From Xai Xai, Moçambique

Hello All!

For the last week I have been in a small town called Xai Xai [shy shy] about 3 hours up the coast from Maputo.  As I mentioned, I am working with a development organization while I am here.  It is run completely by mozambican nationals.  The organization is called Luz para Desenvolvimento (Light for Development).  Basically they start by offering energy to people in communities who have no access to light or cooking stoves.  If a minimum of 250 households in a community are willing to undertake the project, they will be able to purchase a battery powered light for nightly use and a tank with gas and a stove for a highly subsidized price.  They will also have two building constructed in their community.  One is an energy center where they can recharge their batteries and purchase more gas, the other is an educational center where nightly classes will be held. 

The first project will be launched in October, so I have been helping to train people who will work for the organization out of the main office in Xai Xai.  I have been teaching English classes as well as some other classes in development. 

I am staying with the director of the org, Pastor Marcos, and his family.  It has defenitely been a good chance to work on my Portuguese and get a good vibe for mozambican life since I havent even seen another foreigner in the last week.  Last weekend on my first couple days off I was able to go to the beach with a few friends that I made who help out with the organization, Adriano and José.  The public transportation here is unbelievable.  There is such a lack of transport that everyone is waiting on the side of the road to catch a chapa (15 passenger van).  Let’s just say that they do not limit themselves to 15 passengers.  When I got in the van it already had about 18 people, and I got on with about 5 others.  When I thought it could not take even one more person, the chapa stopped and picked up 4 more! 

Missing you all, hope everything is well!  I head back to Maputo on Saturday.  Thanks to Daniel and Tarpit Creative for creating a website in my name.  Blessings!

Enjoying a day off at the sea.

Waiting for the chapa…

Just imagine being cramped in here with us!