Back to Africa.

Back to Africa.

Yes. On Australia Day we departed  from Brisbane for Tanzania for a short time of seven weeks in which time Kevin planned to complete the buildings. Three and a half weeks have already passed but this week the boy's dormitory is ready  for occupation.

Have you ever wrestled a zebra?  That's how I felt as I struggled to get the suitcases onto the back of the Ute to travel to Brisbane as Kevin couldn't lift anything heavy because of his back injury.  Of course there was the usual  dilemma of what to pack and what to leave out and it seems I left a few things I should have brought. Hakuna matata, we are still managing. Thanks to the generosity of many people ,we had many extra books, puzzles and games to bring for the students so being allowed two check in bags, we decided the afternoon before we left that we needed two extra ports and I duly set off to town to purchase them . Now being a small town , choice can be limited and what you see is often what you get. I stepped inside the shop to see two large suitcases in all their black and white striped glory, took a gulp and thought NO WAY.  But as the saying goes - beggars can't be choosers , so home I went  with the only two available , telling myself that they are going to Africa and Tanzania has lots of zebras so it will be fine.  Hakuna Matata it was a perfect choice and so easy to spot on the roundabout at the luggage collection point. Everyone here thinks they are great and I must admit I don't mind them at all now.

                                                         

My pet Zebra

             On the way we had a seven hour  stop  over in Singapore airport. There's plenty to see so the time doesn't drag.  Kevin discovered the perfect pet. It doesn't need feeding, stays exactly where you put it and doesn't even bark. We even had a choice of two kinds. However housing it may present a problem.

The perfect pet?????

Or maybe these two.

The whole trip over was good and after our four and a half hour trip from Entebbe to the border , we had no trouble entering Tanzania. We were surprised to see the School business manager waiting at the border after travelling for two hours so he could be the first t to greet us.  A teacher from here had also walked about four kilometres from his village and was also waiting at the immigration gate. We also received a very warm welcome from staff and students alike back at Katoke.

 Thank you so much for your help. The students, particularly the boys (or should I say men in some cases as some of the Form sixes are in their late teens or early twenties) absolutely love the puzzles and games and  often we have to send them back to class as they  sometimes  sneak in just to do puzzles. It is really a sight to see fifteen or so fellows all trying to do the one puzzle- real team work,and they are so pleased when they complete it that I always have to go and see the finished product.

I had been teaching  English to the first year students but am no longer as we found out I have  to have registration as a  Tanzanian teacher  and a work permit to do so. I'm still busy in the Library and  enjoying getting to know the students better.  I also spend a good deal of time trying to get help for those who don't have the financial support to meet their needs.

Last Tuesday Godson arrived in Mwanza to have further tests regarding his heart condition and we are actively seeking help for Nelson who has now been told his blindness is permanent.  Malaria is still causing problems for a number of students.

Time is passing quickly and before we know it , it will be time to make the 6 hour trip  back to the airport in Uganda for our trip home.

Until next post  Hakuna matata.