We had planned on going to Tamale this morning but we changed our plans after we talked to Timothy Niligrini last night at Bible Study. Timothy said that he needed to go to Tamale and buy some dye and chemicals to make some tie-dye fabric to sell in his shop. Since he is overseeing the building project at Kulkpeni for us he was not free to go with us today. We decided that we would wait and go early Monday morning.
First thing this morning we made a run out to Kulkpeni to take the pure water to the mason and his helpers. They were happy to get some good water to drink. There is a well at Kulkpeni but the chief has locked the well because the villagers will not contribute any money toward the upkeep of the well. The river is very close to the village and the villagers have to walk to the river to fetch water. There is nothing wrong with the river water for bathing and washing clothes but it is not clean enough to drink.
Yendi has a new Social Welfare officer. Steve has been trying to find someone that knows him so he can be introduced to him. The Child Center is licensed through the Social Welfare office and it is important that we meet and greet the new man before it is time to renew the Child Center’s license because we have to have a letter to turn in with our annual report from Yendi’s Social Welfare officer. Finally this morning Steve was able to introduce himself to the officer through a phone conversation. Steve asked the man to come and visit the Child Center at his earliest convenience. We were pleasantly surprised when he showed up about 30 minutes later. He stayed and visited for over an hour. He seems like a very nice man. We gave him a copy of last year’s report so he could add it to his files. He said that he would be more than happy to write a letter for us. Mission accomplished.
Everyone that passes through the compound collects a bag full of mangos. The trees are in full production. The workers come early and stay late so they can collect as many mangos as possible. Zorash had ½ a burlap bag full when she left today. I asked her who was going to eat all the mangos. She laughed and said that everyone in her house will eat their fill and all the neighbors that pass by will take some.
Meri did not come to work today. Her oldest son Aliu has Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and his nose started bleeding during the night yesterday and she could not get it to stop bleeding. She took him to the hospital. Having nose bleeds is a symptom of Sickle Cell Disease.
Take care and keep Meri’s son in your prayers.
In His Service,
Steve and Kandie
