When people think of living in Africa they assume everything is really inexpensive. Admittedly some things are (if you live off yams and sweet potatoes) but providing a balanced diet (very necessary to help fight off all the bugs trying to make us ill) costs about the same as in the UK. I was shopping in Jos this morning and thought it might be interesting to list a few of the things I bought with the price in sterling.
One 200g tin tuna £1.57 (and there's no buy one get one free or bulk packs of four on special offer as in Tescos); 1l fruit juice £1; 500g oats £1; cereal - about £4 for a packet of cornflakes or £1.40 for 300g of the Nigerian cardboard edition; sliced bread £1.40; bleach £2 a bottle.
We do get a good variety of fruit in season with pineapples between £1.20-£2; mangos about 40p at the moment (or free from our trees); apples 60p each; meat £3.57-£4.40/kilo (although there are no handy butcher's shops to get it ready packed). It also depends on where you buy things. A large measure of brown beans at the market will be about £1.50; buying 50kg flour works out about 65p/kg; carbohydrates are relatively cheap but don't make a balanced diet. Fraser's favourite is the 20p glass bottle of Coca Cola - it helps stave off the withdrawal pangs caused by lack of Irn Bru and the fact a 50g bar of Dairy Milk costs £1.
I'm waiting to get photos of the ladies retreat last weekend then I'll post some. It was a great time even though I feel I need another retreat to recover. God showed his presence many times and many women benefitted just from being able to rest with him. A weekend full of fun, worship and excellent food. We're already looking forward to the next one!
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