Visit Report 2010
[Source: Carrie Lees October 2010]
Our ALMA link dates back to 2005, and this was our sixth visit. Our team was the Reverend Derek Winterburn, Fiona Rowett and Carrie Lees, and our aims were to support our Link, which we treasure, to teach Catechists (Derek), to visit the Good Seeds Project, which supports the education of orphans (Fiona), Health teaching and Sewing group (Carrie).
The previous year had been a challenging visit, both for our folk in the Church of Sao Paulo, Mandimba and for ourselves from St Mary’s – the previous priest had departed under very difficult circumstances, leaving an angry and bewildered Community Priest and PCC, and a series of unfinished projects. So there were some frank talks, sympathy and understanding, and prayer. Bishop Mark suggested we consider financing an Adepto, a member of the Equipa da Vida Team. “Our” Adepto Micael is now in post and we are establishing a very positive relationship with this energetic, enthusiastic and likeable young man.
Since Mandimba is on the border between Malawi and Mozambique, we have found the least expensive route is to fly to Lilongwe, Malawi via Nairobi – all Kenya Airways, and hire a driver and 4x4 from a firm in Lilongwe to drive us to Mandimba. And since we would need a driver during the visit – we have several outlying villages and a visit to Lichinga to make - we retained our driver and vehicle throughout the visit, at the end of which he drove us back to Lilongwe.
So the planning started in earnest in May. We had gifts to take, plus some for other links, but the luggage allowance was a generous two pieces of 23Kg. for each of us, so we took two piano keyboards, 12 copies of Onde Nao Ha Medico to facilitate the training of Health Workers, knitted baby clothes, three laptops – and the rest! It included a thurible!
Our redoubtable Adepto Micael organized the programme for our visit, which was a great help.
So we got to Heathrow in a mixture of excitement and trepidation, celebrated Derek’s Birthday with cake and candles and singing (the lit candles brought a visit from Security!) and left on the night flight for Nairobi.
At Lilongwe we had a little difficulty with Customs (one keyboard was new and we realise we should have had the receipt available), were met by our driver Davide – who proved to be an excellent driver, and drove the five hours to Mandimba Border – where we had a little further paperwork difficulty, and cleared the passport and customs just in time before it closed for the night at 6pm. We were greeted by Father Andre Farahane and a welcome party from Church, - they had been there all afternoon! – and whisked off to supper at Father Andre’s house, a short walk away. We walked to Andre’s house through the black African night.
How do the local folk manage to see without the aid of a torch or streetlights or the moon? It remains a mystery to me! When it’s dark it’s very dark in Africa, and rough paths don’t help! That meal with Andre and Church members was the first of many meals made for us by our friends in Mandimba and I’m pleased to say that we remained well throughout!
Micael had done considerable work in Mandimba and outlying Massangulo and Marcos Dezoito, and we were very encouraged by the progress.
In Mandimba, the Good Seeds (orphans) project is flourishing and there are currently 35 young people supported in Secondary school, with a plan to extend to 50 in the next school year. Support is given by the teachers and also by the Church, who make home visits.
The restoration work on the Vicarage is underway and will be monitored by Micael, the Adepto.
In Massangulo work on the well is completed, and work on the Church will continue to finish the doors and windows, and later, the flooring. Again Micael had been guiding and encouraging.
In Marcos Dezoito, the least accessible of the District of Mandimba, the well has been completed to a useable, though rudimentary level. The new Church building is underway and we were able to deliver the money for the next stage.
As well as making visits to the Projects, we made a visit to Lichinga, to see Rebecca Vandermeulen and to meet Micael for the first time – he was then accompanied us for the whole visit, and is well liked by all the folk in Mandimba. Rebecca had arranged accommodation for us at Kuchijinji, the Diocesan Centre, where we were well looked after. Also very helpfully, we were able to exchange Metacais for USDs at a good rate of exchange at Kuchijingi, thus avoiding the bank and the money changer, apart from a minor transaction with the latter, at a rather high rate. In Lichinga we delivered twelve copies of “Onde Nao Ha Medico” (“Where there is no Doctor”) for Dr. Peg Cumberland to give to the Health Workers she has trained. You will recall that there was a special request for this newly translated book, earlier this year. Whilst in Lichinga we visited the Hospital, since we had given money for the purchase of toys – intended for the Playroom – but given to each child on discharge from hospital! But for homes where there are normally no toys, we saw this as progress even if it was not what we originally had in mind!
In Mandimba, we were very thrilled that the Good Seeds are flourishing, and Fiona had a very good discussion with the Head, and members of staff, a tour of the School and the computer room , and an opportunity to meet with the children receiving support. It was good to hear of their plans and hopes for the future which included aspiring engineers, doctors, customs officers, teachers and nurses.
Derek had teaching sessions with the Catechists (a little hampered since not all brought their Bibles!). He was impressed by their love for the Lord and their desire to teach and preach.
Carrie taught health subjects, covering major illnesses and when to seek help, immunization, care of the sick at home, and included a question and answer session. Fiona fulfilled a triple role as scribe, patient, and encourager. Above all things we were encouraged that the women said they would like more health teaching.
The Sewing Group in Mandimba were in far better form this year, and we have added another sewing machine. They wish to apply for funding for a secure sewing house – for which they have already begun to make the bricks - and tuition – and Micael will help them with the Project Proposal form. His help with this is proving invaluable, and also with managing the delivery of money for the projects in staged payments.
A visit to Mandimba Hospital was made too, where we were told that the two major problems (over and above lack of resources and staff) was the lack of security – there is no boundary fence and so the water supply is vulnerable to vandalism, the hazardous waste – syringes and needles – may be taken. And the second problem is that their two ambulances are no longer roadworthy. This means that Lichinga Hospital (where emergency surgery can be performed) cannot be accessed, and also that the outreach service to the villages for immunization and health care cannot be done.
Bishop Julius Makoni and Canon Derek WinterburnWe were sad to say our farewells to our dear friends in Mandimba, in order to make a visit to Bishop Julius Makoni, the new Bishop of Manicaland, Zimbabwe. So more travel! The long return drive to Lilongwe, an overnight stay there, and then the early morning flight to Harare, where we were so glad to be greeted by Julius, whisked back to his lovely house in Harare, where we were spoiled by his housekeeper Anna, and delighted with the hot running water and electricity – and modern plumbing! After lunch we drove to Mutare, where Julius has his office and staff. Next morning there was a packed Church, to hear Canon Winterburn preach on “making God Smile”. The whole congregation were bursting with happiness, with the singing of two choirs and a group of singers, accompanied by drums, cymbals and even whistles! Twelve folk were confirmed, that day. The Service lasted three hours, and probably would have been longer were it not for the need to leave the Church by 10.30am (yes we were in Church by 7 am!), to avoid intervention by the police, who pose a threat to such gatherings.
We had a day of sightseeing – a wildlife park, and present buying on the Monday, and then we were saying our goodbyes again, not just to our friends but also to the sunshine and open spaces. And – when we landed at Heathrow, early in the morning – it was raining! But we were very warmly welcomed by our folk here .. and the blessings of our own homes.
We were welcomed in the way that Africa welcomes, with singing and smiles, and huge warmth. We were invited into many homes, for meals and conversation. And the community of Sao Paulo seems more secure and happier than before. We and they have hopes for the future and a mutual desire to work together in Faith and Friendship.