Week 1 at School

First of all, the Mahaba service that we encountered problems with in Dubai have offered that the next time we go to Dubai, they will offer us a complimentary service.  Thanks Mahaba.

Tuesday 26^th March 2013

It’s drizzling this morning and we woke to the sounds of roosters (I thought Gareth was here) and goats.  Today we had an induction then Peter went to check out his work.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Wednesday 27^th March 2013

Peter spent the day seeing what a Purchasing Coordinator does – got chauffeured round Arusha in a school bus buying items for the school.  Some of the items were taken out to Smith Campus (Usa River) which is approx 20-30 mins East of Arusha.  Smith Campus is very impressive, as are the students in their uniforms.  The campus is well set up and appears to have been built to a plan to accommodate  the secondary students.

This is different to Moshono which has been added to over time as student numbers increased.  Moshono houses Lower and Upper Primary and there is accommodation for Upper Primary a few hundred meters away at Moivaro.

In the afternoon Denise & Peter went on a home visit with a Grade 1 student.  She was very shy, and the trip there was on the school bus which was taking children home from school.  We then walked through dusty streets to the her extended family compound.  Her house was 1 room and it accommodated 5 (3 children).  No windows, dirt floors, tin roof, mud walls covered in cardboard, a double bed, table and chairs.

Thursday 28^th March 2013

Peter had another shopping trip followed by watching the account reconciliation.  He now has a desk, chair and a computer.

Denise not feeling too well today – upset stomach.

As this weekend is Easter, many are taking the opportunity to get away for a long weekend.

Friday 29^th March 2013

We spent the first part of the morning walking around the Moshono campus to see what else we had missed and orientate ourselves a little more.

Denise still not 100%.

Peter spent the rest of the morning improving the data entry system in Excel he will have to use.

In the afternoon we felt the building move so believe it was some sort of tremor, but as we have no internet we are unable to check it out.  After that we went for a walk a few kms down the road from the school and found Planet Lodge, that looked OK from the outside so we went in and had a look round.  Doesn’t look too bad for somewhere close to get away.

We were supposed to be going out for dinner with a lady Denise met on her last visit, but that has now changed to tomorrow, so we had leftovers for dinner.  We are currently in a share kitchen where you each have a turn cooking.  This weekend there is only one other around from our kitchen.  There are several other kitchens, but I’m unsure how many people are here this weekend.

Saturday 30^th March 2013

Peter worked this morning picking up veges and delivering them to campuses and Denise tagged along for the ride.

In the afternoon we met up with friends of Denise and we spent several enjoyable hours with them sampling some of the local bars.

Big K is very concerned that he hasn’t made an appearance, mainly because he has been locked in the unit and not allowed out.  We feel it is only right that we give the locals some time to allow K to get over his jet lag and learn a little Swahili.  He has a penchant for beer so letting him loose with the locals could be dangerous for everyone.  He has been stuck on the shelf and told to behave himself, of which he has done very well.

Sunday 31^st March 2013

A quiet day, started off with overnight and morning rain and showers, then fined up in the afternoon.  A relaxing day without the internet and only about 4 others on campus.  Denise did some washing – yes we do have access to a washing machine.

Lunch was a roast chicken, with leftovers for dinner, then Denise watched Die Hard and off to bed.

Monday 1^st April

Still no internet and Peter is struggling.  His laptop is still in town getting downgraded to Windows 7, as Windows 8 doesn’t work on the school network.  Denise’s iPhone appeared to be the only device on campus with internet access, but then it clicked and Peter discovered she was using the mobile data plan.  Well at least we get some internet access.

More rain last night and it continued with drizzle throughout the morning.  During a slight break in the drizzle, Peter spotted the top of Mt Meru and it was snow covered which is not normal.  The temps here have been 20-30, with only a sheet required overnight.