Week 3!

Although we have had a couple of thunderstorms the expected rains still havent arrived. Personally I hope they hold off for as long as possible as at the moment it is  a very pleasent 28 degrees with blue skies and light winds. We are suffering with regular and quite frequent power cuts particularly first thing in the morning  - dont know what the reasons are.

Weekends are quite football orientated. A couple of TV stations show non-stop football from the Premier League, German, French, Italien and Spainish leagues. Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are the main supported teams here – no one has heard of Pompey or Cardiff for some reason.

I think I am finally starting to make some headway the charity. Yesterday I ended up organising and then chairing the interviews for a new accountant here (thanks to Nic and Angela for the scoring sheets – they worked really well). The position is actually more of a book keeping role as it is to manage the imprest account (everything is done in cash). I think it is indicative of a problem they have in that they “talk up” the position to make it sound attractive but then once the individual starts and finds out the reality they leave. Staff turnover has been a real issue for them this past year. Hopefully this time our choice of candidate will last a little longer. Quite pleased with my influencing skills on this and generally the way it went. Seems to have struck a chord with the Coordinator (the lady heading up the Forum) as  we now have a much better relationship.  Anyway now we are finally going through the strategy and other papers I have prepared and start tackling some of the underlying issues.

This Friday I am back to Kafue which means the dreadful minibuses again. Several more groups have asked to meet with us with a view to joining which is good but it does mean there are alot of expectations on the Forum to deliver something meaningful. Next week I will be attending a series of legal workshops on land rights. This is key to the Forum and where they can add real value by advising on the legal routes that must be followed and challenges that can be made when such a process isnt followed. Should be fun!.