Our room this time was in the block at the back of the hotel but next time we might upgrade to a room in one of the bungalows.
Today we were visiting a school in Geita that we were supporting for the first time. We met up with Robert and Hamisi and then Shabani drove us to Mungano Primary School.
On arrival we were met by the Head Teacher, Edwick Ndunguru, who took us to her office. We were soon joined by several other teachers, also Mary Venance who is the Town Director from the Geita Town Council Academic Office and also the Chair of the School Board. The Head Teacher then explained to us that the school has over 3,500 children, 59 teachers and 23 classrooms. Of the 3,500 children 133 are special needs and 166 are Pre-Primary (like nursery school) and 38 are Memkwa (late starters ie those who are starting their education at an older age). Also of the 59 teachers, 8 are involved with the special needs children who include those who are blind, deaf and those with other disabilities both physical and mental.
Robert then went on to explain to the teachers about our Computer Loan Project. We are loaning this school the standard starting package of 3 desktop computers and 1 printer. They all seemed very happy and completed the paperwork for the loan.
We were then shown the classroom that they intend to use as a computer lab. It has electricity but they will need to add some tables and chairs.
After that we were taken to a room which had been set up for our arrival. It seemed like the majority of the teachers were there along with members of the community and the school board.
There were then the usual round of “welcome” speeches and we then handed over the computers and printer.
After that we were served samosas and sodas. While we were eating a group of teachers came and sang a song that they had written for us, commemorating our visit to the school, ACTT and the computers.
After this there were some more thank you speeches and we then visited a few of the classes where the children warmly welcomed us by either chanting the school motto or singing a song.
Below is a one of 3 Standard 4 classes.
This is a good use of plastic bottles.
Below is a Standard 7 class which also had some “Late Starters”.
At this point we weren’t going to visit any other classes but the teachers told us that a Standard 2 class were waiting for us and when we walked in the sang us a song.
We then went back outside where the teachers wanted some photos and then finally we watched a group of children perform a local song and dance accompanied by some children on the drums.
By now the whole place had a real party atmosphere and it was sad to leave.
Robert eventually dragged us away as he said that as long as we stayed they would carry on performing.
So at this point we said goodbye to Hamisi who was going back to Katoro and we headed off in the direction of the port. However Robert then mentioned that we needed to meet up with Bruno who was visiting a school in Nyampande to deliver some computers. The plan was then for Shabani to drive Bruno’s car back to Mwanza as Bruno was carrying on up north on the bus and didn’t need his car anymore.
However Bruno didn’t leave Mwanza until later than planned so we ended up killing time waiting for him. We stopped for a soda on the way.
Then once we got to the school we went to a local restaurant (I use this term very loosely!!) for lunch. Here Mama Maria served us rice, beans and greens and a small amount of fish. The cost of lunch for the 4 of us was TSH 7000 (about £2.30).
Rebecca and her little sister Esther and their friend stopped and just watched us eating for quite a while. They wouldn’t come close and talk to us but when I approached them they were happy to tell me their names and to accept the biscuits we gave them. They then wandered off down the road.
After waiting several hours Bruno arrived and we delivered the computers and had a quick tour of the school before saying our goodbyes and setting off again for the ferry, this time with Robert driving.
At this time of day the ferry seemed quite quiet and we were lucky to only wait about half an hour before it departed. The fare for a foot passenger is TSH 400 (about 12p). With the ferry being very empty it was a pleasant crossing and I was able to take lots of photos.
Once we docked on the other side, Robert was one of the first cars off and so we were quickly on our way again. Of course at this time of night we now got caught up in Mwanza’s rush hour so it took a while to reach our hotel. It was about 8pm when Robert dropped us off. We then checked in, went to our room and then went and got some dinner.
I think we were both quite tired from the trip to Geita but very happy with all we had done there. We have planned for tomorrow to be a rest day which I think we are both looking forward to. Then on Friday we will be travelling to Moshi.
No comments:
Post a Comment