Dreams Becoming Real

I begin this entry with Nusra, shown above. I am not sure of her age - she may be 20 or older and she is an orphan. We met Nusra over a year ago in Longido where she was working as a "house girl". Lucky us to be able to sample her delicious meals each day. In talking with Nusra we learned she wanted to go to school in Hotel Management and specialize in Food Preparation. As with most young Tanzanians, she had a dream but not a hope of realizing it...without sponsorship. TEMBO was thrilled to offer Nusra the assistance she needed and we hoped she might even end up in our guesthouse one day. Today I visited Nusra at The Sinon College in Arusha to pay the fees for her last semester and for her cook's uniform. I was greeted by a beaming young woman who had become much more fluent in English. (Part of their studies include learning English, French, and Computer.) I felt like such a proud parent when Nusra informed me she stood first in her class of 16! (I can hardly wait to sample her meals.) I met her classmates and the head teacher and saw the wonderful relationships she has established. And to top it all off, Nusra wants to work in the new TEMBO Guesthouse. Just another of those "one girl at a time" stories that keep us going.

Samwel the Contractor asked someone to do some art work for the guesthouse gate. The photos represent girls and women, books

The panga (machete) is used for many things here, including splitting the bricks.

It's looking pretty level...

You may not be able to see it, but a string is being used here to make the bricks level.

Stones are being sifted out of the sand through this screen.

Each of the rooms will have a red brick wall for contrast.

The lintils are in place over the framed window spaces.

And more bricks are placed on top.

A view from the inside.

Another view through one of the windows. Come and see for yourself.

Lastly, Mama Farajah's daughter, Loveness, and my neighbour came by on Sunday to get some water. The house I am in is fortunate enough to have a reserve tank. I wanted to help her pick the bucket up but I couldn't budge it - really. Here she picks it up with little effort.

And walks away singing to take the water to her family. Amazing Tanzanian women.