One week after my arrival and my head is buzzing with information from the workshop that I’ve been attending in Iringa, Tanzania*. Let’s count the countries represented: Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Uganda, South Africa and Australia. My job was to listen, learn and meet people. Tick, tick and another tick. With ears wide open and the airwaves flooded with inspirational discussion, I’ve taken more notes than when I was at university and have made a good start on soaking up enough information to help me become a functional member of the team. At the workshop’s end, two lovely ladies gave me a kitenge and a khanga. The phrase on the latter means “God’s love brings us together” and, indeed, I feel very fortunate to have met these generous gift-givers and many others over the past week. Dressed in practical, quick-drying but slightly drab travel clothing, I stood in stark contrast to the colourfully and immaculately dressed ladies at the workshop. The gifts of local fabrics should help address that, but I doubt I can replicate their flair. “Asante sana” Doris and Clementina.

* The workshop was the inception meeting for the project that I am involved with in Tanzania, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Its focus is on improving the productivity and profitability of small-scale irrigation schemes. Read more … https://africawaterproject.wordpress.com/