Second Zanzibar Visit

It had been a particularly busy time in the lead-up to going to Zanzibar and I had not the time to look forward to it, but once in the car I was ready! It was good to have a spell away.

I will write from my Diary.
It takes about 8 hours to drive to Dar es Salaam, but as much as 12 on a bad day,through country that for me is always interesting. In fact the change in vegetation between when we travelled down and when we travelled back was quite remarkable. Previously bare trees had produced leaves and the yellow/orange flowers on some Acacias were brilliant.
As usual we saw many broken down trucks and other vehicles that had crashed on rolled over. Sometimes the carnage on the Dar-Arusha road is sometimes horrific. There is no ambulance service so the police flag down passing vehicles to transport the wounded to hospital. This is so if the police want to go from A to B, the simply flag someone down and hitch a ride. Daunting if you are not used to it.
On my driving shift I stopped beside the white-clad traffic policeman who had held his hand up as a signal for me to stop. He didn't look at the car and in friendly English he asked where we were from and where we were going. Then he signaled in the usual way [fingers like the beak of a hen toward his mouth] and said, 'I am hungry.' That meant he wanted payment for a beer or indeed something to eat.'Even me, I am hungry.' I replied in Swahili, 'I have not not eaten since 5 hours, but I am in a hurry.'
He just laughed and waved me on.

The city of Dar es Salaam was chaos back then and the traffic lights did not work properly but on the busy intersections there was a policeman on point duty, but some of the drivers took no notice of him - especially daladalas. After all there was no way to catch transgressors.
There were the street stalls, made out of whatever materials that could be collected or scavenged, protection from the sun being some plastic sheeting. The stalls were untidily is rows along the street but the merchandise was neatly displayed. Ties, shirts, trousers, radios, soap, oil - cooking, motor and body. You name it and it was there.
When the lines of traffic crawled to a halt vijana passed by trying to sell their wares and usually getting a short shift from wazungus when really all they were trying to do was to make a living.
Certainly the were signs of an emerging modern city but the old character of the city was evident as were the problems created by and infrastructure not set up to serve the exploding population.

As usual we stayed at the Salvation Army complex. Mainly because we could make arrangements to leave our car there in complete safety. The huts needed renovation but were all that we needed - a clean bed, shower that had only cold water [you don't need hot water in Dar and anyway cold was not cold, more tepid], there was a fan that Mags liked to have on despite the racket it made and the likelihood that it call fall from the ceiling! The dining room was modern, neat and clean with well cooked meals. I could not get used to coconut milk in my tea though.

I arranged for a taxi to pick us up in time to book on the Flying Horse ferry to take us across to Zanzibar. There is always the fear that Tanzanian taxi drivers are crooks and never reliable, but actually we had no problems at all - I thing speaking the language is a massive help though.

There is a booth where you book the ferry crossing and as residents we received the appropriate discount, then we waited for the Flying Horse to be loaded.
It was always interesting to cast an eye around the port. There were three Russian built hydrofoils lying at anchor - one of them was operational but not used these days. There were other wrecks dotted around various parts of the port also. At the gate sat an albino man, zeruzeru and he showed the authority of a typical wharfie. The bare chested men sweated under the heavy loads they carried down the long ramp onto the ferry - sometimes pushing waiting passengers aside. There was jostling among the passengers so that they could be on the boat first/early - but that didn't matter really. My guess was that she was always overloaded but I had no way of telling.

The Flying Horse is a catamaran so she sails through the water well, never the less Mags and Jo felt seasick although it was just the feeling. We always went up to the first class area - a sort of lounge one deck out with windows so you could see where we were headed. There was Muslim religious programmes including music on the TV screen and while not what we were used to, it did us no harm - after all the boat was owned by Muslims and Zanzibar is 90 or so % Muslim. Sometimes we were alone on in the lounge and sometimes a few people were with us but for me, it was a great way to travel.





Once at Stonetown, we were in familiar surroundings but had to go through the normal immigration process that involved getting a white chalk mark on our luggage. We had already booked at The Haven, so the taxi driver did not haggle - they like to arrange the accommodation because they receive a posho payment from the hotel/boarding houses.
The folk at The Haven were pleased to see us and I liked the ceilings of the rooms that were plaster above round beams painted black. All is clean and very tidy with mosquito nets over the beds and the showers/toilets safi sana.


To walk through the narrow streets of Stonetown is a delight and the history seeps into you. The buildings are made from coral rock which has actually been plastered over. The huge wooden doors are beautifully carved and there are some elaborate locks. There is plenty of life in the town and of course the look is Muslim but the ethnicity is diverse. African, Indian, Arabian - all are friendly and the shops are welcoming. Despite signs requesting tourists to respect the local culture by wearing appropriate clothing, many do not and wonder why they become off-side with the locals.

This time we hired a small Suzuki 4x4 to explore the North and South of the island - just day trips and you cannot expect large differences on a small island.
Not far out of Stonetown, I spotted an area of indigenous bush that I was interested to look at and Mo was keen to explore for snails. Mags and Jo sat in the car as we fossiked and in fact I found some snails that I had never seen before, so I gathered them. Next there was the sound of tramping feet and I heard someone asking Mo what he was doing. His reply was simple, 'What does it look like?'
Well they arrested him and I snuck out behind the group - there were two of them. Mags and Jo had come to see what was happening as the men had first approached the car. As he walked, Mo held his snails behind his back and handed them to Mags. Mo was put into their car and they sped off with us in hot pursuit as they travelled fast!
They stopped at the Police Station and the pair - who were not policemen but foresters [as far as I could ascertain] - stated their case and wanted Mo arrested. Mo now was getting titchy and wanted to have his say, but I knew this would inflame the situation so I told him to be quiet and sit down.
The foresters did not know I spoke the language and were accusing Mo of trespass and reiterated their wish to have him arrested. As I butted in, the desk sergeant told me to wait for them to speak then I could.
On my turn I produced a letter that said I was there on behalf of Hifadhi approved by the Tanzania Government and in my passport I had my work permit. I told the sergeant that I was a forester and just interested to look at an area of indigenous trees. I said I saw the sign saying not to take firewood but there was no sign saying there was no entry allowed.
The sergeant saw that my argument was logical and that we meant no harm, so he released us.

There is a rich history to Zanzibar and it it well worth following. The slave trade had a large impact and if you go to where the poor people were housed you will feel the pain they felt! But history is to be absorbed and I can't describe it any better than those who write with more authority than I.
The Fort is now in the process of being restored and my imagination takes over when I go there because it is such a fascinating place.

Africa House is also steeped in history and I just loved the staircase there - any moment expecting to see Dirk Bogart or James Bond waiting with revolver at the ready. Largely Africa House has become a hangout for expat holiday makers so although it was a good place for a beer, we did not go there often.

On the other hand, I liked to go down to the docks and look at the boats and what they carried. I used to enjoy the same experience as a lad at Lyttleton [I'm told that my foot became stuck somehow in/on the rail line and a train was coming! Well I survived that.] I was excited to see my first Dhow when visiting Tanga and these boats carried goods all up and down the Swahili Coast. You may think the technology is primitive but Dhows have been used for centuries with little change.

Zanzibar is known as a 'spice island' and most visitors take a spice tour of some sort. It is well worth it and a guide is able to give you a lot of information. We went with Suleman and while from his photo you may think that he looks like something out of Arabian Nights, he was in fact very good. His old car was in NZ language, a Dunger; I could see the road through the floor and before he could change into third gear, he had to slip it into forth then to third! We had to pay for the fuel up-front but that was usual then. But he took us to the Sultan's Palace and all the other significant sights. Included was a meal and the old waiter could not understand what Jo wanted to drink (tea), he brought normal sweet tea first but took that back, then he brought unsweetened milky tea and had to take that back, he brought sweet black tea and that was wrong - then I realised the poor guy was deaf, stone deaf. So then it was easily sorted.

On the way across the island to the East coast there is a the Jozani Forest. Of course I wanted a look there and it was a mix of indigenous and exotic forest. There was a tree nursery and the people there were happy to talk to me about what they were doing and one of them even wanted me to give him a job at Makumira. They grow Casuarina [She Oak] for a timber crop but it is very useful for light poles which are used in traditional house building. Casuarina thrives in sandy soils and withstands coastal climates [salt].
There are Red Colobus Monkeys in the forest - I think the only ones in the world? - so we tried to find some. They are used to being watched and I was able it creep close and actually feel the hair on one's tail.

We stayed at Paje Ndame. Ndame is the name of the owner and paje means cheek.
To us it is an idyllic place with white sand, coconut palms and a peaceful sea. There was another good reason to stay there - it was owned and administered by locals - some of the flash places are Italian and other rich people so the essence of Zanzibar is lost through opulence.
The upper storied area was our favorite place to stay, though there was problems with water because the pump did not always work and the toilet was not fixed to the floor properly so it rocked. But that did not detract from the experience - it added to it.

I was interested to see there was an industry of seaweed farming. Using sticks/stakes with string to set and hold cuttings of the seaweed and allowing it to grow. As the tide went out the women would come to collect drifting seaweed - the tide would rip off the growing seaweed and those pieces were collected. The dried seaweed was sent off to Denmark and the collectors were paid a pittance as is usual in third world countries. As was my custom, I woke early each morning, had a cup of tea and wandered around, often paddling into the warm sea. I would collect odd pieces of drifting seaweed and give it to one of the women. The Muslim modesty revealed itself because the women wore full length dresses/kangas even while in the sea - I would have found that difficult [if I wore dresses!!]. And that white sand in the bright sunlight causes eye problems because nobody could afford sunglasses! Now there's a project... but gradually I noticed a few were wearing sunglasses buy our last visit there.









Zabibu was the owner's daughter and ran the place at times and she allowed me to go into the kitchen [kitchens are basic but I know my way around them] to make my early morning cup of tea. Mostly dishes are left until the next morning, so finding a clean suferia was difficult but they had a curious was of heating water. Three table forks were attached to a small block of wood and the power was connected. A simple, very dangerous immersion heater. I never touched the thing!

Very often while paddling through the sea, I would encounter people who were spear fishing. I never saw much to spear, there were plenty of very small fish and out on the reef there were octopus and they were usually caught in holes in the reef. One day as I greeted a woman with a spear, I trod on a skate [like a Manter Ray only very much smaller] so I called to her and I managed to turn it toward her and she speared it! She was happy enough to pose for a photo.

It was quite a long way out to the reef and it took the best part of half an hour; depending on the route you took. And route was a factor in how deep the water was - usually up to my waist but sometimes almost chest deep. There were many sea urchins out there with sharp spines so you need sandals or some other foot protection to go out there. Papaya is good to help extract the spines though and once I borrowed a safety pin but you have to watch that it is clean.
The reef is not very healthy because of the use of explosives and over fishing. But look carefully and there is plenty to see.

I wanted to take a photo of the sun rising out of the sea but on every occasion I took my camera - or in fact each morning we were there, clouds sat on the horizon so I never managed that photo. However the sunrises were spectacular.





Back in Stonetown, I wanted a similar thing, but clouds again stopped me from getting the photo I wanted. And while I did not take a photo of it, I witnessed a spectacular night thunderstorm over Africa - now that was a sight worth seeing.

It is always worthwhile going down to the waterfront in the evening to choose food cooked out in the open and displayed most temptingly. There is also the chance of seeing a Dhow or two pass by as well - off on some mysterious voyage, well mysterious to me.





But Zanzibar is a colourful place and if you allow your imagination to allow it you can easily recall the stories of Sindbad. Some of that colour remains - we have kangas, kikois, paintings and other material from our visits there.



Always there are other interesting things that happen, like finding the olive grove or seeing the Lilac Breasted Roller [bird] or going on the dolphin sightseeing expedition and not seeing a dolphin - but love Zanzibar.

Oh but I broke a tooth there and went to an Indian woman who had trained as a dentist in the UK. The surgery was like going back to the 1950's and the drill had no water cooling - this is because the water was not sterile. The instruments were sterilized in alcohol. The spitting bowl was held by a concerned young woman. She was professional and did a very good job and the filling is with me even today.

Pre Zanzibar

Before we could head off to Zanzibar there we a couple of 'initial visits' to make and to get the tree nursery ticking along.
Mbise our night guard was to work in the nursery as well as guard the place at night, but one day he contracted malaria and thought he could carry on working. We all know malaria isn't like that and his condition worsened so I sent him home. I was not too concerned about the fact that we never had a night for four nights but as the electricity was off during that time I went out every time I woke during the night and flashed my torch about. A waste of time really because everyone and his dog new that Mbise was crook.

The other staff were learning what was required of them - Amani from across the river, Veronica from further up the hill, and Upendo aka Helen also from across the river. I began the practice of writing a list of the work to be done [in my best Kiswahili] and they would check each task off and make a good job of it. I fail to understand those who say Africans are unreliable and unable to follow directions. Throughout the five years I employed staff at Makumira, they carried out their tasks exactly as I required and I could leave them unsupervised for weeks on end. There is a culture of greeting people and requiring time away for funerals, but that is the culture and outsiders need only to respect that.

We paid a visit to Malula, the church there, the Mtendaje and the village chairman. All were young men committed to server their community. The big issue was water and that had to be bought in at a cost of 250/- per 20 litre bucket. None of the water schemes were working and the small well gave very little.
There was a willingness to plant trees.

There were the continued visits to villages with Missy and Joshia. it was refreshing to hear about the successes of our plantings and how our visits in small ways motivated some folk.

The General Secretary had a farm at Mareu and he wanted to plant there - though I thought the area not to be a priority, it was up to DME to prioritize and make recommendations, so we met the village and church leaders there. We told them to spread the news that we intended to frequent the village and would respond to the environmental needs.

There was a new orphanage built just above Nkoaranga Hospital, funded through the Lutheran Church - American I think. We took the vol nurse with us because she had no vehicle.
First was the inspection and we found it to be an excellent facility.
It was a colourful ceremony with many guests, speeches and singing by two choirs.
There was the usual huge African meal and the keki goat.
While there was still a hubbub I went across to the primary school to introduce myself and planned for a future visit.
This orphanage was to play a part in a story that will come later.

We were fortunate during this time to recieve a Toyota Double Cab and it had a canopy on the back. It was an ideal vehicle for us as the suspension was pumped up an extra two inches. Diesel and cheap to run.

I was ready for a breather, and what better place to have that - Zanzibar!

A little bit of touring.

Another visitor arrived - she had just finished her vol assignment in Zimbabwe and was on her way home. I had known her casually through work in NZ and she was interested in what we were doing in our projects.

Missy was still with us as well and had just about finished her field work so both these young women were able to spend a weekend with us at Tarangire National Park and then a trip to Lushoto because I needed to go to the National Tree Seed Project to buy some seed.
My free pass was still valid for Tarangire National Park which was a big saving for us at the time and we always enjoyed our time there.
I'm sure I don't need to go into the detail of this trip but will add some pics. One thing though was when we came to the top of a rise, there stood a huge bull elephant! Out vol from Zimbabwe ordered me to stop so she could take a photo of him, but the elephant took fright and charged us, trunk raised and ears wide! I knew it was just bluff! No way I didn't, panic invaded the car and I put my foot down on the accelerator! I didn't even change gear! Now I think the elephant was probably bluffing, but he stood there watching us make a lot of dust!

























































I guess one of the perks I had was regular tips to Lushoto to purchase seed. Not only seed but plants of various types as well. For this trip we took a number of people including Mo & Jo, Missy, the vol from Zimbabwe and another from South Africa. A fair load for the Toyota and some had to sit [in rotation] in the back - lucky there was a canopy!

It is a long journey, maybe five hours and while others may think that the landscape is boring, I beg to differ. There is plenty see if you are interested and it is not only trees that interest me. Around Boma Ng'ombe the young men [now there's a thing, they are called boys and that is a legacy from colonialism - really a bit derogatory so I will use the Kiswahili kijana (one vijana (plural)] on their bike ferrying water. Always I try to glimpse Kilimanjaro as she lifts her skirts of clouds. Coming into Moshi the landscape changes and there is rice drying in many places. The two roundabouts through Moshi and memories of taking Upendo to look for a place in secondary school, and her friend not being used to a knife and fork, spilling her leg of chicken. After that I always use my fingers to eat when there is company who are not used to the ironmongery. Through Moshi is the place where they auction bales of used clothing - the first step for distribution. The river crossing and branch to Marangu. The vijana selling items to the bus passengers. The volcanic rock being cut into bricks. Some teak trees. Mwanga village, but before there is the railway and wrecked carriages - Mwanga mean (day) light. Then before Same is are the Baobab trees and just after the Elephant Hotel where we have eaten breakfast in the past. Then the scrublands that were sold off as small farms and we watched as the trees were removed, made into charcoal and crops of maize grown and failed. The Sisal farms and then Mombo the junction to climb up to Lushoto. Always stop for chicken and chips a Mombo! Clean ans anything, good, safe food and the Pare woman there was so like Mama Upendo! Mombo is vibrant with vijana selling all manner of things, mainly food. These were street vendors. The guard who I always paid 100/- kept his eye on our vehicle - he was paid by the restaurant but. And it is good with visitors because they see it through fresh eyes and reopen your own!

The road from Mombo is sealed because above Lushoto is a presidential palace - You can glimpse it but not take photos or enter the grounds, but they have picked a great place. t first the road is windy and steep-sided with many small bridges, and it is a steady climb to Soni Falls then Lushoto, it is great landscape and 'one of the better places to see!'
Lushoto was founded by the German colonists for somewhere to retire to in order to avoid the summer heat of Dar es Salaam or even Arusha. Some of the buildings still remain with the German architecture. Actually we were shown a place where the 'the Germans hid in during WWI, there is a tunnel into the hill, but at the top. I'm fairly sure that it was a bauxite mine and they wanted to keep it secret. There are other very good hiding places.

We stayed at the Grand Mandarin, which is up the hill a little. The guy, Manadri, was always pleased to see us. The hotel, if that is what it was, was still in the 'building phase' - was 10 years ago and will be in 10 years time. Most would rate it as basic accommodation but we liked it. One warning though, it can be cold there at night, so you receive a charcoal burner for heat. It robs the oxygen and also is inclined to cause a headache - and that should be a warning as well.

Wherever I go, I like to wake early and walk around before many people are awake - it is usually peaceful at that time and I like an early morning cup of tea or coffee if I can get it. I have been known to make special arrangements with the local people for that early burst of caffeine by leaving a Thermos of getting permission to brew it up myself!

The Ithene lookout point is a must. But regrettably the past president has built a huge tourist lodge overlooking it and this detracts from nature at its very best - then who could stop it? Guides want to take you there but generally we refused as we had our own vehicle and we had been there previously, but it is good to take a guide and pay him well as tourists can afford to pay and for the locals it is hard to scratch out a living.

The National Tree Seed Project is an excellent facility originally set up by Denmark and handed over to the Tanzania Nation. Frida managed the enterprise with expertise and was always a delight to do business with. I know very well that I could collect much of my seed requirements myself, but if enterprises such as this are not supported, then they close and that would be a tragedy. Misitu Juu!



There is a wonderful herbrarium close by but sadly it is not used to any great extent but the collection of plants really is extensive.
There is also a huge arboretum there as well, set up years ago and not really managed but some of the trees are very large with the species range being extensive. I collected some material that I was looking for - some Leyland cypress cuttings - they have no viable seed. I had also found some Bhutan cypress and collected seed because that species is not generally grown - unfortunately it was all unviable.
But for anyone with an interest in trees, it is a place to go - few knew about it back then.

It was not possible to find or to buy Arucaria seed mti ngazi meaning a tree of steps because of it's form. It is a popular tree over most of Tanzania as an amenity tree. Vijana collect the seed as fast as it ripens and plant it to sell the seedlings at a premium price. I always took a few to take as gifts for people within the various projects.

I saw a small sign stuck to a tree saying Bustani ya Miti - Tree Nursery. The old guy there had worked in a Forestry Department tree nursery years ago and was still enthusiastic. He had a small nursery with a diverse species selection. He just made enough money to buy his booze and I was happy to support him. I enjoyed talking with him and we shared knowledge - his far more extensive than mine! The respect was mutual and I took trees from there to be planted within the extensive Meru area.

Below the NTSP there was another nursery and they specialized in many fruiting plants such as passion fruit, but also some forest species but more suited to higher rainfall areas. I always left there with several plants as well.

The roadside market at Soni Falls was always a place to stop. The street vendors would arrive at the car window en mass which can be over-powering for some passengers. I always bought a bucket-full of Loquat and pressed my passengers to eating them and saving the seed. The nursery workers and friends at Makumira also had the task of eating as much fruit as possible and saving the seed.
There were other fruits available, but most of them needed the cooler climate to thrive, so I bout enough to satisfy our immediate needs and of course to offer a taste to the folk we worked with and lived among.

This I have written from memory as the note in my diary says that I was too busy to write up the full events of the trip, but I would do so later - well I didn't. My diary also stated that there were plans for a visit to Zanzibar at the end of the month, but there was much to do beforehand.



























PS. I have trouble setting out pictures. Maybe all one side of page is best.

What is the Environment?

Mazingira ni nini? What is the environment? Is the heading of the flipchart we used in all the seminars and Loti helped with the precise Kiswahili as I drew it up. During this time we were busy with nursery work so there would be trees ready when the rains came.

We had negotiated a salary for Loti that was as much as the the balance between the General Secretary's wish and the project could afford. Loti had a farm and he was to have Wednesdays off so he could maximize production there.

The flipchart was an important part of the seminars and Loti was to use it most of the time - I generally cut in with anecdotes and roll plays. But Mags had thought of a song that was to become very popular and constantly used. She had her ukulele and played it as schoolkids and adults sang along.
Sung to the tune 'If you are happy and you know it. clap your hands.

Tunapenda ku tunza mazingira,
tunapenda ku tunza mazingira.
Tunapenda, tunapenda,
Tunapenda ku tunza mazingira!

Tunapenda ku panda miti mengi,
tunapenda ku panda miti mengi.
Tunapenda, tunapenda,
Tunapenda ku panda miti mengi!

Kama mbuzi amekuja mfukuza,
Kama mbuzi amekuja mfukuza.
Kama mbuzi anakuja, kama mbuzi anakuja.
Kama mbuzi anakuja mfukuza!

----

We love to care for the environment!

We love to plant a lot of trees!

If a goat comes (along) chase him away!

Sometimes when kids hear or saw our vehicle coming, they would stand beside the road clapping in time and singing 'Tunapenda'! I have to say it was very special to have that rapport among the population. I challenge anyone to sing that song in the middle of Arusha and even today someone will sing along!

The flipchart had details of the cycle of water as well as the uses of trees in the environment.
There is no 'Mother Nature' in Kiswahili or the Tanzania culture, so all that we would call 'the work of Mother Nature' is simply regarded as 'the work of God' and we were comfortable with that. Regardless of the religious belief of any of the people we talked they had their own God so fully understood the concept.

In case I have no other opportunity to do, I have to acknowledge John Swann of TD Design because he helped do a 'professional' job of the flip chart and laminate it. This is when I was about to return for the second stint in Tanzania.

The Fundi School

A fundi is a craftsman/artisan, so fundi boma is a plumber, fundi umeme is an electrician and so on, and there are training schools to teach student such skills. Here in NZ they are technical colleges or polytechnics and in Tanzania they are vocational colleges or simply shule ufundi.

DME had a vocational college just up the road from King'ori, but it had the name Leguruke rather than King'ori - I don't know why but accept that DME had their reasons.

The O/C of the school, Urio, was a Pastor but I did not realise that at the time and he welcomed us with a cup of tea and some cake because some of the female students were studying cooking. Afterward we went for a tour of the college where we saw the various work unit areas, cooking, sewing, plumbing, and carpentering/cabinet making.

I noticed the toilet doors [many bomb-box toilets are in groups of 3, 4, 5, or 6, all sharing the one pit] were off their hinges, I thought that inappropriate for a vocational college. On the other hand the sewing seemed to be of a high standard as did the cooking - we watched our lunch being prepared. The carpentry workshop was good also and we ordered a tray with two wood colours.

Lunch was rice with roast meat and vegetables and more than enough. Very well served by the students who were dressed in their uniform. There were speeches and Urio told us he needed our help to start a forest in the school farm, to set up a tree nursery and to provide environmental education.
I replied say that we would assist with the tree nursery and environmental education. As for afforestation, the student could do that but we would help start them off and perhaps provide trees.
Urio replied that he would appreciate any help and that the school was short of funds and projects like forestry would help them out financially.
I actually hadn't realised how the Meru crisis had left the whole of DME with a lack of resources - especially financial. I'm sure too that the Agency did not realise.

After lunch we toured the complex on foot seeing the student accommodation, staff quarters, cattle banda (for milking cows), the disused shelter that housed a recent DME annual conference and the farm. The farm was either undeveloped or reverted and needed considerable work to bring it into production - meaning financial resources. There was potential here for a forest project to run alongside any agricultural project(s).
We planned to return for a day's work and tuition on tree nursery production on 26th August.
Something there gave me a feeling of disquiet and I could not put my finger on it, but I had some questions that I asked myself: Why was there no fruit grown there? The student diet was 'student diet' and they would benefit from the extra vitamins. Why were they buying firewood? It is possible to easily grow short rotation trees for firewood. Why buy timber for carpentering education? Even small areas of timber producing trees, eg. Grevillea robusta, could be pit-sawn on the place at no cost, being good education.


We took with us wire mesh for sieving the soil, a watering can, a roll of polythene tubing and a range of useful tree seeds.
A group of young men and women had formed themselves into an 'environmental group' and they listened attentively, taking notes as we spoke to them using the new flipchart - Mazingira ni nini? - What is the Environment?
We cleared an area of land for the nursery site and I demonstrated how to cut the polythene tubing and fill the pots. Loti demonstrated the sowing of the seed and we talked about irrigation.
A woman teacher was to be in charge of the project and we went into the farm to look at proposed forestry sites. There were plenty of potential sites and I saw some areas that had been fallowed for a number of years, was actually regenerating into indigenous forest. I was excited about this and explained that by clearing the weeds around the trees and perhaps fertilizing, they had a ready-made indigenous forest.
I saw the eyes glaze over with disinterest in this because always the preference is for quicker growing exotics. It seemed to me that there was the attitude 'out with the old, in with the new'. The inference being that indigenous species were somehow inferior. Not so!
It became part of our programme to encourage indigenous species and we made sure there was always a percentage of them in each project.

A bit of a note

What tree is this?

From about July 1997 we became very busy and a lot happened. It is difficult for me to summarize each center of activity in one go, so I will go more precisely from my diary than before - I hope that makes sense.
From time to time our camera did not work well so excuse the lack of photos from time to time.