Geita - Part 1

 Travel to Geita and a School Visit

Today we were driving to Geita. Robert picked us up about 8.30 and we headed out towards the ferry. We stopped at a school on the way that Robert needed to visit. Once we finished there we carried on to the ferry port.

On arrival Peter and I had to jump out of the car and buy tickets as foot passengers while Robert stayed with the car. The cost for a foot passenger is TSH 400, about 15p.

When we entered the waiting area we could see that there was no ferry actually there but there were plenty of people waiting so it didn't look like we had just missed one.

 Soon we could see a ferry coming. We probably waited for about 30 minutes before it docked, and everyone had disembarked. It was only a small ferry and we could see that Robert and the car would not get on but we decided to go anyway and wait for him on the other side. As always we seem to be the only non Tanzanians.

As we are crossing we can see the new bridge that is being built. There has definitely been some progress since we visited 2 years ago but Pete thinks it will still be another couple of years before it is finished.

As we are crossing we can see that there is another ferry following us so we presume Robert is on that one. It is actually a bigger faster ferry so by the time we dock it has almost caught up with us.

Once we are off the ferry we only have to wait about 5 minutes for Robert and then we are on the road again.

We have a good journey to Geita and arrive soon after 1. We check into the Lenny Hotel and then go straight out again for some lunch at a local bar. Our room at the hotel is very typical of an African hotel and is comfortable. We pay TSH 100,000 (about £30) a night for the room here and breakfast. They have cheaper rooms but we like the bigger ones.

At the bar we are joined by Hamisi, Robert’s agent in the Geita region who has arranged all our school visits for us. It is good to see him again and catch up on all his news.

The bar has a good selection of food and I choose pilau rice, meat and greens.

After lunch we drive to Mbugani Primary School. We have supported this school since March 2019 and so far we have loaned them 7 computers,1 printer and a 1 projector. Today we will be giving them 2 more computers. They have over 3000 children and 57 teachers.

On arrival we see lots of children outside, having lessons under the trees.

The Head teacher is not there today so we are met by the Academic Master (Deputy Head). We have a meeting with him in his office with the current ICT teacher and the deputy chair of the school committee. We are also joined by Elkana who was the previous ICT teacher, who has been at college for the last year. We are really pleased to see him back as he was so enthusiastic about our computer project. He will now be the main ICT Teacher supported by Mashaka, the other teacher.

After the meeting we are shown to the computer room where the children have prepared a presentation for us. Each child takes it in turn to explain to us what they are doing.

After this we are shown to the staff room where we meet some of the teachers and are given a soda and nuts  The Academic Master thanks us for our support and Robert and I also say a little bit about ACTT and our project. Elkana, then gave a speech summarising the school’s ICT achievements over the last 4 years that we have been supporting them.

We then handed over the 2 new computers and Hamisi, Elkana and Mashaka set them up and check that they are both working.

It is now time to leave.

Robert drops us back at the hotel. Later we get some dinner in the bar. The food always seems to take about an hour to arrive but is generally quite good.