I'm the only white in the village!

Kids eagerly awaiting their gifts in Milingano.
see all photos »

I may have started off wondering what I was doing back in Milingano - how could I make any difference on my own? However, by the end of my 3 weeks I felt satisfied that I had been useful.  The teachers need a regular kick in the right direction to get them to realise what their obligations are and I think Caroline found I had arrived at just the right time to give her the strength to go ahead with some things she believed in.  Sometimes we all need a good ear to listen to us and a bit of back up, but that can be hard to find when you're an English person up a mountain surrounded by Kisamba Tanzanians!

see all photos »

On the second weekend I went up to Yamba. Its amazing how much easier it is to climb up there when you're healthy!  The weather was beautiful on the way up and once again the scenery took my breath away.  It was well worth the climb.  Caroline took me to Mzizima where some of the staff had been busy wrapping presents in newspaper - donations from the UK - for local volunteers.  Caroline thanks volunteers who dig the road, carry bags etc by giving them gifts whenever possible.  It was lucky they had no teaching volunteers as there would have been nowhere to sleep!

see all photos »

I stayed at 'the Uncles house' (Father Baruti's uncle's house that has been renovated for volunteers) that night and had long chats with Caroline over dinner.  Caroline showed me around the village the next day, pointing out amazing developments, such as renovated houses and new toilets at the school and the health post.  Toilets are so important to the local peoples' health - I think the message is starting to get across. Apparently people are following the example and are starting to build their own.

Kids playing in the mud on the sports field.
see all photos »

I also went to see the new sports field. Last time I visited it was still full of crops. Now it is almost flat but at least it is bare.   It is played in regularly by kids and adults alike.  It has given the village a new social dimension! Unfortunately the weather turned cold and wet on my second day in Yamba so when we got to the field the children were not playing football - instead they were playing in a big muddy puddle!

I spent the afternoon helping with wrapping donations which were to be given out on Sunday.  I went to church on Sunday morning while Caroline and John Samweli read out over 900 names of villagers who had volunteered over the past couple of months.  Later that day the children whose names had been called out came to Mzizima to collect their gifts.  It was wonderful seeing the expressions on their faces when they unwrapped their gifts.  They swapped with one another if someone else had something more appropriate so most of them were really happy by the end of it.

Kids waiting eagerly for their gifts.
see all photos »

We did more gift-giving on my last day in Milingano.  Sarah's work friends had all been collecting while she was out in Tanzania and sent boxes and boxes of goodies.  I sorted out puzzles, games, books and larger toys to go in the Mili toy library and we wrapped the smaller toys and clothes for the children.  Because we never know how many children will be at school, we decided to pick names out of a hat to make it fairer.  It took hours to give the gifts out and unfortunately it poured with rain.  The kids were delighted with what they received though, especially the ones who got clothes.  I am definately going to try and collect more clothes to send over.

Toys used to be a rare sight in Yamba... this is so cute.
see all photos »

I didn't get a huge send-off this time but it was still sad saying goodbye to everyone, especially the kids.  Hopefully I'll be able to go back and see them all again one day.