Saturday proved to be a tough day for us pilgrims. Frank, our minibus driver, picked everyone up at their hosts homes and we headed out of town. The view grew more and more spectacular as we got into the rolling hills of the tea and coffee plantations. Our first stop was at a very old church in Thylo. The church was obviously built by the plantation owners, as this was the nicest church we had seen.
After the short stop we were back in the bus. Before we’d travelled very far, we were stopping again to see a group that makes their own recycled paper. We arrived while they were hard at work, so we got to see the entire operation. To show our gratitude, we all went a bit mad and spent a lot of money in the shop.
Then we were off again. We were up into the hills to Lisule orphanage. Unfortunately, the ride was mostly on unpaved, very bumpy roads. It was extremely slow going. Frank did his best to avoid the biggest holes in road, but we were still bounced around like crazy.
We were greeted by a large crowd as we arrived at the orphanage. Everyone was herded into their large hall. Before the check presentation we were treated to a play, demonstrations of the children’s school lessons and a welcome from the village chief.
The ride home was again bumpy. A cheer went up when we reached paved roads. Little did we know this was just the beginning of painful minibus rides.
My Photos
Heading towards the tea plantations
Tea Plantation
Tea Plantation
Thyolo
Thyolo
pretty flowers
Teen chicken
Nice, old cemetery
David and Fr Mulewa
Poinsettia
Recycled paper project
Making the pulp
Making the paper
Finished paper
Inside workshop
Making cards
Picking tea
Looking down
More tea plantations
Arriving at Lisule orphanage
Unhappy to be on show
Orphans enter to greet us
More cute kids
Orphans enter to greet us
huh?
All together
Showing what she's learned in school
Performing play for us
hi
Fr Mulewa
Village Chief welcomes us
Check presentation
Building our funds helped build
ABC's
Woodworking lessons
Tinsmithing
Practice on paper first
Finished product
Sewing lessons
Checking work
Frank with live chicken
