And On To Ifunda

Yesterday when we left Kiponzelo it was raining hard.  We took a left hand turn on the “road” and headed back.  I say “road” because it really looked more like a river.  The water was running hard and fast.  In places it was up to the bottom of the car doors.  It was flowing deep enough and strong enough that we were wondering if it might carry the car away – but we survived.

After floating along for a while we crested a hill.  Lo and behold, this part of the road was totally dry (too bad it was only 100 yards from the tarmac – why couldn’t this have been back a few miles?).  So we motored along and drove the few miles into Ifunda on good, dry roads.

When we got to Ifunda it was starting to cloud over, but it hadn’t rained yet.  When we went in to the church to start the meeting the clouds opened up.  While Itiweni greeted everyone Tom stepped to the door and took a shot at the rain.  It was just warming up, and soon it was pouring again.  When we stood to greet the group the rain was coming down so hard that we couldn't be heard above the noise on the roof.

Itiweni had everyone move up close and huddle together.  As she talked she kept raising her voice until she was waving her arms and shouting at everyone (the first time I have seen her shout).  Still, the members seemed interested in her talk and paid close attention.  Soon they all formed a very tight group and Itiweni stood directly in front of them in order to be heard.

This SACCOS is fairly new.  It started with a gift from House of Prayer.  They have 68 members now and are doing well.  Last year they made their first loans, 22 in all, and all for planting.  Their crops are still in the field, so we didn't interview anyone about their loan history.  People here are good savers.  In one year the members saved 6,587,000 TZS ($3,150). 

We sat down with one of the officers to discuss their first year in operation.  They gave out only 22 loans because that used all of the capital they had.  Those members he knew of who had taken out loans told him they expected to earn

Today we visited Itungi, but we will wait until tomorrow to post that report.  

The road looks a lot like a river system.

At times it seems like the current will sweep the car away.

The water and mud reached to the doors.  We did not know it then but this spelled trouble for the next morning.

Just a short way away at Ifunda it had not rained at all today.

As Itiweni started to talk the rain began.

Tom stepped to the door to see how bad it was getting.

As Sandy introduced herself the rain got louder and louder.

Before long Itiweni had everyone group up so she could talk to them.

Even then she had to shout.  It is the first time I have ever heard her raise her voice!

As we left and headed down the road it was hard to see our way.  Still, we made it back for another day.