--------This Malawian came across Jake's website and posted a comment awhile back. Greg gave Jake the fellow's information and they met up while he visited Malawi for the holidays...This is what he had to say...
"I had the opportunity to travel home (Malawi) for Xmas. It was a thrilling experience to meet Gregory. He told me of his conversation with his dad about the message I had left on the web site.
I met Gregory on Xmas day, dressed in brown shirt and a neck tie, his beard nicely trimmed. I was driving past to a neighbouring village when I saw a Mzungu amongst thousands of my folks. There were some traditional dances and village drama very close to where he lives (that’s how we normally celebrate Xmas in Malawi!!). He was mingling freely among my folks when I sent someone to call him. Before I could introduce myself he exclaimed ‘..you must be Macloud Chavula’. It felt like I have met him before. Of course I knew him better than he knew me thanks to the information and communications on the web site. We spoke in vernacular for a moment. I am quite impressed that he can speak Tumbuka after such a short stint. Of course he could not follow the drama because the actors speak very fast!
Gregory is doing a very fine job. Our Hewe area once had very fertile soils. After years of using chemical fertilisers our soils can not produce without it any more. But the cost of a bag of 50kgs of fertiliser has got up from MK1500 (approx $150) last two years to MK 3500 ($350) this year (I couldn’t belief the cost when I wanted to buy for my father!!). This is clearly not affordable to more than 98% of the village folks and it is not sustainable. A more lasting and sustainable alternative has to be found. Gregory has initiated a very commendable project. AGROFORESTRY is the only way forward in Hewe. Gregory was eager to show me his nursery on Boxing Day and I promised I would meet him. Unfortunately I got tide up with some family matters and could therefore not make it. He told me about some Faidherbia albida, Gliricidia Sepium etc. that we has in his nursery. I think he should also introduce some Sesbanias and Tephrosia V. They too have very high N release.
I am back to work in Tanzania. God bless "
Posted by sarah at January 3, 2005 07:16 PMA very happy new year to you Malawi Jake. Very interesting commentary from Macloud Chavula-a lot of bad advice has led to similar problems all over the developing world where once thriving subsistance farms have been marginalized by the introduction of fertilizers. Agrabuisness interests end up acquiring the land and converting it to large scale monoculture more suitable to world market commodity pricing. I've read about it but it is much more real to hear about it from someone on the spot.
It doesn't surprise me to hear of your facility in Tumbuka as I witnessed your gift for language when we were in Lithuania and how rapidly you seem to acquire spanish the short time you were in Mexico. I only wish I could be there this time around to hear you speak it.
The opportunity may yet present itself as my plans for the coming year to work in Humboldt County on Watershed Restoration have fallen through and I am once again a free agent.
Maybe when you are ready to do some traveling outside of Malawi we can meet somewhere and experience some more of africa and then go back to your village.
should have gone to you for Christmas where that celebration has a unique flavor that makes it truly enjoyable. I was in Gambia and attended a midnight mass that was unforgettable experience.
And starting off the new year with a message from Malawi jake couldn't be much better.
All the best
Gerry
Jaker - just wanted to say hi, was looking through your pictures today and reading some of the updates. I would love to send you a box of some things you may need or want, but could use some help with what that may be....? Hope 2005 is a successful year for you there. Brent
Posted by: Brent Sowul at January 25, 2005 08:17 PMHi Jake! Mike and I just got the computer last friday and really enjoying it. having some difficulty with some of it but know we'll get thru it. sent a note to your dad and i asked for your address. he sent me this and also your mailing address. i think of you often and you are in our prayers. know he's excited about going to visit you over the summer. let us know if there's anything that you need. you are awesome! i always wanted to do something like what you are doing but it never materialized. guess i didn't work at it hard enough. well, you take care of yourself and know we are with you. love, marilyn and michael p.s. hope this gets to you!!!! so far i've lost 2 other messages....wonder where they ended up????
First address to you was WRONG. Let's see if this one works!!
I see Jake is still reaching for his aim. Saunuolis Dzeikai! :)
Posted by: Liudas at March 4, 2005 12:19 PMJokubai, laikykis, viskas atrodo visai neblogai. Vistiek tikimes tave pamatyti viena diena Lietuvoje, tu neprazusiir Afrikoje. Tarp kitko, tavo kavine visai simpatiska( nuotraukose).
Posted by: Irena ir kiti at March 4, 2005 08:18 PMHi,
I'm interested how long will You be there becouse i am supposed to visit You there in the end of summer now i am researching oportunities and information about Your place.
Justas
Posted by: Justas at May 11, 2005 12:35 PM