Today we were able to visit Kirstof & Stacia Nordin at their home about 45 minutes outside of Lilongwe. They are peace corps volunteers and have lived here in Malawi for 15 years. They have created their home into a permaculture house. They are trying use their own lives and homes as an example to Malawians. What is permaculture you may ask? The idea began in 1984 by 2 men, Bill Mollison & David Holmgren. It is defined as the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems, which have the diversity, stability and resilience of natural ecosystems. Their motto is "Live simply so that others may simply live." They are trying to change Malawians mindsets - again, in my opinion, Malawi's biggest problem and obstacle. They make their own fertilizer, from their compost toilet and debris that they use in their maize fields, which saves money and gives them a more fruitful crop. For their maize fields, instead of planting just one row of maize, like the rest of Malawi...
they plant 3 rows together in the same bed. They plant maize on the outer 2 rows and then ground crops in the middle, like beans, potatoes, etc. These ground crops keep the maize healthier and in the end they have a bigger harvest.
It was very interesting. All throughout their yard they have greenery and all types of plants growing that are edible. They have two 2 cement cisterns that collect rain water that they use to irrigate the crops. They have food all year round. Not one month of harvest like the rest of Malawi. They never go hungry! They have a few families that live on their land for free, but their payment is they have to use their practices in their own home. It's almost irritating in a sense that there are so many options for food but the locals see nsima as the only option. If they don't have nsima, they don't consider themselves full, and they think the meal lacks nutrition without nsima. They have the same option as the Nordins do! To never go hungry! And it's cheaper their way too! You don't have to buy fertilizer every year, which is expensive, and you reap so much more!! During a rainy season one time (people's hungriest season, because it is right before the next harvest, so they just ran out of maize from the last harvest, but can't yet reap the new one)a woman came to them begging for food. They had plenty of it and offered her some, but she refused it because they weren't eating nsima... CHANGE OF MINDSET!!
It was so neat to be able to see their home and how they live. If you're interested, check out their website, http://www.neverendingfood.org/ . We can put some of their practices into use as well!!
Afterwards, we went to the tobacco auction floor and were able to learn about the daily routine. The farmers bring their tobacco and then it is bid on and bought by companies (cash ONLY. loco.) then taken to their trucks and onto processing.
Very informative and interesting day!
.January.6.7.8.
SAFARI!!!
We left around 7:30 heading for Zambia!! After we got through the border/customs (craziest process ever. i love seeing all of the different customs i've been through) we were in beautiful Zambia. There were more mountains, it was more dense and the huts were different.
After riding on a dirt road for hours, we finally arrived at Croc Valley Camp in Mfuwe. Gorgeous place. It was right across the river from the park, so the animals can walk around freely. There were hippos and crocs in the river, elephants, baboons and other monkeys walking freely around the camp! So cool! Over our few days there, we went on 3 safari drives. We saw all types of animals and it was the best time!! The accommodations at Croc Valley Camp were so nice [after Joe & Ethan debugged our chateau for us :)], the food was amazing, and everyone was so hospitable.
The morning we left, the men that own the camp talked to us about the business side of running the camp. They are really great to the community though, which was great to hear. They employ locals and they buy local which helps put money back into the villages and community. They have an awesome operation going on! Check them out at http://www.crocvalley.com/
.January.9.
Back in Lilongwe! Today we took a tour of the city center. This consisted of several things. One- we climbed up this national monument (stairs and rickety ladders. not safe and never would be allowed to do that in the states.) to the tippy top and had the most beautiful view. So fun. Two- we visited President Banda's (the first president of Malawi) tomb that had been built right by the Parliament building and the 5 star hotel being built by the Chinese. We learned a lot about Banda and his reign. Very interesting.
That afternoon, a man named Alex from Jewish Heart for Africa came to the house to talk to us. Please watch this video that explains this awesome non-profit:
Not only does the solar panels provide electricity for the clinics, schools and orphanages, but also gives them electricity to charge their cell phones. Almost everyone has a cell phone, which is great. They skipped having the landline technology. But they have to pay to charge their phones then that money gets put back into the community to buy new parts when needed. It was great being able to hear about this non-profit in depth and what they're beginning to do in Malawi.
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