Chocolate 9/7/13

In Burundi, chocolate is a luxury.  Although cocoa is exported from Africa, I haven't seen it for sale.  So, I brought some cocoa with me this trip.  The chocolate I have seen is expensive.  A couple stores sell large chocolate bars for about $4.30, which is more than most Burundians can afford.  As a gift to my friends and coworkers, I brought small bags of plain and peanut M&Ms.  I've never seen M&Ms sold in Burundi, but I have seen a Snickers bar. 

I wonder if chocolate is more expensive here because it's not sold in large quantities.  Also, it's tough to ship and store.  Where I live, the temperature stays between 65 degrees and 85 degrees.  But, the areas surrounding Burundi can get very hot.  When you ship chocolate or import it, you need to make sure it doesn't melt. 

I thought about it some more.  Why aren't M&Ms sold in Burundi?  The whole point of an M&M is that it melts in your mouth, not in your hand?  Would there be a market for M&Ms in Burundi or Africa? 

One thing that has helped the economy and people in Burundi is micro loans.  There are non-profit organizations that give out loans to people for small businesses.  Loans are granted for creative ideas that may have potential and a promising future.  In Burundi, one of the problems is that the propositions have not been unique.  So, occasionally I think, "Would this be a good micro loan idea?"

When the French teacher was eating his plain M&Ms, he laughed and said, "Is this candy or quinine?  It looks like quinine."  Quinine is a medicine used to treat malaria in Burundi.  M&Ms kinda look like Burundi IB Profen too.  Hmmm...I don't think I will be seeing M&Ms sold in Burundi the near future.



 

Above is a picture of Jackie in the store with the chocolate.  Jackie is new to Burundi and will be teaching English at the primary school to the 4th, 5th and 6th graders.  The primary school is mainly taught in French.  Jackie is from Idaho.  She'll also be teaching girls sports and typing at the secondary school I'm at.  She's best friends with Hanna, and is a kick to be around.  She's recently served 6 months teaching English in Tanzania.  Jackie brought chocolate chips.  Yum!