Pommern SACCOS

This morning we started out a little bit later than usual – leaving town about 9.  This gave us a chance to go to Vodafone and talk to the manager about the modem they sold us that seems not to work.  We took it in; he turned it on, and immediately got connected to the “EDGE” network.  We told him that it may connect, but you cannot get anything from the web.  “Oh” he said –“the 3G network (the one that actually gives you some web access) has not been working for the past 2 weeks.  It will start working again soon (I took this as meaning probably never again).”  After a few tense moments I told him I wanted my money back – “How much of it do you want?” he asked.  “All of it,” I replied.  We settled for everything but a $6 “fee” and left.

The trip to Pommern was relatively uneventful.  By yesterday’s standards it was smooth sailing.  When we got there we had coffee with the pastor and then were off to visit a duca owned by one of the SACCOS members. 

When we got to the duca (a small shop) Sandy spied bras hanging from the back display.  “I need a bra – I forgot to pack any” – so saying she banned the men from view and she and the women proceeded to discuss whatever women discuss while buying bras.  Whatever that was she left the duca with a purchase.

After making her purchase we went over to talk to the owner.  She had taken  out a loan for $400 to buy the shop and put in merchandize.  The profits from the shop have repaid the loan and are now providing the funds for her new farm!  She expects to make $400-500 in profit this year from her shop.

Following the interview, the SACCOS meeting was called to order.  The majority of  this SACCOS is women (33 women and 20 men).  When we got there there were only 12 members plus the officers.  It turned out that the members had thought that we were there to scold those who were still paying back their loans (all of the loans here are being paid on time and in full – but the rumor had gone round that those who were still paying were to be scolded) so many had stayed away!

None the less, the meeting went well.  This SACCOS has members from the parish as well as others from the community at large.  They have 30 people waiting to join – but first they need to have their savings and prove that they are “trustworthy” before they will be accepted.

After the meeting we talked to a lady who is waiting for a loan.  She wants to borrow $200 to grow peas.  (She has been waiting for 6 months for a loan.)  She says that with her profit she wants  to build a house for her and her five girls!

The last woman we spoke with raises pigs.  Her first loan was for $140 which she used to buy 4 pigs.  After being fattened up, three of the pigs were sold for $210.  From her profits the woman gave a tithe to the church, then purchased 3 more pigs, and used the rest to plant peas.

It was good to be home before dark.  We took advantage of the earlier hour to do some errands in town – one of our errands being a much needed car wash.  “Wash” in this case is a bit of an under-statement, as an inch or so of caked-on mud had to be scraped off the running boards and even the hinges and floor needed to have the mud cleaned off. 

On returning home Sandy finally tried out the cutlery and the oven and is happy to report that they work just fine.

First we have coffee

We walked by this house built by the Germans during their control of the country.  It is now a guest house and is (about) 100 years old.

This is the duca we visited.

When Sandy spied a bra we men were promptly banished.

Tom passed the time by giving candy to the children.

Finally the bra fitting was completed and the purchase made.

No child was too small to escape the suckers!

There is an old church and a new one - the old one is used for Sunday school and meetings - we liked it best.

Itiweni got so carried away with her lesson that they brought in a blackboard for her to write on.

We went over the books - they were all in order, but not kept in the right format.  We will have to work on that.

This lady is hoping for a loan.  She wants to plant peas and earn the money for a house for herself and her 5 daughters.