Deepest Darkest Northern Mozambique - for the sixth time

Last week Cathy and I flew up to Nacala in N. Mozambique along with Allan, Mercy Air's CEO and Dave, an electrician. We routed up via Blantyre in Malawi but returned direct. The trip involved over 12 hrs of flying, 2200 miles (3500 km) and a number of diversions. The one flight on the way back was 5 hours alone.

As usual in N. Moz we got to fly past some pretty spectacular scenery.

We flew in support of Martin and Simone Schumann who have been working for Globe Mission for many years now.

In the past we have taken consignments of Artemisia tea, used in combating malaria, as well as solar powered MP3 bibles. This time we were tasked with wiring plugs, sockets and lights in a new building but we also took up a few thousand bibles...

...and a plane load of other supplies that they find hard to obtain in the bush.

Good job he had a 4x4 and a big roof rack!

Before the electrical work could start we had to put the roof on.

Then the cabling could begin.

Many of the light fittings had to be 'adapted' to make them work properly.

 

 

As in many places across Africa water is an issue and many people wash certain items of clothing in the sea.

The Schumann's do everything they can to collect and conserve water and every roof surface is plumbed into giant plastic tanks or stored underground.

One of the things that needed fixing was the pump that transfers the water to a tank on the roof so that they can have running water in the house. It did actually almost take three of us to get it going!

Being miles on questionable dirt roads from anywhere takes its toll on vehicles and so we had bought up some spares to help keep things running.

Oil change

Brakes

Even the motorbike got some attention

Cathy got bust with a number of things including a few trip to town with Simone to see lady's who were ill. First she had to dress up 'appropriatley' for the culture which wasn't so pleasant considering the immense heat all the while. She didn't take a camera so no pics - sorry.

As the beach is only 30 metres from the house we did get o col off in the sea (if you can cool off in water that is 30 deg C).
It was interesting to see the locals fish which at this time of year is about the only food there is. They would row out in their boats...

..drop a net...

..and then guys on the shore would pull it in.

The only other food that seemed readily available were mangoes.

So we ate quite a few of those!

Then it was back to fixing things. here I am mending a sewing machine foot pedal.

And then a generator for when the power goes off - again!

On the Sunday we took a little time off and walked along the beach to a little cove which was also a little short on shade. Towards the end there were some amazing Baobab trees.

This path was far too hot to walk on bare foot.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, red or yellow is about to win - but I can't remember who's go it was next.

Then before we knew it it was time to leave and the two hour bumpy ride back to the airport. Nacala used to be a military airport and there are still some Mig 21's in a hangar.

So once you have got to 12000ft, driven round some storms and checked that all the dials and guages are still pointing in the right direction, what else is there to do on a five hour flight in a little plane - look out the window of course!

Thank you

Paul and Cathy

Brummies in Africa

Recently we welcomed a team from Birmingham, UK to Mercy Air.

They were here for two weeks and visited a number of local projects and got to see what Mercy Air does closer to home.
Some were able to accompany the helicopter on a rotor track and balance flight.

The highlight of the visit was a five day vision trip to ASAM in Mozambique in Mercy Air's Kodiak.

Many had been involved in fund raising for some of the projects up there and wanted to see progress as well as see what scope there was for further help.

We visited the bridge that had been built to allow kids to get to school safely.

We met some kids who were crossing the bridge and gave them a lift up to the school.

They were there for afternoon lessons and were just in time for a mission provided lunch.

The lunch

The lunch queue

One of the main reasons for visiting the school was to put some finishing touches to a school teachers house that the group had help raised funds for.
With temperatures in the high 30's it was an effort to stand still and breathe but the roof joists had to go up...

...and the house needed to be painted...

...inside and out.

Some of the school kids came to look and help but some seemed to need more help than they gave.

Others painted their toe nails with a piece of wood dipped in the paint tray.

Some of the team were teachers and were keen to help out with lessons at the school.

Most of the lessons were in the new library that a Church in Aldridge had helped fund.

Some of the kids had never used scissors before so some time was spent drawing round shapes and cutting them out.

Some of them really got the hang of it and produced those 'people holding hands' cut outs.

Paul tried to draw a curve of pursuit.

Some of the team had been medics in the British Army and were able to help out  at the clinic.

There were also a number of visits to the craft project at the training centre.

ASAM also has an orphan project where orphans are placed in local family homes where a 'grandmother' looks after them. The mission often helps build accommodation. In one such place the family used to sleep in a thatched structure that was partially bricked up...

...but now, with the missions help, they live in a quite substantial three roomed house.

Nigel spoke at the morning meetings in his usual down to earth way keeping people entertained, informed and uplifted.

We visited the school three days in a row. On one day our minibus broke down and Nigel immediately went into 'ex fire engine mechanic' mode and practically fixed it with his bare teeth!

Before we knew it it was time to load the plane and set off again for South Africa.

One last prayer and goodbyes in the only wing shaped shade available.

Thank you

Paul and Cathy