Replenishing the food supply for TWAM Centre isn’t as easy as pulling into a large grocery store, buying what we need and leaving. Because we have many mouths to feed, it’s necessary to purchase in quantity – 50 kg (110 lbs) bags. We go to one place for rice, another for phala and still another for beans. Right now beans are scarce and twice the price they were 6 months ago, consequently we could not purchase many. Everyone in Malawi depends on the rainy season, that is when crops are planted, but this year the rain was not sufficient. In January maize was planted on our property but we only harvested ten 50 kgs sacks rather than the usual 24.
As an alternative protein source we purchased shelled groundnuts (peanuts). After buying raw groundnuts in 50 kg bags and hauling them to TWAM Centre, a large tarp was laid on the ground. The nuts were spread on the tarp where they dried in the sun for 4 days. After testing to make sure the nuts were completely dry, they were re-bagged and taken to the mill where they were ground into flour. The flour is added to the water when cooking rice and apparently it is delicious!
During all of our ‘coming and going’ in the acquisition of food the idea surfaced to surprise the children with a treat. On our return we distributed bananas and biscuits (cookies) to all the children in our program. It is possible that some of these children had never eaten biscuits and everyone was excited! Something amazing happened when the children went outside laden with goodies. Village children had congregated outside Happy Hearts so our children immediately shared with the other children. Their generosity was touching and it seemed as though they did not possess an ounce of selfishness!
