It is definately getting hotter. I did no think it was possible...but we are getting into the summer months. And th wet season, so it is alos humid. Leah ahd I have been comparing the most unpleasant feeling sweaty parts of our bodies (for more specicfics you will have to email one of us directly).
We had a lovely/exhausting day attending Julieti's son's Confirmation. We were outside under a lovely groove of trees. There were 3 local Lutheran churches combining their ceremonies. The children were welcomed and marched in with a great brass and drum band form Muheza (this appeasrs to be a multipurpose band in Muheza, as they also lead the world paliative care day celebration a few weeks back). The sermons were long and plentiful ( 3 ministers), but there was also choir music. We had to take a break part way through and go home and lie under fans, etc ,
but we came back just in time for the processional leading the kids out. Then on to the party. We walked to Juileti's home through a maze of pathways. She had organized a 'karibu' (welcome for us), and we were greeted in song by her friends and family. A ceremony for her son, Paulo, ensued, complete with rituals and a feast. We walked home along the railroad tracks just before nightfall.
I am holding down the homefront today, and am soon off on my second solo expedition to the market to buy produce and other supplies (it is much easier to have Griff along). A&L are in Tanga for the day, and Rose set off to school this morning with the boys.
I continue to work on the proposal with the OVC program (orphan and vulnerable children), which serves thousands of children in the may wards/villages in Muheza District - assessing kid's living conditions - shelter, nutrition, support. Many of the kids live with grandparents, older sibs, aunts/uncles - thankfully they do not take them out of their villages to an Orphanage, but support them to stay with their family. The program also provides education on HIV/AIDS and pays school supplies/fees. The proposal I am working on - thanks for your prompting, Ed - is for the older OVC aged 18 - 22, who have little happening in their villages. The proposal is for training in the production of materials from coconut trees - timber for furniture and bowls, leaves for mats and thatching for roofs and husks for crafts. We did some market research, and may have some luck with OXFAM.
We are savouring our last few days in this village in N/E Tanzania that has been our home for the past 6 weeks. We'll try to post something from Zanzibar.
Holding you all close to our hearts. S&R
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