By Dick Wheelock | Project Co-ordinator
Now is the season for planting maize, which is a local staple and very much used at Chez Papa Geoff. The children all love trips out to the fields, entailing a 5 mile journey in the back of a truck. They enthusiastically help with any tasks needed, from collecting firewood to applying fertiliser to the plants. Throughout the year they also routinely thrash and winnow all the maize and then deliver it to the miller for grinding.
The hydraulic pump on the tractor failed, but I was able to source one quickly and, thanks to efficient couriers, it was delivered to Benin in 3 days. When I phoned two days after the pump's arrival, our local representatives Dieu Donne and Albert had already fitted it and the tractor was going again. Thank goodness that Dieu Donne is a trained mechanic!
Covid-19 lockdown in Benin has been lifted but masks etc. are still being used. The infection rate locally is still mercifully low, but the Beninoise are all anxious about possible problems from Nigeria as the border is both close and porous.
The WIFI in Affame is rumoured to be much improved. Dieu Donne is going to try again to see if a usable signal is available. This would make communication with HATW both easier and cheaper while providing much useful material for the older children who are preparing for their exams.
Work is about to start digging a well in the fields. This will open up the possibility of vegetable production and make the establishment of trees much easier.
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