Computer Lessons

19-March-08 -

Today was the day that I was going in to start teaching the chaps how to use a computer!!! Last night was the night that we had THE STORM – at home we had electricity (but no water) so thought town would be OK. Wrong! Got there early, four were waiting and looking expectantly at me (again!) but no power. So just sat and chatted hoping it would come on soon – it didn’t. After three hours decided I would go, no point in waiting any longer. I had used the time to go through what we had covered since I had been working with them, and quite surprisingly (to me anyway) we do seem to have covered what they wanted and expected. We had also discussed the internet. (Me!!) I explained (in very layman’s language) how (I think) it works and how they could use it – it reminds me of the bad English teacher here who taught all the children to say “give me MY money” Lord knows what these guys will pass on to others. Anyway, we plan to continue, or start, the lessons tomorrow.

Met Donald in town as he had decided he needed a haircut – and we thought we would try somewhere different for lunch. Went into this place called ‘Sizzlers’, had heard it was OK so thought we’d give it a try. It looked a bit dark and dismal but then there was no electricity so thought nothing of that. Sat down, and a guy came over to ask what we wanted. Ordered water and fish (fried Talapia – v good) and sat and had a look around us. There were 6 or 7 other tables each with a few folk on them, but I realised no one was eating. Then looked further, and could see no access to a kitchen or even hear any sounds of cooking. Wondered what we had let ourselves into. However, eventually, we noticed there was a hatch in the wall, which occasionally opened and a plate of food was put through it. Plates came one at a time, and were handed out accordingly. Think that the food was actually cooked in the alley at the side of the restaurant, but decided not to investigate too closely – the food was v. tasty, and hot, (and so far so good) and we may try it again, (or may not!)

We decided that we needed to get some food it to the house, as it is Easter Weekend coming up and I understand that Mwanza closes from Friday till Monday. Can’t face the big market really, its just such a frantic hassle, cheap and good (ish) quality, but frantic. So we now go to the local Spa type shop, its run by an Asian family and Jen & Joey are quite friendly with them – most of the Masungu’s go there. Opposite them on the corner are two fresh food stalls, they sell fruit and veg,– quite aggressively. The goods probably come from the big market, and they then pack it into plastic bags, (so it gets quite sweaty) and charge more, plus you still get hassle, but not quite as much. So got a bit of food in for the weekend and hope that the electricity stays on so that we don’t waste it.

Next day I headed into town on the Dala Dala again – this time I got a front seat, just me and the driver (well for a few ‘stops’ anyway) thought this was great, comfort and space – thought the smell was a bit heavy tho. Smelt decidedly fishy, and a few more stops down the road I realised why, when 3 women got out and gathered with them their washing up bowls full of small (whitebait) type of fish. They had obviously been at the lake (near where we walked last weekend probably) further up the bus route, and were bringing their catches to market. These fish (I have yet to try them, tho Jen keeps saying she will cook them for us) are caught fresh and then dried on the rocks and sold in the market. Apparently they are really good with pasta…. Anyway, the drive continued – the conductor of this one was a bit surly and ended up almost having a fight with the conductor from another Dala Dala because he felt they were taking his trade, lots of shouting and gestures but luckily that was as far as it went.

So got into town, and walked to work and yes there was electricity, so we started with the computer lessons. Just three there, one never having touched a computer before in his life, tho he had typed, another had emailed and so had some concept, and Terry, my co-volunteer, who knew a bit. We were getting on OK, but then the power surged and things started to blink and turn off, so, decided that we did need the power surge protector (at a cost of Tsh 110,000 (£55). This was purchased and fitted – remarkably quickly considering where we are – but needed charging up, and so the lesson came to an end. But we did get started.

Today is the Thursday before Good Friday, and it is a public holiday here as well, as it is a Muslim festival, and there is a definite air of festivity around the place. Some shops closed, the owners being Muslim perhaps, and others busy and the markets very busy – not sure what actually closes and what doesn’t, but think the churches will be full tomorrow. No work till Tuesday. As I write this, at Milestone House at 6ish in the evening, there is obviously something going on up the road. Loads of cars and people heading up there and someone (dare I say) ranting, into a microphone – could be sport, religion or whatever, but its getting some responses. Sound does seem to carry here, perhaps no motorway, airport noise, but it still does have to compete with the chickens, crows, birds and people.

We went around to J & J’s for a meal in the evening, which was lovely – they managed to cook besides the fact that they ran out of gas (calor) and the electricity went off for sometime – but had a smashing meal and a nice evening. They had to take us back as couldn’t raise a taxi.

On Good Friday, we were again woken by a huge storm - we have obviously come into the rainy season. It has rained every day (tho usually at night) and each storm is accompanied by rolling thunder and constant lightening flashes. Usually the water goes off after a storm, not the electricity funnily enough. The night rain seems to last longer, but that may be because I’m laying in bed wondering whether there will be any real damage, but the day rain is often over in an hour or so, and then after another hour it is sunny and dry again. All this means that the roads are not as dry and dusty, but it also means the ruts and crevices in the roads are getting bigger and deeper. The road near J & J’s is horrendous, huge fractures and splits in the non tarmac roads (marum roads), its almost like a fair ground ride going around there.

Anyway – went over to J&J’s on Friday to help them get ready for the charity Easter Bonanza they were organising. They were trying to raise funds for two organisations in Mwanza, one of which is an orphanage just out by the Serengeti gate, and the other is in town, and is a similar organisation to the one Donald is working with, it helps get kids into secondary school, either by paying for them, or by assisting them with their English prior to entry. Jen had the idea that we (read their I) make an easter egg shaped cake as a prize. You may have seen a photo of our kitchen here at Milestone House, well Jen’s is a bit better, but not much. Pretty basic. And the oven is, shall we say, interesting and has its own quirks. Like the grill has to be on inside the oven when the oven is on, and the door to the oven has to be cranked open by holding down the top of the cooker. But she had confidence in me (more than I had) and had been given all the necessary stuff by the local Spa type shop as their donation. Actually, we cheated in as much as we bought ready mix stuff, which just needed eggs added. Unfortunately one was strawberry flavour and one vanilla (you could get high on the colouring smell alone!) Somehow, Jen seemed to have two baking tins, (Lord knows from where as she certainly didn’t buy them), one was a swiss roll tin and another a 7” round Victoria sandwich tin. How would you make an egg shaped cake out of that!! So made the cakes – which were more grilled than baked – and then made up loads of chocolate butter icing. Cut up the cakes and proceeded to build, what started as an egg shape, but ended up like a mountain – iced it, threw 100’s and 1000’s over it and called it a Kilimanjaro Easter Cake, and quickly shoved it in the fridge so that it didn’t collapse. HH H




It actually went down really well. It was given as a prize for the easter egg hunt. The winner was a member of a local girls football team, who had been brought along by girl who works here for a Catholic NGO. They were thrilled and really loved it and ate it there and then. Think I have a photo to print to show you.

The charity do was on the Saturday, and it was being held at The Talapia hotel, which is just on the shores of Lake Victoria. Wonderful setting, and nice hotel too really. The kids came along, with parents, from four and J&J (and friends) had organised games, egg painting, face painting, etc etc, plus some races, egg and spoon and three legged race, and it all went down really well. At 8ish the guys (Joey and friends) started to play their guitars and sing, and we sold raffle tickets all day – had three draws and some amazing prizes had been donated by the good folk of Mwanza. It was really an “ex pat” type of do, but they raised more than they hoped and it was good to see their efforts rewarded and their mates supporting them. So that was the Saturday. (which started off really really wet, but by the time the do started, we had a really lovely hot (English hot) summers day – so worked out well)

Sunday, woke to rain, which actually hasn’t stopped yet – had planned a walk, but just hanging on in here and reading, lazy day I think. Might even put a fleece on….

Lots of love
J