May 4

We were supposed to do a videoconference between Iringa and Sarasota Rotary clubs Friday, but they had technical problems in Florida. How’s that for a “what’s wrong with this picture?” We did get to do a voice hookup because I used Skype to call the cell phone of one of the members waiting for the connection. So the members at least got to chat about the Kichangani project a little.

     

Angelina (my hostess) and I hung out a little on the weekend. She took me to meet her girl friends at the clothing shop run by one of them, Mercy. Angelina is quite stylish, and I now must determine how much the socialization has to do with the purchasing activity for her. We also went to her church on Sunday to hear more of the incredible choir music. Swahili may be the most melodious language in the world. No one who visits Tanzania ever forgets the singing. Later in the day Miraji and I went for chai (tea) at a new hill top restaurant with great views overlooking the area.

Saturday night I went to dinner at Lucas’s house. Irene is at school but all the other kids were there to charm the guest. They were just coming from the funeral of a relative. After dinner, they re-dressed to go to a second funeral. Unfortunately funerals are common affairs in Tanzania. Median age in Tanzania is under 18 – in US it is 37. When I told kids at Lugalo I had only gone to a couple funerals during my entire school life, they did not believe that I could possibly be remembering correctly.

May 1

 

        

Wednesday we visited Iringa Girls’ Secondary School. In many ways they are at the head of our pack because they began computer classes even before they joined our program – they just didn’t have computers to do it right. As such they have a technically trained teacher/lab manager, students who have taken the national exam, and an experience base greater than our other new schools. Not surprisingly, Headmistress Theresa Zenda is a strong administrator and her leadership is in evidence in all phases of the school.

   

We had a great videocon between Lugalo and Saint Stephen’s in the afternoon (early AM in Bradenton.) Graduating Saint Stephens seniors and Lugalo Form 6’s shared University plans and career aspirations. Unfortunately for Nancy and Victoria, two exceptionally bright girls at Lugalo, their plans are subject to availability of slots in their intended fields of study. The reality is they may be redirected to different majors based on perceived national needs. In a really good discussion after the videocon we reflected on the downsides and personal impacts of this policy.

    

May Day is a national holiday, the rough equivalent of US Labor Day, but with a true focus on labor led by the Trade Union Congress. Iringa was chosen this year for the national level celebration and was addressed by the Prime Minister. It was a carnival setting, complete with a parade, exposition booths set up by numerous local merchants and providers, and bleachers and stage for the dignitaries and speakers. I am personally glad it is over so that many groups we must work with can return to normal operations and availability, which is challenging enough in normal circumstances.