Another week at Walk in Love and Njiro

A fairly quiet week at the mill. Most of the kids are doing great, little Emmy who tragically lost her mum last month is slowly getting used to eating. It’s been a struggle but still far better than having the poor little mite in hospital on a drip. Huge thanks to Juliana who has, literally, been a life saver. She has been wet nursing-breast feeding her. Her own son is a week younger and is still being breast fed so she agreed to help Emmy. Juliana gets extra meals and is, literally, saving this little girl’s life. How many mums would do this? Express milk and give in a bottle, yes but to actually breast feed? Juliana you are one in a million and we love you for it.

 

 

 Juma is talking, crawling everywhere and enjoying the taste of real food rather than just uji. He got stuck under the toddlers table but was not in the least bit bothered, just sat there and grinned until he was rescued.  Ema also loves the new tastes but sees no point what so ever in learning to crawl, people bring him toys to play with so why waste energy in going after them? No pics of Ema but will have some next time

 

Booked to go to the coast over the easter week end-thanks Lucy. It’s a long bus journey from Arusha to Tanga, then a dala dala or taxi to Ushongo Beach. Intend to do nothing more strenuous than read a few books, go for a few walks and watch the sun go up and down

Joeli saw the consultant paediatrician on Friday, after being prodded and poked by 3 doctors we were told that he is underweight and small for his age. No sh*t Sherlock, this is why he was taken in the first place. We have to keep a food diary for 5 days writing down everything he eats or drinks and whether or not he has diarrhoea, in 2 weeks time he will have blood tests and a chest xray to rule things out rather than diagnosing, poor little mite, he won’t be happy that day but it needs to be done.

Roof leaking, noticed this after a particularly heavy downpour on Friday night/Saturday morning resulting in a wet bedroom carpet. 1 phone call to the landlord, had to wait in all day for a fundi-workman to assess. He will fix it on Monday. I’m very lucky with having such a good landlord, so far he has fixed any problems which I’ve mentioned

Fridge decided to turn into a freezer and the freezer decided to turn into a cupboard. I decided to replace it with a new one. Electrical items cost more here than they do in the UK, a comparable fridge/freezer would be £40 less and I would not have had to pay £25 for a current stabiliser. Two days after I got it, power cut for 14 hours. Such is life in Tanzania

I have employed a dada to clean on a Saturday morning. Why don’t I clean my own house? Because this woman is struggling, she has a full time job, 2 kids and a disabled husband-no disability living allowance here. She would be embarrassed if I offered her money, this way she gets the money but works for it. When I mentioned it to her, her face lit up. I am paying her peanuts compared to what I’d pay a cleaner in the UK but a decent amount by local standards. She is very happy to be earning a little more each month. I’m paying her mid month so it is not so much of a struggle the week before her salary is due. Women helping women yet again

Finally, the kids all got new (to them) rain jackets and wellies, thanks to a campaign by Lucy Cottee. I bought a set for one of the older kids who does not come to the centre but is in need. OK, they are a little big but they will grow, Joeli's may fit him when he is 10 cos he just doesn't grow!

Next time I'll introduce you to some more of the amazing women who work their bums off for walk in Love xx

Joeli, Adriana and Nasra loving their new gear

Samweli and I in our wellies, he's 9 years old and nearly as tall as me! No I haven't got jodhpurs on, although it does look like it! Beige cut off trousers from the market.