Motorcycle for the CAR?

The Central African Republic (CAR), is one of the poorest countries in Central Africa, and after the violent government takeover on March 24th 2013, people’s living conditions are even more dire. Although many are farmers, malnutrition is a severe problem because of poor farming practices and the  back of nutritious foods. Transportation is a critical issue because the country is linked together by just a maze of dirt roads. During the past 5 months the unstable political situation has limited the use of  vehicles so motorcycles are the primary transportation available.

Since arriving in CAR February 2013, I have been living at the mission in Gamboula and working at the Centre D’experimentation et de Formation Agricole (CEFA). This faith-based, non- governmental organization’s purpose is to research, train and provide agricultural support to the people of CAR. If things remain calm I will most likely be moving to live at CEFA and will be doing outreach, teaching and community development in the villages.

Some reasons a motorcycle is needed are:

• Living at CEFA I will be 5 kilometers (3.125 miles) from the town of Gamboula, the mission and civilization. There are many evening activities at the mission that end late at night. While I can ride my bicycle during the day, it is slow and a motorcycle would allow me to go down to Gamboula and return quickly after dark.

• Village outreach trips are more efficient and productive using a motorcycle. By having my own, it would allow me to go out and back when I need to and not have to depend on someone else to take me. Having two people on one motorcycle increases the load and takes up precious  space for supplies and plant material.

• For security reasons -- the other missionaries are recommending that I have access to a motorized vehicle of some sort in the event of emergencies. If emergency meetings are called I can get to the mission quickly -- or evacuate immediately, if it comes to that.

• As an extra plus, owning a motorcycle would facilitate interaction among youth in the area and help me gain acceptance and influence among them for ministry purposes.

            I am in the process of finding support for a Honda 125, that can be bought not too far in Cameroon. All together the costs of a motorcycle and all the paper work is going to be about $2500 US.

A hippo sized problem.

      Last week I talked about goats destroying fruit trees. This week it was a different animal, and a lot larger. CEFA contracted with a local farmer to plant and grow 2000 coffee seedlings for the farm. Desiree is a friendly farmer, and grows all kinds of things including carrots, and cabbage in this harsh environment. He has a nice farm and some gardens next to the river not to far from here.
      Last night a small herd of hippos came out of the river and trampled his seedling nursery.  These hippos are just about the only wild animal left in these parts, and are protected by the government. They don’t often come out in to people’s fields, but when they do it is disastrous.
      With the disorder in the country these days there is no longer any enforcement of the law. Poachers have taken advantage of this and killed hundreds of elephant and other large game in the last months. Two weeks ago a large hippo was killed here for meat, probably from this same herd.
     Since goats and domestic animals belong to other people, there is not much you can do when they enter your field. When wild animals come in to people’s gardens though, often they are hunted down, hurt, or killed. So here is another question: When you are just survive off of what you grow, and a big hunk of meat that just destroyed your food, even though it is a national treasure, do you kill it to help you and your family survive?

When having a full bank account limits your diet

      For those who know developing countries, you know that animals are often the way people store their money.  goats, pigs or cattle can be sold for quick cash when money is short. Unfortunately, these animals often are free range, free to go where they want and eat what they want, and there is not much you can do about it.
     A few nights ago some goats got in to Roy’s nursery. They have their favorite plants, such as jackfruit and papaya, of which they demolished dozens, but went after other seedlings as well. In one night, these goats caused a lot of property damage.
      Most villages that have goats and other livestock have no fruit trees at all. Anything that is planted will be devoured immediately by a flock of hungry goats. As a result many villages lack fruit and other kinds of plants that could improve the standard of living.
      So what do you do in a situation where people need their living savings accounts, but also need to be able to plant food? This is a question and frustration on many development workers' minds all around the world, and is yet to be solved.  Just another challenge to working here.