Last days in Mpwapwa
on Kev in Tanzania (Tanzania), 30/Oct/2009 13:13, 34 days ago
Last 2 weeks have been very busy and now that I am in Dar it is a good time to update my blog and close the chapter on Mpwapwa.I am going to start the update from 21st October - somehow I have lost a few days which is a bit random but I am sure I was not abducted by aliens, just had a lot on my mind!Wednesday 21st OctoberLubuva was away in Dar and so was the principle. Betty was due to visit from VSO so that we could do the closing visit and chat. I made sure my reports were complete and while waiting for Betty made some more posters for the second ICT lab.Matayo got Casey from Kingiti and he was staying with his family until we can get him into the sign language school in Dodoma. Nice to see things moving along with him and felt sure Ben would be happy to hear this.Betty did not arrive in the end and sent me a message that she would be visiting tomorrow.Thursday 22nd OctoberBetty came and I did my closing interview. I showed her all the work on Moodle and the classrooom resources that I had made. She was very pleased and I showed her my house where Claire would be moving into on the weekend. We had a late lunch at Abebis and Betty decided to stay there for the night. No power in the evening so had an early night.Friday 23rd OctoberFairly relaxed day - Thad and I were making tweaks to Moodle to make it look better, now all course content added it is time to work on the appearance!In the evening we went for beers and played our last games of scrabble - Matayo was feeling a bit sick and was not drinking. I managed to win both games but was sure they were not playing at 100%!Matayo told me Casey went missing but he found him again - Mpwapwa is a huge place for Casey and he wanted to explore... Glad he is safe again.Saturday 24th OctoberDid some shopping in town and house tidying as Claire was due to come tomorrow. Nice walking around and remembering the sights.In the evening Matayo invited Thad and myself over to his parents house for a farewell dinner. We got see Casey who was excited and remembered me from my visit to Kingiti. The food was fantastic as it was when we did the same for Ben's farewell and they even bought out some wine for me. I was very grateful and told them so.Got to watch some football!! Chelsea beat someone 5-0 but I can't remember who... I miss watching Newcastle - games are late here and no one watches the Championship...Sunday 25th OctoberClaire was due today on the Al-Saedy bus which would arrive between 2 and 2.30pm. In the morning I went to see Matayo and get some books to burrow from his house. I got back home at 1.15 and the Al-Saedy bus arrived! Claire got off late so I walked towards town to meet her. There was no one from the college to meet her as principle, vice principle and head of English were all away...She was happy and I took her to the house and showed her around. I had moved all my stuff into the room near the kitchen so she had the main bedroom and could get settled. King boy came over and knocked the door but I did not answer, if he knew I was leaving he would only want stuff and I was giving it all to Claire and figured she does not need his harressment.As it was Sunday and no power in the evening we went to Abebis for dinner and Claire met Thad, Matayo and Harune.Got back lit some candles, had a gossip and then I had an early night.Monday 26th OctoberTook Claire down to college in the morning. There was no one from the English department around so I took her to meet the ICT guys. I gave her a tour and then we attended staff meeting where Mr Mgulo introduced her and informed the staff that I was leaving on Wednesday.After the briefing I got my final pay from the ministry and then we went into town to pay it into the bank. It rained!! Such as nice sight and I was happy for the town (though we got wet!). I showed Claire the town and we had lunch in Hafuns.We walked back and we chatted about Mpwapwa and plans. In the evening we made spaghetti and Matayo came over to collect some DVDs and the voltage regulator as his broke. It was the last time I would cook at my house...Tuesday 27th OctoberTook Claire to college again and she wanted to stay in English which was great as she is there as an English tutor trainer. I wrote a draft letter to the police for them to sign for my CRB form (for when I come home and want to teach). I went to get them to sign it but the police chief did not like it... Now partly it was police being police but also just plain annoying so I had to walk back to the college and used headed paper, I also got Mr Mgulo (acting Vice Principle) to sign and use the college stamp (they are big on official stamps here). After making me wait for an hour or so he then gave it to a subordinate to sign and stamp. I am just lucky that I had Matayo with me to help explain and reason with him because I was losing my temper big time and didn't want top get into trouble on my last day!!To show appreciation to Matayo to took him for our last lunch at Hafuns - this time we had lovely fried chicken and rice! He was sad and bit quiet but I promised him we would keep in touch.I went home for a little nap and in the evening around 7pm Claire and I went to college for my farewell party. There was loud music and everyone introduced themselves to the new staff. There were lots of photos and I was given 2 nice locally made shirts! Very nice gifts! I thanked them all in a speech and we did some dancing. By the time we went home it was midnight!Said farewell to my guard and Thad and had some last pictures on my porch...Wednesday October 28thSaid farewell to Claire, my guard (again!!) and Matayo. Caught the bus which was smooth and a nice ride. Finished reading 'the power of one' and just reflected on my time in Mpwapwa - I enjoyed it and feel that I did ok - more reflections later...Got to Econolodge and the start of my journey to my new placement on Pemba with Liz!!Exciting times ahead I hope!!Take care - miss you all!