This week the students headed back to Karanda after their weekend off.

Once the logistics getting them there were sorted, I headed back to Bulawayo to further explore opportunities on the social determinants side in Matabeleland. 

I met with the Bulawayo Help network https://m.facebook.com/100067978773924/about/ who are keen to partner with us. Obtaining supplies like walkers, mobility aids and adult diapers are a priority. They started supporting seniors, and that’s their main focus. They have moved into some medical work primarily partnering with the group of Old Legs Tour https://www.oldlegstour.com/amp/ and a local orthopaedic surgeon who does hip and knee replacements pro bono. One thing they identified is if we can get the prostheses and materials donated, they will help with the costs which can still be prohibitive. I met with the Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr. Mthethwa in Bulawayo and he is supportive of this approach. I’ll be connecting him with an Orthopedic Surgeon in Canada to identify what will help.

In addition they have a setup they are trying with community governed irrigation that is interesting and may be an alternative to Foundations for Farming for food security. They are starting a project and we should keep an eye on that.

Lastly they run a meals program for seniors that had potential for support.

Just as I was about to head out, I noticed some oil by a wheel on one of the land cruisers we use for transport, turns out the front diff seals were gone and so an enforced rest was in order but reacquainting with Toyota staff in Bulawayo always useful.