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Published: January 30th 2013
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District Commissioner & Jan
Team Educate Tanzania meets with government officials - all in favor of KARUCO KAYANGA Update: Sorry I have been quiet for a few days. Power has gone out every day. We had no water for several days, and it is unseasonably cold and rainy. Can you believe it? Africa! We were told this is the dry season - so we are teasing our Tanzanian friends that they have told us a fib. As I type I have a half bucket (3 gal) of hot, hot water for me to mix in with the full bucket of cold water for my evening bath. It really is all the water one needs to get clean although at home I am sure I use much more. Our team is extremely good at not complaining about these types of inconveniences. It makes me really happy to be surrounded by people who have hearts for the developing world, understand the inconsistencies we're immersed in, and emerge from most everything with a smile. Shwew.
Today was a fantastic and yet tiring day. It started with a visit to the District Commissioner's office near Kayanga. I remember her from the Groundbreaking and she remembered me. We waited for her for a very brief time, then were formally escorted into her
Edina Models Educate Tanzania
Dressed for the farewell dinner for Daniel and Ashley office where we sat at her long table that extended from her office desk, in typical African official style. She was friendly and energetic and told us several things she wanted us to know about KARUCO. Namely, she committed her support for an entrepreneurial college; one that is unique; one that starts small and expands; and one that will truly benefit the people of Karagwe. Several others came in the room and each had a chance to speak to our team. We were able to tell her that we feel we are on the same page wanting to build a university that truly meets the needs of the people of Karagwe. I gave the commissioner an Educate Tanzania t shirt and asked her to give it to a youth who represents the ideals of KARUCO. She said she already had someone in mind.
We then visited CHEMA which is a community support program through the Catholic Church. Stephen, in charge of the program, showed us compatible technologies, bee keeping, and shared his numerous insights. He has a lot of experience building Ag-related programs and was later asked to be on the KARUCO Curriculum Committee. We learned a lot about
CHEMA Seminar
Mr. Stephen Kileo tells about CHEMA improving methods in agriculture and met some cool people along the way - including three graduates from the only 'other' agricultural university in Tanzania - Sokoine.
Pedro and Jay led the afternoon meeting where we went through the curriculum framework for KARUCO. The 'review' group was made up of key leaders from the community. Their inputs were just what we needed to move forward. Schedule, student profile, admission considerations, academic offerings - and a few other topics were discussed well into twilight. Since there was no electricity in the conference room we were in, we simply became too merged with the darkness to continue. Great meeting.
The special evening dinner for Ashley and Daniel (leaving tomorrow) was very sweet. About 13 people attended and enjoyed Edina's amazing cooking together. Dean Yorum thanked them for being part of our team; Brighton did too. Daniel gave a few words - and a heartening show of support and commitment to KARUCO. Ashely gave a few words and was presented with some beautiful African fabric that Yorum tied around her in traditional fashion. Ashley and Daniel received honey made at CHEMA.
Another sweet day in Kayanga. (I
am going to try to upload a photo. Making a blog entry takes about 45 minutes with all the connection problems. All that to say - sorry this is not more visual. We are capturing some wonderful images that will be uploaded at some point. Hi to our family and friends! We are all doing well!)
Take me to the Educate Tanzania website:
www.educatetanzania.org
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