I'm on the move!

I am preparing for a trip to other Hands at Work projects in Zambia and Mozambique. The plan is to leave this coming weekend, and drive a team up there. Our route details are sketchy at the moment, but the Zambia projects are at least 800 - 1,000 miles from White River, and it will be a 3 day journey. We expect to be away about a fortnight. As soon as I know more, I will let you know

Say a prayer for a safe journey please

Zambia was the location of Hands at Work’s first expansion outside of South Africa. In 2001, Hands at Work entered the northern Copperbelt region of Luanshya and spread soon after to the Central region of Kabwe. Subsequently, the work has expanded to many communities surrounding Kabwe and Luanshya and plans are underway to move into the eastern region of Chipata and west into Mongu. Zambia is a geographically strategic location, from which expansion is happening into very poor communities in DRC, Malawi, and Zimbabwe

In 2003 Hands at Work began working in the central Mozambican community of Gondola, 120 km west of the coastal city Beira. Gondola is an extremely rural setting, but located on a major trucking route called the Beira corridor, leading from Beira inland to Zimbabwe, making it a flash point for HIV transmission. Subsequent work has challenged churches in communities all along the strategic corridor and into Zimbabwe. Work has also expanded north along another trucking route, the Tete corridor, into Malawi. Future expansion is planned into Nampula province in northeastern Mozambique

Joburg here I come!

I am off to Johannesburg until Monday. We are going to stay on a farm. There are only 2 of the volunteers left that I met when I came out, as some were only doing a short term volunteer, and others have moved on to other projects. I am spending a lot of my time mending cars, vans and 4x4's, and may move on to other projects to do similar work there. It is partly dependent on having the money to buy spare parts. It's no good me going out with my spanners and having no bits to work with. If any of you out there have gift aid money, or other charity monies talk to my mum and dad. Sponsor a shock absorber. You know it makes sense.

It's not all fun and games

Here is a picture of the drains I am laying, and the toys I get to play with, and the youngster I am teaching to drive

Tired? Moi?

I'm a tired man today. Got up at 04:15 and have driven 700k to collect and return people for a conference at White River base. A lot of the 700k was off road, so not like the M62. But the good side was seeing the sun rise over the Kruger National Park... and the sun setting when I was driving back

I am working really really hard

Honest! Am doing long days, mending, fixing, draining, making and mackling. But am having a good time too.



P.S. I'm the one in the middle

The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain

But in Africa the rain falls everwhere, and makes a right mess of the roads. Have spent the day repairing roads in the village, and driving the 4 wheel drive in the mud. We are putting storm drains in to carry away the water. I also pulled a pickup our of the mire, as it had sank up to it's axle. Great fun!

Think Tarzan

I have tried to post a video here, but if it doesn't work, think of a rickety platform on the edge of a ravine. Imagine me strapped in a harness and then leaning back into space, and falling backwards 229' on the end of thin bit of rope. The biggest rope swing I have ever been on, and top fun!