No apologies

I make no apologies for reblogging about a very special little girl who was so tragically taken from us on Sunday.
This is difficult to write but I feel that it has to be shared.
Today we laid her to rest.
The funeral started at her home, the one she shared with her foster mum and 2 foster siblings, Musa looked very bewildered and Vivi didn't really know what was going on. A collection was then made to help with the funeral costs.
 After much singing, Rahma was bought into the room, after prayers the top 1/4 of the casket was opened to reveal her face, people were invited to walk around the casket to pay their last respects. I found the opening of the casket the most harrowing experience, seeing that little one in a place where she should not have been. She had been dressed in white cloth with small cotton roses around her neckline. Strangely, people took photographs of her, apparently this is quite normal. we then went to the burial ground where, after more prayers and Rahma being laid to rest. I was given the honour by Batilda, her mother, of placing a flower on the grave on behalf of all volunteers past and present. This I did on their behalf as I know that there are many people scattered over the globe who have their own special memories of Rahma. I also gave Batilda a card signed by me and mentioning that many people have sent their best wishes via the social media
I returned to Rahma's home in the back of a truck where we sat and spoke of our memories of her.
It was a difficult day but one that I had to go through, never in my wildest dreams did I think that the start of my retirement would be like this.
I hope that Batilda, her family and those close to her can look back with pride knowing that, as short as Rahma's life was, it was filled with love
Sleep well sweet one xx

For Rahma

On Sunday 22nd of December a little girl lost her life to a motor cycle taxi driver. Road traffic accidents are a common occurrence here, life is hard and everyone is trying to make money where they can-drive just that little bit quicker to earn a few more shillings, overtake any which way. But at what cost? Was it really worth a few shillings to put a child's life at risk and actually end it? Accidents do happen but was this one avoidable.
A family and community,here in Tanzania and worldwide because Rahma came into the lives of so many volunteers who will each have their memories of her, are in mourning. Her mum Batilda, her brother Musa and sister Vivi, none related by blood but a family in the true sense of the word-they love and care for each other, are in pain, I hope that they know how many people share that pain and are thinking of them
Rahma you were the sweetest child, you had an infectious laugh and your love for life shone out of you. Rest in peace sweet one

A month has gone by

A month has gone by

I’ve now been in Tanzania a month, it’s flown by, and I feel that I have achieved quite a lot-found and settled into a house, still things to sort out but it’s going well, found out that I have a guava tree and a chilli plant in my garden, thanks Collins, have made a trade off with one of the workers at the centre, she will show me the best places to shop, I’ll teach her how to bake cakes and biscuits. Met some amazing women who are working their socks off to improve their lives, one collects and sells discarded plastic bottles for a few shillings, they are dropped off at the centre and she walks 45 minutes home with several hundred bottles on her head, another took her 2 nieces out of an orphanage at the age of 12 months when most would leave them there until they are 2, she catches 2 mini busses with one strapped to the front, the other to the back of her so that she can work as a tailor at the centre, she also has 2 of her own children and her husband has left her. Each woman has a story to tell as do the mamas of the children whom the centre provides free day care for, without it they would struggle to work

Friday was party time at the centre, all kids received a special meal, pressie thanks to online donations plus an outfit of donated second hand clothes. Each family received a water filter which is produced locally and provides clean drinking water for up to 5 years-again supplied by online donations, what greater gift than to provide clean water for families thus massively reducing ill health. I use the same filter without any problem, the cost is way above the reach of most local families but is very much needed.
So, 2 weeks off before I start work, by then I’ll be retired and my much needed visa will be being processed.
Have a peaceful time over the holidays and continue reading in 2014
Much love to all
pics show mama juma and family with their water filter mama mayassa, a fantastic jewellery maker, with hers, Aubree's boys in their school clothes from Aldi, Great Harwood  and baby juma with his moustache, thanks Scott

 

 

the first mangoes, lots of rain and a bank doing good for once

The first mangoes have fallen from the tree, not ripe so they are sitting patiently on the window sill waiting for the sun to appear, which it does occasionally. We seem to have entered the rainy season, most days it rains+++ then the sun comes out but today it rained on and off all day. I'm so grateful to be in my house rather than the lodge, as nice at it was it was not the sort of place to spend a rainy day in.
Spent a couple of days at the centre, the kids are getting used to seeing a strange lady appearing and some of them will actually come up to me without prompting. The tailors continue to do a fantastic job and I've asked one of them to make me a computer case in the new year.
Santander has actually turned up trumps and refunded the ££ I didn't get from an atm 12 days ago, they didn't refund the charges but at least I haven't had to wait 45 working days which was their initial estimate
Here are some pics of the house and my four lonely, unripe mangoes

It's been a good week, it's been a bad week

First I found a great house at a great price, garden, trees, perfect, 1 hour before signing the contract, the owner stated that she was letting to family. Frantic phone calls to friends and agents to be on the look out.
Next I lost/had stolen my phone on the dala dala
The agent showed me a house miles from the man road and was basically a building site, did have 2 loos though!
The wonderful? atm at the ABC bank took money from my account but did not stump up the ££, 1 expensive phone call to the UK later and it will take 45 working days to refund the moneyThank you to whoever invented overdrafts and to the person who has decided to pay staff early this month. Relocation, even to a country where things cost far less, is still expensive
The agent decided to show me a house which was slightly above my budget but it's great, lots of space, a garden, walkable to the shops and a 15 minute dala dala ride to town. The landlord has completed all repairs as he said he would but there is still an issue with the water, hopefully he will resolve this as he has the other things. It's so nice to have a lounge and a kitchen after 2 weeks of living in a lodge
There are inconveniences in living here and I'm sure that I will find more but the sun is shining, in a few weeks I'll be able to pick a mango off my tree for breakfast and have avocados in the spring, I've spent time at the project with some great kids and women. I tried to explain to them what music festival is-some of their products will be sold at British and American festivals next year, they asked me if Westlife would be singing???
For some reason I can't post pictures, will try next time

Great Harwood to Kijenge Juu Arusha and chip omelette for supper

My journey has taken me from home to Manchester to Amsterdam to Nairobi, border crossing from Kenya into Tanzania then onto Kijenge Juu, Arusha. Kilahia Lodge is a small hotel in a suburb a 20 minute walk into town, lots of dukas-small shops and fundi-workshops making almost everything so it's vibrant and quite noisy but fun.
Reacquainted myself with the joys of riding on a dala dala, not exactly a joy but a cheap way of getting around
Lots of research re looking for a house, met up with some old friends and some new people all doing volunteer work, although \I can't work until I apply for and get my resident visa I have visited my 2 potential places of employment, both doing equally valid work. Have had several discussions with other NGOs who want me to help but I only want to work part time. Also found a clinic for the much needed blood tests, no need to book, just turn up
Chilled out at Meru Lodge for a few hours, watched the zebras and birds, peaceful after the noise of town-Arusha is usually referred to as town
Having been here a week I know that my decision is right to return and do what I can despite the constant power cuts, no coronation street, books costing 2 arms and 3 legs. Looking at starting Swahili lessons in January with a small group of vollies, It's been quite a productive 1st week, lets see what next week brings
 

bye bye mat, hello 100kgs of 'stuff' and lots of phone calls

Today I said good bye to Mat, she has watched my back, taken me to places that I barely knew existed, got to know my posterior pretty well and in return I cared for her, put petrol in her tank and made sure that she was able to work legally. Yes, today I sold my little car, didn't want to leave her alone, unloved and uncared for her so it was time for another family to have her company. So if anyone sees her around please tell her that I hope that she's happy

After that I finished, well almost finished, the packing, made sure that the marmite jar is well padded.  I hope that the airlines are kind because I am pretty certain that I'm over the luggage allowance. I wonder if they'll take into consideration that we've both lost weight recently? The packing was rudely interrupted by friends and family phoning to say bye, how inconsiderate is that? I AM joking, I am blessed with having made some wonderful friends during my long career with the NHS, I hope they know how special they are to me.
The next blog will come from Tanzania-I hope, fare well dear Blighty, I'm going to miss so much about you but am looking forward to getting to know Tanzania

 

a week of good byes, lost glasses and found rhubarb

It's been a strange week, blood tests,  lots of sorting out done, friends visiting almost daily to say good bye, things lost-my glasses, then found-down the side of the sofa after searching for ages, decisions of keep, recycle or why didn't I throw that away months ago. It's also been a week of eating left overs from the freezer, an unknown bag of green stuff which I had forgotten to label turned out to be rhubarb which I love
Said good bye to some dear friends on Wednesday, a surprise pressie of enough ££ to buy myself a fridge and water purifier when I get to Tz, thanks folks.They are already planning Dolly's home coming in August.
 Thursday was with J ,who once she found out that I hate a certain swearword' would answer the phone at work  with 'Hello ****!' I was very tempted to get another manager to phone her from my office but never did. Anyway J, I always beat you at boggle.
Spent Saturday with a  very special person, hard saying goodbye but at least she took some of my freezer food which I won't be able to use. It's very difficult to throw food away but especially when I am setting off to live in a country where food, for many, is scarce
3 days to go, more good byes to be said, wonder if there's any more rhubarb lurking in the bottom of the freezer??

6 weeks to go

Contacted the airline to see if they will let me take an extra bag for free cos I've so much stuff which I'd really like to take and is much needed, one can only ask but they said no, oh well.
Looking good on the house front, may have found a smallish 2 bedroomed house on a complex of 8, secure and in the right area, available 2 weeks after I get there, perfect but will look at apartments too. It's getting close now.

8 days to go

A week of saying good bye to friends and family, not the easiest thing to do, but thankful that I live in the 21st century so that keeping in contact is relatively easy.
Had a superb meal on Saturday night in London with my daughter, her treat, thanks Meg

on hold.......for a week or so

The day after my last post I ended up in the local hospital with, what I thought, was a minor problem. The bu**ers still managed to keep me there for a week though. I am now back at home, the letter of intention to retire has been posted and I've got friends putting out feelers for an apartment/small house in Tanzania. One benefit of not being able to work is that I've got more time to research although not able to carry on with the huge task of sorting the house out
8 weeks and counting, can't wait to start my new life, although this one is pretty darn good.

I'm new to all of this

Welcome to Dollyis  blog
Here I will tell you where I am, what I've been doing and maybe, inspire, you to do something too.
I am now on countdown to retirement. I will give notice at work next week, it's going to feel strange writing that letter but also very liberating. The massive clear out is going slowly but I have done something which was long overdue, I've collected all of the odd ear rings, bracelets, trinkets no longer worn and I am having them remodelled into a bangle which I will wear daily and remember what has gone into them
So bear with me folks, I will post when I've something to say and will post photos when I've learned how to do it
Dolly xx