Here is the second part of Colette's description
from her recent trip to Kandale.
At 8:00 my meetings begin. Beneath the adjacent forest we gather to discuss the objectives of the day. This part of the forest that abuts the compound is regularly swept and kept clear of debris to limit the potential for stray snakes. The REVE Kandale staff gathers. We discuss the daily progress and then talk about how to organize the work that needs to get done. There are people who want to buy bricks from across the Kwilu River some five miles away. There are others who have been waiting patiently to get a tour of the 10 year old forest, which I am always eager to show off. Others arrive to discuss the possibilities of recreating the vibrant community they observe in Kandale for their own village. The compound draws people from near and far.
Upon returning from the forest, I begin to prep for my meeting with the potential brick buyers from across the collectivitée or prefecture. Chaud Chaud had brought a calabash of palm wine to share with the visitors. He wants me to be a good host. We reflect on the fact that the mission does not allow palm wine/alcohol or tobacco on the grounds, but for the sake of good manners, I agree to take it with me, but in a plastic water bottle so as not to draw any attention. I place it in my bag and head off.
Palm wine or malafu as it is known throughout central Africa, is harvested from the sap of the palm tree and fermentation is induced with secret ‘nkisi’ or ingredients. Palm wine from the samba palm is very satisfying. In the morning it is very mild and sweet, and often it is heated up to brace against the chilly morning air of the dry season. As the day progresses the beverage becomes stronger and stronger until it becomes undrinkable with a strong vinegary taste. As I am so accustomed to beverages in the US being hermetically sealed, I was unprepared when the bottle exploded in my bag and saturated all my belongings inside. Fortunately I was carrying my laptop in a separate bag.
After the meeting I return to the Multi-Purpose Center for an impromptu lunch. People may have brought fresh fish or vegetables. The afternoon will bring rain and I will be working with Newton inside on the computer. I am teaching him about spreadsheets and the importance of balancing the books. At present the school is not in session, but in anticipation of the students return, I am organizing the kits collected from the US for Kandale girls through our “Girl2Girl” campaign led by Saint Mark PC youth. I will also be assembling the soccer kits from our generous donors, Kick for Nick and Dwight Short, for the Kandale youth tournament in 2021. Later in the week I plan on meeting with a photographer to try and capture the changes happening all around.
As the afternoon progresses with the impending sunset, mourning doves begin to coo in the palm trees and with more trees in the new forest, there are more and more birds. The forest is a continual source of new stories. One of my young guests from a nearby village identified the return of a caterpillar species that hadn’t been seen for many years. He first identified the smell, then the droppings and finally discovered them on one of the branches. A wild, native fruit called fita fita, has returned as well. Fita fita is shown in the middle image in the caption above. A story describes two girls who abandoned the wood they had gathered for cooking, to go and harvest the fruit, only to have lost the wood. The forest occupies some 34 acres and it has become a place of mystery.
Thank you all for joining the REVE Kandale Update webinar on April 8, 2021. Here is the link to the meeting recording for those of you who could not attend.
Access Passcode: ?=LZ2TqN
REVE Kandale Building Project
Here is a an excellent video that was presented at the webinar. It was created by one of the Board Members of REVE Kandale, John Sullivan. It embodies the resiliency of the people of Kandale.
