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Published: January 17th 2013
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Not only this day's highlight but one of the trip's highlights was the visit to the point at Bweranyange to overlook the Kagera River and Rwanda. My goodness, it was beautiful. So highlights of the day were 1) Talked with engineers who were excited about teaming up to do something Education/Engineering to sustain our involvement in Karagwe; 2) Visited a vista point just north of Bweranyange Girls Secondary School; 3) Solar Build Update.
NARRATIVE: The dog pack had a stand off last night with growling and intermittent barks. Edina has been ill so was not her usually chatty self during breakfast. It was decided that Andrew would stay back with Ann. Raining out and kind of chilly. Stopped for caulk but store was closed and on we went to Bweranyange. My ears still ring with the sound of rain off of the tin roof at Bweranyange's Admin building. Rain and fog and difficult to see more than ten meters. Sophia came up and hugged me. The administration and staff seems very supportive here.
Bweranyange Girls Secondary School Pastor Jackson and I talked in the truck. BGSS was his, George's and the bishop's idea. What visionaries. They saw the
need for girls to be educated, and then as male leaders, saw to it that it that they were. The school sits atop a 'mountain' with beautiful vistas and plenty of land to grow gardens and expand. While we discussed curriculum, funding and partners, the crew finished the pasteurizer tower. It looks good with the tank sitting on top. We had beautiful sun later in the day.
Visit to Point at Bweranyange Pastor Jackson and George invited us on a field trip to see the Rwandan border for a nearby peak. Jackson drove the truck and George sat in back with us - ha! Off roading at its best.
BEAUTIFUL! Panoramic views in every direction. The rolling countryside dotted with cows and low-lying trees and a peak with some rocks jutting out. Pastor Jackson pointed out to me a darker green border next to the river - "This is the border of Tanzania and Rwanda". He talked with me and shared how the people fled the country of Rwanda by swimming across the Kagera River to Tanzania. Those who made it settled in Tanzania but most went back to their home country after it was safe to do
Da "Boys" at the Overlook
Andre, Jason, Tom (back)
George, Jackson (front) so. Some stayed. Pastor Jackson's description of the events was very moving.
On the other side of the peak we could see Kayanga, where we live while in Karagwe. Couldn't help but laugh at the cows and goats hanging around us. Just sat with Jackson and the others and took in this sacred place.
BGSS and Home Back at BGSS Vincent and the crew were finishing the tower. While we watched that happen, Jackson shared his dream of coming to the U.S. and wondered what it would be like. I was not sure how he could afford to come but once he arrives I told him he would be welcome to stay with Steve and me in our home. He immediately said he would stay for a month. Kaye chimed in that she would 'get to host them' for at least half of that time. I was mindful that this was needed to something that could be followed up - not an empty promise.
The crew cleaned up around the site and Ema (Emmanuel - age 17) rode with us off site. George suggested that the KARASECO crew would do the work without Wuzungu (us) the
Pastor Jackson
Founder of Bweranyange Girls School next day. The team of engineers cheerfully agreed. Very late dinner and Edina seemed ill. It was chilly in my room so I slept with toe warmers in my socks - didn't think I would ever say I did that in Africa.
****************** Take me to the Educate Tanzania website. http://educatetanzania.org
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