Many exciting things have happened over the past two months, it’s crazy to think about how fast they went by! In my last entry I mentioned that the rainy had finally started in Usolonga. False alarm. It did look promising at the beginning of January, however after a few big rainfalls, it stopped. It’s rained a few times since, but nothing like what they’re used to getting. Thankfully it has been raining in surrounding areas, so the river is full enough to supply water to their shambas.
My parents were able to come out and visit at the end of January for two weeks. I had a great time showing them around different parts of Tanzania, it was an amazing opportunity; an experience they’ll never forget! We visited Ruaha National Park with Jen and her parents, who were also visiting, from China. I’ll sum up the trip quickly; we saw a total of nine male lions; four of them were hunting a baby giraffe! It was an awesome trip. We spent a few days exploring Iringa then headed out to the village for two nights. Thank you to everyone who donated much needed supplies. The dispensary staff was overwhelmed by the amount of medical supplies they received from the Temiskaming Hospital, and the amount of clothing sewn by students at T.D.S.S and by other community members was incredible (we are still deciding how best to distribute them!) The primary and secondary school were very happy to receive soccer balls! Thank you aunt Eleanor and uncle Jerry! I know that there were many others who contributed –thank you so much for your generosity! It was like Christmas; only much more exciting! My parents got to go to church in the village, an unforgettable experience! The Anglican church in Usolonga is very active in the community and has a fairly large congregation (although you wouldn’t know it during shamba season!) They meet in a long mud hut, and sit on little mud benches. They are used to Jen and I attending weekly, so no fuss is made when we show up. They are not, however, used to other ‘wazungu’ (foreigners) so it’s always a big commotion when someone else visits -which may only happen a few times a year! When we first arrived we were invited to sit in the row that had two “back rests” (i.e. supporting branches that served as a back rest) however, we were soon booted out of those seats -as they belonged to the choir- and were made to sit right in the front, on the only chairs available. When I say, ‘sit in the front’, I don’t just mean ‘front row’, I mean, right at the front, facing the congregation sideways! At least this way, when people stared at them the whole time, they were facing the front, instead of looking back through the entire service! Even though they didn’t understand a word that was said, it was no doubt an unforgettable service! Mom had some baking lessons from two friends in the village –Mama Flora taught her how to make ‘mandazi’ (a Tanzanian doughnut) and Dianice taught her the art of chapatti making! I think dad would have loved to stay a bit longer, but we had already booked our bus tickets to Dar, so we had to head back after two nights. Our next adventure was Zanzibar. Actually getting to and from Zanzibar was more of an adventure. In short, I forgot my passport (which for some strange reason is needed to get into Zanzibar…even though it’s part of Tanzania! Very dumb on my part -seeing how I knew this, as I was just there over Christmas!) so we were a bit delayed in leaving Dar (thankfully friends were coming the next day and were able to bring it for me). It took four hours to try and get traveler’s cheques cashed (note: do NOT bring traveler’s cheques to Tanzania!). We didn’t succeed. The ferry to get across broke down (thankfully we weren’t on it!) so we ended up flying at the last minute. Zanzibar was amazing. Getting back was not. They sold too many ferry tickets; the boat was so crowed that the back end started sinking because there were too many people on the back deck! They had to send half of them to the front deck with the luggage! Mom and dad flew out later that night, and I took the bus back to Iringa the following day.
I’ve essentially been back in the village ever since they left! The work pace has practically doubled since before Christmas; we are now in the full swing of things! Jen and I both teach four different classes, twice a week. Home visits have started, Jen’s been visiting families who have malnourished children and I’ll be visiting family’s who have repeated cases of malaria and/or diarrhea. Our girls class is up and running, (more about that in a separate blog entry!) we’ve started teaching the mothers on clinic days, and are in the process of organizing HIV/AIDS seminars –after repeated requests from the local women themselves to learn about AIDS! Life in Tanzania is good, but as I mentioned earlier, is going by way to quickly!
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