Land of Contrasts

Today I went to Kambuzuma, a high density suburb, to a meeting with our HIV/Aids orphan support partner. We went to visit houeseholds, where the orphans live usually with their extended family, to assess their most urgent needs. Usually it was money for school fees, food, a school uniform or shoes. Then an old woman, that cannot walk anymore, convinced me. She said she rather wants her house extended to two more rooms. At the moment she lives in an approximately 15 m2 house with four orphans. With two more she could use one for the kids and rent the other one out. This way she would get enough money to cater for herself.

However today I also went to the richest part of town to buy the milk we had ordered. Highly organised germany could learn from the way they are managing that. First you have to manage to get into that area, then you join all the other housewifes and gardeners waiting. You will get a number, just like at the employment agency. When the milk finally arrives, everyone queues happily according to those numbers. They check if everyone is in his place and then it starts. When it is your turn you go to the first desk, say your name and the lady will check if you really have ordered milk and how much. You give her your number, get another piece of paper, go to the next desk to pay and the you finally get your milk. The only problem is: that takes about two hours.