One of the factors involved in relief work outside the US is how the US Dollar relates to the money in the country where the work is being accomplished. When the exchange rate is going UP from a US standpoint, it "feels" better from here because many times we can make a dollar go further. You have heard me say many times how incredibly efficient this work is, and a part of that relates to this topic. The issue is, many times when the exchange rate is going up, that infers INFLATIONÂ in the foreign country, which is ultimately a bad thing for the very people we are trying to help.
Over the last month, the exchange rate between the US Dollar and the Zambian Kwacha has gone the other direction - from 23:1 to 19:1. That may not sound like a big drop, but it is nearly 20% - meaning everything there cost nearly 20% more US Dollars. Again, sometimes that can actually be a GOODÂ thing in country, as food and other necessities cost the locals LESS, even in their own currency. But many times, that savings doesn't actually reach the everyday purchases of the common people. It remains to be seen how long this lasts or how much it impacts purchases in country. But for now, it feels a little bit painful on a monthly budget where we suddenly need to send 20% more than expected.
As IÂ often do, I will just invite any of you with some extra surplus this month that want to help us bridge that unexpected increase in our costs to feel free to pitch in. And thank you very much in advance!
In Zambia, the fields the trainers planted nearly two months ago are looking TERRIFIC!! Today's cover photo is from the farthest south region of our work in Livingstone, Zambia, and this field was planted by our very own Lamec Chibabala. I continue to be amazed how great these fields look, and IÂ am eager to see some of the fields of the TRAINEES looking like this.
I did send the wire this week, even with the exchange rate at the lowest rate we have seen in months. We again hope to provide some food to over 3,400 families, complete a clean water project west of Chipata, and provide for our staff. Maybe you are getting accustomed to our rhythm around here... we send the wire the first week of the month, the funds are disbursed to the 124 church communities, maize is disbursed to the families within the communities. By the end of the month, we typically have feeding reports back from all but a few stragglers. The training is a new thing this year and will be ongoing until harvest. Who knows what that will look like next year at this time. For our team, the next really BIG task will be purchasing as much of the harvest as we can. That will begin, IÂ expect, in May and run into July. By the end of July all of the maize purchased from the 2025 harvest will be used up and we hope to be replenishing it.
Besides the widespread grower training, the other big new thing is the planning being done around the first live animal training center. Rog is working with experts in animal husbandry and construction here and in Zambia to plan for that effort.
Lots going on - all in the hopes of creating a better life for our brothers and sisters in Zambia.
