Tata Wooo!

The next day we returned to Nanua, to bring paint for marking the edge of the property and to see the progress. Since Nunu had to run to the store to buy the paint, we arrived around noon.

We set off on the path to our property, winding our way through tall grass and small trees, and then BAM a clear field! Sure there was a huge pile of cut trees and grass, but you could see the Baobab tree from so much further away! The guys had been out there since 5am, what did I expect?!

Nunu set out to find the property boundaries with his managers, while Sandy, Matthew and I set out to start cutting grass.

Have I mentioned yet that Nanua in Macua, the local tribal language, means snake?! As you can imagine with each step and swing of our hoe, this thought is in all of our minds. Latino told Matthew a story about a guy he knew getting bit and how they had to suck out the venom out of this guys leg. A couple times Matthew jokingly mentioned that we needed to keep a Mozambican close by, incase we needed someone to suck out some venom! I’m happy to report that other than a possible mouse, we didn’t see anything.

We left that day excited having new friends and a clearer image of what our property really looked like… but mostly excited to come back on Friday to play soccer!

When we arrived on Friday, all the cut greens had wilted and we got an even better glimpse of the property. We walked as much of the edge as possible and I used a walking app to get a better idea of the properties size. I’ve used this info, google maps and photoshop to estimate that the property is about 540’ x 650’ which is about 8 acres!! We paid less than $1,000 for this =)

Don't you just love technology!

We are currently talking with the Chief of the Village to get his approval for what we are wanting to do (Community Center for ministry and farming). He is sort of flexing his muscles and we are trying to play by the rules. Nunu basically told him that we would like to do some farming and if the community is supportive and good to us, then we will expand beyond that. Basically saying the nicer you are to us, the more jobs we will have for your village over time!

After walking the property, we went down the paved road a little bit to the local field at the school. As we were following our friends to the field, we walked past a couple of mud buildings with bamboo benches. When I saw a white board, it hit me, “this is the school?!” I don’t really have words, but imagine kids beg to be sent to school!

 

Local School

Sandy and I were led to someone’s “porch” and told this is where we should put our chairs to sit. It didn’t take long for a group of children to form around us and a couple of women came to say hello. One lady told us she was going to get water to take her bath… I love the randomness of that!

 

Sandy watching the game.

What a beauty.

We sat and watched the guys who had worked so hard on our property this week, now running full speed with huge smiles on their faces, chasing a little yellow ball. Isn’t it amazing?

The kids were just as fun to watch. I made a little friend, we raised eye brows at each other a few times. Sandy and I laughed as the first goal was scored and the kids went crazy, all jumping and running out onto the field. Cartwheels and karate kicks galore! I thought I was watching the last 20 seconds of the World Cup!

 

I dare you not to be pulled in by his face. 

It was also great because Matthew was playing. As the only white guy out there, every time he touched the ball, the kids would laugh and point. It was great. At one point the ball was heading out of bounds, and two guys in unison did bicycle kicks (basically doing a back flip, trying to kick the ball backwards over your head, and you land on the ground on your back). It was AMAZING! I yelled “Woooooooo!” And then I heard an echo and a lot of giggles. So naturally I kept wooing and the kids kept echoing me.

The day ended, selfie stick in hand, walking off the field with more excited kids than I could count trailing behind. As I sat in the car trying to wave goodbye, one little girl looked at me and said, “Tata Wooo” (Good-bye Wooo).

Tata Nanua, until next time.

Love, Wooo