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I started out at the office and got a ride in the Macheo pickup truck to the big market in Makongeni with Anne. We met Faith and two mothers who were recently received into the family empowerment program and were to start businesses in Kiandutu. I could not believe this market. It looked like nothing from the street but as soon as we walked in there were stands upon stands of vendors selling fresh vegetables, fruit, beans, ground grains, and many others. We walked around first to the bananas where there were piles of banana tree branches and negotiated with the vendor for a good price. There were also large stacks of corn, sacks of potatoes, cabbages, and other things we picked from. The corn took the longest because we had to choose the best ones with the biggest kernels so that they would sell well. The women showed me how to choose them using the weight and looking inside at the kernels. It was lots of fun and I think the women really enjoyed it!
There was also very good prices on the food so I got some too! 10 shillings for 3 avocados, who could resist?! (There are about 80 shillings in a dollar). One of the things I really haven't seen at all here are berries but there are plenty of avocados, bananas, spinach, and pineapple.
We made our way back to KOP (Kiandutu Outreach Program) and I rode in the back of the truck on a sack of potatoes with the two empowered women and Faith. We unloaded their vegetables onto two bota botas (motor bikes) and started off at Maria's where she already had a stand made outside her house waiting for us! We immediately began setting vegetables out and I was her first customer by purchasing bananas and potatoes! Our goal for her is that she will be able to run this small business successfully, while putting money aside, so that she can provide food for her children and send them to school.
After this I walked with Lucy to a school where we met Yvonne and measured some children's feet for new shoes who have been affected by jiggers. We then went to their homes since their siblings were also affected. One home was further away so we took bota botas there and it was so fun! Lucy and I were on one with the driver, and Yvonne and one of the young boys were on the other. The drive was beautiful because they live up on a hill behind Mt. Kilimambogo in the forest. We measured the children's feet and tomorrow we will get the shoes and treat them.
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