Bomalang’ombe - 1st Visit

March 2, 2009
Village: Bomalang’ombe
Pastor: Lutango Tewele
Companion: Prince of Peace, Roseville
Elevation: ~1,800 meters
Attendees: 37

It took about 3 hours to get from Iringa to Bomalang’ombe. There are some steep hills on the edge of steep hills that require careful manipulation.

The meeting was held in the church during a steady rain. There was a large audience. Roger gave a brief introduction to the CVP program and then Ibrahim went through the five handouts:
1. DIRA – Institute of Agriculture Village Plot Agreement
2. Plot Management
3. Chronological Plot Management of Crops Planted in December of 2009
4. Frequently Asked Questions
5. Record of Events

People were attentive and asked questions. They expressed thanks for bringing this program to their village. Some interesting observations from these first visits to parishes that are going to part of the 2009 group of parishes in the CVP program. These visits were different than the fourth visits we made to the 2008 group of CVP sites. At the Bomalang’ombe Parish:
· Pastor Lutango Tewele said: “He was thankful for the CVP Program and that their companion congregation Prince of Peace was supporting this project. He encouraged his parishioners to accept the program and participate so that they can learn more.”
· There was a question about the impact of rodents and termites if the crop residue is not burned.
· There were questions about the use of fertilizer, which Ibriham said would be discussed in greater detail at a later visit.
· There was a question about the applicability of soil samples taken at the church site, which may be far away from parishioner’s farms. Ibrahim explained the similarity of soil sample results from within the Mgongo Area and the Dabaga Area.
· There was a question about the kind of seed, and we said they would be using hybrid seed H 628.
· There was a further question about how if one doesn’t burn to kill disease how can you control them? Crop rotation will also control diseases.

After the meeting we went outside and under umbrellas collected soil samples. Because the ground was so wet we couldn’t use the sampling probe, and had to resort to Plan B which was to dig a hole with a hoe and then use a machete to slice a section of soil and take a sample. We collected samples at three locations at depths of six and twelve inches. We then had lunch and were on our way to Ng’ang’ange Parish.

Photo link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21557421@N08/sets/72157615107103874/detail/