…and the rains came
March is the beginning of rainy season and it arrived in full force on the 1st, raining all night long. This first week it rained all night every night. I turned off my fan because I love the sound of rain on the metal roofs. Of course, the roads are flooded and have turned into a series of small ponds that make driving even more insane than ever.
I have spent a lot of time at Minnesota Academy this month and have walked a few times but after a week of rains, walking to or from the school is pretty impossible. One day I tried to walk and reached an impassable area (knee high boots would have been helpful!). Fortunately, our School Van was returning and the driver flagged down another car and they took me to the school. We did not know the people. I felt completely safe (It helped that one of the passengers was female.) but learned later that Nie was a bit nervous when she found out what I did! On another trip to the school in the School Van, we got stuck in the mud and all the kids had to jump puddles to get to their classes. It does not take too many trips for the drivers to know exactly how to maneuver through the water and deep potholes.
The rain continues but there are still very hot, sunny afternoons. Even with all the rain, the dust never seems to settle.
5K Fun Run
I participated in the 5K portion of the Kili Marathon on Sunday, March 4th. Jovis, Jonas’ son, and one of the teachers ran the Half Marathon. Our plan was for the 3 of us to meet at 5:45am and take the daladala to town and then walk to the start of the race. Their race started at 6:30 and mine was at 7am. It had rained all night and the walk to the daladala was difficult and slippery, with only narrow strips of dirt above water. I had my phone flashlight as it was pitch black out. There were no daladalas available because of the roads. Plan B turned out to be taking a bodaboda (motorcycle). I dislike these with a passion and was asking if there were any other alternatives, knowing full well the bodaboda was the only answer. We found two drivers and I felt a little safer riding between my driver and the teacher. I kept my eyes closed during most of the ride, choking the driver with my grip on his shoulders. Our drivers made a wrong turn in town and we had to backtrack. Because nothing starts on time here we all got to our starting spots with plenty of time. The run was good and we all met up with Nie and Jonas after the race. And, of course, the Kenyans swept all the top spots as they do every year!
Batik and Other Projects
A cabinet was purchased so we could organize teacher resources for the primary school. I am feeling “crunch time” to get everything organized and labeled but I do see a light at the end of the tunnel!
It is always fun for the Tailoring women to learn Batik. Since the women are all new students they had not seen the process. We bought the material and waited for a good weather day. It is a fun process involving the folding of the material in different ways to get different patterns, then dipping the folded material in various dyes for the color effects. The look on the girls faces when the finished products were unfolded was priceless.
We celebrated International Women’s day by having a fried plantain lunch with pilipili (HOT) sauce.
Every year, the preschool students have a lesson called, Healthy Smiles. Toothbrushes and toothpaste are provided and they learn about dental care and proper brushing techniques.
Water and Solar Project
Because of your amazing generosity, the primary kids will return to school after break and have clean, safe drinking water. Fortunately, we had a dry spell of about 5 days so the government could get in to lay the initial line and the stand could be delivered. The line extensions are being put in and the last step is getting the tanks up on the stand and installing the taps. We were so close to our goal that we went ahead with the solar. Eventually more panels will be installed but for now several rooms have lights and outside lights are providing much needed security. The night watchman is thrilled.
Update on Safina
We found a potty chair for Safina, plus bought material for the tailoring women to make her school uniform. She continues to progress in school. She is happy and engaging. The plan is to move her to the older preschool class for the 2nd term which starts mid-April and then to Minnesota Academy for the next school year. Her meds and Physical Therapy are making a difference. Her legs are getting stronger. Initially, her posture was somewhat hunched but now she can stand up straight (with help). She has also been fitted for special shoes. Safina needs 4 more months of meds and Physical therapy before her next full evaluation. (Because of the high cost of her medical care we are still looking for donations or several sponsors. Contact me if interested.)
Special Friends
It is so easy to get caught up in the “busyness” that time flies and I realize I haven’t reconnected with friends I last saw two years ago. I had a wonderful lunch and visit with Magembe. I have known him since 2010. He lived in the same volunteer house I stayed in during my visits in 2010 and 12. He was at University studying accounting and is now looking at starting a coffee business. Our visits are always enjoyable. We did a lot of brainstorming about his business, as well as reminiscing and laughing over stories of all the entertaining and amusing escapades we had together and with other volunteers.
Schools are on break for two weeks (last day 3/23). On the 24th we traveled to Arusha to pick up Jovin (Nie & Jonas’ son) from school. I stayed in Arusha to meet up with Neema. She was my cook and “sister” when I was here in 2014. Probably one of the best and most creative cooks, our friendship was instant and we shared some very special times together. She is working as a cook in one of the hotels in Arusha and has an adorable 2-year-old daughter.
Wrapping up my day in Arusha, I had also arranged a visit with Deb & Lizzie. They are from the US and Canada, respectively. Both have lived in Tanzania over 6 years. Lizzie works in Moshi at a Family Preservation organization she and a Tanzanian friend founded. Deb is with an orphanage/school just outside Arusha. I enjoy talking with them because they truly understand life here as a volunteer/white person. Their issues and frustrations are the same; their bond to the people and the country goes deep.
One of the reasons I love Facebook is that it allows me to stay in touch and grow these friendships from the other side of the world.
I am heading into my last week here. No doubt, knowing me, it will be hectic and a flurry of activity. Nie and Jonas and family are traveling to Dar es Salaam on Friday. This worked out perfectly for me. I will go with them and we will stay 2 nights in Dar (celebrating my birthday!!!) before they return to Moshi and I continue on to Zanzibar for a few days of R&R. I will then fly to DC to see my daughter for a few days and then back to Ohio on the 9th!
As always this has been an incredible experience that I will forever cherish. I am so grateful and blessed!
