So....too much to tell and not enough time to say it all :S
Quite alot has happened since my last update so here it goes. On Monday we were continuing with doing up the boys dorms at CCF, putting skirting boards on the ceiling, puttying and painting the dormitory. It looks soooo much lighter now and all the boys are really happy with it. Aron, who is 17, is quite a character and let's just say, very very deep. He wrote us a 2 sided letter of his own life story and his thanks...I think we have Tanzania's next greates philosopher in our midst! It was sad leaving, but we will still being seeing them on Saturday for our party we're holding for them and the Maasai elders from Olkakola. There's an especially cute boy who is called Nuru - he can't speak any English so Kalinda who volunteers at CCF (from the January team) has sponsored him so he can go to school.
On Wednesday we went to a place called Hope Nursery next to the Usa River. Here we drew charts for the kids of different animals, a world map, weather etc. for them to put on their walls. The kids was SOOOO cute and there was one wee boy who had the cheesiest grin ever! When he was asked to sing for us though he went all shy. Literally every time you get your camera out, all the kids run towards you and you get squished onto the floor...it's crazzzy! I would quite like to go back to teach there sometime if I ever come back to Tanzania.
On Thursday and Friday, we visited the New Outlook Centre which is an orphanage in a small village outside of Arusha. There are 28 kids ( I think) and 4 of them have no parents because of HIV. The manager of the centre is looking to expand it so that the orphans can all live at the centre instead (they currently only come for day care). And that's why we were building beds today (putting Standard Grade Craft and Design to use!), sawing and smoothing down the wood - hard work! We then went to the orphanage to say goodbye and have some barbecued lamb, which was amazing seeing as we hardly EVER have meat. Felt a bit bad though, cos we brought the kids food yesterday as they are really really short on money :(
Last night was our last Via Via night :( It wasn't raining this time which is a complete miracle, though I think it somehow adds to the atmosphere. Yet again, lots of Konyagi was consumed and one too many shots...all finished with a WHOLE barbecued chicken between us! Only had 4 hours sleep.....oopsies.
Oooo forgot to say...went for a chinese on wednesday night at the Everest Inn (total culture class - chinese food in Tanzania at a place named after and Indian Mountain? Confused). It was soooo cheap and came to under 10 pounds a head....Oh how I'll miss the cheap prices when I get home. Had smoked duck with pancakes - mmmm...meat! Getting home was a complete laugh...got on a daladala which took us to a stop which we didn't even want to go to (was scary too because all the med were trying to talk to us then they tried to overcharge us :S). Then when we were walking back, a motorcycle came along the road and swerved at us so Libs fell down a hole into a river then Nats fell down with her and now has cuts all over. I then tried to reach for Libby's hand but nearly fell down with her....Mum and Dad and all relatives - hope you're not reading this! What can I say...TIA (this is Africa).
Have a hectic few weeks ahead of us.....gonna be exhausted by the end of it. We go to Lake Manyara on Sunday and on Mon and Tues, we will be making a chicken hut and plastering at a nearby orphanage. We're staying at a safari camp in tent (scarrrrry) for those nights which will be pretty awesome. On Wednesday we then have a game drive around Lake Manyara and in the evening, a BIG party where we're going to slaughter a goat and cook it together (not so sure about that part!). Thursday to Sunday, we're going on safari to the Serengeti and then Ngorongoro - can't wait! We'll be camping in the middle of the bush, and apparently you sometimes hear breathing next to your tent (AKA Lions :S) and you're meant to stay quiet...I mean - how on earth can you stay calm?! Anyway....will be an......experience shall I say. Can't wait to see some elephants.
After that we're going to Moshi and for the first part of the week we're working VERY long days at a deaf school, doing up their kitchen. Then...."it's Kili time! Make the most of it" (Kili beer slogan which is virtually EVERYWHERE). Feel sorry for me up on the cold roof of Africa, with crappy chocolate :( Will be amazing though when we get to the top - hopefully it will be full moon with clear skies so we can see below!
I have to go now - only 3 mins left so Kwaheri! Miss you all xxxxx
