Lindi Adventure

So this time of year in Tanzania, it rains almost every day.  This of course makes everything is really green and beautiful.  I am told that I have arrived at the end of the “long rains”, so this is their way of saying goodbye- go out with a bang I suppose??  Sometimes it is for hours, sometimes for only 10 minutes, the main problem is the roads are improving, as I see them daily adding drainage ditches, etc., but it still gets very muddy quickly and tough to get around the town, even with 4 wheel drive.  It took us a bit to get to Lindi but the drive was beautiful and the scenery in this area is great as you have many more hills and views of the coast.

When we finally arrived in Lindi, I got to the VSO house which currently has three volunteers living in it, to find out that Surprise! No bed sheets or pillow here as the volunteers provided their own as I had to do in Mtwara.  (I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect, probably could have planned better!)  It ended up working out as I found a cloth store and purchased two meters of material to use as a sheet and also found a store that had a pretty good pillow in the market.   The volunteers living here were VERY helpful in obtaining these things and I’m very grateful.  Either way, lesson learned!  When I come up to Lindi again I’ll be more ready.   These volunteers, Nikki, Sam, and Cheeko, were also very gracious hosts, cooking dinner and entertaining me for my short stay.  

This is a Bajaj selfie- on the ride to VETA

The VETA center in Lindi is newer than the one in Mtwara and it's a bit up a hill to get there, which gives great views of the ocean (pic below).  Every morning some locals bring chappati, (similar to a tortilla, known as roti as well) and assorted goods.  They didn't have cellophane left so they improvised... :)  See pic below of Mataje (project manager) and Cheeko sampling the Bagia (Sorghum rolled and fried).

I spent time visiting workshops and meeting teachers. I also had a meeting with the registrar and reviewed the Life Skills course curriculum, and then observed one of the classes as well.  Life Skills is what I am most interested in since my objective is to get the graduates employed and this teaches a variety of things but a lot on communication as well as seeking employment and CV (resume’) writing.   Unfortunately the syllabus does not call for this portion until after I leave Tanzania, so I will not get to observe anyone actually teaching these specifics but I will work on some suggestions on layouts for Skills resumes and interview tips to assist the methods already being used.

I have now returned to Mtwara, and it is another volunteer, Kayley's birthday today so we will be going up to Mikandani (small village a bit north) to celebrate.  

I do fear that I will soon have to face the “challenge” of doing laundry without a machine-wish me luck!