Arrived back in Tanzania on Friday morning and it’s been a busy first couple of days…
Got my tent up without too much trouble, although it’s failure to stand up to the afternoon thunderstorm left me with a soggy sleeping bag and the item “find new tent” added to my to-do-list.
It was good to see the Centre’s computer room full with practicing students when I arrived and the news that, because of the level of take-up of the classes, we need more chairs.
I’ve got the weekend to settle in and prepare now (have just moved into our new office – a circular hut with a reed roof!) before getting down to the work in earnest on Monday, starting with the obligatory first week of meetings with staff, students and the community.
One of the great things about Africa is that you never know what’s going to happen. Whilst I’m working out here, I’m camping at Meserani Snake Park, which runs the local clinic. The owners, Ma, BJ and Deon are renowned for doing a lot for the community. As we were sat at the bar on Friday evening, BJ had a phone call from the Wildlife Service saying a baby elephant had been caught in a snare and could we help. An hour later BJ and a team of American volunteer medics were operating on the elephant whilst Deon and I frantically Googled to try and find out whether we had any drugs that would tranquillise a baby elephant! BJ and the medics did an excellent job and little junior was bandaged up and has been eating happily since.
As I write this the rain is starting to come down again, so better go and check my tent!
