Ay up!

Hello all,

Its been a while since I blogged. Partly because I wanted the others to give their views on matters I have already got set opinions on, but mainly as I have been just so busy!

Ok, The visit by the rest of the team went well. It was a very packed schedule, and we saw lots of projects Nigel had previously worked on. It can be intense in some of these places…… the hardship and poverty are well documented…….. however seeing mentally impaired children just laying around on dirty floors is breathtakingly sad. However, the facilities keep these children (Old people and mentally impaired too) alive! And that is an achievement in itself…… these groups would simply perish here as there is no alternative for them.

I personally find it difficult to deal with government officials who simply seem not to care one way or another for the poor and dysfunctional members of their society. It beggars belief to see some of them just look for the profit they could make for themselves on our backs and to the detriment to the aforementioned poor! I know its probably not very diplomatic to say, but I’m not the diplomat, I’m the builder!!

The exception to the rule seem to be SALHOC, and in particular Lavern, the leader of this organisation. She is probably the one person I have met, who has the heart to want to help these people too…….. I pray that she gets the governmental support to be able to turn her dreams into reality. I fear it wont happen in truth, But I would love to be proved wrong! Lovely woman. So I know she will try her best, and that’s all we can expect from anyone.

The land purchase was exhausting, the hoops you jump through, and the unbelievable pressure on making all the right judgements really took their toll on me. However, for this piece of land it is done and dusted. Pastor Tamber, who I affectionately call PT, was instrumental in making it all happen. He has my sincere thanks, and I believe I have found a friend and mentor in him. An amazing individual.

I was told of an expression lots of ex pats use in Africa “TIA”….. This is Africa! Which I haven’t actually heard said while I have been here, but it does sum up the attitude you have to adopt to survive here. Nothing is straight forward here, things that you would expect to be easy, turn out to be extraordinarily hard. From buying and running a generator, to getting a car fixed! everything is difficult, its always sweaty hot, and there are always issues to deal with. Personal issues, all sorts. So you end up juggling everything. But…….. TIA!!!

The vehicles are getting there. Just serviced the lorry and brought 2 more tyres as the roads here just tear them up so quickly. Suspension parts are the same, so even healthy vehicles need constant supervision and attention. Frank was far from healthy! And is still a bane to me! However, he runs, for how long I have no idea!

House is starting to be a home, but I am sure now that Katherine has moved in she will make it even more homely. I lost two puppies, one died from (we believe) eating something toxic, then her brother ran under the wheels of polka! Coker, replaced the dogs as I was out at the time…… Bless him, accidents happen I guess, but I wasn’t happy. So RIP “Stella and Artios”. The chickens are doing well, and I added another two hens to their number yesterday. Life’s hard here for people, its even harder for animals, so its good to be able to give care to a few that live within our compound.

I’m tired to be fair. I don’t tire easily, as most who know me will testify to. However the stress of the last few months has worn me out! So I will be helping Katherine get settled, ensuring things that need sorting before I come back for some rest and recuperation are done. Then my only other tasks are to sort out some caretaker accommodation on our new site, and start the process of fence posting our land so no encroachment occurs this rainy season. that’s only about 300 8″x8″ 8′ posts! I wont get them all done, but I will get some done…… the key is to show that you are active on site. I have ordered the well drilling today, They are very graciously drilling it knowing full well that Nigel has to find the cash to do it! So I am praying that he can raise this amount in the next few weeks……. as well as much more in the coming years!

Anyway, I’m rambling now. I would just like to say thank you to all the continued support, love and well wishes from so many people. You keep me going when times are tough. Bless you all.

Try to blog more, I know I’ve been pants!!

Ian