Spreading nets

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"Hello?" Phil shouted. "Quick!" I really wondered what had happened as I and others dashed towards his voice. "The fisherman are harvesting right now!" He'd run from all the way up there to give us a chance to come and see. Camera, hat, go. 

For various reasons, the plan to get the net in the water on Monday had been moved forward, and we'd not understood a message earlier this morning that said so. Two very large buckets stood on the recently grassed banks between the Pilot Pond and one of its neighbours. "This catch is from the Pilot; this one from over here." It was interesting to see the differences in sizes. Joseph's team followed the feeding plan used by commercial fish farmers for the Pilot. The "other" pond also harvested today had enjoyed some feeding, too, but at lower intensity. Into the remaining ponds went just things like maize bran and other scraps. Looking at the resulting fish, it's as you'd expect: big, medium, small. 

"Sorry, we tried to tell you." We'd been in an early meeting, clearly too engrossed in other things to pick up the change of plan. "But we can go again for you." The men, who'd already been "in" twice, took the long dark net back up to the Pilot pond and walked it down the bank into the green water. They keep it taught between them. The trick is that the bottom rope be kept tight and close to the pond bed, all while keeping the top at least level with the water. Sounds tricky. Is tricky!

If you've just watched the video (spoiler alert), you'll know that a few fish ended up on some of our plates this evening - but only after money change hands. The Pilot Pond is a business. For a year we've been tracking and accounting for all the spend. Now it's income time! Looking at the bucket of fish, once we'd put back the little ones too small for the pot, we estimated we had four to five kilograms from the Pilot. (If you've been following the blog, you'll know that, sadly, most of the fish got stolen in early August.) Each of us changed some sterling into local currency for the trip, and, still having all of mine, I decided I'd buy! Back at the Guest House we weighed the catch (my luggage-weighing gadget is now officially a set of fish scales!). The estimate was good - almost exactly 5kg - so I handed over 50,000 Malawi Kwacha (about £25) to Joseph, to add to the Pilot Pond account as Sales. It will go out again next week to buy more fish food.

Over to Matrida's I went with the heavy bucket. She selected four good-sized fish for our supper, and right now the rest are in a freezer chest where meat from the occasional slaughtered goat or cow is kept - never for long. 

Phil's plate. The fish are delicious! 

"When will the kids get some fish?!" I hear you cry? The bigger catch today was from the "other pond", and children and staff will soon be tucking in to tasty tilapia, too.

Doubting that customs would take kindly to frozen tilapia in my luggage,  as an experiment we plan to take the remainder of the 5kg I bought from the Pilot Pond into town on Monday, to see what a shopkeeper might pay for them. 

One of today's catch from the Pilot Pond. To you, about £5/kg

The pun is not quite coming, but we are really looking forward to Home of Hope enjoying fish production as a regular income stream. OK - especially as it scales. If you're someone who jumps at development investment opportunities, do email info@malawiorphanfund.uk 

Back to the planned schedule for the day. We headed across the campus towards the sound of singing

Children and staff were gathered on rows of chairs in front of two recently completed Primary School staff houses: a "duplex" (a row, but of only two houses joined together). We were invited to officially open them, and Gillian did the honours.

It was in the early 2010s, after four years of lobbying from Rev Chipeta, that the Malawi Ministry of Education signed an MOU with Home of Hope to provide government teachers. Staff accommodation close by is stipulated as a condition, so the provision of buildings such of this is highly significant. Home of Hope is extremely grateful to the organisations and individuals who contribute to make things like this happen. 

Meetings this afternoon focused on reviewing, with our friends in Home of Hope management, the now prioritised list of needs we can help address. It was a good session, with strong agreement regarding the principles for selection: safety; health; education; donor's interests (we are accountable to you) - all the while looking for "little things that make a big difference." David's pouch of smooth stones felled a giant. A theme throughout: our shared desired that benefits not be short-lived. We agree to keep talking about things like up-keep of equipment and buildings. All this takes energy and focus, but it's worth it. We identify several outstanding individuals among the local staff who clearly care passionately about "standards". As anywhere, there are pace-setters. 

As the day cools, a lovely scene on the grass in front of the Guest House:

Gillian supporting letter-writing

These young people each have a sponsor. Part of this successful Malawi Orphan Fund scheme is the sending and receiving of letters. "I'm 16 now, and I love to play football." These are not boots I've worn myself. What does it feel like, to write a letter from one world to another? One thing we do know: for the young ones here, receiving them is a great encouragement. You can find out more about child sponsorship here.

Time to think about turning in. An end-of-day thing here is to attend to the nets. They spend the day "up", like some kind of chrysalis. You soon get the knack of winding them, to stop mosquitos taking up residence inside during the day. Then, at night, they spread their wings.

From inside, the world looks different. One of the team said this morning, "I feel safe under my net. So, during the day, I just imagine my net got really big." We liked that a lot. Isn't there something in this? 

There are things in this place worth extending out into the world: a happiness underwritten not by belongings but by belonging; love that scribbles over family lines, and joints the dots to reveal a totally unexpected picture of security out of shattered starts. 

It's a net worth spreading. 

Alex, Gillian, Jo, Phil, Ruth.

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