Report from Sarjo. July 2018

Dear Barbara
I am off tomorrow to Santanba village where they are planting their cassava farm. They have dried more sweet potatoes and mangoes this time than before. They had to work very hard to water them during the dry season and now they are harvested and beautiful dried. Now they want to plant the cassava sticks which they have found themselves and have invited me to go and make the planting program important. I am looking forward to it but will be coming back the same day.
The handing over of the dryer to Nyodema women went very well. They were worried that we might not go but when they heard that we are coming the whole group was very very pleased. On the day, we had a very big goat as our meal and there was a lot of drumming - almost half the day - because more and more people from the nearby villages keep coming.
In Kambeng Kafo too many want to use the dryer and there was a big argument. They listened to what I told them and they agreed that each group should have it for a week but I have since heard that there is a big push and pull again.
The Wuruwa Women’s Group were similar to the Nyodema Group but have more okra and mango trees then them.
I visited four very important villages but they way they are living is very sad. They have local gardens, with mangoes and they can grow more things but they are very remote and hardly anyone visits. They told me all their stories and they are very sad. I didn’t commit to anything until we have discussed it.
We cannot do all four because of the fuel and other costs but if we can help 3 out of the four it will be very good. They are sending some women to Sibanor and I will meet with them on Sunday the 15th while I am at Killy garden for their tree planting. I will invite the tree man in Fajikundatro come along as well.
I am not watching any more football because England are out. We were all disappointed .
Sarjo D.