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