Day 24, 25 and 26

 Day 24

Today was another clear, sunny and very hot day. As it was a Sunday, Robert didn’t need to be in the office so he said he would show us a couple more places in Mwanza.

He picked us up about 11 and took us to the Rock City Mall. This opened about 3 years ago and has a very Western look about it. However I think that many businesses are struggling here, as in the rest of the world and so probably only half of the units were occupied.

From here we headed up into the hills through Bwiru to a bar called Pasha that had really good views over the lake. We got a drink and just sat and relaxed. It really felt like we were looking out over the sea, not a lake. It was lovely.

Robert suggested we get lunch at the bar next door to the hotel where he is staying. It was in a quiet corner of a quiet road so very peaceful. The cook came and saw us when we arrived and recommended we have fish as he had a large one that would be enough to feed 2 people. We then added a portion of roast goat, some bananas, salad and chips. It was all lovely and far far cheaper than yesterday, about £8.50 for all of it including drinks.

We returned to the hotel mid afternoon and had a good Zoom call with our daughter and her fiancé. The evening was spent in the hotel.

Day 25

Today Robert asked if we would accompany him to visit a couple of potential projects for ACTT. He picked us up at just after 10 and he headed to Rock Hill English Medium Secondary School. They were in the process of preparing a computer room and had contacted Robert about supplying some computers and teacher training. I should say that English Medium Schools are fee paying private schools so generally offer a better level of education than government schools. However I did think the school buildings here looked in a pretty poor state, but classes were obviously smaller which was a bonus.

We met the Second Master and the Business Manager and they showed us around and discussed a budget with Robert. We were also able to offer some advice, given our experience of providing computer equipment to schools.

From here we drove down to the ferry port where a ferry was waiting. We were very lucky as Shabani (and the car) just got on and we were some of the last foot passengers to board. The ferry sailed within 10 minutes of us arriving at the port. This time the weather was sunny and clear for our crossing and we sat at the front for a change.

Once we disembarked we looked for somewhere to get some lunch. We stopped at a small bar just up from the port. 

In typical Tanzanian fashion the lady running the bar said she didn’t do food but she knew a lady who did. She said there was nowhere good to sit there though so best for us to stay in her bar and she would get the lady. So she set out a table and chairs, although Shabani and Pete chose to sit on the concrete pink sofa!! She then disappeared and came back 5 minutes later with another lady who said she had rice, beans, greens and fish....so that’s what we had!! Off she went and about 10 minutes later came back with the food....very efficient.

After lunch we quickly turned off the main road. The drive offered some different scenery and different views of the lake. 

This second place we were visiting was a college not a school. It was being built by a Christian charity but wasn’t finished yet. A few days ago a potential donor had contacted Robert, saying she would like to fund some computers. 

When we arrived, Joshua, the guy Robert had arranged to meet, wasn’t there.....he was still on a ferry from Mwanza, so someone else showed us around. They actually have a pretty large room for computers which looks almost finished.

We were also shown another large room which at present is being used to teach sewing and has about 20 manual sewing machines. Sewing is big business in Tanzania. Wherever you go you will see men and women sat on the street with their sewing machines as here people get their clothes repaired rather than throwing them away and buying new. They will also be making school uniforms and altering clothing. So this is a good skill to learn.

After we left the college Robert contacted Joshua and arranged to meet him at the port. When we got there is was raining heavily so we sheltered in another bar while Shabani took the car to queue for the ferry. Joshua met us there and Robert and he had a brief chat. It seems like they would like 15 computers initially. When they finished chatting we could see the ferry was about to leave so we had to run to the ticket office and then to the ferry. We were literally the last people to board and it sailed almost immediately.

We got back to the hotel a bit after 4. It had stopped raining so we had a swim before going to the bar for a drink and later dinner. Emails, blogs, and various other computer activities took up the rest of the evening.

Day 26

We spent the first part of our morning unpacking and repacking our bags. Tomorrow we travel to Ukerewe Island for one night then we go to Bunda for 2 nights. We then go on safari and Robert will return to Mwanza and then a couple of days later drive to Moshi. We have decided to leave one of our big bags here in Mwanza and Robert will then take it back to Moshi with him next week. 

Mid morning we walked into town to the bank and the Vodacom shop and then walked back to Tilapia Hotel for a drink on their terrace. There weren’t as many birds around today but we did see this heron.

We had some lunch back at Ryan’s Bay and then this afternoon Shabani picked us up as we were spending the rest of the day with the ACTT staff, having a small celebration to mark our visit and their achievements over the last year. 

Once at the office we met up with everyone and then we all drove out to the Sukuma Museum on the outskirts of Mwanza. This is great place to visit and learn about the Sukuma tribe. We had a guide who showed us around and explained everything really clearly. It was a really enjoyable visit and we all learnt a lot about the history of the Sukuma people.

We were allowed to try on a Chiefs’s crown, shield and spears. The staff never like to miss a good photo opportunity and we decided this should be the new official photo of the ACTT Mwanza Team.

We were also shown the traditional drums stored in the top of this building and were allowed to have a go.

The Sukuma people also do traditional dances using snakes. You can pay an extra charge for a show but we didn’t have the time today but the guy showed us one of the snakes. Justina volunteered to hold it.

If you are ever in Mwanza and have a spare couple of hours I would highly recommend a visit here.

After leaving the museum we went to the Taiwan Hotel for some food.

I have to say the food was excellent and plenty of it, everyone tucked in. 

Once we had eaten Robert did a brief review of the year and asked everyone present to say a bit as well, After this he handed out a couple of prizes for performance and sales. It has been a tough year for ACTT but it is great that they have survived and hopefully next year will be better.

 

The evening finished about 9.30 pm. I think everyone had really enjoyed the afternoon and evening.