Vocational Training

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!)