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I feel sure Peter will want to report on his Project but he’s still travelling at the moment and as folk have been asking about it I thought I would give a brief update on the purpose of the trip – The Library at Mnyakongo.
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In May Peter, his wife and I arrived in Dar-es-Salaam a couple of days earlier than others in his group to give us time to shop for the 1000 Swahili curriculum books required to compliment the shipment from San Diego. Peter also bought note pads and pencils to put into the 900 backpacks which were to be gifts for the children in Kongwa. Once our purchases were safely stored, ready for the trip to Kongwa, we took the ferry across the harbour to meet up with the rest of the group – 10 of Peter’s colleagues and 16 students – in Kipepeo Beach, Mjimwema.
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The container ship was in the harbour a few days after we arrived and with great anticipation we awaited the release of the container of books only to find that there was a problem with the Bill of Lading. It’s a long story which I will not go into but suffice it to say that in Africa one should expect the unexpected. Cliff D’souza of Savannah Tours went far beyond the call of duty to help and worked tirelessly with Rotary colleagues and other officials to secure the release of the container but it became apparent within a few days that this would be a lengthy task.
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So, off we all went to Kongwa, still hoping to hear that the books would soon be on their way. Singing practice was conducted at every lunch stop or break on the way as Peter wanted us all to be able to sing the Tanzanian National Anthem, word and tune perfect, by the time we arrived. |
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Middle of nowhere: singing practise |
| A Kongwa View |
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The school roads were lined with school children and drummers from the local villages. They cheered, whistled and sang to us as we got out of the jeeps - we stood watching as the cheering and ululating increased.
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It was very moving - we were all overwhelmed by the welcome we received.
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Finishing touches to the new library
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Angelina, the Head Teacher, urged Peter to turn around and there was the biggest surprise - the new library building having it’s final coat of paint and finishing touches. We’d been tipped off late last year that foundations had been laid but didn’t expect it to be completed. With much excitement we were shown around.
I think the Tanzanian Education Department pushed it through when they heard of the container of books coming from San Diego State University
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With funds raised by SDSU shelves have been ordered to store the books. Here’s the first ones, ready to be varnished.
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News from Dar-es-Salaam confirmed that the container was still stuck at the docks and unlikely to be released whilst we were in Kongwa – there was to be no unpacking of books this time. So, with time on our hands Peter set the students to work, some with the children and others working on the grounds.
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an art class was set up under the trees
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tree planting and gardening |
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and a dance and games class was held
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Each lunchtime a feast was provided for us in one of the classrooms - a message of welcome on the blackboard
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Welcome our guests at Mnyakongo
We love you
Feel at Home
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On our final day an official ceremony was held. Tarpaulins were hung in the trees to provide shade for us and for the local officials who attended the occasion. There was dancing and singing by the children, many speeches and finally the exchanging of gifts |
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The school presented each of us with a Kanga made into a kaftan for the ladies and shirt for the men. Then came more drumming and singing and we were encouraged to join in.
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A joyous end to our visit
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Some of the group posing in their new finery outside the new library
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P.S. Message from Barbara dated : 2nd July 2010 – The Container of Books
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I have had word that the books finally arrived at Mnyakongo earlier this week to much excitement.
We never envisaged the setbacks in store when it arrived in Tanzania but in Africa one should expect the unexpected. Had it not been for Cliff D’souza of Savannah Tours, who worked tirelessly on our behalf to get the container released from customs, it might still be impounded. It incurred many costs whilst it was held at the docks but finally, last week, I had the news that it was released into his care. The cost to hire a special truck with crane to transport it to Kongwa was considered too high and it was agreed that enormous transport costs should be avoided as the money could be used in a more meaningful manner. The container was therefore offloaded, the boxes transported to Kongwa on a normal truck and the container is to be sold to recover some of the costs incurred.
The School sent representatives to Dar-es-Salaam to take possession of the contents when the container was opened. This was done on Monday morning - here is the message from Cliff D’souza sent 28th June 2010:
“I am please to inform you that this morning the container was opened by President Muzu of the Rotary Club of Bahari Dar es Salaam and its contents were handed over to the representatives of Mnyakongo Primary School who came to Dar for the handover ceremony. I shall send you photographs as soon as I have them.
Within the next couple of hours they will be on the way to Kongwa and all going well they should arrive Kongwa late tonight or early tomorrow if they decide to sleep in Morogoro (which is what I have recommended) they head off tomorrow morning in day light to Kongwa”. |
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Electricity Fund Update from Barbara |
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What an adventure! It started before we left UK when BA cancelled our flights! We soon sorted that out but it meant that the 90kg of free excess baggage BA had allowed me for the sports equipment and toys went by the board too! We flew with Emirates who would only allow us an extra 20kg which was a shame though I did manage to get most of the sports equipment in the bag.
I tagged along with Peter’s Library Project group in May 2010 and I am happy to report another very successful trip to our old school. You’ll have to read Peter’s update for details of the new library but here’s the latest on my quest for the electricity supply.
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The school, which looked so drab and unkempt when we were there in 2008, has had some work done on it and now looks more cared for. The windows now have bars where there was nothing before and each classroom has a door with a padlock. The area in front of the school has been dug into small gardens and planted. The rains, of course, have also helped.
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The biggest surprise was the new library building. We had heard last October that foundations had been laid for a library but certainly did not expect it to be having its final coat of paint on the day we arrived. I think the Tanzanian Education Department pushed it through when they heard of the container of books coming from San Diego State University (see Peter’s project update for photos). |
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Some of the children awaiting the arrival of the wazungu
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As you know, I dearly wanted to get a supply of electricity to the school with the funds so kindly donated by my friends and colleagues. I had investigated the possibility of solar panels but the headteacher expressed her concerns that since there is no-one living on the school grounds the solar panels would soon be stolen. She said a supply from the grid would be much safer and agreed that the school could afford the monthly costs of the power supply. The District Manager of Tanesco (electricity company) was invited to meet with us and, together with the DC and the District Education Officer, it was finally agreed that the Education Department would subsidise the costs thus reducing the amount of the quote to a third of the original. That same afternoon I went down to the Tanesco offices with the Headteacher, the Education Officer, Peter and one of his students as photographer and Father Mario Dias of the Roman Catholic Workshop as a witness and signed a contract for the supply of electricity to the main buildings of Mnyakongo School. Work to commence at end of July and be completed within 60 days.
What a great result.
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Signing the contract |
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Back row: Father Mario Dias, Dr. Peter Larlham, Tanesco typist, Education Officer.
Front: Tanesco District Manager, Angelina Munduli Head teacher,Barbara Laing
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I will continue fundraising as there are three other buildings at the school, a short distance from the main buildings, which also require an electricity supply. I already have the quote for the supply but would again negotiate with the Education Department for some subsidy. These buildings house the Technical Department, Home Economics/Domestic Science and the kindergarten, all in a sorry state but something to work with. I also have a list of equipment required for these departments which I can work with too.
The whole school would benefit from a coat of paint inside and out. The new library looks so smart compared to the other buildings. There’s a group going to the school in October this year with the intention of painting the buildings inside and out with, of course, the assistance of local decorators.
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Sports Equipment and Toys
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When my two daughters heard of the head teacher's request for sports equipment and some toys for the kindergarten they set up their own projects to provide what they could. The outcome of one daughter’s toy collection was a stash of over 200 soft toys, educational games, jigsaws and teacher aids.
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My other daughter contacted a sports outlet to buy rackets, balls and swingball to name a few and when she told them where they were going they donated coloured vests for the children’s team games, sports shoes of various sizes and gloves for catching. She ordered footballs from a store in Dar-es-Salaam and I collected these on my way to Kongwa. |
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After the fiasco with the free baggage allowance I was only able to take a third of the collection but when I handed these over to Head Teacher, Angelina Munduli, she was ecstatic. When all the children were gathered for the celebrations she took me to the middle of the crowd and announced what my daughters had sent. The footballs received the biggest cheer. |
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And lastly, for this time, a familiar view . taken on the way to the Church.
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and the view through the church window
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Michelle Long, one of the students who was part of the Kongwa Library trip to Tanzania in May 2010, has an article in the San Diego State University NewsCenter. Click on “read more” for the full story.
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Top stories in NewsCenter
Into Africa
A study abroad trip focuses on learning and service. Michelle Long will never forget the scene that greeted her and dozens of other San Diego State students as they pulled up to a school in the tiny town of Kongwa in Tanzania. There, on the side of the road, nearly 1,000 students and villagers cheered, played drums and sang songs of praise and thankfulness to welcome them.
"It was almost more than I could handle," the liberal studies senior said. "I still get goose bumps every time I describe the event." Read more
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