The Hon Kjell Bergh (Consul Tanzania) and I were escorted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) Karagwe Diocese General Secretary, Mr. Erasto Kamihanda who showed us the place reserved for us--a table under one of the tents. We sat, got a program in Swahili from Brighton, and just took in the sights and sounds. I am glad to have had this experience with Kjell- he is in his element with official and ceremonial tasks and is calm company. He is also ever mindful of the presence and mindsets of politicians and is diligent at encouraging them to do more. My style is informal so I had to deal with my discomfort, trepidation about making mistakes and reminded myself to not take myself too seriously. Either of us could have done it solo, but together ... read more

Sad to leave. Excited to go. Highlights today are: 1) Early breakfast and more good-byes; 2) Uganda border; 3) Driver Ben brought us to the Botanical Garden at Entebbe; 4) Waiting at Entebbe; 5) Headed Home. NARRATIVE: 5:30am. Up and at 'em. Showers then breakfast. Dustin arrived right on time. It has been so peaceful riding with him, listening to music, venturing into conversation with exaggerated hand gestures and little common language. Edina and her staff insisted on carrying our luggage. All circled around us and said goodbye. Drove away from the red dust streets, the shops, the city compost pile, our colleagues, our friends - Bye Kayanga. Arrived at Mutukula at 9:00am. Breezed through the offices shrugging off those cutting in line until Steve decided he had had enough. One guy stepped in front of ... read more

Big day. Highlights include: 1) Elsie made us breakfast at the ELCT center and showed us a beautiful vista from her WC; 2) Dustin and Sam brought us to a nursery and 8 farms; 3) Themes of ELCT work - using manure to fertilize shambas, cows to improve family situation; AIDS widows 4) no men visible oftentimes; 5) Received gifts and brought them to Edina at the hotel for all to share; 6) Dinner at Edina's. NARRATIVE: Woke to sounds of the ELCT early prayer service near us. Had breakfast with Elsie and was glad for the lively conversation. Steve loved having cheese for breakfast - must be the Dane in him. Dustin and Sam came and we met the pastor of the ELCT site who lamented that he did not know we were going to ... read more

Everywhere we go, we are mindful to ask: What are the strengths here? Weaknesses? Ideas for the future? I have not blogged about it much, but our purpose in Karagwe to assess needs and determine if there is a way we could collaborate on meeting the needs of the people of Karagwe. We have a separate report (way beyond blogging) that focuses on the Karagwe Needs Assessment. Email educatetanzania@gmail.comif interested in that. Today's highlights include: 1) Being the object of local attention in the crowded bank lobby; 2) Assessing needs through on-site visit and interviews with AIDS Control Program (ACP) led by Venant; 3) Lunching with Pastor Joaquin; 4) Ambling through the 'burbs' of Kayanga; 5) Enjoying a pop and water at a bar patio. NARRATIVE: I love our coffees and breakfasts in Kayanga. Toast, omelettes, ... read more

We looked forward to a free day. Highlights included: 1) Kayanga errands; 2) Said "good-bye" to Carsten at the hotel; 3) Ordered tailored clothes from the dressmaker; 4) Lunch with the Chobya family; 5) Eunice Chobya made me a suit. NARRATIVE: It has been so handy having Carsten around to answer questions - where is the best coffee in Kayanga? How do you arrange your schedule for work here? How did you meet your wife in Kayanga? But Carsten had to leave after he and Steve walked to the bank. Carsten came to work with Venant and the AIDS project with the ELCT. he was lookimg forward to meeting his wife and taking a holiday on the beach side of Tanzania. We said good-bye. George Chobya's picked us up at 1:20 and brought us to his ... read more