Week 40 at Peponi

We are now back at school after a nice break down at Peponi.

There are only 4 of us in campus so it is extremely quite although the school busses are coming and going - not sure why.

Week 39 at School/Peponi

Well we are here at Peponi Beach Resort.

 

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 38 at School

Last weekend we went to a Christmas party followed by a 25th wedding anniversary.  The Christmas party was for work and most people were there.  The anniversary was one we could have stayed longer, but were too tired.

 

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 37 at School

Yippee, my role here is finally advertised on the St Jude's Job Vacancies website.  It is only 3 and a bit months before we leave.

 

The school year is winding down with celebrations at all campuses.  All the kids went on leave last week, but came in again this week for awards days - one for each campus.

 

This week we have all the probation kids in and Denise is keeping her eye on them from the office.

 

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Week 36 at School

Only 1 more week of school and that week is mainly wrap up.

 

Denise and I head off on 21 December for 7 days break at Peponi Beach Resort .

 

I have noticed that Denise is counting down the weeks and planning parties when we get home.

 

This week has again had no real highlights.

 

Basketball yesterday was uneventful and late as usual.

 

Hiking this morning was just me and a hill called Wedding Hill.  I lasted and hour in the hot sun before I called it quits.  I still encountered kids saying "Give me money".  It is a shame as they are such beautiful kids, spoilt by some idiot tourist.

 

For all those on Skype we now have it working on our laptops.

 

 

Until next time.

Week 35 at School

With under 4 months to go we are starting to plan the next phase of our lives.

 

Do we return, do we say that's it, or do we look for new challenges.  Before you start asking questions, we are going home in March - that is definite.  After that it's not so definite.

 

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 34 at School

Last Sunday I saw the impact of tourists, especially those who think they are doing the right thing by giving gifts to people less fortunate than themselves.  I was doing my usual Sunday morning walk with another volunteer and a group of local came up to us and said give me my chocolate, then give me my money, them give me my water.

 

So for all you do gooders who like to give things to others, please think about the perception you are creating for those coming after you.  You might feel good, but it creates a terrible image for those following you.  The kids now expect gifts, and soon begin demanding gifts from tourists, or anybody who looks like a tourist.

 

End of rant.

 

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 33 at School

Just a quick one this week.

 

The solar eclipse was a non event.  Being November, the November wet season decided it was time to begin, although we did get the sun shining through clouds, but as it was late afternoon, you couldn't tell if the sun was setting or the eclipse was happening.

 

The wet season is a nice relief for the dust everywhere, but as is the case, I suppose we'll be over rain in a week or two.

Our Christmas is now sorted.  We are off to Penoni Beach Resort for a week.  Hiring a 4WD and taking one of the Volunteers with us.

Apparently I'm hiking Meru in the first weekend of December, but at this stage I haven't seen anything.

On that not, I have been training 3 days a week and hiking Sundays for a few months now.  The achilles is holding up without any trouble it looks like it is recovered.  Amazing what a 12 month break from training will do, but it's now back into it ready for many mountains and hills.

 

Although we are definitely coming home in March we are not too sure how long we will last before we get itchy feet and want to do it all again somewhere else possibly.  The thoughts have already begun.  The suggestions are somewhere close or in the first world and we will get many visitors.  Let's wait and see about that one.  There is a big push from here to come back, but the stars have to align for that to happen.

 

 

Until next time.

Week 32 at School

This week we went to a Government school and also a Maasai Choir.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 31 at School

This week, apart from finishing off contracts for uniforms, we were preparing for St Jude's Day and starting the selection process for pre-school and Standard 1 (first year of primary school).

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 30 in Rwanda (part 2)

Week 30 in Rwanda - Sunday, 20th October 2013

This week I will finish off our Rwanda trip.

Gorillas, chimps, colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, golden backed monkeys and last but by no means least, the Rwandan Genocide.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 29 in Rwanda

This week we are in Rwanda.  As Denise said we are not coming all this way and not seeing the gorillas.

Last week I was supposed to watch the NRL Grand Final, but due to the barman having a late night, he didn't even respond to my SMS until after the game had finished.  Lucky the Sharks weren't playing.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 28 at School

Well the International March for Elephants went off without a bang or a shot.  That was one thing that really did concern me, but although I had concerns about our safety, I felt the animals, and in particular, the elephants deserved our support.

On another note, I really am looking for Procurement professionals to take over my role so if you know of any please send them my way.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 27 at School

Now I'm on the lookout for somebody to replace me.  Do you know of anybody with a Procurement background that is up for a challenge.  If so, direct them my way.

Anybody I haven't brainwashed, it's International March for Elephants on Friday.  If you haven't done so already please lend your support.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 26 at School

We are half way through our 1 year commitment and still loving it here.

Question from last weeks blog.  Why was I buying cockroaches, mice and frogs?  They were for science at Smith Campus, and I am assuming a science experiment.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 25 at School

Well the Safari Marathon is run and won....not by me, I thought I'd give others a chance at glory.  I did my 5km in under 30min then turned round and ran back to get the bus which was about another 1.5-2km.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 24 at School

This week has been frustrating, trying to deal with Tanzanians ways (or no ways) and come out smiling.  At the end of the day it is just another week.

Today I again went out to Smith Campus and although I was prepared for the outcome, it was still disappointing.  Having gone out there to watch a few of them referee, I ended up refereeing myself as they were all occupied.  The game itself was a walkover 77-17.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 23 at School

Week 23 at School - Sunday, 1st September 2013

The internet for our room has been down since Saturday.  We must be special as it appears to be only our area that's down.

Denise is back.

I picked her up on Monday from Kilimanjaro airport with her 40kg of luggage which was made up of essentials and requests received from others here to bring stuff back.  The baggage included items that are either cheaper in Oz or not available in Arusha.  They included Vegemite, Cadbury chocolate, Cadbury Snacks, Twisties (see note below), Pizza Shapes, BBQ Shapes, Minties, medications, a tool kit and additional clothes that we had to leave at home when we reached our weight limit on our initial trip here.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 22 at School

Thank you to everyone who has contacted us over the last two weeks.  I believe I have responded to each and every email, but if I didn't please accept my thanks for your kind words.

Denise flies home (Arusha) on Monday and I'm looking forward to that although I know she will probably sleep for two days once she gets back.

On to the good stuff...the blog

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Week 21 at School

Something I received this week that thought I would share with you was an email to consider the Say No to Ivory campaign http://www.iworry.org/

Also for all those interested in how Ajabu is coming along you can check out her progress at

http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/asp/monthly.asp?o=AJABU&month=Jul

Now on to our activities and the enjoyable parts from last weekend.

As Tanzania celebrates the end of Ramadan we got a four day weekend, so on Wednesday at 5pm we began our long weekend trip away with two of the other volunteers.

The weekend was fantastic for company, scenery and wildlife.

For those reading on the blog site, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

RIP Lyn

Some more bad news, Denise's Mum passed away on Monday.  She had a fall and hit her head, and never regained consciousness.

Denise is currently on her way home for 2 weeks.

There has also been some good news finally, one of our nieces became a mummy yesterday or today.

I promise I will TRY to bring good news again in the next blog.

RIP Kelly

It is with much sadness that we were advised of the passing of Denise's dad, Kelly, on Thursday.

We are currently traveling with friends in the Moshi area which has proved a great distraction.

I will post an update of the trip next week.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kelly's family and all who knew him.

Week 19 at School

Hi All,

My wonderful husband has allowed me to give you an insight into my life at the school. Although not as hectic as the young Pete, it is an adventure all the same.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 18 at School

This week we got news of a pregnancy, congrats Ness, and both Denise and myself came down with colds.

So much for watching the final day of the Le Tour.  It didn't finish until 10pm local time so I went to a movie night instead.  Just when I thought I had it all.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 17 at School

This week was similar to last with no real excitement.

This week was State of Origin time again and for the first time I was able to watch the game live.  It was on a The Hole, which is the pub just outside the school gate.  Disappointing result, but I was happy to have finally seen a game of league.  They actually show 4 or more games live each weekend, so I could get stuck at The Hole more often.  I watched the game drinking water as I had a 4pm meeting - the game finished at 3pm.  Guess what, the meeting was cancelled.

I finally have my shopping bus and they have even installed a comfortable seat in the back for me.  The bus is currently loaded with 10 big bags of manure for Smith campus so I am hoping the smell doesn't permeate everything inside the bus.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

New Blog Started

Welcome to you all on the new blog.

If you wish to receive email notifications whenever I update the blog you will have to re-register, sorry.

I would like some feedback on the new blog site as to whether you want it like the old one, leave as is or any other suggestions.