Who am I? What am I doing? Where and Why?

BACK TO AFRICA

With Paul and Send a Cow

                                 A  LOOK BACK - by Paul William Rennie

          In 1969 I graduated from Nottingham University School of Agriculture and left for Zambia as a Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) Volunteer.  I was part of a team set up by Merfyn Temple, a Methodist Missionary, who became a “white liberal” and joined Kenneth Kaunda ‘s party during the run up to Zambia’s independence.  Merfyn’s vision was to send teams to work in the less developed areas of Zambia to promote what we would now call holistic development.  The original team had 3 agriculturalists, two horticulturalists, a nurse, a community development worker and an engineer. So we went off to North Western Province,  to a village 250 miles from paved road, towing caravans to live in, with little else but an invitation from Chief Chizela to work in his area.

          We had high hopes, a youthful enthusiasm and thought we knew a lot.  We worked hard, set up a base for ourselves and soon had crop demonstrations, poultry and animal rearing units and health and women’s programs underway. Looking back we had some of the right ideas, working closely with local people, investigating local conditions, integrated development and use of appropriate technology.  It has to be admitted though, that we were naïve and inexperienced.  The local missionaries tended to shake their heads and cast a rather skeptical eye on our doings.  We introduced high cost crop rearing and exotic stock, which, being so far from supplies and markets, were unsustainable in the long run.

          My years there though, were some of the happiest of my life and Africa cast its spell on me.  The experiences I gained were invaluable in my later career.  I don’t know whether we did Chizela or Zambia much good, but it certainly changed my life.  The best thing that happened was that I found an English Rose there in Africa and we married and lived happily until death did us part 34 years later.

          The centre we set up carried on as a Government Farmer Training Centre and the missionaries eventually appointed their own agriculturalist to promote the material welfare of their flock. By that time organic techniques were becoming accepted and low input farming suitable for remote areas were being pioneered - together with recognition of the value of some traditional methods and adapting them for new uses. 

          These are the principles which the practical farmers who founded the charity Send a Cow adopted in the beginning.  Firstly, sound training and support of farmers who receive livestock is given.  Secondly there is self help and community involvement preparing for and caring for stock.  Next, there is careful use of manure and organic methods to grow more and better food.  Lastly, and crucially, the  “Pass it on" principle of  breeding stock and ideas to others so they can spread and sustain progress, without continual inputs from overseas. 

          Sometimes I wish we could go back armed with the Send a Cow knowledge and experience - we could have achieved so much more!  I suppose we at least were part of the evolution of ideas for successful developments happening now.  Later I became an agricultural missionary with the Church Mission Society.  Sadly I was not sent back to Africa but to Pakistan where other experiments in rural development were being pioneered by the Church.  While we had happy times there and still are in contact with many dear friends I am excited at the prospect of seeing Africa and my early stamping grounds again.

          One thing I like about Send a Cow is that they really try to learn from experience and are not afraid to be frank about setbacks. They try to keep feet on the ground -literally- and to listen to those who spend their lives and have to make their livelihoods there. As I travel round I hope I will be able to hear lots about how Send a Cow has affected people’s lives, their hopes and plans for the future, as well as perhaps sharing some experiences and lending a hand. 

          I hope I have enough experience to avoid getting in the way and giving extra trouble to busy people - I have experienced that from the other side and know it can be wearing.  Likewise I will be happy to pay my way and willing to carry small items to or from projects if that is helpful (and of course legal for security checks etc!). 

                      My son left with his family for Namibia recently where he is in a team setting up Namibia’s first pharmacy course at Windhoek University. So, early in the New Year, I am planning a long-awaited trip back to Africa.  First I will have some time with Tim and Family in Namibia (before Tim’s first students arrive) and then travel North up to Zambia, to see my old haunts.  Depending on which contacts I can confirm I hope to go via Malawi and/or Tanzania or Uganda to end up in Kenya and fly back from Nairobi. Any other logistically possible destinations can be considered!

On the way I do not just want to do the tourist thing but intend to visit some projects supported by Send a cow and others and write a diary blog.   Readers and other friends will be invited to contribute to Send a Cow’s work on line or directly. My target will be to raise £2,500 which should help at least five families move out of poverty through the Send a Cow program and change the future for a whole community.

          This seems to me a practical way to remember blessings from the past, celebrate the present and express hope for the future.  It is what I would like Christmas and the New Year to be about.  I also have contacts with Oasis Zimbabwe, Missionary Aviation Fellowship, African Evangelical Fellowship, Church Mission Society  and others.  I will write about contacts with them and try to help them also.

NB: I was mostly known as William (which I prefer) in Zambia as there was another Paul on the team.  I answer to both.

Proposed tentative Itinery:

January 3rd:  Leave London for Johannesburg via Cairo and on to Windhoek

4-18^th          Stay with family

18th            Return to Jo’burg , visit Cosmo City, Arnie Swiegers-3days

21st            To Livingstone: Visit Falls etc, meet Salvation Army   Friends

23rd            :   To Lusaka via Kafue:  Meet Mbereshi Friends, Rev Kangwa,

25^th             :  To Ndola/Kitwe  meet AEF friends. Life Springs Foundation

27th            :  To Solwezi, visit heifer project at Mutanda,  On to    Chizela   (Mufumbwe), Visit former Oxfam/VSO Rural     Development Project,  Chizela Mission. Possible visit to Kasempa/ Mukinge and return

31^st              Fly to Chipembe:  Visit Heifer International/Send a Cow Project.

4^th February :  To Mbale, Uganda, Via Lilongwe, Visit Sac Project,

 CMS Friends                                            

:  Coach to Nairobi, Link up with Church group from Royston

16^th             :  Return to London

     Suggestions or contacts to help me fill up the blanks will be welcomed.