Tanzanian Experience - Hakuna Matata

This last week has been very challenging but with some highlights along the way. The week was very busy with the ordinary things of life - planning, work and work. Kevin has been busy with the men pouring the first slab of the Boy,s Dormitory. He was still working at 7.00 pm last night and they have been at it again today. Compared to our experience in Bangladesh, nothing happens in a hurry here. Pouring the first slab helpers You may be wondering what a photo of a few pegs have to do with anything. Well, it's amazing what can be used as a reminder or a lesson  along the way. My options for drying the washing are throwing the clothes over a fraying nylon rope and getting many creases in them (no iron here), or "hanging" them on the grass like the students do. ( not a great option for me as our area is rather sparse on grass as I found out when the rope gave way.) I was so thankful to be able to peg Kevin's long pants and pin my skirts to the line with f...

Hello again. This last week has been one of art and culture. As I mentioned previously, Tuesday was a public holiday to celebrate Independence day. The vegetation along the track which led to the dirt road up to the Teacher's College was a little decimated as the students broke foliage off to wave in salute. We were told that a torch is carried from village to village and so expected something in the line of a runner carrying a torch like an Olympic Torch. We waited a while and first came the blaring music followed shortly after by the official and his entourage (30 cars jammed full of people). It was no slow procession . They raced past and dust went everywhere. A student near us said, "There goes the torch, "and all we caught was a glimpse of some sort of light in the back of a vehicle. Thursday, I was in the Library by myself again as the assistant was married at 11.00 am and most of the administration staff were invited guests. It was a long day but much mo...

Time quickly passes and it is now five weeks since we left home. What a learning curve that has been. despite the challenges, there have been many good moments along the way. The building contracts for two blocks have been let and work commenced on the teacher's flats this morning and the preparation for the slab of the boy's dormitory should commence on Wednesday. No work tomorrow as it is a Public Holiday to celebrate Independence Day. The school students have to form a guard of honour for the dignitaries as they travel to the Teacher's College. Home Alone. In the last week, Kevin spent some time in Dar Es Salaam purchasing building equipment and a block making machine. He flew back on Saturday and was actually able to take a photo of Mt Kilimanjaro in the distance at sunrise from the plane.  No, I didn't get up to all those pranks like the boy in the movie while he was away. Leaving Dar pre dawn on Saturday.                 ...