21/09/11

Hello! I arrived back in Ngara, Tanzania on the 6th September and now I have settled in, am back to work and have my house almost looking like a home I have managed to find time to sit down and write to you all again. My journey here went very smoothly – though I arrived a little later than expected. Partly because I decided that I was adapted enough to take the bus from Kigali to the Rusumo border – a journey which involves many stops, heated bartering, screaming children and a few live animals.

I was very excited to see my new house (I have moved from the WomenCraft compound to a new compound in town) not only do I have my own space but it is a bright yellow container converted into a two bedroom house! – I will post a picture as soon as I’ve managed to get around to taking them. It’s really nice not to be living next to work anymore plus it gives me the opportunity to meet lots of new people.

I have been able to go back and visit the village that I stayed in just before I came home last time – I took the children some stickers – which they loved and promptly covered themselves in! Here they are proudly sporting their new decorations!

It was really great to go back and see everyone, I don’t get to see them much because it takes about 20mins by piki-piki (motorcycle) to get there. The journey there was fine, but unfortunately it rained and rained on my way back and I got absolutely soaked (BRrrrrrrr!) Rainy season has just begun so it’s not as hot here as you might imagine. I am wearing jumpers and scarfs!

I have also attended a secondary school graduation since I arrived back. I haven’t been to one before and it was very interesting – The students all do a perfomance such as singing, dancing, poetry reading etc. They are so pleased to be getting certificates and spirits are very high. As part of the ceremony the person going up to collect their certificate wears strings of plastic flowers around neck. Here you can see one girl getting her garland ready. Arn’t the colours beautiful!

As I mentioned I have had quite alot of work to do on my new house. I’ve been cleaning and decorating and moving things around for days. I still have a long way to go but it is starting to look much more homely.

Currently I am most proud of my new wardrobe – It doesn’t have any cupboards, shelves or stoarage spaces. So I have had to be innovative as I am on a drastic budget! Can you see how I’ve made it? I had to collect a lot of sticks apparently at the risk of being considered a witch doctor. Then I strung them up along a length of string in my room. Not only has it made finding my clothes much easier it has also brightened up my room. I don’t think I’ll ever have a normal wradrobe again – it’s much more fun this way! Well, I hope this blog reaches you all well.

I’ll keep posting and I promise a picture of my house soon! Ellie.