Tying up loose ends and other electrical faults

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Hello Everyone,

Well we are in our last month and conscious of the fact that we have to tie up all the loose ends (or attempt to) before we leave.

Marc continues to battle with the water tank/ water pump/ electrics and securing the microscope for the Health Centre. Problem is, we need a room with running water for the District Health Officer to release the Microscope to us. Sounds simple? Oh no. You've heard the palava about Marc trying to keep water in the tank for the Health Centre which entails battling with the locals. They would rather pick the lock and use the tap than walk to pump their water 100 metres away. (Can't blame them really, the women carry a lot of water and it is a heavy job.) As we tried to solve that problem there was a storm that blew the electrics (and possibly the pump!). We had the electrictian in last week, so they are up and running however the pump is still not working. After a very 'to the point' letter by Marc to the District Health Officer we have been promised a plumber and pump specialist this weekend as well as the electrician returning. The chances of coordinating all three are vertually nil, but Marc remins positive that is may come together on Saturday. If it does, the Health Centre will have water and we can collect our microscope from Nhkata Bay. There is already someone trained and we have 2 microbiologists volunteers at the moment. So fingers crossed. The Health Centre may be equipped to do malaria tests before we leave rather than just treating everyone with a fever with anti-malarials.

Marcs finger is healing well after he tried to cut it off in the garden. The Medical Officer who stitched it up has done a fine job and it will be a nice little neat scar. I am keeping him away from knives in the meantime as we are nearly out of lignocaine!

I have been busy working with Jimmy and the Pre-schools over the past few weeks. Yesterday I managed to convince all the volunteers that they should help me paint Chiomba Pre-school, as the walls were completed bare. We painted alphabet, numbers, days of the week, months of the year, colours, animals and all sorts on the walls as teaching aids. We had a big local audience and the three teachers joined in. As we painted we sang songs with the kids and teachers. My favorite was "London Fridge is falling down". Somehow that got mixed up in translation!

We are heading down to Ngala Lodge on Tuesday to watch Obama's swearing in. We will celebrate with their lovely oven fired pizza...and a couple of Kuche's.

Marc celebrated his birthday Mwaya style. Harry cooked 'Harry Pies' which are like a cornish pasty after we managed to secure 2 packs of beef sausages...quite a treat! We had dinner and a few beers on the beach and the volunteers made a lovely birthday sign for Marc. He loved it despite having to deal with being the centre of attention!

As our adventure in Africa get closer to the end, we are starting to think of home and seeing you all again. And looking forward to it. We leave Mwaya on the 15th February and are heading up to Tanzania for a few nights on Zanzibar before we come home.

Remember the 28th. Date and venue still to be confirmed.

Love to you all, hope everyone is well.

Rach (and Marc) xxx

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