Another day of working brought us to the church in Chilobwe. The previous pilgrimage worked on the rectory, and now it was our turn to assist. The days task? Putting a layer of plaster around the top of the wall. Tom and David eagerly learned to mix the plaster with shovels.
The scaffolding was made of wooden planks, so Tom was told he could not get up and do the plastering. That did not stop David, Michelle, Russ or I from trying to see what we could do. David struggled a bit with the plaster application, so I was nervous to try, but curiosity and a desire to do something got me up the rickety, impromptu ladder. The scaffolding sure didn’t look it, but it was more stable feeling than anything I’ve been on in the US. Thanks to my patient teacher, I did ok at putting up the plaster. I had to get down to give others a turn, but I didn’t stay down for long.
After Michelle and I each had our turns, it was great to see some of the local women also get up on the scaffolding and have their turn. One small step for women.
Some of our group spent the morning at some schools. When they arrived at Chilobwe, except for Russ, the second group concentrated on checking out the cooking. Andie decided her new life skill of the day would be to learn to carry a baby on her back. It was a tough and dirty day, but very rewarding.
Chilobwe
On the way to Chilobwe
On the way to Chilobwe
On the way to Chilobwe
More Mothers' Union
Lookout
Lookout
Lunch prep at Chilobwe
The rectory
Tom and David learn to mix plaster
Mothers' Union and Agogo
Father Charles' turn
Everyone takes a turn
Tom and David try to mix plaster
Mothers' Union prepares lunch
David being given plastering instructions
Agogo loads mixed plaster
Chilobwe
That becomes plaster?
Agogo loads mixed plaster
Step 1, wet the bricks
Throw the plaster on
David learns a new skill
Linda's turn to shovel plaster
Tom takes turn with shovel
Linda's turn to shovel plaster
Linda learns to plaster
David's better at the smoothing layer
Russ' new life skill
Russ' turn - if he can fit
Nsima being made for lunch
One of our friends
Andie learns to carry a baby
More happy crew
The happy crew
Mothers' Union sings and dances
The finished product
Waiting for lunch
Row of street side shops
Local video store
small local market
Multi-purpose shops
Unlicensed Burger King sign
Chimwemwe
Eliza and Oma
Oma
