This morning we had an early start – several of us got up a little early to send off Don and Eleanor but we missed them! So much for being awake and alert. We still needed an early breakfast because we had to deliver James to the chapel so that he could get ready to preach. This wasn’t the week to hear the full Africa University choir. They alternate with the Praise Choir and this was their week. Music was wonderful anyway. We sang two hymns – one from Congo in Swahili and the other Blessed Assurance! Talk about juxtaposition. James delivered a fine sermon – he came down from the pulpit (which Dr. Tagwira later told him was very popular with the students) on choosing whether you will be in the majority or the minority ... making choices that keep you right with God. Wonderful job!
After that (and the posing for pictures with students which seems to be our standard modus operandi) we headed for the Vice-Chancellor’s office and our meeting with the Dr. Tagwira and as many of the deans as we could fit in the room with us. The board room with filled with auditors (how many auditors does it take to fill a board room?) So we squeezed into the office – the 12 of us plus the deans of the faculties of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Management and Administration, Humanities and Sciences, Health Sciences, and the Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance. The deans of the faculties of theology and of education were unable to be there. We did however have the Dean of Students and the head of Information Technology with us. Pretty crowded room!
But what amazing information they shared! Things that are in place, plans about to be launched, new ideas percolating on the back burner, and as yet vague dreams for the future. The Dream Farm which will be a model for the subsistance farmer. The Dag Hammarskjold commemoration held each year. The need for more housing in general but especially for married students. Counseling for an increasingly younger student body. The constant need for highly qualified faculty and accommodations and salary that will attract and retain them. The demand for innovative business education. The focus on women in leadership. The addition of Korean and Chinese as languages being taught at AU.
We came out of the meeting with our brains ready to explode.
So we went to lunch. Same menu, but now we know that the "greens" served at lunch are a mix of cabbage and covu – a leafy, cruciferous-y vegetable that we see growing in all the gardens around the various homes.
Then back to LaRochelle to get ready for our visit to Margaret Tagwira’s farm. She and Dr. Tagwira bought the land about 15 years ago. Mrs. Tagwira was a farmer’s daughter and she loves to farm – you should see her enthusiasm as she shows you the things she is growing. Chickens, ducks and goats are the livestock holdings. Gardens around the house are filled with a mix of food and flowers. Moringa trees are all around – do an internet search to learn all about this marvelous tree which could help feed Africa. She is also a proponent of the use of grain amaranth – another highly nutritious plant. We not only got to see it growing but also saw a bowl of the dried grains. They had a frost this past winter which did the trees around no good at all. Lots of trees with brown tops.
The house itself was a shambles when they moved in. A simple farmhouse that has since grown into a rambling house that is perfect for entertaining. They invite all of the international students to dinners and days-out during holidays and vacations when they are unable to go home. I would venture to guess that some of the students don’t find staying at school over the breaks to be much of a hardship if it means a meal at Mrs. Tagwira’s!! Dinner was marvelous – great company, good conversation, lovely food.
And now another day is done. Warm (... understatement ...) but clear. Blessings to all!!
No comments:
Post a Comment