|
Muli bwanji!
This is now our first full day at the Kawalazi plantation. We went to bed early last night and so felt much refreshed this morning.
We started the day by discussing the different projects that are possible to implement here as part of the Brighter Tomorrow at Origin programme. There is the possibility of extending the local clinic laboratory so that it becomes accessible to the whole community. Another option is to help farmers convert their land from tobacco to tea to get higher earnings all year round (since the tobacco market price is in decline).
We go to the local school and meet the chief of the local district, where we take part in a tree planting ceremony. Then we go to the clinic and meet the nurse and ask her questions about her key concerns.
After a lovely lunch (and a quick nap) we set off to visit local farmers and discuss with them the possibility of converting part of their land to tea growing. We hear their concerns and also their enthusiasm for the project. Some of them even ask how quickly we can start !
We finish the day with a quick visit of the tea factory, where the leaves are first brought in and dried. We will see the rest of the process tomorrow.
For now it is time for tea and then we will meet the plantation management at the club later tonight.
Tomorrow will be another busy day but I can't wait to learn all the secrets of the tea production and taste some of the best Malawian tea !
Gonani bwino !
|
