Restless Zebras

13th September, 2018
The Zebras (see earlier posts) were getting restless , so it was time to release them from idleness and
 restraint, stuff them full and head them back to their homeland, Tanzania.  The flight over for us was smooth and rather uneventful until we reached Entebbe but they and the rest of  our luggage didn't fare so well.When we went to collect our luggage on arrival at Entebbe, we discovered one zebra had suffered a broken leg (one set of wheels missing ) and some fractures to his rib cage ( and may have to go into forced retirement) and  instead of four pieces of luggage we could only find three. I'm sure some of you may be able to relate to that sinking feeling as the baggage carousel keeps going round and round and your items just don't seem to be there. We reported it missing and waited for the next hour and a half while enquiries were made. That was okay except we had prearranged for a taxi to take us to the border and not having a phone which would work in Uganda we could not advise him as to why we wern't emerging from the airport.  Nobody could find the missing item which contained among other things a key board for our blind friend, Nelson and Kevin's drawings and plans for the extensions. We were told it could come on the next  flight that night and we should wait and see.  Knowing that we had a five hour drive to the border crossing which closes at 7.00pm and the lost item could be winging its way anywhere around the world, we decided to leave without it, which was just as well as seven days later we know where it is but the airport staff insist that we have to personally collect it from the airport.  They would have to be joking, we are seven hours drive one way away and taxi fares and visas are in the vicinity of US$ 560 so we are trying to find some alternative. There is a bus from Uganda which passes the school but airport authority will not put it on the bus for us. Hakuna matata.  We did not get lost and at least we know where it is and will continue to seek a resolution and hope it is not damaged.
As usual the airport in Singapore was full of beautiful orchids and things to see so the eight hours we had to wait for the next flight was okay. 
                           

                              

Arriving at Katoke after dark it was rather quiet but the welcome we received on Saturday was overwhelming and very humbling. There were no students around as they had left for holidays but all day we had students and staff calling to welcome us.

It has been a crazy week. The Form Two students have been called back to school as the Government has decided to hold the National Mock Exam the last week of the holidays. Why, no one really knows but this exam is very important as it can determine the future of their education. Return after holidays in Tanzania can take up to two weeks to have full attendance so to ensure that all the students would be back in time they were requested to return last Monday.

Kevin has been busy getting the project started and tomorrow the foundations should be poured. Getting materials has been rather challenging as the school truck decided not to cooperate while carting fill and is undergoing repairs. A quick dash to the local hardware in  the school Lancruiser to obtain 3/4 ton of cement so the work could commence as the order hadn't been delivered caused the poor old cruiser to lose a lot of its cruise as it tackled the steep hills.Hakuna matata, we made it.

Ready to mix Concrete

Checking the trench for the footings

We have had some interesting meals since arrival to say the least. The first two days we had no electricity and then when we did get it back the stove wouldn't work and still isn't fix properly.

We have not been able to get to Bukoba so have had to be content with the few things we were able to get at the village nearby. The fruit is nice but a plate of potato for dinner was a little different.

 A steady four lane highway of ants has been marching across the wall and getting  into everything in the kitchen  but I have found the perfect solution – hand sanitizer. Just pt a few drops where they are and they disappear like magic. Try it, it’s fabulous.

The Form two's have been singing outside our place tonight, practising for the Church Service on Sunday. The young Fellow from Form Six who trains them insists they can't sing but they sound very nice to my ears especially when he accompanies them on the drum. I mean literally. He actually sits on the drum to play it.

All in all we are doing okay and our adventure this coming weekend is an invite to an engagement party in a nearby village. I'm not sure if it is accessible by road or if we have to walk but know it is about five kilometres away, down the mountain side, through the valley, over the next mountain and down into the village.We'll wait and see. I'll either be super trim after it or plain puffed out. Hakuna matata.

Update .

At 4.00am this morning, we were woken by the phone but decided to ignore it. After a few persistent rings, we climbed out thinking it may be family . To our surprise it was the airline company. Our luggage was now in Dar es Salaam and customs wanted to open and inspect it. There was no option but to agree and then it would be flown to Bukoba. Latest this afternoon is it is now in Bukoba and we will collect it tomorrow.

Our efforts to get Nelson to a Rehabilitation Centre and Braille School have been thwarted all week but all is well that ends well and he will hopefully be able to have the keyboard before he is able to go.  God is good all the time.