building materials

Today, my time was spent finding,loading and delivering building materials for both the new chicken house and the new grocery store. Both are ready for concrete slabs. In the US I would have measured the area to be covered,used a ratio to determine the amount needed and called the cement company who would then schedule delivery. I could charge it or pay upon delivery. I have done this, so to see and experience the Zambian way was quite an experience.

It started by Paul the foreman looking the areas over for a short time and determining the amount needed. When I asked him his method he said..."I just know." The grade was set. We set out in the flat bed to purchase stones. He asked that I drive the truck and reminded me with a grin that the drivers were on the opposite side of the road in Zambia than US. I knew that, but I appreciated the reminder. I had to be safe. I was in a foreign country in someone's vehicle with 8 men standing or riding beside me.

We drove to a compound were the poorest of the poor live.We drove right up among the shacks to a pile of crushed rocks. I backed up beside the pile and the workers began shoveling stones into a wheel barrow. They counted the number of loads knowing our truck would only carry approximately 25.Each wheel barrow cost 5 thousand kwatcha ($1.25 US).These rocks were crushed from larger rocks by hand. People sit all day and crush rocks dug up in their community often close to the side of the road for others to purchase.

We purchsed about $30 worth of stones to carry back to the chicken run. We made two trips. The last load was purchased at another compound and we unloaded it for the slab at the new store. These stones will be mixed with sand (on site) and bags of cement. This is all done by hand on the ground and wheel barrows transport it to the foundation. All day when something was said in their language I asked what was said. I learned of their methods in family matters as well as life in general. We laughed and talked serious.

There was concern over a man that had died today in one of the compounds we purchased stones. He was ninety years old. The talk among the men was over this man and his magic powers. He could apparently point to a woman that was pregnant and make her miscarriage.

They were glad he had died. He was evil. His group of other evil men had caused trouble for years. Later that day one of our workers said the man was still alive but had turned into a cat then later a dog. I told them I did not believe. They said the same man had made an American go back to America by making him go into a hut....step through a door.....and when he came out he was in America. I told them I did not believe that either.

Again a great day in Zambia learning of another culture far from home.