Under the Baobab Tree

Regarded as the largest succulent plant in the world, the baobab tree is steeped in a wealth of mystique, legend and superstition wherever it occurs. It is a tree that can provide, food, water, shelter and relief from sickness. There are many legends and superstitions surrounding the baobab tree.

The bark on the lower part of the trunk often bears scars caused by local people who harvest and pound it to retrieve the strong fibre. The fibrous bark is used to make various useful items such as mats and ropes, fishing nets, fishing lines, sacks as well as clothing. Although the bark is often heavily stripped by people and elephants, these trees do not suffer as a normal tree would from ring barking. Baobabs have the ability to simply continue growing and produce a new layer of bark.


In this instance the baobab in the picture was used for an entirely different purpose! The meeting held in its shade (35C) was to engage the local community leadership and school administration of a secondary school in Matabeleland South. MCC's Global Family Education Support Program offered through the Bulawayo office was holding a meeting with the local school MCC & Development Committees.




MCC Zimbabwe's Global Family program engages fifteen schools in three different regions. The intent is to resource the educational capacity of the schools in areas such as curriculum support and development, basic infrastructure (desks, chairs, blackboards, windows, doors, etc) and teacher support (from training to housing). This particular meeting was to clarify the program and expectations with the local community leadership.

The young woman in the picture to the right gave a passionate speech thanking MCC for the way it had helped improve schooling. She noted that, 'we are no longer mourning or crying but happy for the advancement of our school'.





Local leadership including the Ward Councillor, Pastor, Community representation, Committee chairs, Headmaster, staff and students all participated. It was very encouraging to hear of their commitment to better education for their children.