Jumbo!
I headed to Moses' office next day (Thursday) at 8.30am to find him just having brushed his teeth and in shorts and t-shirt. "Good Morning, Moses'" I exclaimed. He didn't seem pleased to see me especially at that hour. He again started to congratulate me for all that I've done (basically cover up for his shortcomings!) and produced his receipt book to tick off another month's rent while I presented him with 6 envelopes. I explained that in total they contained TZS90,000 (as I had already paid Musa - the foreman - TZS10,000 in hand the previous evening).
Moses heard my explaination in awe; one envelope was the remaining balance due to the electrician (Barosi) a sum of TZS36,000. While each of the other envelopes contained TZS10,000 each which I wanted Moses to give to Musa at the end of each working day. The whole idea was to teach Moses a lesson, if he wanted that is. A lesson for life or if anything for his new business' life! I wanted him to appreciate the importance of self-discipline, priorties, building relationships with partners as well as trust, making promises-to-pay with friends on whom you can't expect to rely on for money, and worse still not keeping his own promises or rather advance / deposit agreements. Last but not least managing cash in hand.
So, I gave him the option to either take the lot and spend it as he deems necessary or take my advice and distribute accordingly.
I was twice as glad when he chose the latter. Even because I was obviously playing a risky hand at that point if he chose not to give it to the workmen and therefore, loosing them once and for all, stopping all work at the new school. But I wanted to play the game as the win would have been a double for me. And so it was as Moses took the lesson, or so I hoped.
As we made our way to the house, he told me he had never met such an 'iron lady'!! Barosi was all smiles when Moses presented him with his envelope but then thanked me instead of him! Moses then decided to give the whole lot to Musa rather then TZS10,000 each time. Well, can't get it 100% at least I got 90% of it!! But hey, Musa was a happy boy and he and his team all worked hard that day.
At the end of the day even though I know I do come across as an 'iron lady', I have a heart, a brain and a soul! So, 3 cheers for that and lessons learnt for the day ;)
Nicky
X X X
PS next ...another big shop and an interesting Sunday lunch :)
Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Thursday, 26 July 2007
..and let there be light!!!
jumbo !
I headed towards Moses' office on Wednesday morning and asked him whether he paid the workers some of the remaining deposit. He replied yes to my surprise, he had given them TZS16,000. He still owned them TSZ24,000. In turned out he had no money and was burrowing small amounts from friends or so.
I brought out my notebook and showed him my shopping spree expenditure. I had not only paid off the owing 2 months rent but also covered another one and a half month! And so, he got to my conclusion. So, can you pls pay the rest of that month i.e. TZS50,000 so that you're covered for the 5 months tennacy. Of course, I agreed subject to a receipt and a small amendment to the contract then. Happy with some more cash in hand he continued to praise my work and good deeds......
The previous night Mama Asteria had stayed at the house until six to see that the electrician finishes off his job. Back at the house from Moses' office, I saw light!!! It never felt so good to turn the switch on and the seeing the ceiling bulb light. Next, I never thought that the sight of a brand new ceramic long-drop (toilet) would have made me shriek!!! :)
The fundi and his workers were there busy at their work. But the minute they saw Moses I felt tension in the air. They argued with him for which seemed like ages (of course, in Swahili). When I asked him what's happening, he explained that they wanted another TZS50,000 in hand as the fundi wasn't sure that Moses would pay him once the job was done otherwise they would just stop the work. He further explained that he threatened them back by not even giving them TSZ20,000 - part of the deposit - there and then!! Well, I said, I'm not surprised that they're loosing trust in you. I advised him to do something asap to win them back (otherwise I too would be in jeopardy if they had to just quit!)
Later with Moses gone, I tried to cheer up spirits by buying a bunch of bananas. That did help as they chatted me up, thanked me and wolfed them down. After a while Barosi, the electrician re-appeared this time looking sullen and frustrated. "Moses did not pay me," he said. I was taken aback. What did Moses do with the rest of the money I had given him that morning? did he pay off some other debt? the cement probably?
The mamas came along a little later and the fundi gave them no respite with their interminable complaints against Moses, who having failed to pay off the full TZS50,000 deposit, lamented their concerns about him not being able to meet the full labour cost at the end of the job, that is, TZS180,000. The forman requested TZS10,000 in hand so that he could bring more workers the next day and speed up things, otherwise he would have to abandon all. I could see Mama Asteria tired and weak from her own divorce case concerns while Mama Sada was just as worried. The former asked me whether I could pay another month's rent so the workmen will get some cash. Well, I didn't seem to have another option.
I called Moses and gave him a piece of mind and he told me he had told them that he's come back in the afternoon with money and also pay off the electrician's bill. Should I believe him? I thought. I then marched to town frustrated at the malarchy this Moses had been causing and furthermore for turning us into victims of all complaints.
I returned from town after a visit to the bank and waited for Moses to show up with the money he promised. Time passed and Moses never turned up. I called him again frustrated than ever and the weakest and most depressing of all voices told me that his friend never gave him any money so he had none for the workers! Oh, didn't I expect that! I agreed to meet him next day in his office at 9am to pay another month's rent. But before that, I gave TZS10,000 in Musa's hand (forman). He was so pleased and promised me more men the next day and a job well done, which I believed.
I left for home, glad to have saved the day in a way but my mind couldn't stop pondering about the next day; how could I ensure that the cash I gave Moses would go to the fundi? Then suddenly the answer came to me like the lighting of that ceiling bulb earlier in the morning!
ta for now....keep checking this blog for the next episode!!
Nicky
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
The big shopping spree!
Yesterday was an eventful day!!! I started it by playing with some kids by the Dr.'s office waiting for Mama Sada to come along. A girl who comes to school in her pyjamas was trembling with cold. I didn't know what to tell her nor did she talk to me. She just kept staring in my eyes. I think she was ill as she seemed to have a cold sweat on her brow. I didn't know what to say or do. Then remembered a word 'baridi?' I asked - '(are you)cold?'. She didn't reply but raised her eyebrows in acknowledgement. Ok, I thought how can I relief her off some pain for a while. I pulled out my camera and started to take pics of us both. At least that seemed to put her mind off the cold for a while, and well, some other kids' too!!!
Sada arrived I called Moses to make sure he gets the cement bags at the house. When we got there the fundi and co were there wondering around having no cement. Luckily Moses came around some time later with it. The electrician needed more wiring to connect to the neighbour's house so we took measurements. Then I asked the fundi to take measurements for the drain pipe and was about to set off to town for the big shopping spree when Moses started pleading me to pay the workman some money as he had none having promised them TZS50,000 as deposit for their work and only given them TZS10,000! He was testing my limits! I lectured him infront of others; you never promising anything especially money when you don't have it! And a deposit is a deposit so you should have given them the money before they started. He agreed and apologised but still pleaded. I told him get the rest of the cement - at least to that - then we talk about it.
I really wanted him to live up to his words or rather bla bla bla. I almost wanted him to see him sweat for every tremble the little girl shuddered. He had committed himself into a job which was beyond him. But I think he can learn his lesson, well, I'll make him especially when he's just at the beginning of his own new business!!
Sada, Musa and myself went off to town and first got the stuff for the electrician. Good bargain! Sada got a 20% discount on the wire cause she asked for it having bought stuff from the same shop just the previous day. Then I budged in and asked for another discount if I bought the light bulbs for there too. And so we were all happy! The art of negotiating and bargaining I think my skills are improving.
Well, they definitely did when we hit the hardware store and got a good price on the ceiling boards, nails, drain pipes, toilets and flushings! I left Musa to find some transport to carry the stuff to the house. I told to stick to around TZS4000. In the meantime, I went to fetch an ATM to withdraw some more cash. I might as well get the paint since we're hiring transport and get all in one batch, I reasoned.
When we got back Musa had found a mago! Basically, a wooden cart on wheels.
It was fun and funny at the same time, seeing the men load it up carefully and sticking a red wrapper to the long pipes at the rear!!!
We paid TZS5000 in the end, but according to Patrick with that load and distance from town to the house, that was a bloody good bargain!!!! We left Musa to lead the muga and it's drivers to the house while mama and I got a daladala.
Oh, it was so nice to see all that at the house, even the workmen were pleased like kids being given toys to work with. Only that they were hungry and still not pleased with the money situation. The Doc took me back to the office abd she cooked some ugali with some green stuff which was good. I ended up sharing my late lunch with 2 kids (prob children of one of her helpers). She then made some for the fundi and co and took it to them while I left for home, tired but smiling :)
Back at home I couldn't help thinking of the problem; if they don't get paid they will move on to some other job. I can't afford that, yet I'm not the one to blame. Well, I have a day ahead of me and need to figure out how best to go about it....at least those workmen had a good meal for the day!
Sada arrived I called Moses to make sure he gets the cement bags at the house. When we got there the fundi and co were there wondering around having no cement. Luckily Moses came around some time later with it. The electrician needed more wiring to connect to the neighbour's house so we took measurements. Then I asked the fundi to take measurements for the drain pipe and was about to set off to town for the big shopping spree when Moses started pleading me to pay the workman some money as he had none having promised them TZS50,000 as deposit for their work and only given them TZS10,000! He was testing my limits! I lectured him infront of others; you never promising anything especially money when you don't have it! And a deposit is a deposit so you should have given them the money before they started. He agreed and apologised but still pleaded. I told him get the rest of the cement - at least to that - then we talk about it.
I really wanted him to live up to his words or rather bla bla bla. I almost wanted him to see him sweat for every tremble the little girl shuddered. He had committed himself into a job which was beyond him. But I think he can learn his lesson, well, I'll make him especially when he's just at the beginning of his own new business!!
Sada, Musa and myself went off to town and first got the stuff for the electrician. Good bargain! Sada got a 20% discount on the wire cause she asked for it having bought stuff from the same shop just the previous day. Then I budged in and asked for another discount if I bought the light bulbs for there too. And so we were all happy! The art of negotiating and bargaining I think my skills are improving.
Well, they definitely did when we hit the hardware store and got a good price on the ceiling boards, nails, drain pipes, toilets and flushings! I left Musa to find some transport to carry the stuff to the house. I told to stick to around TZS4000. In the meantime, I went to fetch an ATM to withdraw some more cash. I might as well get the paint since we're hiring transport and get all in one batch, I reasoned.
When we got back Musa had found a mago! Basically, a wooden cart on wheels.
It was fun and funny at the same time, seeing the men load it up carefully and sticking a red wrapper to the long pipes at the rear!!!
We paid TZS5000 in the end, but according to Patrick with that load and distance from town to the house, that was a bloody good bargain!!!! We left Musa to lead the muga and it's drivers to the house while mama and I got a daladala.
Oh, it was so nice to see all that at the house, even the workmen were pleased like kids being given toys to work with. Only that they were hungry and still not pleased with the money situation. The Doc took me back to the office abd she cooked some ugali with some green stuff which was good. I ended up sharing my late lunch with 2 kids (prob children of one of her helpers). She then made some for the fundi and co and took it to them while I left for home, tired but smiling :)
Back at home I couldn't help thinking of the problem; if they don't get paid they will move on to some other job. I can't afford that, yet I'm not the one to blame. Well, I have a day ahead of me and need to figure out how best to go about it....at least those workmen had a good meal for the day!
Monday, 23 July 2007
haraka haraka haina baraka
These people do live up to their proverbs. The title says "haste brings no blessing!" Ok, fair enough this makes sense but not when we don't have all the time in the world to set up a school...and with me around!!!!
After signing the contract with Moses last week it took ages before I saw any work done at the house. Last Thursday, I was at the house at 10am sharp expecting to see the little army of workmen but there was no one. I called Moses who told me they're getting materials in town and they'll be there later. I didn't believe that. Infact they weren't there either in the afternoon. He still insisted in showing me the 'work-in-progress'. Yeah, a couple of bulb holders, sockets and 2 piles of sand for flooring which stood about 10metres away from the house and cost an expensive TSZ100,000. That was all!!?!?? After a whole week of promises that the work was underway.....
From that moment I was not a happy woman!!!
Seeing my gutted disappointment and my draining faith in him, he ensured me that things will get moving the next day. I wasn't to sure whether to believe him this time or not. On Friday the Mamas came with me (thank God for them, they're 2 tough guys!!). Again there was no one (which I kind of and sadly expected). Moses came along trying to explain that the fundi (contractor) he asked to do the work in the house just didn't show up, in other words, quit before he started. And he had also given him money! What a shame (to be polite and not say otherwise!!). Even I, a muzungu know the golden rule after just a few weeks in Tanzania... 'first you get your stuff then you pay'. All Moses got was a big scolding from the two mamas!!!!
In the meantime, me and the mamas couldn't help standing and staring so we started removing weed and digging holes for new plants in the garden.
We were then joined by two 'gardeners' who picked up the job. But by that time Mama Kombe was so out of her wits that she was doing the job of a man by slashing thick branches with an old-fashioned spears; a 2 foot dagger-looking tool with a taped handle!
Moses returned, covered in white dust wheel-burrowing sand and 2 packs of cement into the garden. He explained that we would have to try to make amends for what has happened by carrying the stuff himself. We left a little later praying that things would get moving the next day. I also gave him the task of giving me a breakdown of how he spent the aunt's and my money.
On Saturday, Mama Sada woke up at 6am and went knocking on the doors of people she knew would do such a job. She later told me that she was 4th time lucky and only by chance when a friend hearing her plea directed her to a 'fundi'.
And so the work began. The fundi and his helper mixed the cement with the sand and levelled 2 small rooms. Sada was happy, so was I and we cheered at that. She's such a character; a mother hen, chuckling and boistering her way around with ler little chicks trailing behind.
We set in the doorway of the house, the mamas and myself chatting while keeping a eye on the men. I wasn't too happy with the breakdown Moses had given me(to my surprise!!). It was then that I decided to become an accountant make sure that the rest of my TZS200,000 would be spent well. The rest of the day we practically spent bossing Moses around; 'where has the electrician gone - can't be for lunch, he's been to long, go fetch him back?' 'where's the rest of the cement?' 'how many ceiling boards do we need?' etc etc etc.. Unfortunately, we didn't get all we asked for or weren't too happy with the answers. For some undefined reason the shop from where he had bought the cement was shut that morning and he couldn't get hold of the owner so even though the fundi and co. were prepared to work more hours that day, they lacked the vital material to proceed :( Then seeing he's indecisiveness re number of ceiling boards I just grabbed one of the workman, a measuring tape and started taking the dimensions of the rooms to calculate the required boards. And so turned into a kind of fundi myself!
At so our first official working day went by. But there's no rest for the wicked. I was first to get to the house on Sunday morning at 9am. And again to my dismay no one around. I later learnt that the construction working day starts late anyway, generally around 10am and of couirse, Sunday was no exception.
I called Moses who had failed to persude the woamn to open shop the previous day. We didn't seem to have too much of an alternative. But there was no resigning from the deafetful-looking Mama Kombe. She asked Moses for the woman's number. No reply. Then Moses called a friend to see whether he could do us a favour and try to go to the shop himself. But there were no promises. Despite our prayers the cement never arrived. In the meantime, I became an architect as I started to draft house plan and planning where all wall sockets and switches should go so the electrician could work in a more logical way!!!!
I later seemed to have earned the workmen respect and friendship as they called me 'sister' and one actually invited me over to his house, not before finishing off this one, I replied! I felt that my supervising and managing them is what they needed and unfortunately lacked from Moses.
Gotta go now....time is up ...was a long post but Sunday was longer...so keep checking this blogsite for more...work-in-progess!!
Nicky
X
After signing the contract with Moses last week it took ages before I saw any work done at the house. Last Thursday, I was at the house at 10am sharp expecting to see the little army of workmen but there was no one. I called Moses who told me they're getting materials in town and they'll be there later. I didn't believe that. Infact they weren't there either in the afternoon. He still insisted in showing me the 'work-in-progress'. Yeah, a couple of bulb holders, sockets and 2 piles of sand for flooring which stood about 10metres away from the house and cost an expensive TSZ100,000. That was all!!?!?? After a whole week of promises that the work was underway.....
From that moment I was not a happy woman!!!
Seeing my gutted disappointment and my draining faith in him, he ensured me that things will get moving the next day. I wasn't to sure whether to believe him this time or not. On Friday the Mamas came with me (thank God for them, they're 2 tough guys!!). Again there was no one (which I kind of and sadly expected). Moses came along trying to explain that the fundi (contractor) he asked to do the work in the house just didn't show up, in other words, quit before he started. And he had also given him money! What a shame (to be polite and not say otherwise!!). Even I, a muzungu know the golden rule after just a few weeks in Tanzania... 'first you get your stuff then you pay'. All Moses got was a big scolding from the two mamas!!!!
In the meantime, me and the mamas couldn't help standing and staring so we started removing weed and digging holes for new plants in the garden.
We were then joined by two 'gardeners' who picked up the job. But by that time Mama Kombe was so out of her wits that she was doing the job of a man by slashing thick branches with an old-fashioned spears; a 2 foot dagger-looking tool with a taped handle! Moses returned, covered in white dust wheel-burrowing sand and 2 packs of cement into the garden. He explained that we would have to try to make amends for what has happened by carrying the stuff himself. We left a little later praying that things would get moving the next day. I also gave him the task of giving me a breakdown of how he spent the aunt's and my money.
On Saturday, Mama Sada woke up at 6am and went knocking on the doors of people she knew would do such a job. She later told me that she was 4th time lucky and only by chance when a friend hearing her plea directed her to a 'fundi'.
And so the work began. The fundi and his helper mixed the cement with the sand and levelled 2 small rooms. Sada was happy, so was I and we cheered at that. She's such a character; a mother hen, chuckling and boistering her way around with ler little chicks trailing behind.
We set in the doorway of the house, the mamas and myself chatting while keeping a eye on the men. I wasn't too happy with the breakdown Moses had given me(to my surprise!!). It was then that I decided to become an accountant make sure that the rest of my TZS200,000 would be spent well. The rest of the day we practically spent bossing Moses around; 'where has the electrician gone - can't be for lunch, he's been to long, go fetch him back?' 'where's the rest of the cement?' 'how many ceiling boards do we need?' etc etc etc.. Unfortunately, we didn't get all we asked for or weren't too happy with the answers. For some undefined reason the shop from where he had bought the cement was shut that morning and he couldn't get hold of the owner so even though the fundi and co. were prepared to work more hours that day, they lacked the vital material to proceed :( Then seeing he's indecisiveness re number of ceiling boards I just grabbed one of the workman, a measuring tape and started taking the dimensions of the rooms to calculate the required boards. And so turned into a kind of fundi myself!
At so our first official working day went by. But there's no rest for the wicked. I was first to get to the house on Sunday morning at 9am. And again to my dismay no one around. I later learnt that the construction working day starts late anyway, generally around 10am and of couirse, Sunday was no exception.
I called Moses who had failed to persude the woamn to open shop the previous day. We didn't seem to have too much of an alternative. But there was no resigning from the deafetful-looking Mama Kombe. She asked Moses for the woman's number. No reply. Then Moses called a friend to see whether he could do us a favour and try to go to the shop himself. But there were no promises. Despite our prayers the cement never arrived. In the meantime, I became an architect as I started to draft house plan and planning where all wall sockets and switches should go so the electrician could work in a more logical way!!!!
I later seemed to have earned the workmen respect and friendship as they called me 'sister' and one actually invited me over to his house, not before finishing off this one, I replied! I felt that my supervising and managing them is what they needed and unfortunately lacked from Moses.
Gotta go now....time is up ...was a long post but Sunday was longer...so keep checking this blogsite for more...work-in-progess!!
Nicky
X
Wednesday, 18 July 2007
We've signed the contract!
Jambo all!!
We finally signed the one year rent agreement :) I SO HAPPY!!!! It took a while until we sorted things with the landlord, the bank, printer wasn't working (!) etc... etc.. things take time here in Africa and this deed took none the less.
However, here I am with a signed copy in hand. The new 'landlord', Moses is all so keen about this new project too. And so is Jimmy's (the orphan - owner of the house) aunt. Apparently, she's forked out some more money towards the renovation works. I was so pleased to hear that so I hope Moses won't turn back to us asking for more money to finish off the work.
Tomorrow I'm expecting a small army of workers at the house. Moses tried to explain to me that he wanted them to come all at once to speed things up rather than having one complete a job after the other. So looking forward to that..... :)
In the meantime, here are a few more photos which I can now term as the 'before' photos! Keep checking this blogsite for the 'work-in-progress' ones, and who knows I might be in time to witness the 'after' transformation. Yippie!!! ...can't help cheering :) oh, and the kids got another sweet today, another good excuse to celebrate once again!!!!!
I would like to thank all of you for your contributions. You have made this happen. I would have never achieved so much without you.
love & kisses to all
Nicky
X X XX :) :) :)
We finally signed the one year rent agreement :) I SO HAPPY!!!! It took a while until we sorted things with the landlord, the bank, printer wasn't working (!) etc... etc.. things take time here in Africa and this deed took none the less.
However, here I am with a signed copy in hand. The new 'landlord', Moses is all so keen about this new project too. And so is Jimmy's (the orphan - owner of the house) aunt. Apparently, she's forked out some more money towards the renovation works. I was so pleased to hear that so I hope Moses won't turn back to us asking for more money to finish off the work.
Tomorrow I'm expecting a small army of workers at the house. Moses tried to explain to me that he wanted them to come all at once to speed things up rather than having one complete a job after the other. So looking forward to that..... :)
In the meantime, here are a few more photos which I can now term as the 'before' photos! Keep checking this blogsite for the 'work-in-progress' ones, and who knows I might be in time to witness the 'after' transformation. Yippie!!! ...can't help cheering :) oh, and the kids got another sweet today, another good excuse to celebrate once again!!!!!
I would like to thank all of you for your contributions. You have made this happen. I would have never achieved so much without you.
love & kisses to all
Nicky
X X XX :) :) :)
Friday, 13 July 2007
I found a house!!!
Jambo all!!!
YES!! we finally managed to find a house to host those orphans out of the cold. And quite a house with 3 large rooms, 4 small ones - ideal for staff rooms and offices, kitchen and store room and a sizeable garden, that is, playground. I am so thrilled especially after the saga I and the directors of WEMA centre had to go through to not only find a place but negotiate a good rent price especially with a 'muzungu' around, i.e. moi!
When the current landlord heard of a 'muzungu' was interested in renting his big shed and turn that into classrooms he immediately thought he found gold and decided to hitch up the price of for the whole area, including the yard, the directors' offices and the shed and some other rooms around the yard for a total of TZS 1,500,000 - about 1,500$ - monthly rent price!! I was shocked. And there went Mama Kombe's (Dr. Asteria of WEMA) shed-turned-into-4 classrooms dream...
Patrick and I encouraged her to find other places in the vicinity and together with her ass. director, Sada, they hunt the area down, of course with the help of the relatives and mamas of the orphans.
We visited a 6-room house owned by 'a man of the governament' and despite him knowing about the desperate situation and even more being a person employed by the government he asked a hefty price of TZS 200,000 per month. Not to mention the renovation the place needed anyway, which he at least consented to do himself. Well, better than nothing but not great.
We then saw a nearly-finished building just metres away from the Centre. The wife of the owner asked for TZS 2.4 million a year for the 7 rooms. I liked the place instantly as it seemed to be appropriately built to be a school with 6 small-sized rooms along a corridor and a large entrance hall. It also had toilets in a large front yard. However, we insisted on looking for more as it was still expensive. Even so the next day the owner wasn't too happy to let it go at that price apparently and asked us to meet him. I was glad we never did cause the Mamas had found another one, which sounded like a good deal and promising.
The next day we walked further down from the Centre and ended up making our way in between slums then a banana plantation. Right there in the middle of hardly anything was a decently sized and looking house. Beside it another of similar size. We entered the front garden through a tiny opening in a fence squeezing our way next to 2 old long drops. Two white-tiled tombs with white crosses cased in letters greeted us. I wondered what this place was about. The size of the house seemed pretty big from the side of it. We walked up to the entrance; a black-stoned, crumbling arched entrance welcomed us. The owner beckoned us in. He was a young looking well presenting man even though in T-shirt and shorts. Inside the lounge or sitting room was large and spacious and only contained a few sofas and a table as furniture. The latter was covered in books from marketing management to foot reflexology .....'mmm, a well-read person'. Well, at least I think I would be dealing with a level-headed guy rather than shrewd farmland owners! The thought relaxed me a bit.
The house was quite neglected and desperately cried for electricity, fresh paint, a thorough cleaning and some of the rooms had no ceiling boards or cement flooring yet. There was not toilet or long drop inside. Otherwise all was plain and pretty bare. The instant I scouted around the rooms I could already picture it a mini school; a class for each of the sizeable 3 rooms, a kitchen where to cook the kids' porridge with storeroom, 3 small offices and a toilet...perfect, it all sounded like a dream come through to me and Mama Kombe. So we started the talkin'!!!
The previous days had been nerve-racking trying to negotiate and getting some sense of a deal with the owners. Not understanding the language is obviously a hindrance, unless you have an excellent translator in the form of Patrick. I learnt alot during these dealing mainly what selfish money-makers these Africans are, regardless of the fact that their next generation is flaking. Their mind works one simple equation: muzungu = lots and lots of money!!! Anyway I must say, I did show them my teeth in the end and was very firm with them. I was not there to accept any price!
It turned out that this guy's name is Moses Adam and he as well as his, Tanzanis Social Tourism Development Agency (Gosh, I really don't know what's with the long organisation names in English here in Tanzania!!!!) take care of the house on behalf of the teenage orphan, Jimmy, whose parents' tombs we saw in the front garden (!)
He had told the Mamas he wanted TZS 100,000 a month, which sounded like a great price. But then he didn't have enough money to start or rather finish of renovating the house. He asked for more money although he seemed understanding of the fact that we had 'none' and this was a charity organisation. He kind of wanted to help but I felt he was really stuck with no money. So, I told him what if we give you the first 3-months in advance - would that kick off the work? which by the way, I want to have it done in 2 weeks! He said yes, that is achievable together given some funds Jimmy's aunty has. He assured us she would be happy to pool in just knowing that the house will be put in good use rather than left as it is to rot!
We listed out the things we wanted to have done and left him with a task to give us an estimate of the total cost the next day. We met today and the cost hiked up to TSZ 850,000 to our astonishment however, he said that given the total funds of TZS 400,000 and another TZS 150,000 he and aunt are asking as a grant he should pretty much finsh off the house with the exception of a few doors and electric sockets in each room. Content with that we agreed and cheered! I was even happier when a government area officer inspected the house and gave me the go ahead as long as our requirement list is met. Phew!!!!!! :)
We went back to WEMA office and drafted a contract between the parties. We hope to have it signed off early next week as soon as we give him the money. I feel I can trust this person. He has already started sorting out materials to cement the floor today. He also told me he doesn't like Africans for their selfish way of thinking and 'lack of charitable spirit'. To be honest I hope my hopes about him are true and this person is someone we can rely on. There's little else I can do and time is running short. This is Africa and its people. Nothing is 100%. And well, people who know me this is so hard for me - I generally aim for the 110%!!!!
I leave it in the hands of the above now. All I need to do is transfer the money to WEMA's bank account and witness the contract being signed. But I can't help feeling a sense of happiness. Mama Sada just hugged me, the Doctor turned away to hide her tearful eyes. I think her hopes are just as mine. When we got back to WEMA the kids were still there she gave me a bag of sweets I bought for them to give them one each - a celebration token!!!!!!
Folks, keep your hopes and prayers going so I conclude the deal and rock n' roll the work at the house, or should I say school!!!! :)
once again thank you for all those who donated money. I'm so happy to say that your money covered a year's rent BUT enough is never enough. When the house is restored it would only contain empty rooms so I still need your help to turn them into proper classrooms with desks, blackboards and all!
God Bless you all
lots of love
Nicky
X X X X X X X
YES!! we finally managed to find a house to host those orphans out of the cold. And quite a house with 3 large rooms, 4 small ones - ideal for staff rooms and offices, kitchen and store room and a sizeable garden, that is, playground. I am so thrilled especially after the saga I and the directors of WEMA centre had to go through to not only find a place but negotiate a good rent price especially with a 'muzungu' around, i.e. moi!
When the current landlord heard of a 'muzungu' was interested in renting his big shed and turn that into classrooms he immediately thought he found gold and decided to hitch up the price of for the whole area, including the yard, the directors' offices and the shed and some other rooms around the yard for a total of TZS 1,500,000 - about 1,500$ - monthly rent price!! I was shocked. And there went Mama Kombe's (Dr. Asteria of WEMA) shed-turned-into-4 classrooms dream...
Patrick and I encouraged her to find other places in the vicinity and together with her ass. director, Sada, they hunt the area down, of course with the help of the relatives and mamas of the orphans.
We visited a 6-room house owned by 'a man of the governament' and despite him knowing about the desperate situation and even more being a person employed by the government he asked a hefty price of TZS 200,000 per month. Not to mention the renovation the place needed anyway, which he at least consented to do himself. Well, better than nothing but not great.
We then saw a nearly-finished building just metres away from the Centre. The wife of the owner asked for TZS 2.4 million a year for the 7 rooms. I liked the place instantly as it seemed to be appropriately built to be a school with 6 small-sized rooms along a corridor and a large entrance hall. It also had toilets in a large front yard. However, we insisted on looking for more as it was still expensive. Even so the next day the owner wasn't too happy to let it go at that price apparently and asked us to meet him. I was glad we never did cause the Mamas had found another one, which sounded like a good deal and promising.
The next day we walked further down from the Centre and ended up making our way in between slums then a banana plantation. Right there in the middle of hardly anything was a decently sized and looking house. Beside it another of similar size. We entered the front garden through a tiny opening in a fence squeezing our way next to 2 old long drops. Two white-tiled tombs with white crosses cased in letters greeted us. I wondered what this place was about. The size of the house seemed pretty big from the side of it. We walked up to the entrance; a black-stoned, crumbling arched entrance welcomed us. The owner beckoned us in. He was a young looking well presenting man even though in T-shirt and shorts. Inside the lounge or sitting room was large and spacious and only contained a few sofas and a table as furniture. The latter was covered in books from marketing management to foot reflexology .....'mmm, a well-read person'. Well, at least I think I would be dealing with a level-headed guy rather than shrewd farmland owners! The thought relaxed me a bit.
The house was quite neglected and desperately cried for electricity, fresh paint, a thorough cleaning and some of the rooms had no ceiling boards or cement flooring yet. There was not toilet or long drop inside. Otherwise all was plain and pretty bare. The instant I scouted around the rooms I could already picture it a mini school; a class for each of the sizeable 3 rooms, a kitchen where to cook the kids' porridge with storeroom, 3 small offices and a toilet...perfect, it all sounded like a dream come through to me and Mama Kombe. So we started the talkin'!!!
The previous days had been nerve-racking trying to negotiate and getting some sense of a deal with the owners. Not understanding the language is obviously a hindrance, unless you have an excellent translator in the form of Patrick. I learnt alot during these dealing mainly what selfish money-makers these Africans are, regardless of the fact that their next generation is flaking. Their mind works one simple equation: muzungu = lots and lots of money!!! Anyway I must say, I did show them my teeth in the end and was very firm with them. I was not there to accept any price!
It turned out that this guy's name is Moses Adam and he as well as his, Tanzanis Social Tourism Development Agency (Gosh, I really don't know what's with the long organisation names in English here in Tanzania!!!!) take care of the house on behalf of the teenage orphan, Jimmy, whose parents' tombs we saw in the front garden (!)
He had told the Mamas he wanted TZS 100,000 a month, which sounded like a great price. But then he didn't have enough money to start or rather finish of renovating the house. He asked for more money although he seemed understanding of the fact that we had 'none' and this was a charity organisation. He kind of wanted to help but I felt he was really stuck with no money. So, I told him what if we give you the first 3-months in advance - would that kick off the work? which by the way, I want to have it done in 2 weeks! He said yes, that is achievable together given some funds Jimmy's aunty has. He assured us she would be happy to pool in just knowing that the house will be put in good use rather than left as it is to rot!
We listed out the things we wanted to have done and left him with a task to give us an estimate of the total cost the next day. We met today and the cost hiked up to TSZ 850,000 to our astonishment however, he said that given the total funds of TZS 400,000 and another TZS 150,000 he and aunt are asking as a grant he should pretty much finsh off the house with the exception of a few doors and electric sockets in each room. Content with that we agreed and cheered! I was even happier when a government area officer inspected the house and gave me the go ahead as long as our requirement list is met. Phew!!!!!! :)
We went back to WEMA office and drafted a contract between the parties. We hope to have it signed off early next week as soon as we give him the money. I feel I can trust this person. He has already started sorting out materials to cement the floor today. He also told me he doesn't like Africans for their selfish way of thinking and 'lack of charitable spirit'. To be honest I hope my hopes about him are true and this person is someone we can rely on. There's little else I can do and time is running short. This is Africa and its people. Nothing is 100%. And well, people who know me this is so hard for me - I generally aim for the 110%!!!!
I leave it in the hands of the above now. All I need to do is transfer the money to WEMA's bank account and witness the contract being signed. But I can't help feeling a sense of happiness. Mama Sada just hugged me, the Doctor turned away to hide her tearful eyes. I think her hopes are just as mine. When we got back to WEMA the kids were still there she gave me a bag of sweets I bought for them to give them one each - a celebration token!!!!!!
Folks, keep your hopes and prayers going so I conclude the deal and rock n' roll the work at the house, or should I say school!!!! :)
once again thank you for all those who donated money. I'm so happy to say that your money covered a year's rent BUT enough is never enough. When the house is restored it would only contain empty rooms so I still need your help to turn them into proper classrooms with desks, blackboards and all!
God Bless you all
lots of love
Nicky
X X X X X X X
Monday, 9 July 2007
My 1st big mission; to find a classroom!
Yesterday I just witnessed the most desperate case ever in my life! Around 80 children, most of which are orphans, HIV+ or whose parents are HIV+, simply do not have a classroom. The kids stay outdoors in a kind of a yard. The practically sit on the floor to do some writing. It is cold and not all are properly dressed. The teacher uses the grey cement walls as a blackboard.
I met the head or as she calls herself the coordinator of the centre called WEMA; Women Education for Managing Aids. The Centre's main mission is to care and support - medically and if possible, financially - people affected by AIDS and/or are HIV+. This they achieve through various programmes, including, providing classes for HIV+ and orphaned children, support to their mothers and other HIV+ women to make an earning out of their small activities, peer pressure drug counselling and HBC - Home Best Care, direct help to home-ridden patients in the form of nursing care, food, medicine and well-being education. (I will elaborate more about WEMA as I go along and gain for info from the Doc).
The biggest headache for Dr. Asteria Komba are the children who are without a classroom and on top of that the landlord who is threatening them to remove the children from his yard as he can't tolerate the idea of it being used for free. It's quite depressing especially this morning when the Dr. text me and told me even the parents are now crying as they have learnt of this potential threat.
So, I found myself in a situation whereby I have to find a place for these children. The wonderful thing is that through your generosity I have managed to collect a nice sum of money which given rough calculations would cover a year's rent for about 4 rooms. Having spoken to the Dr. yesterday she explained how this landlord owns the whole area and building in which her office together with 2 other rooms (counselling room and office for her 6-member staff) are situated. He would like to sell it all at a very high price otherwise he's asking for a hefty monthly rent price just to keep her office. Her rent expires in October and she has run out of the money which was provided to her from Arusha Project(which I gather is a government-owned institution) 3 years ago. This landlord also owns a large shed (which was the carpenter's warehouse)adjacent to the yard where the kids are now. This shed would be ideal to convert into 3 classrooms + 1 office. However, not only is the shed in need of reconstruction but he's also asking for TZS100,000 (a little less than $100) a month which I later learnt is a about TZS20,000 more expensive than the average monthly rent. It is also in a bad construction state. Having met the landlord this morning, the Dr. called me and Patrick (our project coordinator/translator/helper etc....) to tell us that unfortunately he doesn't want to negotiate the price down, let alone do the reconstruction at his own expense. On the other hand he actually hitched up the price! I suspect he did this following gossips he heard of a 'muzungu' (white person) querying about it. I've kind of got used to the fact here that a muzungu = a white walking money box!!!
The good thing is that the Doc knows of another place so I'm really eager to see it hopefully this afternoon and also meet the landlord and have a good tete a tete!!!
I have also learnt another thing in this country; a business man is a business man and whatever the matter is about (even if it's sick homeless orphans) money is money and the more they can lay their hands on, of course, the better. Well, I kind of understand coming from a business background. However, I'm not ready to pay any price. It will be my mission and responsibility to ensure that the money is invested well.
The second biggest headache are teachers. The Doc is relying on two local people who do the teaching on a voluntary basis. She 'keeps' them by paying about TZS30,000 a month (about $30) out of her own pocket but at times they just don't turn up and she has to send one of her staff members to do the job. They're also asking for more money. Her aim is to have if not 3, at least 2 permanent teachers who she would like to pay TZS60,000 (about $60) each a month. This salary sounds reasonable here although I heard of other nursery teachers being paid a nice $100 a month.
So, this is another problem we could turn into an opportunity!
All for now folks, keep checking my blog for the latest and keep your hopes and prayers high so I find a classroom for these children.
thank you all
Nicky
X X X
I met the head or as she calls herself the coordinator of the centre called WEMA; Women Education for Managing Aids. The Centre's main mission is to care and support - medically and if possible, financially - people affected by AIDS and/or are HIV+. This they achieve through various programmes, including, providing classes for HIV+ and orphaned children, support to their mothers and other HIV+ women to make an earning out of their small activities, peer pressure drug counselling and HBC - Home Best Care, direct help to home-ridden patients in the form of nursing care, food, medicine and well-being education. (I will elaborate more about WEMA as I go along and gain for info from the Doc).
The biggest headache for Dr. Asteria Komba are the children who are without a classroom and on top of that the landlord who is threatening them to remove the children from his yard as he can't tolerate the idea of it being used for free. It's quite depressing especially this morning when the Dr. text me and told me even the parents are now crying as they have learnt of this potential threat.
So, I found myself in a situation whereby I have to find a place for these children. The wonderful thing is that through your generosity I have managed to collect a nice sum of money which given rough calculations would cover a year's rent for about 4 rooms. Having spoken to the Dr. yesterday she explained how this landlord owns the whole area and building in which her office together with 2 other rooms (counselling room and office for her 6-member staff) are situated. He would like to sell it all at a very high price otherwise he's asking for a hefty monthly rent price just to keep her office. Her rent expires in October and she has run out of the money which was provided to her from Arusha Project(which I gather is a government-owned institution) 3 years ago. This landlord also owns a large shed (which was the carpenter's warehouse)adjacent to the yard where the kids are now. This shed would be ideal to convert into 3 classrooms + 1 office. However, not only is the shed in need of reconstruction but he's also asking for TZS100,000 (a little less than $100) a month which I later learnt is a about TZS20,000 more expensive than the average monthly rent. It is also in a bad construction state. Having met the landlord this morning, the Dr. called me and Patrick (our project coordinator/translator/helper etc....) to tell us that unfortunately he doesn't want to negotiate the price down, let alone do the reconstruction at his own expense. On the other hand he actually hitched up the price! I suspect he did this following gossips he heard of a 'muzungu' (white person) querying about it. I've kind of got used to the fact here that a muzungu = a white walking money box!!!
The good thing is that the Doc knows of another place so I'm really eager to see it hopefully this afternoon and also meet the landlord and have a good tete a tete!!!
I have also learnt another thing in this country; a business man is a business man and whatever the matter is about (even if it's sick homeless orphans) money is money and the more they can lay their hands on, of course, the better. Well, I kind of understand coming from a business background. However, I'm not ready to pay any price. It will be my mission and responsibility to ensure that the money is invested well.
The second biggest headache are teachers. The Doc is relying on two local people who do the teaching on a voluntary basis. She 'keeps' them by paying about TZS30,000 a month (about $30) out of her own pocket but at times they just don't turn up and she has to send one of her staff members to do the job. They're also asking for more money. Her aim is to have if not 3, at least 2 permanent teachers who she would like to pay TZS60,000 (about $60) each a month. This salary sounds reasonable here although I heard of other nursery teachers being paid a nice $100 a month.
So, this is another problem we could turn into an opportunity!
All for now folks, keep checking my blog for the latest and keep your hopes and prayers high so I find a classroom for these children.
thank you all
Nicky
X X X
Saturday, 7 July 2007
Help me set up a school!
Jambo all!!!! I'm now in phase 3 of my African adventure; the voluntary work. Although I need to update my Blog site with phase 2 that is, the superb experience of a safari, phase 3 has taken priority most of all as it needs your help!
The organisation I'm doing the voluntary work with is mainly based in Uk however, the local representatives have their own community called Art in Tanzania, which was new to us volunteers especially since we booked everything through Real Gap Year UK. We also discovered that the money we donated to Gap Year was not given to this local community and therefore the latter cannot help us realise any school-based projects. I must say I had had a very warm karibu (welcome) on my first day!!! Not only we volunteers are expected to teach without any plan or agenda from the teachers, we're not even given specific tasks or projects or if we were (as some of my fellows were promised back in UK/US) nothing really materialised. On top of that if we had to be taken to a school we're expected to buy all the school material and stuff out of our own pockets. In summary, we're the victims; torn apart between a two nations, greedy and needy of our money.
My accommodation didn't prove very nice either; we have no hot water in the house and the water is so cold it hurts my head when I wash my hair, we have one shower and a little sink with one toilet between about 6 people, the food is not very good either and I sleep on the top bunk bed which has a foam mattress and a loose ladder (which I asked for it to be attached) to climb up to. Plus we're not allowed out of the house after dark (safety being the main concern)!!!! All fun! Well, 3 days down the line and I'm getting used to it.
On my first day, Corneille, or 'Captain' as we call him had no idea where to take me or what to do !!! I suggested I visit one of the other fellas' project sites to see what's it like and about. So, I walked for an hour with Richard and Kelly to the Faraja nursery school. This school was lucky enough to have had 2 volunteers with enough money to stock them well with learning and teaching material. That day, Kelly and I practically thought what to teach and do with the kids on the spot. We did the numbers in Swahili and English first. Some of the kids were brighter than others. Whereas one was writing numbers in letters I was trying to teach another kid to write number "2"! We then took them out to play after having had their porridge, and I came up with a ball game; calling out the name before throwing the ball to the other player. In that way, I 'prepared' them for the English lesson; "what is your name?" and "my name is ____". We then let them draw and colour themselves on their copybooks and lastly sang English nursery rhymes :)
Pls visit Joanna's blogsite for more details and photos:-
http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/into_east_africa
It felt good. My creative thinking together with Kelly's saved the day and we taught the kids something new apart from making them smile!!
That evening Capt. again asked me what I want to do and I asked him I still had no clue or idea what's needed. Now I know he was pushing me into taking one of the needy nursery schools and practically set it up with my own money. I'm kind of getting used to this culture of trying to squeeze money out of you in every way using all types of manners and tactics. I have not committed myself so far although I would love too cause the kids just won my heart. However, unless I get enough funds from whoever is reading this and the email I sent out I will not be able to do it. And that's what I affirmed with the Capt. I cannot afford to fork out more money than I've already gave as donation as part of my voluntary package, which was about GBP500. (I just hope this money was invested in some other goodwill project!!). I cannot let my heart win me over to a degree which brings me to a personal compromise and other than that I feel I need to show these people that we aren't a walking money box either.
Yesterday, I went along with Joanna to visit and help her out with her project. She has successfully, given funds she raised from her family and friends, set up 2 classrooms. Around 60 orphans are being taught by their teacher in an old unused church. They have no materials or books etc. Luckily enough, a local had some money and decided given the situation to rent out these 2 6m squared rooms, which together with the landowner, painted, put doors and windows, set up 2 long-drops (toilets) in the back yard etc. So that Joanna with her funds employed a carpenter to build 16 desks, 2 blackboards and a set of shelves. She also bought loads of teaching material and copybooks and pens etc... for the children. Yesterday, we started setting up the classrooms and I got to paint the name of the school on the facade; "Letoa Day Care"
We were as giggly and excited like two little kids and can't wait to see the expression on the faces of those kids when we officially open it probably next week.
I would love to do the same and give a bunch of kids a better school life. But I won't be able to unless you help me financially. I have 3 weeks in which to do something about one out of the 2 or 3 in the area where I'm staying. Capt. even told me that a bunch don't even have a room, they meet their teacher and are taught outside under a tree!!!
It doesn't cost much to rent and buy stuff here so whatever you donate could change a life. To give you an idea a desk for 2 kids cost about $20 to build and it only costs $1 to feed one child with porridge for a month. Porridge is generally (if available) given to each child during their break-time.
If I'm unable to make it I will ensure that your money is given to one of my fellow volunteer's projects.
If you would like to send me money pls write an email to nickyconti@gmail.com so I send you my bank account details.
Thank you !
love
Nicky
xxxxx
The organisation I'm doing the voluntary work with is mainly based in Uk however, the local representatives have their own community called Art in Tanzania, which was new to us volunteers especially since we booked everything through Real Gap Year UK. We also discovered that the money we donated to Gap Year was not given to this local community and therefore the latter cannot help us realise any school-based projects. I must say I had had a very warm karibu (welcome) on my first day!!! Not only we volunteers are expected to teach without any plan or agenda from the teachers, we're not even given specific tasks or projects or if we were (as some of my fellows were promised back in UK/US) nothing really materialised. On top of that if we had to be taken to a school we're expected to buy all the school material and stuff out of our own pockets. In summary, we're the victims; torn apart between a two nations, greedy and needy of our money.
My accommodation didn't prove very nice either; we have no hot water in the house and the water is so cold it hurts my head when I wash my hair, we have one shower and a little sink with one toilet between about 6 people, the food is not very good either and I sleep on the top bunk bed which has a foam mattress and a loose ladder (which I asked for it to be attached) to climb up to. Plus we're not allowed out of the house after dark (safety being the main concern)!!!! All fun! Well, 3 days down the line and I'm getting used to it.
On my first day, Corneille, or 'Captain' as we call him had no idea where to take me or what to do !!! I suggested I visit one of the other fellas' project sites to see what's it like and about. So, I walked for an hour with Richard and Kelly to the Faraja nursery school. This school was lucky enough to have had 2 volunteers with enough money to stock them well with learning and teaching material. That day, Kelly and I practically thought what to teach and do with the kids on the spot. We did the numbers in Swahili and English first. Some of the kids were brighter than others. Whereas one was writing numbers in letters I was trying to teach another kid to write number "2"! We then took them out to play after having had their porridge, and I came up with a ball game; calling out the name before throwing the ball to the other player. In that way, I 'prepared' them for the English lesson; "what is your name?" and "my name is ____". We then let them draw and colour themselves on their copybooks and lastly sang English nursery rhymes :)
Pls visit Joanna's blogsite for more details and photos:-
http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/into_east_africa
It felt good. My creative thinking together with Kelly's saved the day and we taught the kids something new apart from making them smile!!
That evening Capt. again asked me what I want to do and I asked him I still had no clue or idea what's needed. Now I know he was pushing me into taking one of the needy nursery schools and practically set it up with my own money. I'm kind of getting used to this culture of trying to squeeze money out of you in every way using all types of manners and tactics. I have not committed myself so far although I would love too cause the kids just won my heart. However, unless I get enough funds from whoever is reading this and the email I sent out I will not be able to do it. And that's what I affirmed with the Capt. I cannot afford to fork out more money than I've already gave as donation as part of my voluntary package, which was about GBP500. (I just hope this money was invested in some other goodwill project!!). I cannot let my heart win me over to a degree which brings me to a personal compromise and other than that I feel I need to show these people that we aren't a walking money box either.
Yesterday, I went along with Joanna to visit and help her out with her project. She has successfully, given funds she raised from her family and friends, set up 2 classrooms. Around 60 orphans are being taught by their teacher in an old unused church. They have no materials or books etc. Luckily enough, a local had some money and decided given the situation to rent out these 2 6m squared rooms, which together with the landowner, painted, put doors and windows, set up 2 long-drops (toilets) in the back yard etc. So that Joanna with her funds employed a carpenter to build 16 desks, 2 blackboards and a set of shelves. She also bought loads of teaching material and copybooks and pens etc... for the children. Yesterday, we started setting up the classrooms and I got to paint the name of the school on the facade; "Letoa Day Care"
We were as giggly and excited like two little kids and can't wait to see the expression on the faces of those kids when we officially open it probably next week.
I would love to do the same and give a bunch of kids a better school life. But I won't be able to unless you help me financially. I have 3 weeks in which to do something about one out of the 2 or 3 in the area where I'm staying. Capt. even told me that a bunch don't even have a room, they meet their teacher and are taught outside under a tree!!!
It doesn't cost much to rent and buy stuff here so whatever you donate could change a life. To give you an idea a desk for 2 kids cost about $20 to build and it only costs $1 to feed one child with porridge for a month. Porridge is generally (if available) given to each child during their break-time.
If I'm unable to make it I will ensure that your money is given to one of my fellow volunteer's projects.
If you would like to send me money pls write an email to nickyconti@gmail.com so I send you my bank account details.
Thank you !
love
Nicky
xxxxx
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