Remember Fred Msiska – the Malawian innovator….well, I have some fantastic news for you! Thanks to the wonderful viral power of the internet in spreading the word, Fred’s story through France 24 news channel got picked up by an Italian newspaper and then an Italian organization and now he is off to Italy in two weeks.
Two months ago a team from Terra Madre came to visit him and invited him to participate in Terra Madre 2010 taking place in Turin, Italy. Terra Madre, the Food Communities Network, is a project of Slow Food, it “brings together those players in the food chain who together support sustainable agriculture, fishing, and breeding with the goal of preserving taste and biodiversity”.
I was with Fred two weeks ago and this is what he had to say about what people in his village originally thought about his inventions and his feelings on going to Italy. (apologies for the video quality, I used my Mom’s digital camera).
“In the beginning, the people [in Nchenanchena Village] would say you are crazy. You are making these useless things that wont help you at this time. You are just wasting time. We are farming tobacco and developing faster but you are following agriculture projects and toys that have no use. But now, we realise, we were wrong in thinking that you were the stupid one, now we know it is us who is stupid and you are the smart one. This is what people in Nchenachena Extension Planning Area are saying.”
“I am very happy to be going to Italy because in Italy, we will meet people from all over the world and share knowledge and experience on improving our countries. I will give my friends knowledge that will help improve all our countries as well as how to make Malawi better, because of this I am very happy. To add to this, it will very very much expand the knowledge and creativity that I already have so that when I come back to Malawi, I can teach everyone in Malawi the skills and things that I learn.”
Fred watching for the first time, the short film about his innovations.
African Science Heroes 
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Just last week, I wanted to send you an email to find out the latest developments on Fred’s work. Many thanks for this update. This is great stuff!
Thanks Clement. I am hoping to hear more from Fred when he is in Italy. I will try and get him to blog about his trip and take loads of pictures.
As usual, I will “plagiarize” them on my blog. Lol!!!
On a serious note, I have realized that reposting the story from several angles on many blogs helps it to spread even further.
Plagiarize away!!!! Happy stories about Africans is what we need more of! MalawiSoc, is a great idea..Keep doing what u doing and let me know how I can support ur causes.
Great stuff! The power of video is so immense.
Fred Msiska is with three other people from Malawi, in these days to host Villareggia, a small town in the Province of Turin and take part in Terra Madre
Bravo Fred!!!!!
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