The Work of Eden in Buchosa

On Thursday, Peter and I (Tim) went to two villages in the Buchosa district, Busenge and Itabagumba, where we have begun a conservation agriculture project. With delays at the ferry crossing, it took us four and half hours to get there. We arrived in Busenge, a very rural village, clearly far removed from many of the influences of the wider world. Everyone had time and stopped to greet me and chat. When they weren’t talking to me, they all used their tribal language, Kisukumu, as they conversed with one another.

When we begin a new project, we usually have low expectations for the first year. It takes people time to adjust to the new methods of farming. Can they trust us? Will it really work? But I was surprised in Busenge; yes, they were late in planting, but that was more down to the lateness of our seminar than any reluctance on their part! We quizzed the group members to see if they remembered what we had taught. Two grandmothers were able to give the correct answer of spacing of 60cm between maize plants - “It’s two rulers,” they said. We all chuckled when a young man thought his correct 60cm spacing was in fact 25cm! One Bibi (grandmother) had surrounded her shamba with a fence to keep the livestock out, which in our experience is rare. 

Bibi in her fenced shamba

Pastor John in his shamba

Later, as we met with some of the participants we talked about how God put Adam “in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” When we discussed whether we do both of these responsibilities, the answer came back unanimously, “No, just the first one, to work the soil.” We usually ignore the second, to care for it, which explains why crop yields are falling year by year, as the soil progressively deteriorates. We were able to remind the participants the purpose of the conservation agriculture training groups is to teach people to do both of these responsibilities. We emphasize the importance of the second responsibility, done through enriching the soil, covering the soil, planting nitrogen-fixing crops, using agroforestry, crop rotation and as I added, putting a fence in place as Bibi did. No, we cannot just say it’s bad luck the animals came in and ate the crops!

As we turned to leave we were called by the pastor to have chai first. His heavily pregnant wife had made a nice breakfast. The Sukuma tribe are well known for their generous hospitality. We then went on the second village, Itabagumba, arriving only 2 hours late!

We were late but so were the villagers. While we waiting for them to come, we walked with the pastor, Simeon to his house. Simeon is also the Bishop of the West Mwanza Diocese, a wonderful man with a kind heart. After inheriting this land from his father, he returned to the village a few years ago after a successful career as an engineer in Dar es Salaam. As we approached his place, I was stunned! While only a few hundred metres away was poor sandy dry soil, here, this part of creation had been beautifully cared for. Banana trees, papaya trees, mango trees, pineapples and other plants in wonderful biodiversity, making the most of the rich moist fertile soil.

Bishop Simeon with Peter in his shamba

There was also this delicious mystery fruit that we don’t know the name of!

Anyone know?

When we saw his extremely healthy maize planted amongst the trees, we asked him if he had put manure in the ground. He hadn’t as he said the soil was already enriched enough. The shamba had been looked after so well for many years that it was now supporting and caring for itself. It was an excellent example of permaculture. Everywhere in the Mwanza Region we see the destruction of the environment, particularly with the cutting of trees. But here I was reminded that if we fulfil those two responsibilities God has given us, his creation can become abundant and fruitful again and we can enjoy its fruits. And talking of fruits, Simeon sent me home with two loaded bags of mangos, pineapples and mystery fruit!

Bishop Simeon in his maize

Try Not to Push!

Oh my, what a day! I am still recovering!

It began quite normally. I was with all the mamas at the workshop at 8am and we were pushing hard to prepare more products for the Pasha Christmas Craft Market this Saturday. There was the usual bustle of activity with candle-making, sewing, making beeswraps, beeswax body balms and lotion bars! We always manage to produce a lot ... but today produced rather significantly more!

Mama Zuena was making candles. At one point I looked at her and she looked a little pained while frozen in position. A little later, at 10:45am she went outside. I followed. She told me she was "feeling bad" which was code for "I'm in labour" (one doesn't discuss pregnancy and childbirth here in Tanzania). She said she was fine and in a little bit she would go home to wait and fetch a bag of clothes for the hospital. It didn't sound too urgent and I told her when she was ready, I would give her lift in the Landcruiser.

I went back inside to continue cutting beeswraps. But eying Zuena, it seemed contractions were coming on rather quickly. I suggested maybe we should go straight to the hospital. But she really wanted to pass by her home (in the opposite direction to the hospital) to collect her bag. But then she was doubled over in pain again and so I suggested her daughter bring her bag from home to us and then we go together to hospital. More cries of pain. Then … I said we should forget the bag.

We were going now! I helped her into the back of the Landcruiser and called to Rose to hurry away from the neem balms and hop in fast. As the guard ever so slowly came to ever so slowly open the gate, Zuena was on the floor of the Landcruiser with full cries and moans of labour. I drove as gently as I could, as quickly as I could down the terribly pot-holed, bumpy road. We were all praying hard and loud. Zuena was praying loudly in between cries, asking that God would open the way for the baby … I was praying earnestly that God would keep it closed for just a bit longer. We had to get across town and I stepped on it. Zuena's waters broke and she was in full blown labour! In a rather futile but desperate attempt, I told Zuena to hold on and try not to push.  As traffic slowed at the lights and the cries intensified, I was wondering if I should be pulling over and simply terrified that Rose and I were going to have to deliver this baby on the side of the road! We kept praying!

We made it to the hospital. I flew into the emergency department and we got Zuena to the labour ward. She didn't even have time to go to the delivery area… she just had that baby right there by the computer at reception! At 11:35, fifteen minutes after arriving, Zuena was holding a beautiful baby girl!

I found it rather hard that we were not allowed to stay with Zuena! I managed to sneak a photo very quickly before I left the hospital. But really the "important" role of labour supporter was sorting out the forms and payment … and that took an hour and half longer than it took to have the baby!

A beautiful baby girl

A Mother's Love

The baby, weighing 3.3kg, is doing well. Zuena is struggling a little with high blood pressure. She has diabetes (another reason I was terrified to deliver her baby in the Landcrusier on the side of the road). But she is being monitored and doing well and she should be able to go home tomorrow! And now my own stomach is starting to untangle its own knots … and the high adrenaline slowly calming down!

Rose and I returned to the workshop where all the mamas were delighted to hear the news and see the photo of the new baby on my phone! And we carried on with all the candle-making, balm making and beeswrap making! All rather surreal! All in a day's work! What an absolute privilege it is to share life in so many beautiful ways with these amazing women!

Enjoying the work after the good news!

Update! I didn't publish last night as I wanted to get Zuena's permission first! I went back to the hospital today with Rose, Saidati (Zuena's eldest) and Louisa. Unfortunately Zuena needs to stay in with her high blood pressure. Baby (not yet named!) is doing very well!

Two sisters