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Published: September 3rd 2007
Which guinea pig would you like for dinner?
I have to be honest, I would prefer not to have one at all if you don’t mind. What about a box, to take away? Oh, thank you so much but I’m actually quite full right now. Guinea pig would not be my first pick off the menu….especially after having seen them run free around my host’s house for half an hour. It was nice to be offered meat though I guess. This all happened at Agata’s house last Sunday, when we actually were quite hungry after trying to help Agata find the bubbles that kept disappearing. Who would have thought that even our grown Maasai friends would be confused by bubbles? Not just confused actually, but downright petrified. Anyway, back to our visit to Agata’s house, it was really nice to spend time there. Everyone is unbelievably welcoming here. Their ‘house’ is absolutely tiny. I would say (without exaggeration), that the entire place (one room) is about the size of one of the larger cubicles at my previous workplace. It is basically made of mud and sticks, has a tin roof lying over it, and empty potato sacks stuck all over
Entertainment through bubbles
Much time was spent looking for the bubbles when they disappearedthe inside walls. The room sleeps Agata, her ‘mum and dad’, and however many guinea pigs there happen to be on that given day. None of this seems to affect Agata in the slightest though. She is always her usual happy self, and keeps sticking her fist out to say ‘kula tano’ (give me five).
Like I said, Agata had a great time with the bubbles. Speaking of kids with their toys, there is another little girl, Grace, who ‘hangs out’ just across the street from Agata, her mum selling corn also. I was over there one day waiting for my corn to cook (can you tell it’s becoming a bit of a habit?), when she discovered my hair band - one of those plain black elastic ones. How many uses can you think of for one of those? I think Grace found at least 5 in the ten minutes I was there. The looking glass was her favorite I think.
I think you know I’ve been on holiday the past few weeks. I have been visiting some of the other schools around here (where other volunteers are working) in some of my free time. I stopped by
Which one would you like?
As long as you can catch it then it's your pick WEMA Nicolette’s School (founded, of course, by Miss Nicolette Conti, August 2007!) to see how the building was progressing. Of course, everything seems to be going on African time but it did look a lot cleaner than last time I saw it. I also dropped off a picture of Nicky, that the school teachers had asked for, which is to be hung on the wall (now that it has been kissed by everyone).
I also stopped by the new LETOA ‘school’, where almost 60 other orphans are being taught in another empty church. This already makes you realize the number of orphans out here. Both LETOA schools, and the new WEMA school, are in the same neighborhood. Do some basic maths and you realize that adds up to over 200 orphans living in that area (not even counting the fact that every day people show up at our school to ask for kids to be taken in). It makes you realize how impossible the situation is. It was really nice to meet the kids, and the teacher, in the other LETOA school. It’s difficult though because you meet the kids and think how great it is that they at
LETOA teachers Nakijwa and Happy
...outside the other LETOA 'school' least have somewhere like this to go, but at the same time, the situation all seems a bit hopeless.
Finally, I visited Bara orphanage, where fellow volunteers Amy, Aimee and Kate have been working. This is a much smaller organization. It’s actually just a lady’s house. The lady (Anna) has 6 kids of her own but has taken in quite a few more orphans. The house is also used as a school, and kids who don’t live with Anna come for schooling during the day. It was Kate’s last day here so I went to see the school with them, and got to see the kids sing a few songs (and do a bit of dancing). Hope you like the pics Kate!
Finally, I had my second church experience yesterday. Much much better than the last one, when it finally did happen. There was so much confusion over time yesterday. Time, what we were actually doing, who was related to who, what was going on in general…..
I went up to Mama Daudi’s house in the morning, with Amy and Aimee. When I say morning, I do mean pretty early (as in a 5.30 am wake up).
We did this based on the fact that we thought we had to be at Mama Daudi’s house for 8am for a 9am service. We were greeted by one of Mama Daudi's daughters, Sophia (a 16 year old wearing a Miss Africa tee-shirt), who told us that church would start at 4. We assumed she had made a mistake (even though she speaks perfect English), and was telling us in Swahili time (which would make it 10am). We then ate a tasty breakfast of sweetcorn and chickpeas, and went on a walk around the area. It really is beautiful up where my school is. It is pretty high up, part of the way up Mount Meru, so there are beautiful views aswell. Anyway, we really enjoyed our walk but did wonder why no one seemed to be worried about the time.
To cut a long story short, the whole day went on African time. Most of the time we had no idea what was going on. We were taken to church around lunchtime, and sat through the last ten minutes of it (and the part where they auction off vegetables), and were then invited to the church office, where
we were fed bread and butter and huge bowls of banana stew (less than a few hours after our tasty beans).
We were then told to make ourselves at home and sit and wait as the pastor friend of Mama Daudi's was on his way. Remember this is African time? He arrived late afternoon. Oh yes - forgot a small detail - Sophia dropped us off at church but then left, and not a single member of Mama Daudi's family stayed at church with us.
We ended up back at Mama Daudi's house for piles of chips, before being taken back to the church (dropped off again). We actually had a lot of fun at this church service. It was nothing like the last one we went to. It was 3 hours shorter and was more like a disco than a church service. Here's something entertaining for you aswell - later this week we are to go back to the church during the day to be taught a song (and dance) to sing to the congregation at the next service! This could be entertaining!
So much has happened even since the church service (which we finally returned
home from at around 8 in the evening). Today was the first day back at school. One of the kids - Dennis - (cousin?) of Faith and Onesmo (who all live with Mama Daudi) has been pretty much missing for a while now. He didn't show up at school this morning so I asked after him. I was told that he was really sick and would not be coming to school again (by Faith - one of the school kids who lives with him and is a wee bit older - confused yet? So am I believe me). Towards the end of the morning, Sophia showed up, with Dennis in her arms. To cut a long story short (feel like this is necessary), I am going with Sophia and Dennis to the hospital tomorrow, to have him checked out. It costs the equivalent of 2 dollars to see a doctor. He has an infection in his nails (which all the kids seem to have), has a really high fever, and apparently an upset stomach. I hope he is ok tonight.
I have also just returned from the hospital. I am absolutely fine but had to convince a doctor to
give me a note to say that I have to stay in Tanzania for an extra month (at least) due to medical reasons. I got my note, and will now be returning to the immigration office tomorrow morning to pay 10 dollars for a visa extension as opposed to hundreds. Cornelius has been with me through all of this (when he wasn't in the back of the immigration office talking to his 'friend') and told me that this is what he means when he says I need to think like an African.
Oh, one more things. Had a hilarious conversation on the dala dala today. My learning swahili through Rambo came into play. A guy, who clearly was not the conductor, held his hand out for my money, which I had just got out to pay. Bear in mind this guy was clearly pretty well-to-do and looked very smart in his business suit. I shook my head and motioned that I would be giving my money to the conductor and not to him. He then motioned that he would give it to the conductor. I then asked him (in Swahili) if he was joking, kind of laughing. By this
point, several people on the bus were laughing. He said no, I said truly?, he said yes actually, and I said sorry but you need to try another mzungu. He asked me if I had been living in Tanzania a long time. I told him when I arrived, he said I seemed to speak well, and I told him I really didn't, but I speak sufficient enough. Maybe I shouldn't have gotten involved in that conversation but the whole situation was pretty light hearted. The conductor did apologize when I got off the bus though.
Think that's about it for now. It's been a long day what with being the first day back, the problems with Dennis, the immigration office and the hospital so I'm off for a bit of relaxation (otherwise known as pencil sharpening unfortunately).
Hope everyone is well. Wish me luck with the singing practise, and keep your fingers crossed for Dennis.
Joanna x
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Jim Russell
non-member comment
Love the Blog !
Jo, I loved the blogs read them every week, I especially loved your fight with the bus conductor ! Just like Glasgow huh ? Take Care, Jim