Friday, 30 January

A diary for the past week, just to show what varied lives we lead!

Friday 23. Late, just before the light went, six adults and a toddler, Dutch, arrived. They had previously met Stephen in Dar and he told them about Tukae. Anyway they wanted to spend a night or two, so got their tents up and then were fed - amazing how Vincent and Rosa can get a meal put together for unexpected visitors.

Saturday 24. This morning we had very strange gusts of wind, which brought down a tree across the road. The Dutch consequently decided to stay an extra night! They went off walking in the forest for the better part of the day, seeing many monkeys and birds. Vincent went down the hill with the chainsaw to remove the trunk, which took a long time.

Quiet day otherwise, as the rain we anticipated didn't materialise. I was tired, getting over a mild dose of malaria. This is one reason there are no entries for last week - felt distinctly weird for a few days before I was diagnosed with malaria on 19 Jan. Really bad headache too. I managed pretty well, but did take Thursday off - my brain wouldn't work.

Sunday 25. All but Alex (who can sleep through anything) had a very disturbed night. About 0300 I was awakened by voices and lights. The dogs weren't barking so I figured it must be a medical emergency. So, more lights and noises, Mzee Abedi's voice (watchman), Stephen back and forth into the house and eventually the Land Rover being driven away. Just off to sleep when it came back, more noises and later it went off again to return at breakfast time. Now, I had a light case of malaria and I am in pretty good health, could afford the blood test and the treatment. But the emergency was the wife of the watchman in a village a good hour's walk from here; he had walked over in the dark along the mountain trail to say that he was worried about her. So Stephen went across and brought her back to the Health Post. The doctors were awakened and examined her; malaria for sure and a chest infection, maybe pneumonia, plus pain in her abdomen. They went down with Stephen, the woman and her husband to the Christian hospital in Muheza. She was admitted and her husband stayed with her while the others came back. But she may have waited a long time, because of the cost, and then the chest infection makes things worse. (later in the week we heard that she was still there and had applied to Fr Baruti for help with the cost of the X-ray - £15)

So, a lot of tired people here, tho' the campers didn't hear a thing!

Monday 26. Today the volunteer teachers, Stephen, Caroline and I visited the primary schools in IBC and Amani. This is the first time there have been teachers from Tukae at IBC, and they were delighted to meet Katie. The school is in a tea-growing area and she will walk there each day after doing a spell at the kindergarten in Amani. We were all made very welcome.

Then on to Amani, where Alex and Peter will be. Caroline also teaches there. This school is seriously overcrowded, but has been given three new teachers. It needs three new classrooms too. The school welcomed us with enthusiasm.

Back to sewing in the afternoon for me, moving on to cutting out dolls. A big project this, and I need more time than I have left. I am really enjoying working with Rosa, Maria and Vero, and my Swahili is improving no end!

Also had another blood test at the health post - no parasites left! Good news for me, and an indication that proper treatment and basic good health mean that malaria doesn't have to be serious - not the same for people here.

Tuesday 27. Today the volunteers had their first day at school - difficult day with the language issue, but plenty of enthusiasm from them and the children. It is not something I would care to do. I sewed with the girls today.

Also walked down to the river behind the site for the first time. Beautiful, quiet, butterflies and birds. We saw a crowned eagle chick on a tree nearby today.

Wednesday and Thursday. Nothing exciting but we all worked hard! Couple more campers turned up, having met the Dutch visitors in Tanga.

Friday 30. And here I am back again! All of us, except the docs, have today off, and surgery only lasts for the morning.