DAY 7 - KARUCO Site Visit - Karagwe University College

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Favorite Day!Highlights are: (1) Energetic comparative history lesson from Carsten (fellow guest from Denmark at Kayanga Hotel); (2) Met Rev. Dr. Katabaro and toured KARUCO's 1,000 acre site with him; (3) Analyzed land development for the university; (4) Toured Kayanga with our friend, Sam Kayongo, the Community Development Officer.

NARRATIVE: Carston helped us with another perspective regarding Uganda and Tanzania. He has worked here for years and years so is familiar and knowledgeable. He shared with us what he knew about clan fighting in Kampala and how that keeps people in poverty there. He also shared his experiences with corruption especially in Nairobi and parts of Kenya and told of needing body guards at some points. Brighton Katabaro and Rev. Ngambeki picked us up in the parking area of the hotel and got on our way to the Karagwe University College - KARUCO site. En route we shared stories about our arrival in Kayanga.

Adjacent to the KARUCO site is KARASECO (Karagwe Secondary School) where I had visited in 2008. At KARASECO Steve was very well received by Mr. Kabalimu, Headmaster. (Note: Sadly, Mr. Kabalimu passed away in May, 2012. He was instrumental in forming the plans for KARUCO and is sorely missed.) The conversation was lively, focused on needs in the area as they related to energy, water, electricity and wind. Steve noted the needs expressed and was adept at not promising anything would change but asking specifics about wind speeds, average needs of the institution (KARASECO), plans for the future, etc.

We piled into the Land Rover and Rev. Ngambeki (Emmanuel), our driver, headed to the highest point of KARUCO. I wondered if the campus would be built on the flat area right next to KARASECO or if it would be on the more elevated and scenic area. Emmanual revved the engine to get us from the flat layout of KARESECO to the elevated, hilly adjacent area of KARUCO. The last time I was at this point was in 2008 when another professor and I climbed the hill along with the senior engineering students from our university. In spite of the drought and obvious lack of vegetation and leaves on the shrub trees, it was still scenic. We climbed out of the Land Rovers and took in the panoramic views of the 1000 acres that would be KARUCO. Beautiful. The constant breeze felt good. We could see for miles and miles. There were small fires below where women were cooking or boiling water. The (small) trees and brush had largely been cleared for firewood. What was left was a light green - the color plants get when they are in dire need of water but not dead yet. Steve was excited. He and Brighton and Emmanuel and Mr. Kabalimu sort of joined at the hip, shared the topo map and spent the next forty minutes pointing, adjusting their placements and views, talking water supply, wind energy, electricity and solar energy. On the one hand it could easily have seemed like idealism at its worst; on the other it was what visionary implementers do - talk possibilities and how they can happen. The Karagwe area is in drastic poverty and in need of drastic measures to address it. To see this 1,000 acres and envision KARUCO - Karagwe University College is a spiritual experience. It will happen and our only question is whether or not we want to be part of it. At one point on the 'mountain', Brighton beamed that wide smile of his and said, "We need you to be ambassadors for KARUCO". "You should be our ambassadors!" Eyes lit up. "Yes!" said Kabalimu. "KARUCO Ambassadors!" Laughter. Ngambeki quietly nodded and said "Yes". Laughter all around. Steve and I laughed also and eagerly said we would take their invitation very seriously. Through our laughter we said we would consider this and let them know. I took photos and filmed the panorama. (Note: That film became one of the most moving clips as I shared with family, friends back in the U.S.)http://www.razoo.com/story/Educate-Tanzania (and click on the blue sky panorama-looking photo).

"KARUCO will happen. The only question is whether or not we want to be part of it." - Jan Hansen, July, 2010

Reluctantly and in high-spirits, we left the hill at KARUCO and toured KARASECO, its classrooms, adminsitration, cisterns, dorms, cafeteria, etc. We met some young male students in the computer lab and noted their need for computers and software that would match their curriculum. As it were, there was just one operating computer and that one was 'stuck' on the Recycle bin. To be frank, the lab looked like it needed all new equipment - that worked. I visited a couple of teachers I had met in 2008 and it was good to see them. Lunch with Emmanuel and Brighton with more talk and planning for KARUCO. Talked of prospects of building a campus and needing to prove to donors that something more than buildings is being achieved (i.e.) linking program outcomes with buildings. Talked of the high cost of electricity, intermittent outages, and that there is no back up generator. Talked of the natural spring and the 75' well dug by hand. Water. Water. Water. The place needs water. During lunch, here came Sam Kayongo, Community Development Officer. It was so good to see him. I met him in 2008 when he accompanied us to Bweranyange Girls Secondary School (BGSS) and was a delight with his bright eyes, quick wit and eager laugh.

MAIN NEEDS (Analysis): The two biggest needs conveyed by the leaders we talked with on this day are 1.) Available water in the dry season; 2.) Getting power to KARUCO.

Sam arrived at the hotel at 2:30 to take Steve and me around Kayanga. He showed us a home with 3 families, 3 doors and 3 sets of steps. It was almost a graphic for the word 'community' as people lived so near one another. Sam took us to a bar patio and we had a water. It felt so good to just rest and listen to Sam share things about Kayanga. We toured the market where Steve haggled with an owner over some flip flops while she nursed. Walking down one street, Sam introduced us to his cousin, a hairdresser. Sam teased her asking (in Swahili) if she would braid my hair. Polite but confused she just looked at Sam until he burst out laughing. He asked me if she could touch my hair. She timidly did so upon his invitation but instantly upon feeling it, pulled her hand away as if she had touched a hot burner. She made a funny face and we all burst into laughter. Oh the joys of straight and curly hair. Lazy afternoon.

Supper at 7:00 and an early night. Steve and Carsten were going to watch the game but Steve was tired and slept. My iPhone does not work here but Steve's Blackberry does. Strange but oh well. We get email and messages so we're ok.

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Take me to the Educate Tanzania website.

http://educatetanzania.org

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Photos

Let's Build a University Here
Site for Karagwe University College

KARUCO Summit
From Here the Panorama of KARUCO

Considering the Topo - KARUCO
Ngambeki, Hansen, Kabalimu and Katabaro Ponder From the Summit

Sam Kayonga and Steve
Walking in Kayanga