Team Poa Tanzania Take on Managha!

 

Mambo! (Hi) After almost 2 days of stressful travelling team
Tanzania have finally landed in Africa. We spent our first night in Arusha
Backpackers after our first Tanzanian style journey with Gem and Robbie (our
driver for the day) from Killi airport. Having not gone to bed till 11 as the
soup took several hours to cook (we are on ‘African time’ now apparently), we
got up at 6 to catch the bus to Babati, this was our first real taste of
Tanzania and despite having booked enough seats for us and our bags we somehow
still didn’t have enough room. 3 hours later and after numerous strange
encounters with other people’s body parts and groceries we met Julian and Mr
Kahembe in Babati town.

 

We all agree that Babati had a much more rural feel but
was also far more welcoming than the bustle of Arusha.

 

As we pulled into Managha primary school we were greeted by a
stampede of around 150 children running towards the car – sounds amazing, it
was terrifying! After finally managing to escape the crowds we were treated to
a traditional welcome with beautiful singing from the children (admittedly it
sounded as though they were repeating the same song over and over again). We
spent the evening setting up home number 2 in one of the classrooms and enjoyed
the first of many meals of rice and beans.

 

 

Following a day of orientation and rest Monday saw the
start of the work we came here to do. While we all knew it wouldn’t e easy I
don’t think anyone anticipated quite how tough it would be. We are writtig this in the sunshine of working day number 2 as we have already managed to complete
more than we had expected. We have plastered a classroom in a day so today were
already able to start the liming and in addition have created a market garden
to supply vegetables for the school meals that will be provided to the children
of Managha once we finish building the kitchen!

 

 

Whilst we are all missing our luxuries we are definitely
starting to get used long drops and bucket showers (rice and beans however –
we are not so sure). We can hardly complain though considering the community has
decided to build us a house for the rest of our stay, which, compared to the
floor of the classroom where we were told we would be staying is a dream come
true.

No real problems or arguments so far, but plenty of laughs
which have been displayed for all to see on our quotes wall….There are some
real crackers but that will have to wait till we are home.

Although we may be missing home we have had an amazing
start to the trip and can’t wait to continue working with this inspring
community.

 

We were going to say goodbye in Swahili but we have only
had one lesson so far so, See Ya!