Monday December 6,
Our first task for the day was to meet Theresa at the bank to withdraw funds for the project. While Dave, and Theresa took care of that, Michael and Muyunda stopped in at the Zain shop to look into the new 3G wireless adapter that Godfrey mentioned. While there, they learned that the Zain network has been having trouble all week, so the difficulties we've been having getting online in Kantolomba may have nothing to do with the location. Fingers crossed!
At the same time Brian stopped in at the internet cafe to see what had come in from the home about the Pulumusa stove project. We recently discovered a clue that we hoped might lead us to a stove, and we were eager to see if the folks in America could track down some more information for us. It is a great thing to have folks working back home when it is night time here!
Once we'd all finished our tasks, we headed over to Intown hardware to pick up more plumbing supplies.
Back at Intown hardware
After a brief stop by a local cement shop, we headed over to Masala market for more supplies. We stopped back in at our new favorite electrical suppliers, a shop run by Francis' cousin Matthews, and picked up electrical supplies and what we hope will be the last of the plumbing supplies. These projects are moving along quickly and we're hopeful they will finish before we leave.
Stopping in to see Matthews
While we were at Matthews' shop, Muyunda asked around to find out where in the market we could find a tinsmith who might be able to make us a Pulumusa stove. After a few inquiries he had an idea of where to look and we set out. When we got to the spot, it was immediately clear we were in the right place: there was metal everywhere and the regular clang of hammer on anvil. We were very excited, and asked the first person who came our way if he knew about the Pulumusa. His reply: "Ohh yes, I can make a Pulumusa stove". Success! We made arrangements to have two stoves ready to be picked up the next morning.
Visiting the tinsmiths. In the foreground is the back of an old car that is slowly being recycled into brazers.
Our next task was to head out to Kantolomba to check in on the projects. We were soon greeted with yet more good news: with the installation of the parts we had just picked up, the plumbing in the building was done. This has been a great challenge to bring together, so we were all quite excited!
Friday and Pascal finish up a sink.
While the plumbing crew finished up their efforts, Peter and Reuben were helping Francis get started on the electrical work. We were able to capture a few shots of them climbing around in the rafters.
Peter
Francis
After we checked in with the building projects, Theresa showed us a brick making mold of the type used in Kantolomba to make mud bricks. Based on our testing at the monastery, we doubted it would stand up to the pressure involved in making compressed earth blocks. Fortunately Friday knew of a place where we could rent a metal form, so we are hopeful that we can get a solid form in time to make a couple of test blocks.
Wooden mould
Our next task was to check in with the sewing coop to see how their work was coming along. They were eager to show us the results of their efforts.
Ethel demos the latest and greatest in apron design
A sample of a pencil holder designed by a supporter in the United States
Brian snuck in a quick internet check while we checked in on the sewing.
It was soon time for lunch, and as we sat down with the ladies to eat we had the joy of presenting our "Most Courageous English Speaker" award to Sophia. She received a solar flashlight for being the most willing to practice her english while she had access to native speakers. We hope that the prospect of a reward and special recognition will motivate more folks in the cooperative to strike up a conversation. Already there is a world of improvement in the english skills within the coop. "Kantalomba English" gets clearer every day!
Lunch time with the coop
Dave presenting the award
Sophia with her new solar flashlight
After lunch, we set off across Kantolomba to pay a visit to the local potter. We had asked Theresa earlier in the trip if it would be possible to have the potter make some small bowls for us. Today we got word that they were nearly ready to go. This was Michael's first chance to get a good look at the larger Kantolomba area, so we made a trip of it!
Touring the compound
The potter was out when we visited, but her husband was happy to take a picture with us.
Mini-pots!
After we returned from the visit to the potter's house, we realized we had several errands to run, and not enough time to get them all done. We decided to split up into two teams: Friday and Dave would get supplies for the hammermill doors, and Michael, Muyunda, and Brian would head into town to pick up groceries at Shoprite.
Shoprite!
Our tasks completed, we returned to Castle Lodge.
Scenes from around Kantolomba:
The cooks preparing ground nuts for lunch.
A close up of an Mbaula cook stove. These simple brazers are used all over Zambia.
Theresa stops by the tuck shop.
Dave spent some time in the afternoon working with the coop on phoning the U.S.
Everyone took a turn with the phone.