Sad goodbyes... thank goodness I'm coming back!

dancing round the drum at the yamba party
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I don't seem to have worked much since I last wrote! Between exams and 3 farewell parties we've not had much time to teach.  We left Milingano yesterday, some of us for the last time, and now I'm in Tanga, waiting for the bus to Mombasa this afternoon.

I have been totally overwhelmed by the hospitality of the people in both Milingano and Yamba. They have shown such gratitude and generosity in their farewells.

First, Milingano threw a huge party on Tuesday last week. Preparations were made for the occasion as if there was a big wedding about to take place.  The area around the school was tidied and pruned, decorated with beautiful garlands of leaves and flowers tied to bamboo.  Childrens desks were brought out under the trees and the top table was set, covered in purple cloth with chairs for us to sit at.  Typically for Africa, the celebrations began 2 hours late,  and at 12 noon we were led down to the school.  I was choked when I saw how lovely it looked.  It began with a ceremony of speeches, through which the 'elders', and important leaders from the area expressed their thanks for everything we have given to the community.  Time after time I got a huge lump in my throat as they talked about how we had given them hope for the future by improving education, how they thought of us as their friends and their family, how grateful they were for us coming to help them.  The village chairman brought a tear to my eye as he said that he thanks our parents for allowing us to come to Milingano, but to tell them not to worry as we have parents here too.  He really looks after us and he and Margaret keep calling us 'mwanangu' meaning 'my child'.  The ward chairman also thanked me on behalf of the school and village for my gift of 100 desks, which have started being made.  I told them that the money was raised by children at home and the whole village clapped and cheered with appreciation.  We were then presented with gifts of kangas, wooden bowls, spices and cabbages.

Mwalimu Peter presenting us with gifts.
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After the many speeches, including ours, interspersed with dancing and drumming, we were led back to our house for a feast.  I thought I had heard a pained goat when I woke up in the morning and I was right! There in several large dishes was the fat goat that I had seen as a new born kid... they even gave us his intestines!! We also had rice, beans, cabbage, maize and as a special treat from the chairman, a bottle of soda each.

The afternoon and evening were spent dancing around drums and having many photos taken with various people using ancient cameras from the eighties.  We continued until after dark, despite being exhausted by the emotions of the day, but did as we were told and went back to the house, slightly relieved at 8pm. The chairman likes to be 'dad' and keeps a close eye to make sure we get home safely if we go out at night.  It's nice to know as there is absolutely no light in the village after 630pm unless the moon is bright.

More gifts - food this time.
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Not content with just having the entire village throw a party, a few days later, Milingano school decided to say their own goodbye.  Again a big table was brought out in front of the school for us to sit behind and feel like VIPs!  The school has no hall so all 'assemblies' take place outside.  The children gathered under the trees in front of us and we were brought bottles of Coca Cola and plates of biscuits.  The Head Teacher and other teachers then said lots more tear-jerking words about how sad they were to say goodbye to some of us and how happy they are that Tuba and I are coming back.  We also had to give speeches (of course! why didn't we prepare one? doh!) and then were treated to a few lovely songs from the older children.

Me being presented with a kanga by the Chairmans wife, Margaret.
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Next day it was Yamba's turn, and what a treat it was! We arrived at Yamba school to the sound of a marching procession of drums which led us slowly through the crowds to a seated area under garlands of flowers, especially for us.  Speeches of course followed, between beautiful songs and music from the Lutheran church and RC church choirs.  There were fantastic performances from children showing off their English and beautiful songs were sung by them too.  We danced around the drums and everyone laughed as we wiggled our khanga dressed bottoms, in poor attempts to copy the local dance.  Several of the songs brought tears to our eyes, especially one that was written, in English especially for us! Later, the generosity of the village completely overwhelmed us. We were presented with more khangas, baskets, wooden spoons and a food gift from every child! Pity we were leaving the next day as we could've feasted on it for days, but we decided to give it to the Village Africa staff.  The most emotional times were first when we saw the children crying through their song, kwa heri, and then again when the staff, some of whom we have got to know really well, came forward one by one, accompanied by music, and presented us each with a gift.  That was it, one look at Becky and we were all in tears!

The Chairman giving his speech
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I feel so incredibly lucky to be part of all this, especially as one of the first volunteers here, in fact the first white people.  I'm so happy that the project has been so successful so far and that we have been so well accepted. Things can only get better and better!