Today has been one of the most hectic days so far in the project, trying to get prepared for the Minister’s visit tomorrow. Many of the events that we thought were taken care of turned out to be only plans and all of the booking had to be done today. We began our day at Kivulini for a meeting with several of the employees in charge of the events for the Minister. We planned out a schedule of events and wrote all the guests that would be attending. Kivulini had assumed that WHE would be paying for all the costs, but because of the nature of this project our budget was very tight and so they were kind enough to pitch in some funds to make this event the best possible given the limited circumstances.
We had to plan for tents, chairs, and the transportation to Mabutini, where the Yogurt Kitchen is located. We had booked two entertainment groups, but ended up only able to afford one. There had to be enough food and drinks to feed 100 people (including all guests) but under such a tight budget could only afford for 35 people, so we had to be very careful in deciding who was to join the meal at Kivulini Kitchen (KK). Meg and I organized getting the food and drinks for a reasonable price and also the transportation to KK. We were able to borrow the PA system from Kivulini, which saved us a good portion of funds.
To make things a bit tougher, that morning Kim and Missy weren’t feeling very good and Kim went to the clinic to find out that she has Malaria and an amoeba. However, she was able to meet with us at 1pm at City Hall to discuss the itinerary of the day, including the order of speakers and the afternoon events.
Meaghan and I were busy the entire afternoon running around town taking out money, ordering the food, ordering the drinks, contacting the entertainment group, printing up a pamphlet for the probiotic yogurt, finding the PA system, finding a video tape to record the events of the day, getting gasoline for the transport vehicles, finalizing the itinerary and emailing it to respective guests, and contacting the NGO’s that will be organizing the afternoon events. All in all, today was extremely busy and we hoped that all our efforts would result in a great visit from the Minister.
Tuesday, August 28th, 2007
Today began very early (6:30am) to prepare for another very long and busy day. We began at Mabutini to decorate the Yogurt Kitchen and set up the tents and chairs at the local school yard. The Mamas were very cute putting up balloons and kangas around the room, and they also all wore their matching WHE t-shirts and kangas. The dancers were getting into their costumes and setting up the PA system while many of the school children and local community were enjoying the many visitors.
Local school children in Mabutini
At around 9:30am, the Minister arrived and the Mamas and interns greeted her at the door of the Yogurt Kitchen with a very energetic cheer and a ‘vigele vigele’ noise (high pitched cry while wiggling your tongue back and forth) which I eagerly joined in with. The Minister proceeded into the Kitchen, signed the guestbook, and had a taste of the yogurt that the Mamas made. There was a brief discussion about the project and our goals for future expansion and stabilization tactics. We then headed off to the school yard where the tents, chairs, and entertainment were set up. The entertainment consisted of singers and dancers that were keeping the guests and spectators amused. There were speeches prepared by Joseph Mlizi, Kimberley, Mama Joyce, Mama Paskqwalina, the Mayor, and the Minister herself. There were intermittent singers and dancers to keep the festivities exciting, and at one point the Mamas, interns, and the Minister got up and began dancing in the middle of the crowd, it was very fun.
After the ceremony, the Minister, interns and Kivulini staff headed to Kivulini to visit the stationary store, legal office, and main office for a quick visit while the food was being prepared. There were approximately 35 guests for the lunch/ meeting at KK and Missy and I doubled as servers as well as guest to help get the lunch out quickly. Most of the meeting was completed in Swahili, but Meaghan did her best to keep good notes and obtain contacts to get the missing information. The Minister was very pleased by the proposal letter that Meaghan had prepared the night before and she seemed very excited to help expand our project. The lunch consisted of 16 fried chicken, 35 fried bananas, and potatoes, delicious. The afternoon was organized by the Kivulini staff to have the Minister visit TAHEA and MWDA organizations. Therefore, our part of the day ended up being extremely successful and all our hard work had paid off.
As if Meaghan and my day wasn’t tiring enough, we hurried off to our Swahili lesson at 3pm, having a test as well as a 2 hour class. We learnt about giving directions to certain buildings (and we have actually used it quite a lot while in taxis). We walked home and only had enough energy to prepare a pasta dinner before going straight to bed.
Meeting with the Minister at the Mabutini Kitchen
Wednesday, August 29th, 2007
We had a bit of a late start this morning after the last few long, tiring days and the rainy weather did not help encourage us either. Missy, Meg and I went to the Yogurt Kitchen for Missy to say goodbye (she leaves on Friday morning) and then to meet up with a friend at Bismarc Rock for lunch at Yun Long Chinese restaurant. Directly after lunch we made a trip to the Forever Angels orphanage and spent a few hours with the infants and toddlers. We went home still exhausted from a busy few days and had a nice quiet dinner together before going to Tunza to say goodbye to Kim. She has her flight to Dar early the next morning. We made an instant chocolate cake at home and brought it to Tunza, it was really good.
Thursday, August 30th, 2007
Kim left early this morning and Missy is to leave us tomorrow morning. Meaghan and I wanted to get a few last things done that required Missy’s help, but for the most part we wanted her to enjoy her last day in Mwanza. We started off at the clinic to get Missy’s results for a last check-up and for her to pick up Malaria medication in case she gets sick during her long trip home. It is more difficult and expensive to get anti-malaria drugs in Canada because it isn’t very common, so it has been recommended that visitors pick up medication before leaving the country to go back home. We then took a nice walk through the main city to pick up some souvenirs and a power converter from European outlets to American ones. We also picked up some fresh vegetables and fruits at the city market to make guacamole for lunch. It was delicious and I am very proud of us for being adventurous and creative with the fresh produce.
Meaghan and I went to our Swahili class while Missy decided to climb a tall hill just behind Mabutini. The climb was a great way for her to reflect on her trip without many distractions. She then met up with Meg and I at the International School, after our class, with a few other friends that we have made to go to Tunza for yoga on the beach and a celebratory night for Missy.
Friday, August 31st, 2007
We sent Missy off at the airport this morning and it we were all very emotional. Even our housekeeper, Pendo, came with us. It was hard to say goodbye and to realize that it will only be Meaghan and I for a month until Ruben (Medical school student from Holland) arrives at the end of September. Missy, Jackie and Kim were so great at helping Meg and I get settled into the apartment, around town, and with the project and we’re so thankful that they were here. We took the daladala home and had a quick lunch while proofreading a paper prepared by a Kivulini staff member. We made the English lesson for the Mamas and set off to the Kitchen to teach. After the lessons we came home and met up with a volunteer from Kivulini, Beatrice, who has been really great with helping the interns translate between English and Swahili with the Mamas. She is a university student at Dar, but lives in Mwanza. She is leaving this Tuesday to go back to school and she invited us to her home near Nyakato for dinner. We helped her prepare an incredible meal of fresh Nile Perch, bananas, rice, and beans. It took a while to prepare on the coal stove, but the end result was very good.
Saturday, September 1st, 2007
I can not believe that it is already September. Time seems to be flying by with all the busy project work. This morning we were able to sleep in a little, but began right away with cleaning and organizing the apartment. Meaghan and I moved into our new rooms and are feeling very independent now that all the other interns have gone back home. The afternoon was spent watching the sun set at Tunza and enjoying a bbq and get together at a friends place.
Sunday, September 2nd, 2007
I was very rudely awaken this morning by screaming children running around the balcony of our apartment and also an uninvited guest hanging onto the inside of my bug net, a big cockroach. After the elimination of my pest, Meaghan and I got ready to go to church. We decided to go to the Nyakahoja Catholic Church and it was a very nice service. We picked up some groceries and fresh produce on the way home. The rest of the day was spent inside the apartment finishing up project work and resting up for another busy week ahead.
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