Mike Wadle (First, DeKalb) is currently in Tanzania leading seminars for Tanzanian teachers and meeting companion congregations. Keep up with his trip here:

TZ Gram #6

Good Evening, Family and Friends,
 
On this Sunday evening, I will begin again.  I already know that won't finish tonight, as rather tired after much social interaction and several events which raised the adrenalin for periods of time.  Seem to tire from both of those more than I remember tiring in the past.
 
Although this writing depicts one day in the life of sharing with Osupuko Parish, I believe it's similar to what anyone would experience if visiting a companion parish here.  Geography would differ as perhaps would the tribes, but more would be the same than different.  Therefore, hope the folks from First in Geneseo won't mind that I share their "companion" story with all of you.
 
A very full day with Pastor Alphonce and members of the Osupuko Parish.  William Kivuyo, the Assistant Director of Mwangaza, was here at 8:05 AM to drive me up Kajinge Mountain.  He has just become an elder of his congregation.  Found later that there are 4 elders for each congregation of the parish, so 32 total who meet monthly with the pastor and evangelists.  For this day, the elders were actively involved in the morning's service and activities -- don't know if always to that extent.
 
Pastor Alphonce had stopped at Mwangaza last week to meet me and invite me to join him for today.  Even then I knew that I had committments for late afternoon, so tried to graciously accept the invitation while putting a time limit on the far end.  The math and physics facilitators were to arrive before 4 PM and we were all to meet for planning shortly after they arrived.  This was especially important, as had hoped to meet Saturday and Sunday, but only Upendo Williams was able to arrive by Saturday.  Milton Johannes, the math teacher, had left his home in northwest Tanzania for an area William called "Rural Serengeti", which is definitely redundant!!  His mother-in-law had passed away; he went to the funeral before heading for Mwangaza.
 
William drove to us to his church, the (sorry, I've lost the name from my notes)  Congregation, driving into and out of holes and ruts that caused dragging even on his mini-SUV.  Entering lower level mist and clouds as neared the church, he shifted to 4 wheel drive to climb the steep entrance through the gate. Situated in a corner plot between 2 farms, there was hardly enough space to park 5 cars.  Be aware that there have most likely never been 5 cars there at one time, but I'm only estimating the area.  Mt. Meru is the "big" mountain near Arusha, as Kilimanjaro is 70 plus K. away, near Moshi.  However, most folks would think that Kajinge is at least a "foothill", and those of us from Illinois would have no qualms with Mt. as a prefix to Kajinge.
Note: for pronunciation purposes, the "e" at the end of a word is always pronounced, and most often as long "a"  -- I actually have more opportunity here to hear my name pronounced more correctly than in Illinois.  Even if long "a" versus long "e", at least it's not Waddle !!
 
Enjoyed some time before service with pastor and several elders, including William.  We, of course, had chai (tea with milk) and bread. Being spoiled with Mwangaza's breakfasts this year, I made the assumption that it would be bread and butter, or perhaps even bread and jam, so picked up a "sandwich".  Was very glad to have the chai for swallowing purposes, when found my sandwich was two pieces of dry bread with nothing between.  Knew I had "sins" of greed to confess in the service, as realized I was getting more than most of the congregation's members would eat that morning. Pastor showed me the gifts for Geneseo, then took them back to give again during the service.  He had me wait until during the service to present Geneseo's gifts. 
 
The service began only 12 minutes late, with me processing in with Pastor and the elders.  In general, it was possible to follow the traditional Lutheran service, even recognizing some of the hymns ("Faith of our Fathers") by the music, then sang along in Kiswahli -- not too hard, as pronouce everything phonetically. 
 
A few additions to the service included:
      the "marriages" of  2 "living together/common law" couples;
      my being introduced and given a few minutes to share Greetings from Illinois and to thank Pastor and the congregation for their prayers and hospitality;
      retiring elders being given blankets as a Thank You (great gift on Kajinge: could have used one myself, sitting on the bench next to the open door), then new elders being installed;
      my presenting and receiving gifts -- including having two necklaces, for Mama's Wadle and Heyd, fastened around my neck so that the congregation could see what was being sent.  William told me that I never looked better.
 
We finished about 12:30, then processed outside, of course, for the auction.  Know anyone who needs a young banana tree to feed to his cattle?  Also bundles of sticks for the week's cooking over 3 stones behind your house?  Have pictures and stories to share with the folks in Geneseo, and of course, with anyone else who is willing to look at my pictures and listen to my ramblings.
 
I was very impressed with Pastor Alphonce's overall interaction with the congregation during service, including his homily.  He literally interacted with the folks, asking them questions (and getting answers !), moving away from the podium and to the communion railing, where he could move while speaking and conversing.  Several times he broke into one verse of a hymn, was joined by the congregation, then went on with his sermon.  William did a great job of summarizing as Pastor spoke, giving me the gift of understanding his message and his presentation.  I spoke with Pastor Alphonce about it later, telling him of my positive impressions.  He was pleased, saying that he knew he was different from the previous pastors.  He said there is a growing perspective that "you cannot change anything at home", so must be new ideas brought into some of the parishes who have not changed with the previous pastors.  Interesting approach -- perhaps explains some of the changes in Pastors we know to have occurred recently. 
 
When alone later with Pastor and William, I asked about the blessing of marriages that morning.  An earlier note I sent to Sharon may have been seen by some of you and found to be confusing.  William has been kind enough to explain again, and I do think I understand it better this time.  Each of the two couples had been living as if married for some time.  In Tanzania, the Government recognizes the church's marriage ceremony as the legal joining in marriage, so the Pastor sought to accomplish 3 goals:
      to marry the couple so they would be living appropriately as man and wife in the eyes of the church and the state;
      to do so in the presence of the congregation to show the support for the couples and the status of marriage; and
      to bring the couples back to active participation in the church.
At the same time, he did not want to hold up their earlier choices as good examples, so he did not want them to have the same church ceremony and large celebration that is frequently a part of the wedding day.
 
A lunch was served for pastor, elders, secretary, and self, then back down the mountain to pastor's house.  Wife is a nurse and was working at Selian Hospital, so housegirl with the 15 month old daughter, who missed her baba.  The original house is 2 rooms, but he has started an addition of several rooms, making bricks and mortar and raising walls as has time, money, and help.  His home is actually near some other congregations in the parish, the two or three near the city's outskirts; the other 5 or 6 are up the mountain.  But there is no option for going from the one we visited to others on the "other side of the mountain" -- first you must go down, then back up.
 
Supposedly was to be a visit there, then back to Mwangaza, but pastor worked hard to convince William, and as a guest I have only the option to say "Yes, thank you".  He assured us that the other congregation he selected for me to see would not take too long, and off we went.  He had also talked William into allowing him to drive, as knew the "roads" better and would be able to make the trip quicker. 
 
We actually passed a couple of the other congregations in the parish, one a small church on a hillside and another being built at this time. On to the one which is highest up the mountain -- it was 3:50 when arrived.  I'm pretty sure he could tell this wasn't good, as he hurried me to the edge of the grounds, where we did have a splendid view of the city below and the plains beyond, stretching to the Monduli highlands.  "Just to be polite" (Sharon knows me and my camera !!), I did take a few quick photos; with only the smallest lens, not very hopeful the view will show well. 
 
On the return trip to the car, I received several "pole's" (remember, pronounce with both vowels long: "po - lay"), meaning "Sorry".  The trip back was going smoothly (definite contradiction of terms on those "roads"), until he tried to edge around a truck filled with cabbages on a one lane road.  The side of the road caved into the 3 foot ditch alongside.  I looked at William, guessing that he was having a heart attack since his recently purchased car had a front wheel in space and was sitting on the frame/axle.  Luckily, folks materialized from the fields nearby, and we lifted the front of this small SUV back onto the road.  Not as easy as it sounds here, and the fender was bent a bit in the process.  After our adventures, we arrived at Mwangaza 45 minutes late.  I was very embarassed that I had been the cause of the late arrival and the damage to the car.  I felt that I should have just said "Hapana, Asante" (No, thank you very much !) and went to the insistent mode if necessary.  William, by then calm again, interrupted my apology, reminding me that I was a guest and that I had answered as a guest should answer.  He said "It is my contribution to my church and to our companionship"  Later, he was able to pop the fender back in place so the door is working fine, but it will cost him a little paint.
 
As it turned out,  being 45 minutes late was still early for the actual meeting, as the physics teacher was at nearby Ilboru Secondary School trying to get her experiment to work before they brought the equipment to Mwangaza. When William reached the math teacher by cell phone, he was just then leaving the Serengeti National Park's southern gate, at least 5-6 hours from reaching here.  As it turned out, the bus stopped twice to change flat tires and once to re-attach the exhaust system, so Milton arrived at 2:30 AM.  I will speak more about these fine teachers in the next, and last (?), TZgram
re: Mwangaza seminars.
 
Now it is Saturday night and I have finally finished my story. My apologies for the delay in sending.  We have worked hard this week and I first needed to touch base with Sharon in the evenings.  This TZgram grew as do most buildings in Tanzania, block by block, when have the opportunity, along with time and energy.
 
I wish you Peace,
Mike

 

TZgram'06:#2

Dear Friends & Family,

As you will note in the paragraph below, this TZgram began 3 nights ago. Following many interrruptions, during Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, to assist with others at their computers searching far and wide on the internet, I was within moments of finishing Wednesday evening -- and of course, the electricity failed. No time was available until Thursday evening, but then there was no connection to the internet even though we had electricity. So, this Friday late afternoon, after saying "Goodby" to 50 Biology and Chemistry teachers, I will strive to finish ASAP and get this on its way.

'Tis Tuesday evening -- I re-opened the computer room for myself and interested seminar participants, for whom there are not enough hours in the day or night for this new source to the outside world. However, there are also not enough minutes to answer all their questions, and therefore am now here an hour later with almost nothing written.

Tomorrow I am responsible for teaching teachers why and how to group students in their classrooms. Since this is something that I frequently do at DHS, I feel comfortable with the information -- the challenge will be to make them comfortable with the idea. Many secondary teachers believe that the time it takes to group students to learn, practice, review, etc. is time lost from teaching the content. It takes experiencing the process happening positively to give it a try, and trying it for a period of time to find that extra invested saves time and improves learning later. Also helps if one believes that trying to teach another is one of the best ways to learn a skill or concept so that you "own" it forever. Since this is the second seminar for some of the participants, I hope to use their "knowledge" to demonstrate this point to the rookies and reinforce it with the alumni.

But tonight I'll begin the saga of my Sunday when invited to participate in Amalia Chami's First Communion. This was at the Catholic Church where the Mlays are members, but I have asked and similar celebrations are held within some of the Lutheran congregations, or by the families who belong to Lutheran congregations. Others, I am told, wait until the confirmation to celebrate at this magnitude.

Went to bed early Saturday night, as had to be up, well groomed, and walking to Enaboishu by 7:00 AM. When the wind and rain woke me in the middle of the night, I wisely moved the alarm to 5:30, knowing my walking time would increase significantly. Add that to the fact it was still drizzling at 6:30, I left the Mwangaza gate wondering if my cross-country route was really an option.

Decisions are often made for one who is not certain -- 1 kilometer from the gate was the first hillside and stream. Saved energy on that slope, needing only to take the first step and then struggled to stay upright as mud-skied down the remainder. Friendly tree branches provided brakes short of the stream. "Mud" is actually a misnomer, as the path is a hard surface with many ruts, protruding rocks and roots, made icy slick as the dust mixes with rain.

A look at my tracks convinced me that there was no return up that hill, so I crossed on rocks and branches and continued. Remember the pictures of Jake and Lamont crossing the bridge of poles? -- since my shoes were very muddy by the time I reached it, and many other muddy shoes had crossed before me, I literally walked across in "squat" position to increase my chances of success. Heard many, many "Pole, pole, Baba" (Sorry, sorry, Father) on my walk that morning.

But, by 8AM, I had reached the Mlays -- only 90 minutes to do the usual 25 minutes it usually takes me at full stride on a dry day. And they were up and ready for me: coffee with hot milk, bread & butter, boiled eggs, AND GOAT!!! The highest of compliments to any guest. Mama Marieth was at the early service, with two of the older daughters, so that she and they could move on to the homes of the First Communion recipients to prepare food and decorations for the celebrations to follow the services.

As they returned, we left at 9:15 for the 9:00 service, arriving some twenty minutes before the second service actually began. By then the church was full, and 5 other people had joined Mr. Mlay and I on a bench built for a total of 4. Singing started inside and out, with choirs in both places. First Communicants (is that a word?) entered as pairs, with a young lady belting out the solo for the hymn being sung -- only later did I learn that she was Amalia Chami, the Princess of the Day. Girls wore yellow T-shirts and skirts, while boys were in white shirts and slacks. Totalling 33, with ages ranging from 8-14 (approximately), they participated in the service in many ways. Mr. Mlay explained to me as indiviuals spoke to thank their parents, the Catechists (Sunday school teachers who prepared them), and the pastors. Interestingly, the head Pastor had been called away for a family funeral, so the Assistant, a missionary from India, led the service.

One & one half hours, and 2 homilies later, all participants left the church in a procession -- make that a PROCESSION!! With one choir leading, followed in turn by the congregation, the children receiving their First Communion, the Pastor and his altar boys, and a second choir riding drag, we walked around the church, through fields and up a large hill, circled the top, then down again and returned into the church. Lots of verses of lots of hymns sung while enroute ! Once back, of course, we still had communion to receive, prayers and blessings, etc, so we finally left at 12:30 with the service still proceeding.

The first hint of the celebrations to follow came with the cars we met as left the church grounds -- decorated with bows and ribbon, flowers and paper, these were often (according to Festo) rented for the morning (aready too late for that !) to carry the son/daughter in regal fashion to their home.

Back at Mlays, I had the opportunity to share the small gifts we had for the children. Prisca is now in Standard 7 (our jr. high 7/8th) and excitedly read The First Bear in Africa to Jacqueline and Deo. We had just finished the first game of "Crazy 8s" when Festo announced we should leave for the Chami's celebration. Amalia's father, Celeste Chami is one of the teachers at Enaboishu with Marieth. He is also one of the 2 with whom our sons and I repaired ceilings last year.

Mr. Mlay knew the short cuts, but we avoided such walking adventures and took the roadway, enough of a challenge this day. Approaching their home, we heard Marieth and Enaboishu's Massai cook (I'm embarrassed to have forgotten his name, especially after his gift of the shuka last year) call out. They were at the side of the house, near the small barn, and were busy stirring some of the 7 pots, each of which was 8 gallons or more in size. and giving directions to the young man turning the goat on a spit. An amazing array of chunks of beef, rice and ugali, mixture of vegetables, shredded cabbage, and several pots of stew with vegetables and meats or fish.

More than 100 chairs were organized under tarps between their house and the neighbors, divided into 2 groups of 50 plus facing each other. Between the groups of chairs was the throne for Amalia Chami, the 10 year old daughter of the Chami's, who had just received her First Communion. We had just been seated, men in one 50 and women in the other (small children running back and forth), when Mr./Mrs. Chami were escorted from the house and seated in the front row. Following soon were many of the relatives, singing and swaying as they escorted Amalia, now in the white frilly dress we might associate with First Communion, to her throne for the day. "Throne" is what you should picture, as they had built a raised platform with a canopy, covered with white cloth, ribbons, and flowers. She had also a throne-mate, explained to me as a friend who would sit with her for the day and help her be more comfortable.

Mr. Allen Lema, the other teacher with whom sons and I worked, was the MC for this event as he had been for our Goodby gathering at Enaboishu last year. If you picture all the "Gotta Do's" of wedding receptions, you have a good perspective of this afternoon's happenings. We were all introduced, all had the opportunity to come forward and share a gift with Amalia, greet the parents, and be introduced to the important relatives and friends. Was interesting to me to see in the distance, another Mzungu -- a young lady at the back of the women's section. Later, Bahati (2nd of Mlay's daughters) brought her to me to be introduced -- Tasha, one of the British pair who had lived and taught at Enaboishu for a semester.

I should mention that Marieth saved my "face", as Mr. Lema set me up as one of many "Guests of Honor" by putting me late in the list of those called to share a gift with Amalia. You see, the First were Parents, Grandparents, and local people of position -- and, it is also an honor to be Last. By then, all who went forward were very much into the singing and swaying, neither of which is my strength. Marieth met me halfway there and provided both, thankfully, while both my lips and hips moved just a bit. Also an interesting twist in that Mr. Lema assumed that my bottle of wine (I thought I was to give a gift to the parents, not to the daughter!) was champagne, to be shaken and sprayed over the crowd. Luckily, I saw Mr. Chami beginning his routine and convinced him that the people would not appreciate being stained red.

Food and fellowship: everyone was most welcoming and interested in speaking to this stranger in their midst -- if from Enaboishu, then I was their best friend of the day to introduce to family and friends. More food, music for dancing -- OK, maybe I did try swaying a little -- and lots of singing. As the crowd began to disperse about 8PM, found some special time to talk with families. By then it was OK for men and women to cross the "line" and share as couples and groups: Friends of the Mlays with 8 children, including a set of triplets which are 9 years younger than the next sibling -- now that's a challenge; Young family from the Chami clan, wanting to know everything about life outside of Tanzania. Many people spent time greeting and sharing with me. Meanwhile, many young children were constantly gathering about Marieth, who seems to be every child's Mama.

At 9, Mr. Mlay granted my request and made the first request for transportation home. By 9:20, I was teasingly reminding Mr. Chami of our experience last year, when he was our transportation scheduled for 5:30, arrived at 7, and finally got us home at 10. We laughed long and hard at the story, but I still had to meet the last of the relatives and family friends with whom I had not yet spoken more than several times. And, of course, it was my honor and duty as the Last guest of honor to have the "last Safari". Luckily I was wise enough to keep a little Safari in the "last Safari", because there continued to be more "lasts" uncovered.

Finally, as Amalia, our First Communion "Princess for the Day", was being carried inside the house and to bed, a driver found us and offered a ride for me to Mwangaza and the Mlays to their home. Readily accepted, it was still a slow walk of many handshakes and declining many invitations to homes later this trip (I know I told everyone it is not possible this time, but phone calls since tell me they did not want to hear that response) and certainly the next time I/we come to Tanzania.

As you will hear in the next TZgram, Monday brought many expectations for being alert and ready to teach. I should seek out that driver and thank him for making that possible!!

Peace to All,
Mike

TZgrams'06:#1

Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues,
 
As I approach the end of my second full day here (feels like I never left!!), I again have that strange feeling: no matter how slowly things seem to move in this culture, I am frequently without enough time to do the next item on my list.  For you see, if you are anywhere near Dr. Shoonie Hartwig, the staff and other volunteers at the Mwangaza Center, your list always continues to grow.  For instance, until this morning, I had no idea that I would be responsible for leading next week's seminar participants in learning how to group students and how to develop visual aids for the lesson plans.  It must be that when God gets very busy, Dr. Shoonie just tells Him "I'll take care of that.", knowing that He will send her someone who will say "Yes" when she names what needs to be done.
 
Flashback: Chicago: Wednesday, June 14, 1:30 PM.  Two "official" O'Hare cars set a roadblock to the entrance of International Terminal Parking just as we have signaled to turn into the lot.  Although no one appears to give explanations or alternatives, we slowly discover that our options for parking are Lots E & G.  Circling the terminal and following signs, we find Lot E is full and Lot G is somewhere just south of the Wisconsin border.  Since we had planned to have an hour or so to say our "Goodbye's" after checking in, it's a shock to our systems to decide upon a drive-by and drop-off parting.
 
Already prepared to pay for the extra pounds ($25 for anything above 50 and below 70) for each bag, an interesting spatial problem presented itself when one bag weighed in at 80 pounds.  Now, I'm a good packer, and had already left a number of books and other items on the bench at home because "There's no way they can fit into these 2 bags!", let alone make the weight limit.  So, my next pre-flight adventure was to find one or more items totaling at least 12-15 pounds in the "over 70" suitcase and exchange it for the same space as items weighting 2-3 pounds in the other piece of luggage.  Yes, I know that gave me some overlap, but I DID NOT want to do that process twice, knowing that it took me hours to get everything packed in the first place. 
 
I did well, I'm proud to say, and hit 69.9 on the first try -- I did beg the counterman not to shift the suitcase on the scale!!  But the process led to a casualty, as one zipper would not completely release  -  the security person did not want to hear that story, as the bag would need to be opened at least once in that process.  I had already fashioned a band of belts to hold against the strained zippers, so told him to do what he needed to do, but please re-fasten the band.  Seems the zipper opened with his convincing, as luggage made it to Kilimanjaro and I was able to coax it to open the next morning.
 
Parting without time to share, I needed to touch base with Sharon before takeoff, to let her know that I was on my way and be reassured that she had made it home.  After 1/2 hours of "All circuits are busy" playing on all phones, I tried negotiating payment for the use of a cell phone with anyone who looked like they might have one -- funny, all my students seem to have them in class.  Finally, a kindly old lady felt bad enough that she gave me quarters, which by-passed the automatic "collect" system on the pay phones and allowed Sharon and I to touch base.  Arriving 3 hours early at the airport IS necessary sometimes, because I just made the last boarding call for my 4:40 flight.
 
Once over Lake Michigan, all went very well, to Amsterdam and from there to Kilimanjaro.  4:40 PM Wednesday, June 14 + 8 hours+ a 3 hour layover +  9 more hours = (approximately) 7:50 PM, Thursday, June 15, in Tanzania.  I even caught a few hours of sleep on the second part of the trip.  Arriving at Kili, could tell those who were landing here for the first time  -- they were the ones looking out the windows in all directions, trying to find the lights of the airport.  Surprise!!
 
And then, the first of the many gifts I'm certain I will receive in Africa -- Dr. Shoonie Hartwig and the Mwangaza driver, Allen, were waiting as I left the terminal with the overweighted luggage and began looking for the shuttle.  Now that was a great gift!!  I remembered the next morning to give Allen and Andrew, the 2 guys who fix and repair all things at Mwangaza, our gifts of tools and tool holders.  Lucky for me and them, my room for the first week is one of the first floor apartments vs. carrying that luggage up a flight of German mission house steps (16 inch risers -- good "slope" problem for my math classes!)
 
A good night's sleep led me to Friday morning, where I joined the first week of seminars in session.  55 English and Geography teachers sharing the lesson plans they had developed and addressing the issues with which their school communities must relate: poverty, HIV/AIDS, teaching and learning in their 3rd language, and changes in the teaching/learning process.  Learned of several significant changes from last year's process, so have some catching up to do on the weekend.
 
Left at lunch to pay a surprise visit on the Mlays at Enaboishu -- surprise was not an option, as starting hearing "Mr. Mike" or "Karibu, Baba Wadle" when got within a kilometer of the school.  By the time I arrived at the gate, Mama Mlay had already been informed and she was hurrying to greet me.  Word got to Mr. Mlay the old-fashioned way -- another teacher with a cell phone called him.  Soon, we 3 and the 6 children (3 older girls came home from school for the weekend, knowing I was coming to visit) were gathered under the avacoda trees, asking and telling about family and friends.  I did get a chance to greet Headmaster Sakinoy, but will meet with him formally Monday to give your textbook donations. He is very proud of the classrooms which were improved last summer.
 
Noticable in walking to and from Enaboishu: as a results of 2006 rains, corn is head high vs. waist high AND I had to walk across the bridges of logs vs. step across the dry streams; a pile of bricks Lamont, Jacob, and I passed each day has become the first room of a house yet to be completed; the children of "How Are You?" Corner have been waiting and practicing for a year! 
 
Back at Mwangaza before dark, I met with the staff and volunteers to listen to their de-briefing for the week and discussed plans for the next two weeks.  All were tired and retired early.  Should have showered, as this morning a "shower" turned a trickle of water only available from the lower faucet, not the shower head.  Met with next weeks TZ facilitators at 10 to finalize their lesson plans and connect them with Mwangaza library and computer resources.  Fun to find that one of them had Mama Mlay as his high school teacher. 
 
Left for Arusha after the meeting -- hoped to take the companion gifts/communications to the Bishop's office, but not open on Saturday.  Did sort it all last night  -- filled the blue duffel suitcase (it's big!!) and ready to go when can connect with Bishop.  Lots of "udugu" exemplified by NIS congregations to connect with companions here.  Thank you for your responses -- I will give you feedback on my sharing with Bishop Laiser and/or any pastors with whom I meet. 
 
Have been invited to attend services with the Mlays tomorrow and spend the day with the Enaboishu community, as two of the teachers' daughters will receive their First Communion.  Lamont and Jacob, guess how long I will be there?  I have been invited to lunch with Albert and Elizabeth Megiroo next Saturday, then attend services with William Kivuyo, Ass't to the Director of Mwangaza, on Sunday.  It will mean an early rise to travel up on Mount Meru.
 
Today I signed my name 20 times at the Bureau of Change; then, after also printing my name, address, and passport number on each of the $100 traveller's cheques, signed 20 times again. It was reinforcing, for as I handed over the TC's, they returned 2, 220,000 TZ shillings.  (Math question: How long does it take to count the number of 10,000 TZ shilling bills to total 2,220,000, and be confident that they have been accurate?)  Along with a number of $100 bills I carried here, this gave me the amount needed to be divided between the first 2 of the 3 secondary schools to which you have given textbooks. 
 
Totaling nearly $6600, your donations to the 3 schools will provide 1100 (!!!) secondary textbooks.  With the ratio of one book per 3 or 4 (or more) students, you have just increased the opportunities for success of 3300 - 4400 students who had no access to textbooks before your generosity.  Thank you SO VERY MUCH for sharing.
 
Since I must rise at 6, leave at 7 to walk to services at 8, must close for tonight.  Tomorrow night I will most likely return late, and Monday morning will come early.  Monday afternoon/evening I will step away from Mwangaza to meet with 2 Headmasters and give them textbook money.  Hopefully, I will have a few minutes Monday night to reflect upon their comments.
 
For now, I bid you "La la Salama" (Sleep in Peace),
Mike