Recycling
While in Kenya a store entry guard asked me if I was done with my empty water bottle or if I wanted to keep it. In Mada, that wouldn't even be a question because empty water bottles fetch money. I immediately thought of the family I give my extra water bottles to and it made me sad to think of literally throwing away money just by getting rid of a water bottle, even though it was in another country.
In some ways recycling for money has helped keep the Toliara streets a little less cluttered with garbage. You can still see some garbage lying around, but each morning the shop owners sweep and dispose of the rubbish in front of their stands, so it's really not too dirty.
I remember back to when I first came to Toliara sashès (or little plastic bags) were free with a purchase of vegetables, rice or meet. About a month in the government banned plastic bags. Their hope was that there would be less trash lying around, but in reality is wasn't all that bad in the first place. About two months later shop owners started selling sturdy plastic bags, which apparently was allowed. So, what the government did accomplish was to help the shop owners. Now, instead of giving bags away for free they could make a little money on bags. Unfortunately, if the Malagasy people are like me they either carry their own basket for food or would rather go without a bag than purchase one. The later is what made into a funny situation over the holidays.
Deciding that I was in the mood to make french fries (or fritas as they are called here) I found a cute little old lady to buy .5 kilos from. When she realized that I didn't have a bag and meant to carry the dirty potatoes she was distraught. I tried to explain that I only lived a few meters away but she wanted to sell me a bag since she thought there were too many for me to carry. As I began to load the potatoes in my arms and against my dress to steady them she became very worried that I was getting all dirty. I managed to convince her that it was all right, but made a mental note to bring my basket the next time. I can't be upsetting the market owns who are so keen to take care of me.
All in all plastic is very valuable in Toliara as are the people I spend my day to day life with. As I continue to spend time with them and build friendships I pray that one day we may grow together in our love for the Lord through deeper conversations.
In some ways recycling for money has helped keep the Toliara streets a little less cluttered with garbage. You can still see some garbage lying around, but each morning the shop owners sweep and dispose of the rubbish in front of their stands, so it's really not too dirty.
I remember back to when I first came to Toliara sashès (or little plastic bags) were free with a purchase of vegetables, rice or meet. About a month in the government banned plastic bags. Their hope was that there would be less trash lying around, but in reality is wasn't all that bad in the first place. About two months later shop owners started selling sturdy plastic bags, which apparently was allowed. So, what the government did accomplish was to help the shop owners. Now, instead of giving bags away for free they could make a little money on bags. Unfortunately, if the Malagasy people are like me they either carry their own basket for food or would rather go without a bag than purchase one. The later is what made into a funny situation over the holidays.
Deciding that I was in the mood to make french fries (or fritas as they are called here) I found a cute little old lady to buy .5 kilos from. When she realized that I didn't have a bag and meant to carry the dirty potatoes she was distraught. I tried to explain that I only lived a few meters away but she wanted to sell me a bag since she thought there were too many for me to carry. As I began to load the potatoes in my arms and against my dress to steady them she became very worried that I was getting all dirty. I managed to convince her that it was all right, but made a mental note to bring my basket the next time. I can't be upsetting the market owns who are so keen to take care of me.
All in all plastic is very valuable in Toliara as are the people I spend my day to day life with. As I continue to spend time with them and build friendships I pray that one day we may grow together in our love for the Lord through deeper conversations.
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