Chato - Part 2

 2 School Visits

This morning breakfast was even less exciting than yesterday, omelette, chapati and a slice of rather dry bread!! 

Robert was rather late picking us up as he was waiting for Hamisi who was on a “slow bus”!! Anyway they arrived at about 9.45 and we then went straight to the District Offices. We had a meeting with District Education Officer which was interesting. Luckily because neither school we are visiting today is a new school to us he decided they didn’t need to send anyone from the council with us.

Our first school visit was to Rutunguruu Primary School which we have supported since 2017 and  now have 7 computers, 2 laptops, 1 printer and 1 projector. They have over 1000 pupils and 18 teachers.

On arrival we are met by Peter the ICT teacher and the headteacher. They take us to the computer lab where some pupils are going to demonstrate their computer skills to us.

This is the first time we have seen their new computer lab and I am really pleased. The computers are well spaced out, they have plenty of power points, a tiled floor and windows with grills and shutters. It is really pleasing to see this as when we first visited this school is 2017 they had no electricity, no computers and no computer room. At that time we gave them 1 laptop which a teacher then had to charge at home. So it really feels like the project has been a big success here which is brilliant.

The children do a great job demonstrating various skills such as drawing the Tanzanian flag, using Excel to record exam results and using a program that helps you learn all the countries in Africa. They all seemed very confident using the computers.

After the demonstration we told them that we were going to give them 1 more computer which Hamisi then set up for them but that we would now be finishing our project at the school and that they could keep all the computer equipment. They were very happy.

The headteacher and a representative of the Ward Education Officer thanked us for everything we had done to support the school.

By the time we left the school it was lunchtime and so we returned to Chato, to the restaurant that Robert really likes.

This afternoon we are visiting Bidii Primary School who we have supported since January 2020 with 6 computers and a printer. They have around 1300 pupils and 22 teachers.

When we arrive we are greeted by Said the ICT teacher. He takes us to meet the headteacher in his office. Both of these teachers are new since we last visited so we have quite a discussion about out project and the reports that they must send.

The school moved to new buildings a couple of years ago and this has to be quite the most comfortable headteacher’s office we have ever been in.

After our chat they take us to the computer room. They explain that they are in the process of moving the computer lab to a bigger room which will have more power points etc but it wasn’t finished yet.

We then go to the staff room to meet some of the teachers and we tell them that we will be adding a projector and laptop to their equipment. Robert, Peter and the headteacher all make speeches about ACTT and our loan project.

We then hand over the equipment and sign the contracts which of course leads to lots of plotos.

We then have a look in a couple of classrooms. First we visit Standard 4 who at present  haven't used the computers as it is only Standard 5, 6, and 7 who have lessons but they are very keen to learn.

We then visit Standard 6 some of whom have now learnt to use the computers. Robert also gave some of them a chance to ask us questions which was fun.

We are now finished at the school and we drive back to Hamisi’s office in Katoro to pick up the computers we need for tomorrow’s school visit.

While they are packing up the car Hamisi shows me his computer training room.

Once back in Geita, we have a relaxed evening, getting dinner in the hotel bar.