As with all
good things, our time in Shinyanga is coming an end. The work we’re involved in
here is nearing completion and a few months ago Tearfund broached the idea of moving
us to a different part of Tanzania to work on community development projects there.
So
sometime next week we’ll be bidding a sad farewell to ‘Shy Town’ and travelling
to Geita. Our new home will be in north western Tanzania, about 3 hours from
Shinyanga and the same travel time from Mwanza (where the airport, delicious
pizza and Indian food can be found) so we’re not going too far. Geita is
smaller than Shinyanga but as the centre of a major gold mining area is busy
and growing – we’ve even heard rumours of a possible swimming pool!
It took a
while but we have become familiar with life here in Shinyanga – and people have
become very familiar with us. We know where to get stuff, our favourite
restaurants know our order and we now have a long list ‘fundis’ if anything
breaks. However, we have been considering Tearfund’s request for a few weeks
and with heavy hearts think that the time is right to move on.
We are
moving to work with the AICT Geita Diocese. Their development team are
currently trying to progress some local sanitation and hygiene initiatives, would
like to introduce water filters and have received funding to install a number
of wells by October. Paul is looking forward to getting stuck in!
Our time in
Shinyanga has been great but a very steep learning curve. We have made good
friends here and will be sad to leave a town that feels like home. The past
couple of months in Buhangija have been very busy and sometimes challenging but
recently have begun to feel very rewarding. We will be leaving our projects
here in the capable hands of Claire and ASMK but are already planning regular
visits.
Swahili word of the day: Kwaheri (goodbye)
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