As always,
life in Buhangija moves along and its own pace and in its own way. So many
things have been accomplished but there is always more to do – it’s just that
sort of place.
Before
Christmas, donations from Swords came through to send 40 children from the
Buhangija Nursery School to proper, real Primary School just outside the
compound. This really was a huge accomplishment and credit must go to the
nursery teachers for working so diligently to prepare everyone for their big
move.
When we had
bought all the books and uniforms, paid the school fees and sorted the other
bits and pieces needed, we had some funds left over. While chatting to Claire
and Sarah one evening, we discovered that they had organised for some of the
older ‘residents’ to attend a local Vocational College to learn a trade or
skill. This is very exciting as it hopefully provide these teenagers with a
means of income after they leave the centre. A lot of people with albinism end
up begging on the streets of Dar es Salaam or Mwanza.
Apparently,
15 had signed up to be enrolled on a course but to date there was only enough
money for 9. After a few quick calculations, we worked out that the funds
remaining from the Primary School fees would cover the additional 6 so thanks
to the donations from Ireland, all those who expressed interest will be able to
attend college!
Swahili word of the day: Fundi (Technician, used for any trade person…and hopefully there’ll be a few more albino fundis in the future!)
