Monday, January 30, 2012
Madame Hide and Mr. Garth....
We finished off our last SACCO visit today in Rumpi, we are now referred to as "Madame Hide" and "Mr. Garth" over here, hahahaha. We worked hard to give them our best suggestions ....they were very appreciative and especially liked the Canadian pins that we handed out before we left! I was really proud with the info we were able to come up with in such a short period of time.
This SACCO, Phindu Community has faced some real hardships in the last few years......the majority of their members are farmers with tobacco crops...years ago they were very profitable but now with the price and demand for tobacco way down it has drastically affected them. But the board is so committed to this community and this SACCO....so much so they that have elected to give up all of their director's pay except for out of pocket expenses until they are more profitable, now that's what I call passion and commitment!
As we were driving back to Muzuzu...it kind of hit me.....that was the last credit union I will be working with here in Africa.....I most likely will never return to this beautiful country and experience these amazing people....I started to get a little teary about it......
I have so loved my time here, and in Ghana last year, it is so humbling and fulfilling all at the same time....
I sent my boys a text back home to let them know I was finished my "official" work over here, and I received the following back from my 11 year old son.....he said "I love u and know u probably helped lots of people with this so u should be proud of yourself"
Oh boy! Then the tears came.....
I am just so grateful to so many people who have made this life long dream of mine a reality....and thanks to all of you for coming along for the ride!
More travel tomorrow as it's back to Lillongwe to reunite with the rest of our Malawi CCA team.
Madame Hide in Muzuzu :)
This SACCO, Phindu Community has faced some real hardships in the last few years......the majority of their members are farmers with tobacco crops...years ago they were very profitable but now with the price and demand for tobacco way down it has drastically affected them. But the board is so committed to this community and this SACCO....so much so they that have elected to give up all of their director's pay except for out of pocket expenses until they are more profitable, now that's what I call passion and commitment!
As we were driving back to Muzuzu...it kind of hit me.....that was the last credit union I will be working with here in Africa.....I most likely will never return to this beautiful country and experience these amazing people....I started to get a little teary about it......
I have so loved my time here, and in Ghana last year, it is so humbling and fulfilling all at the same time....
I sent my boys a text back home to let them know I was finished my "official" work over here, and I received the following back from my 11 year old son.....he said "I love u and know u probably helped lots of people with this so u should be proud of yourself"
Oh boy! Then the tears came.....
I am just so grateful to so many people who have made this life long dream of mine a reality....and thanks to all of you for coming along for the ride!
More travel tomorrow as it's back to Lillongwe to reunite with the rest of our Malawi CCA team.
Madame Hide in Muzuzu :)
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