The maize crop did poorly in Malawi last year. Torrential rains washed out the initial planting in December of 2007. The new seeds, planted without benefit of the fertilizer that had also washed away, were just getting started when the life giving rains ended in early February. Little or no harvest meant that stores of maize were used up months ago. Many people are hungry and most available money is used to buy maize to make the staple food, nsima.
It's was an amazing few days around here last week, thanks to all those from St. Bridget Parish and others who contributed to the fund for feeding the hungry of Namitembo. Father Owen had used the first installment of funds to purchase more than 250 bags of maize in December and January. They were stored in the youth center. By February, the muddy roads would have guaranteed that a big truck would get stuck on the here. (I can attest to the way these muddy roads can put an end to forward progress!) Representatives of the 8 churches of the parish met a couple of weeks ago and decided to distribute the rest of the money directly, letting people buy maize themselves. Names of recipients of maize or money, chosen by each church, were written on pink tickets, which were distributed. The names were also announced in church the previous Sunday.
Last Thursday, 66 people per church, or 528, came with their pink tickets to get 1/2 bag of maize each. They brought extra bags so they could divide it up right there. It was amazing to see folks hoisting those 50 kg. bags onto their heads. The maize mill next door did more business that day than it has done in months.
On Saturday, 145 people per church, 1160 in all came to Namitembo to collect 2000 kwacha each. That is about $14.80. Only one share remained at the end of the morning. Fr. Owen doesn't think the bank made a mistake; so one person must have lost their ticket. They'll be cared for when they come along.
The bag of 2,320,000 kwacha, in 500 mk notes, weighed 6 kg. Its presence here the night before required two armed policemen, hired from a nearby village, to spend the night. I was expecting they'd park a police car outside the gate. Not here. They arrived on bicycles, one with an AK-47 strapped to his handlebars and the other with a vintage rifle (loaded) on the back fender of his bike. Those of us who live here haven't decided if the presence of the guns made us feel more or less safe. However, Fr. Phillip emphasized that having them here had been necessary, especially during the night, since everyone would have known that all that money was on the premises. The next morning they stood next to the two entrances to the youth center as people entered, one by one.
The atmosphere was a bit like a church picnic or a county fair as people waited in line or sat under trees waiting for those who were in line. Things began about 9. By 11:30 it was pretty hot. Lots of colorful umbrellas went up to make pools of shade. It was all finished by a little past 12.
Fr. Owen says most of the money will be spent for maize because people are hungry.
I feel humbled at having been here during these days. If anybody ever wonders whether his or her money is put to good use when it is sent here, I will be a witness for the fact that it is.
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