A tearful farewell

Jumbo!
Monday morning I took a detour on my way to Wema Centre and headed to Moses' office. He wasn't surprised to see me at the same time, I think he resented that hourly visit. But hey, there was I due to no fault of mine! He was in distress not having managed to get any money from his friends, thus his failure to get the remaining cement bag and staying away from the ever-complaining and threatening (I later learnt) workers. I showed him the receipts of my latest expenditure and he wrote me another receipt, so that I now had the house until February 2008. I didn't want to leave it at that and asked him what were his future intentions, re the school project? Especially now that I wasn't going to be around to save the day or days again?!?! He told me about a proposal he submitted to the Arusha Secondary school with the intention to get a loan of TZS100,000 which he'll spend on the new school. What guarantee is there that he'd be given the money? I asked. Well, the chances are good, he replied especially, cause the School believed in his new Community organisation. Well, I hope so. At that point, I remembered that Corneille, our Art in Tanzania project manager had recently been recognised as a public non-profit organisation by the (Arusha) Ministry of Education. So, as I was telling Moses, perhaps he needs to get in touch and create good relations with and through Corneille to substantiate the proposal. Having advised Corneille too, I hoped things would work out in the end.

I left his office leaving him stunned when I told him that that was my last day in Tanzania. He thought I was there for another few days and couldn't stop praising me for having done so much in very little time and that he felt he should give a show of appreciation. No worries I replied, I did what I could and well, thanks to you we found a good house at a very reasonable price. Which was true.

Next thing I was at WEMA, blowing my lungs out on balloons which Jenny (one of the volunteers back at the house) had generously given me. I was lucky to find 2 other volunteers from the Arusha Project and the Hapi (the school helper) to split that dizzy exercise! I must say I created mayhem with those balloons. The children just went nuts; yelling, screaming, begging for more and more of those multi-coloured bubbles. At one point one burst and the kids went dead quiet for a minute. They seemed to have been shocked by the noise. However, for the next hour or so they just shrieked and cheered everytime they heard one pop. Oh, it was so sweet to see them all smiles and playing about. It was fun taking pictures and them handing me bits of coloured rubber from the ones that burst.

It was getting a bit late so I decided to call it a day and go to town for the last important errands. But Mama Asteria had other plans in mind. I saw her making little balls out of a huge dough in the outside kitchenette. I asked what that was as she replied, "Confectionery, for the function." Ok, so we're having a little function. To which she smiled and grunted. It was obvious it was in my honour, being my last day. How sweet! thank you, can I help? I then spent the next half hour rolling tiny balls and she frying them so we made 'andasi', kind of baby doughnuts. We made loads of them for the children to enjoy, of course. In the meantime, Hapi stirred instant orange powder sachets in a big pale to create the drink.
When I went back downstairs in the yard, I found four chairs and a coffee table with cloth and plastic flowers laid out. Wow! this is getting quite something. ... Us volunteers and Hapi helped to distribute the doughnuts and drinks to the children who were all seated down on the ground. Next Mama Asteria called for everyone's attention. Then I started to get small butterflies in my stomach!!! She asked me, as the guest of honour to sit on the middle chair. The next minute the children were singing a typical song of praise in Swahili, this time adding in some words and phrases around the new 'Nicoletti Schule'! Then, Gifti, an albino boy sang his favourite tune...karibu karibu... ohhh...
Now we have a presentation, announced Mama Asteria. And from the back of the tiny crowd she took out the most wonderful kanga I'd ever seen! She gave it to the kids, who hand it over to me over the top of their heads, handing it from one to another. I was taken aback. I felt my heart melt into my shoes. Then she passed on an envelope which contained typical African ornaments and jewellery, including, an 'I love you' (!) card. Her and Sada draped me with the kanga and asked me to sit and listen to a letter the teacher had written on behalf of 'one of my students'.

My lips were already trembling by that time and my eyes watering but the letter, read by the teacher herself just opened the dam!!! Sweet words of gratitude and praise and 'continuous support', (which couldn't be missed out, of course) were uttered. I felt so honoured. I never thought or least expected all of this. Gosh, I wanted to run and hide, it was so much. My heart, or well, what was left of it wanted to crumble. The children each came to kiss and hug me in turn. Oh, how I wish the could see their new school. They obviously knew about it but I so wanted them to be there just then. Next a parent gave a short thankyou speech on behalf of the parents who were assisting from the corner of the yard. Oh, hugged everybody and cried my eyes out.

Celebration over, I dashed to town. It was me with my business hat on again the next minute. I had to make copies of receipts and papers for the Doc and myself and most importantly get the remaining TZS70,000 owing the fundi. I couldn't feel I could trust Moses in settling his debt with them and none the less have them shove off to some other work without having completed the school in my absence.

I met Joanna (another volunteer) and walked to the house were I found Musa and his workmen at work being supervised by the Mamas. I gave Jo a quick tour and took some last photos. Then I grabbed Doc at one side and gave her the cash. I told her to keep TZS10,000 for herself as I Sada had told me she had to allure the fundi to come to work that day the night before by paying them another part. I told her to give them the remaining balance only once they finish the work and in case Moses never pays them. She pocketed the money in her bra and with tears in her eyes nodded and said 'ok.' Split second latter, Moses greeted us in the pom pious manner he liked to display when in tie & jacket! He held a certificate in his hand. And as promised, he said, here it it! Oh yes, if only he could keep other promises I thought, I'd be much happier. But hey, we took pictures of course although Doc didn't want him in any of the photos.

We went outside and took more photos. I then said bye to Musa and the other workers, while the former was in another heated discussion with Moses. That was hard, trying to leave in the midst of that. I didn't butt in this time or say anything. Many reasons; as I wanted Moses to feel more of that pressure coming from the fundi whose trust he hadn't yet won, I was on my way out and I had played my last hidden hand by giving the money to Doc. So there, my job was done and over.

I hate goodbyes. I generally go through them in a very quick rushed manner to avoid the pain. People think I'm rough too at that but it's cause I can't handle them generally and so I do it quick'n'easy. I knew what could happen with the Mamas. They were just like my two big sisters. We obviously couldn't help not showing it and the three of us crying and hugging each other made quite a scene especially tough girls as we were. I'm glad Jo was with me that day. It would have been harder going through that all alone.

Later that evening, I got a call from Moses. He happily announced that he got TZS30,000 which he already gave to the fundi who promised to get the work at the house all done within 2 days. WOW!!! that just ended my last day :)

I still have my fingers crossed (yep, can't help it!!) that things are getting along ok back at my new school. It's going to be difficult to stay in touch with them however, even if it'll be just through our banks, as in transferring the donated money, I would be happy. Oh, before I forget. The new school's name is actually named after me. I know...it's so flattering. The Mamas insisted it to be called 'WEMA Centre Nicolette's School'! So, I can proudly say I'm the founder of a school in Tanzania :) Most of all, I'm even more proud to say that not only have I climbed to the roof of Africa but I've also given one to its people.

Cheers
Nicky
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....next.... off to Zanzibar for a well-earned paradise holiday!!!!!