A Very Special Day out to Mvumi

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On Saturday 24^thMarch Alex borrowed Jo’s Land Cruiser and along with Pam & Matika we headed off to pick up John and Vera, friends of Alex & Pams. It’s about an hour and half drive through Dodoma on a road that took us through the hills to the south east. Recent rain had provided the road with the usual corrugations and pot holes which made it a bit uncomfortable for those in the back. We drove toward Mvumi Mission where the hospital is, the hospital where Matika was born. We were also on our way to visit Dora Ntandu who had been Alex’s secretary many years ago and now lives with her family and works as secretary to the Clinical Officers Training school, at Mvumi hospital. Eventually we arrived at Dora’s home and we were welcome by another old friend of Alex & Pams Mama Foibe. Mama Foibe had been the hospital cook at Hombolo, where Alex & Pam lived and worked during their first time in Tanzania. After much talk and a soda to wash down the dust we set off on a tour of the hospital. First stop was the historic St Andrew’s church being prepared for the following day’s services. This is a very old building in the Gogo tembe style but now with an iron roof. Then to the home of Evelyn and Peter Mnangulu. Evelyn had been the Matron at Hombolo and Peter, a vet, was assistant farm manager, we also met their son Garyson. Evelyn, with Grayson’s baby on her back, took us for a look around the hospital OPD, Admin and to the old labour ward which is now H1V AIDS offices. We finished our tour in time to greet Peter who had just come back from his shamba (farm). Peter is involved with a UN food security project. Back to Dora’s house where Dora had prepared a great spread for us all to eat. We sat and listened to great stories of the past. As with all these great day visits it was time to say goodbye and head back to Msalato. As we neared Dodoma John suggested a short cut into the new University of Dodoma known as UDom campus. That short cut became legendary as it ended up in a creek bed where sand was being dug out. Back on track and via the front entrance we were amazed at the extent of this Chinese built university that will eventually cater for 70,000 plus students. Bill Gates has put up the money. The Anglican University of St John’s will have 40,000 as will the yet to be opened Catholic Uni. So Dodoma is set to be the Oxford of Tanzania. One more stop on the way home and that was to meet John Nduliman. John had been the hospital driver at Hombolo and again many more great stories of the past.

What an amazing, special day for us to be invited to be part of.

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Photos

Mvumi Hospital
Matika was born here in 1984

St Andrew’s church
This historic St Andrew’s church was being prepared for the following day’s services. This is a very old building in the Gogo tembe style but now with an iron roof.

St Andrew’s Church
Sacristans, Evelyn with Mvumi Freena

Hard work
Mother with baby on her back beating sunflower heads to release the seeds

Dodoma University Buildings
Funded by Bill Gates