Monthly Archive for January, 2008

Kasinthula Fairtrade Premium committee members, main body committees (that’s for phase one and phase two) and Kasinthula management had a meeting where most of the premium issues were tackled. I advised the participants, especially the premium committee members that the budget and work plan for this year should be prepared. The premium committee members were also advised to keep on Fairtrade awareness to both farmers and employees. General manager informed the members about the visit of Fairtrade Foundation officials. The phase two chairman reported about the Trust resolution. The phase one manager commended the meeting as so successful for it has been ages without a joint meeting like what held. Conclusions and resolutions were made after sharing different decisions. The meeting started at 8:30am and ended at 4:45pm. The accounting side was also advised to work properly especially when deducting loans from farmers’ wages.

One of the phase one farmer who is also responsible in checking farmers and employees daily attendance for different operations was bulled near to death for he was found with someone’s wife as his secret lover. It had been heard that the farmer was in secret love with that married woman, but they were not found by the wife’s owner. Some people informed the husband about the wife’s immoral behavior. On 25th December 2007, they were suspected of enjoying together at a hidden trading centre a distance from home. It was red handed when they were found at Thabwa. The issue was referred to the village headman where lots of people gathered. The wife to the defendant did not attend the hearing. “It is so shameful to my family as we are so old, but my husband is spoiling our dignity”. The wife said. the village headman ordered the client to take the issue to Chikwawa magistrate court.

When I reached home, I was told that some cattle were grazing alongside my maize garden and some of them devastated my maize crop. I followed the footsteps up to the owner. The owner was not around and I just advised children who were around that their father should get me home.

When I was from the work I decided to see my parent in laws who asked me to visit them for they missed me for a quite long time. My mother inlaw directed Jesca one of my sister inlaws to prepare nsima for me before I left for home. I enjoyed the food for the relish was so nice that I preferred. After lunch I was charting with my father inlaw discussing different issues. That time he was preparing some seedlings. My father inlaw likes to plant trees and his home is so beautiful for there is a lot of different trees. I asked him to provide me with some seedlings and I was told to collect during morning hours.

I was in the field doing weeding fair-trade, but I was called by the general manager to update the Fairtrade standards and Conditions which Kasinthula Fairtrade Premium Committee was supposed to comply with. I have been dealing with those standards and conditions to meet. I have been dealing with farmers and employees to understand Fairtrade issues. My manager advised me to keep on working hard to meet Fairtrade requirements.

My wife caught malaria and I was informed when I was at work. I went home to take her to hospital for medicare. She was tested and found malaria positive. My mother went their to look after her as a guardian. She was recovering at around 8evening. I was so happy because I was alone at home and preparation of food was a problem.