You lot aren't very talkative are you? well- I guess i haven't exactly been too chatty myself.
Life, even in Africa, is busy!
So, what's been happening in this dusty corner of the world?

Funerals, language learning, births (thankfully not in my car- we made it just in time), meetings, comings and goings, harvest, decisions...oh yeah- and Election fever, that's what. Thankfully everyone seems to have recovered now, but the rallies were big, the loud speakers blared, free party shirts, wraps, brochures and posters were distributed and excitement was high... (see one of the previous posts for pictures). This had all reached a fevered pitch by the weekend before elections and since we live in the heart of opposition territory, we felt it wise to lie low for the week. Campaigning had to stop by 6am Monday morning in preparations for the elections Tuesday, which dawned bright but unusually quite. Apparently people started queuing about 3am at the polling stations to make sure they got to vote. The day passed without any incidents- except for the presidential helicopter arriving with more ballot papers. That got everyones attention! Then we waited for the results... suspense... and it was all a bit of an anti-climax really. The existing President got voted in for a second term and the mood around town was... despondent. no riots. a few little, quite celebrations, but overall glumness.

It was a week of report writing and procrastination for me. I'm proud to report that the bathroom cupboards are clean AND my overdue reports are now in. It was a lovely change of pace though. Life's been a bit chaotic, and is set to get even more so after the short reprieve.

This week we'll be having two farmer training sessions at the demonstration farm. Two groups of 30 and for the first time we're taking on self catering. Eeep! We've hired 3 ladies who will cook under a tree while farmers are taught how to construct contour marker ridges, how and why to incorporate their crop residues to improve soil fertility rather than burning it all in a few months time and, of course, how to make compost manure.

I've also started a role of working with and advising 10 'communal garden' clubs on better farming and environmental methods which is exciting- but a huge responsibility and logistical challenge given they're spread far and wide up to 2.5hrs drive away! Four of the farms are particularly far, so I've decided I'll overnight in the nearest town to save doing more driving each day than actually chatting and working with people...but that means I need a language assistant (that's right- im still not fluent) who is willing to stay overnight with me ie woman, right tribe, speaks some english, no kids, doesn't mind working long days in the sun. Miraculously we've found 2 ladies that fit that description so I'm going to meet each one individually tomorrow for a short language lesson to see how we get on and if they suit the job.

well, its 9pm and I'm tired. I shall endevour to write more frequently. feel free to do the same :)