep witches from causing you harm. At age 9, boys are expected to have jobs & girls begin to learn "wifely" duties. Boys go to school till 18 and then marry...usually prearranged & sometimes even before they are born. Girls marry at 13–that's not a typo—and live with their in-laws for 6 months to prove they're capable of taking care of their husbands. Most have 4+ kids. Farming & fishing are the most common income. Only a handful of factories here.
Orlundu was proud to say that Mozambicans are happy and positive people. They just accept difficulties like cyclones saying you just have to pick up the pieces and move on.
The AHAH staff went over basics also. As always, I'm impressed with the base rules that allow things to run like a well oiled machine. But mostly, AHAH motto to go early, stay late and strengthen both the community and the volunteers. They do that so well. And AHAH has earned a 4* on Charity Navigator for 6 yrs achieving a perfect 100%. I'm so proud and humble to be a volunteer for five projects now.
Sent from my iPhone
We also got some background information from a local man hired by AHAH, Orlundu: Two tribes live in this area and are separated by the highway. Locals still prefer witch doctors to certified doctors. Witch doctors use lots of herbs & potions and are identified when babies. Babies are also identified as being witches who can do harm to others. Only ancestors can keep witches from causing you harm. At age 9, boys are expected to have jobs & girls begin to learn "wifely" duties. Boys go to school till 18 and then marry...usually prearranged & sometimes even before they are born. Girls marry at 13–that's not a typo—and live with their in-laws for 6 months to prove they're capable of taking care of their husbands. Most have 4+ kids. Farming & fishing are the most common income. Only a handful of factories here.
Orlundu was proud to say that Mozambicans are happy and positive people. They just accept difficulties like cyclones saying you just have to pick up the pieces and move on.
The AHAH staff went over basics also. As always, I'm impressed with the base rules that allow things to run like a well oiled machine. But mostly, AHAH motto to go early, stay late and strengthen both the community and the volunteers. They do that so well. And AHAH has earned a 4* on Charity Navigator for 6 yrs achieving a perfect 100%. I'm so proud and humble to be a volunteer for five projects now.
Sent from my iPhone
Re: Update 2
Did you get RT tickets?
On Jan 17, 2020, at 6:38 AM, Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com> wrote:
We had our fingers crossed when we arrived as we had not gotten our Mozambique Visa before we left. Long story just suffice it to say...it was too confusing due to contradicting info. AHAH said, just get it at the airport. Visions of us getting all the way there and not getting a Visa kept drifting in and out as I sat on the airplane. But after waiting for about an hour outside the immigration office, we got them!! And luckily, our AHAH ride was still waiting for us. It took us just about an hour to get to the AHAH base!! Successsss!
In so many ways I can say I've been here before: kids milling around everywhere; Mamas carrying babies on their backs while balancing old miscellaneous jugs of water on their heads; tarps covering so many homes or what we'd call shacks built of bamboo, mud and some cement; the Chinese built highway lined with make-shift shores & all side roads muddy & chuck-holed, bicycles over loaded with people & carrying piles of you name it, mass of pedestrians & a variety of old & new vehicles...all fighting for a slice of the road. Rich green plants quickly recovering, blue sky with a huge rain front in the distance and even a rainbow! Most everywhere I look, a stark reminder that much of the world doesn't live like me.
Cyclone Idai in March 2019 wrecked havoc to Beira & the surrounding area. As AHAH usually does, their base is in the small town of Nhamatanda where they are building two schools but also becoming a friend to the locals. Small towns don't get the attention but suffer the losses usually even more.
After settling in to our assigned bunks & taking a quick cold shower, we crashed.
Sent from my iPhone
Update 2
We had our fingers crossed when we arrived as we had not gotten our Mozambique Visa before we left. Long story just suffice it to say...it was too confusing due to contradicting info. AHAH said, just get it at the airport. Visions of us getting all the way there and not getting a Visa kept drifting in and out as I sat on the airplane. But after waiting for about an hour outside the immigration office, we got them!! And luckily, our AHAH ride was still waiting for us. It took us just about an hour to get to the AHAH base!! Successsss!
In so many ways I can say I've been here before: kids milling around everywhere; Mamas carrying babies on their backs while balancing old miscellaneous jugs of water on their heads; tarps covering so many homes or what we'd call shacks built of bamboo, mud and some cement; the Chinese built highway lined with make-shift shores & all side roads muddy & chuck-holed, bicycles over loaded with people & carrying piles of you name it, mass of pedestrians & a variety of old & new vehicles...all fighting for a slice of the road. Rich green plants quickly recovering, blue sky with a huge rain front in the distance and even a rainbow! Most everywhere I look, a stark reminder that much of the world doesn't live like me.
Cyclone Idai in March 2019 wrecked havoc to Beira & the surrounding area. As AHAH usually does, their base is in the small town of Nhamatanda where they are building two schools but also becoming a friend to the locals. Small towns don't get the attention but suffer the losses usually even more.
After settling in to our assigned bunks & taking a quick cold shower, we crashed.
Sent from my iPhone
In so many ways I can say I've been here before: kids milling around everywhere; Mamas carrying babies on their backs while balancing old miscellaneous jugs of water on their heads; tarps covering so many homes or what we'd call shacks built of bamboo, mud and some cement; the Chinese built highway lined with make-shift shores & all side roads muddy & chuck-holed, bicycles over loaded with people & carrying piles of you name it, mass of pedestrians & a variety of old & new vehicles...all fighting for a slice of the road. Rich green plants quickly recovering, blue sky with a huge rain front in the distance and even a rainbow! Most everywhere I look, a stark reminder that much of the world doesn't live like me.
Cyclone Idai in March 2019 wrecked havoc to Beira & the surrounding area. As AHAH usually does, their base is in the small town of Nhamatanda where they are building two schools but also becoming a friend to the locals. Small towns don't get the attention but suffer the losses usually even more.
After settling in to our assigned bunks & taking a quick cold shower, we crashed.
Sent from my iPhone
Update 1
We're sitting in the Ethiopian airport on a lay over and watching a fashion show of cultural clothing worn by every shade of skin and overhearing a horde of languages all the while engulfed by potent smells of all types. We ain't in Dexter any more! This is what makes our trips so fascinating!
Yesterday we took off from home headed for Mozambique along with Ben & Jen! We are so thrilled to share this love of traveling and experiencing other countries & cultures with them...and finding a way to help in some small way. When B & J told us they wanted to go with us, we asked 2 questions—how far & what type of work. They said as far as possible to somewhere they'd never go and do rebuilding. A few days later, we hear All Hands & Hearts (AHAH) was opening a base in Mozambique due to the damage last spring caused by Cyclone Idai. I also recently had heard from a contact I'd made last year (explain later). So as usual, we knocked and God pointed the way.
We left January 13 after celebrating 4 times and my birthday that week and hosing Lynn & Laura. B & J had lots of coordinating to do so their 3 kids' bases were covered.
We'd boarded in Detroit at 6 am, 3 hrs to Wash DC, then 12 hrs to Ethiopia. Another 6 hours to Beira, Mozambique and we'll be there! Ready or not, here we come!!
PS Remember: I don't edit my updates...I'm writing them as a journal for me and don't want to waste my travel time editing.
Yesterday we took off from home headed for Mozambique along with Ben & Jen! We are so thrilled to share this love of traveling and experiencing other countries & cultures with them...and finding a way to help in some small way. When B & J told us they wanted to go with us, we asked 2 questions—how far & what type of work. They said as far as possible to somewhere they'd never go and do rebuilding. A few days later, we hear All Hands & Hearts (AHAH) was opening a base in Mozambique due to the damage last spring caused by Cyclone Idai. I also recently had heard from a contact I'd made last year (explain later). So as usual, we knocked and God pointed the way.
We left January 13 after celebrating 4 times and my birthday that week and hosing Lynn & Laura. B & J had lots of coordinating to do so their 3 kids' bases were covered.
We'd boarded in Detroit at 6 am, 3 hrs to Wash DC, then 12 hrs to Ethiopia. Another 6 hours to Beira, Mozambique and we'll be there! Ready or not, here we come!!
PS Remember: I don't edit my updates...I'm writing them as a journal for me and don't want to waste my travel time editing.
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