We returned to Choma on 1st January and are
already getting stuck in to a routine of teaching. This time we are in the school for 2 hours 4
days a week as well as having our adult classes. More of this another time.
For now we want to tell you about a big problem that is
facing Zambia in the coming months. There
has been very little rain. It is now the
rainy season, but the rain has been little and late. Since we arrived we have seen only a few days
of significant rain.
This maize
Should look like
This maize
Much of the maize that was planted at the beginning of the
season has already dried up and died.
Maize that has been planted later is doing better, but not as well as it
should be, so even if there is significant rain from now for a month or six
weeks (to the end of the rainy season) the harvest will be poor. This follows a poor harvest last year because
of lack of rain, but this year will be worse.
Since Tuesday it has now rained every night, so things are looking up, but
this needs to continue for there to be any hope of a harvest. The rain will make the maize grow, but if it then stops when the heads are "tassling" there will be no grain.
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