A Good Foundation

This week a lot of foundation work was done on the TEMBO Guesthouse. Nothing here is as simple as it is in Canada. Heavy machinery to make work fast and easy does not exist in rural Longido. Our contractor did manage to rent a tractor and trailer from the District Commissioner for hauling loads of stones, sand, and large rocks.

Many of the materials we are using are found locally. The rocks come from the foot of Mt. Longido, and much of the landscape here is very sandy. Many villagers have been hired to work on the Guesthouse. They may be small in stature but they can work for hours at a time in the scorching sun.

The cement foundation walls are complete and the trenches have been back filled with the sandy earth. Inside the foundation walls the earth was leveled and large rocks were settled. This weekend the structure was watered so as to compact the earth. On Monday or Tuesday cement will be mixed and poured on top to create the smooth floors. Then come the walls and things will really begin to take shape.

The results of the National Exams came out this past week and we found out that Joyce Hamisi from Kimokouwa has advanced for studies at the A Level. Joyce is the first girl we began sponsoring for secondary school four years ago. Her dream has not changed as long as we have known her – Joyce wants to be a journalist when she graduates in two years.

Naana is another young girl who will be receiving assistance to study from TEMBO supporters, John and Carol Ann Scott. Naana, granddaughter of Paulo (who is the father of Kokoyai whom Marian and I first began sponsoring in 1998) is just beginning secondary school. She is bright and keen to continue studying and has her eyes set on becoming a teacher in the future. If there is anything that will bring necessary change to countries like Tanzania, it is education. TEMBO is thrilled to have such solid support from our generous supporters to make educational for girls a reality.

TEMBO is also very proud of our Library Assistant, Leah, who is at the top of the list to continue studies in Community Development beginning in March. Leah has been a huge asset to TEMBO in the library and to the village children she reads to each day. Leah has completed the certificate level in Community Development and will now spend the next two years working on her diploma. She promises to do her field placement with TEMBO and to continue working for TEMBO when she is not at school. We’ll really miss Leah’s steady quiet presence but we wish her great success.

Mama Farajah’s house is surrounded by lush flowers she has planted in old paint cans, mais bags, and discarded plastic containers. She makes recycled materials look even better the second time around. Friday, Mama Farajah insisted I take her photo next to her towering red dahlia that brings her so much pride.