Off to Ipalamwa

Today we are off to a double header.  First we are going to visit our Ipalamwa location and then continue on to Ukwega.  Ipalamwa is located in the mountains, about 110 kilometers (about 70 miles) southeast of Iringa.  The road is barely passable during the rains, but today the roads were in pretty good shape (by African standards that is) and the drive went well.  The scenery is magnificent as you climb the mountains.  

We set off at 7:30 and stopped in the village of Kilolo to pick up Malila, the Co-op officer from Kilolo that we've been working with.  While we were there we stopped in to see the Kilolo District Co-op Executive.  He is new this year, having replaced a gentleman who has been very helpful to us in the past.  We certainly hope that this Executive will be as good to work with as the last one. 

The road to Ipalamwa winds its way up the hills and around the bends giving beautiful views everywhere we go.  They are apparently working on this road as there are holes and piles of dirt everywhere. 

When we arrived in Ipalamwa the Agricultural folks had already arrived and the meeting started as soon as we exchanged pleasantries.  There were 34 members of the SACCOS present today.  Following introductions, Vanance (form the Ag. group) gave a lesson.  Malila then gave a brief talk telling the group that the neighboring village of Ukwega is far ahead of them in collection and organization, and that their SACCOS will be registered in two weeks.   He chided them for being slow to change and adapt.

Ukwega used to be a preaching point of Ipalamwa but is now a separate parish.  It is about 20 kilometers down the road from here.  We got the feeling that he’s trying to get these two locations to compete.

Then The Agricultural Field agent made a few remarks.  He said he has worked in Ipalamwa since 1979 and he doesn't understand why there is so little progress there.  He laughingly said that, “Maybe the Pastors need to pray more.”

When it was Peter’s turn to speak, he told them how much capital is needed to get their SACCOS organized (We have told them they needed to collect at least 1,000,000 TZS – their partner is sending more to help them, but we believe that a community needs to buy in to make things succeed.)  He told them that Ukwega has already raised 6,000,000 TZS. 

Peter went on to explain how to finish registration and how to apply and use loans.  As we closed the meeting it was clear that the members here have been stirred up.  It is Malila and Peter’s belief that they will soon have the needed funds and will complete the registration materials.  Malila told me that he feels “95%” certain they will be working well by the next planting season.

When we stopped at the Pastor’s house for chai he told us that this is one of the most important changes he thinks they need to make in Ipalamwa.  He thinks that getting a SACCOS up and running will make a great difference in the community.

We loaded up in the truck and headed down the road to our next stop.  It is going to be a late night.

We stopped at the municipal building.

Malila, Peter, the new District Executive, and Tom had a meeting.

The views on the way to Ipalamwa are spectacular.

The villages up here have great settings.

When we got there the Agricultural Institute group were already there.

The Ag. Institute gave a class on improving Ag. practices.

Peter and "mama" addressed the group.

After chai Sandy couldn't resist take pictures with the kids.

Then down the road to Ukwega.