Sekei, I discovered is pronounced SerKay not Sehkee. It is on the mountain side up a long and very bumpy dirt track with ‘dakas’ (little shops and kiosks) and market stalls everywhere. We can probably get most of what we need from these, including entire outfits made on the roadside for about $2.50.
WOW. It is everything you would associate with African primary schools, which I had prepared myself for it not to be, but it really is. The classrooms are bare apart from a patch of black paint that is the blackboard. The 80ish pupils are four to a desk, which is vastly improved thanks to fundraising on Mads’ part. They are literally a plank of wood with legs. The school was told by the government last year that unless they built some more latrines, it would have to be shutdown – Mads’ husband Ekko paid for some more. The kids were so excited and pleased to see us, and when we introduced ourselves (in Swahili) they gave us a big cheer. When we left to see our house, they all rushed forward to shake my hand and give me highfives. At Bourka we arrived at breaktime instead of during lessons, so they all rushed forward and completely mobbed us! They absolutely loved having their pictures taken, and seeing videos of themselves. As we were going back to the bus, about six of them held my hand or grabbed my arm. (Photos and videos to come)
Anyway, back to Sekei. The Headmaster was very nice and friendly, and very polite. The ‘handiman’ was also great, and he showed us our house. No electricity, no water at the moment, but a gas cooker and hob (We’re the only ones with a proper cooker, so we plan to attempt roast potatoes one evening!). It is more spacious than I had imagined, and very simple, which I am actually really pleased about – if you’re going to immerse yourself in another culture, do it properly! All four of us are hugely looking forward to making it our home – pictures, posters and artwork will all be going up over the due course.
The other two schools we saw were also lovely. Enaboishu felt far more staid and formal, as it is a Secondary school, so the kids weren’t running out with huge grins. The volunteers there seem very happy with it, if a little daunted by the amount they are expected to know. There is a primary just over the road, and it would be possible for them to do some work there too. Bourka is a primary, which has a new nursery with the most adorable toddlers and young children who sang us a song “We love you very much, have a smile on your face” (or along those lines).
This afternoon Allan took us into Arusha itself, which is so bustling and vibrant. A lot of people trying to sell you things, but it is the same everywhere. We now know where everything important is, including the hospital, and have all got new Tanzanian SIM cards, and some of the currency – Tanzanian Shillings (TSH). To give you an idea, a pound is very roughly TSH2,000.
Swahili this afternoon was very useful, and much more laid back than yesterday, having spent the afternoon with Allan. I have learnt a lot already – in fact quite a bit more than the others, as I was the only one able to have even a vague conversation with the kids (Hujambo, jinu laku nani? Jina langu ni Lucie – Hello, what is your name? I am called Lucie…for example), although I have learnt much more today. Incidentally, telling the time in Swahili is bizarre: whereas we start counting from 12, they start at 7 – so
Tomorrow has a visit to the other two school further out of Arusha, lunch at Madeline’s house and Swahili lessons. Saturday, we visit a Maasai camp and have a meal out with Mads, Sunday we do all the shopping for the house and move in to our new homes, and Monday we become teachers!
Kwa heri, tutaona kesho – Goodbye, see you soon.
1 comment:
It's great to hear how things are going and we're all looking forward to reading about all your adventures over the next few weeks :-) Love from us allxxx
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