Decisions, decisions, decisions

Decision, Decisions, Decisions

People come into our lives for a reason, we may not always know why or recognise that this is what has happened at the time, some come to test us, some to improve our lives in a greater or lesser way, some so that we can help them. People who know me know that I am pretty much a fatalist, certain things in one’s life are predestined although the way that we arrive there is largely a matter of the choices which we make. I am fortunate to have had many such experiences in the 5 decades which I have been around for and my life is pretty good.
Recently I went to Monduli, a small town an hours drive from Arusha. There I met an amazing woman called mama Junior who has set up an English medium school to educate the local children. She asked the folk what was needed and they all said an English Medium School. Job opportunities are far greater if you can read and write English.. She has used her own land and money but is due to retire from her job as a school inspector soon so will only have her pension to live off. She employs 1 teacher, has had to get rid of the cleaner and cook as she cannot afford them. The 24 kids aged 3-6 pay 20,000 Tsh per month for uji-porridge and to help with the teacher’s salary, the 1^st term 70% paid, 2^nd, 50%, 3^rd only 1 paid, but what should she do? The children need an education. I suggested that she get the parents to cook/clean/garden in rotation therefore reducing their liability for fees and helping her out. This had never occurred to her. She desperately needs a native English speaker to help the kids with their English . Herein lies the dilemma, I am a native English speaker, I was impressed with what she is doing but I have a job which I enjoy and love the people I work with. I went as far as looking at properties in the area but nothing was suitable. Fortunately school closes for December so I have time to think about it. Monduli is 90 minutes by dala dala, the school is not in the centre of town and the road to it in the rainy season would be hell but the kids manage to walk it so that is no excuse. The dala dalas run from 05.30, school starts at 08.00, am I trying to talk myself into a job?

The area has many needs, fortunately there is a government hospital and a Christian clinic so health needs are, at least partially, covered. There are government schools but these are taught in Kiswahili and the need is for the kids to learn English, also the classes can be as big as 80-120.

A friend is looking at a way to help the local Maasai population before harvest time they, like many others, struggle to feed themselves and their children. She made 12 bags of basic items, spoke to a local elder and gave them to the 12 most needy families, he did not take one for himself. She is looking at doing this once or twice weekly with his help so that she can alleviate the hardship in the hunger months

Lots to think about in the next 2 months, I will go again but this time on the dala dala to see how long it takes

Pics from Monduli

 

Thank yous, visits and the rains have come

Yet again it's been a busy time, I went out to Karatu to visit Mama Teddy, Teddy and Irene, they loved the new clothes, lollies and hairclips. Thanks Sue for the hairclips, the girls don't have much hair but they loved them all the same.
Next was a visit to Baraa school to hand over a second hand computer bought with ££ from Annie and Anne in Lancashire, Thank you ladies. The school is government run, has classes of over 80 and has a great team of volunteers from all over the world some are teachers others do admin and fundraise to get much needed equipment.
Friday I went to SOS children's village to see some of the children who I looked after on my first trip to Tanzania, 2 years ago they went to live at SOS which is run on the principle of a 'mama' in a house with 6-10 children. The site has 11/12 houses. They keep sibling groups together and leave when they are 18/19. The children have a great environment, will attend school and will be supported to go to university or train in a trade. Sorry no pics of the kids-SOS policy but they look great and have grown so tall.
Met Melio, his son is at SOS as he has no wife, cannot take care of him but visits regularly. He has a 2-3 hour journey to get there. Thanks to a generous donor I am buying him a water filter for his family so that they don't have to spend hours boiling water to make it safe enough to drink. He could ask his family to care for his son but he knows that the child will have a good life and an education at SOS which he could not give him, brave man to take such a decision.
The centre is as busy as ever, Juma is walking now so that just leaves Peanut and Emmy. We have had 2 births, teacher angel had a little girl and Riziki-who is part of the new welcome home project had a boy. Mums and babies are doing well
Now that the short rains appear to have come power cuts are frequent and, bizarrely, so are water cuts. Had to resort to filling bottles at the centre for ELF-emergency loo flush! Having no power is not too bad but no water for more than 18 hours can be tough. We can get a tanker to fill the tank but they will only deliver 10,000 litres, our tank is 3,000 and there's no way that we will waste 7,000 litres of the precious commodity.
Lori and Ben have arrived from USA bringing me an adult resus dummy which will make the first aid teaching so much easier, thanks L&B
Went for a great walk with Twende hiking group last w/e, walked along a river, through paddy fields and over a disused railway bridge. Tough in places but a great way to spend a Sunday morning.
Again I realise how lucky I am to be able to live here, I have everything I need and so much more than many people
picture time