Truth in the Saying?

November 6th.
Do you remember the saying “Darkest Africa”from a long time ago ? Well, while I don’t hold to that , I was beginning to believe it could literally be true with all the power cuts we have been having. The longest one lasted for three consecutive days. That’ s when you have to drink the ice cream from the freezer if you are fortunate enough to have some ( which we didn’t). No power  means no internet which is intermittent at the best of times. It has been interesting to say the least as it also means that no water can be pumped and with almost five hundred students plus staff on site 24/7 a few tanks of water don’t last very long. But on the bright side we did have some very heavy downpours for a week or so and so we collected plenty of water to drink. We seemed to be the only ones dashing in and out with buckets and dishes but it served a good purpose.

Dining hall and covered walkway from the kitchen

With the exception of a couple of small doors, the dining extension is complete and really being put to good use. All sorts of activities have been taking place in there from eating  to debating  and study and this week class rooms for Form One as the National exams are in full swing and their normal classrooms have been taken over for that.  Last Friday on Assembly, the Form Fours were farewelled  by the choir who sang a song entitled “Kwaheri” which means goodbye. It was written by a couple of the students and accompanied by the drums. I never get tired of hearing the proper African drums.

Extensions and upgrade to the toilet blocks are now in progress and then some maintenance to the dormitories and before we know it the “zebras” will be coming out of hibernation and we will be heading home.

Extensions to toilet block

Last week the police and two Immigration Officers arrived unexpectedly at the school to check on visas and paperwork. That morning, I felt I should not go to the Library but rather mend books at home. Kevin was summoned to the office and all his paperwork was in order. They asked him where I was and he could truthfully say I was at the house. He enquired if they wanted to see me but they said no and just sent him to get my passport. God was looking after me as if I had been in the Library,  I would have been deemed as being employed and received a heavy fine.  I have to stay at the house now and wait until the Secretary of the Diocese sorts out with them what their definition of employment is.

Anyone for new floor coverings? Let me take you to the carpet shop. There’s no pressure about choices . What you see is what you get  and it’s easy to clean you just throw it out in among the banana trees and get a fresh lot. A certain type of grass is used extensively in village houses on the floor to sit on and also as bedding and as roofing in some places. As bedding, the major drawback as I see it is it might be a little prickly and itchy.
                                                             

Floor coverings for sale

Everything is looking lush and green at present from all the rain and the village people are all busy planting  maize and beans for provisions for the next few months. I don’t know if it is the soil or not but the hibiscus plants here, while only the common ones, have the most vivid colours and are really beautiful

Until next time Hakuna Matata and Kwaheri