Mnara we kangele

That's bell tower in Kiswahili - one of my abiding images from the last two days. Yesterday, we visited Meriba, the sight of the dream of Irene Mhogolo- the wife of the Bishop of Central Tanganyika. This is to be a training center for women - a residential facility for 32 women who will learn about health care, child rearing, and gender equity. The bell tower is an old structure -- as are the many buildings on this former mission site -- but as Magi Griffin suggests, it would make a good logo for the project -- a bell calling out to folks to be a part of this very ambitious project, a bell that will call to women to come and find ways to change their lives. When I get to the seminary next week, I will post the pictures of the site and explain more about the project --seeing is better than being told. We then went to visit with Mr. Hosea, who runs the Buigiri School for the blind -- which ranks 1st-3rd in local primary schools and 56th in the nation, out of 13,000 primary schools. (All schools, not just schools for children who are visually impaired). The bell tower was again, a symbol for me -- as the children sang, in beautiful harmonies -- and not a note out of place -- their voices were clear as bells -- and their joy and enthusiasm, a clarion call to me as well. There is too much to tell about the program and how they manage to educate kids under extremely tough circumstances, with few resources - including water and electrical power most of the time -- but what is most telling is the amazing dedication and faith of the teachers and the mwalimu kuu -- the head teacher, Mr. Hosea. When I begin to complain about obstacles in the future -- you need only remind me of his successes and his attitude --inspiring!

Lunch was chicken curry at a wonderful little place in Dodoma --dinner, rice and beans and home grown tomatoes -- and homemade rolls - made by the beautiful Naomi, Magi's house keeper and laundress and cook! (She only comes once a week, but it is a wonderful experience!)