Monday 29 January

Meeting with the members from T.E.K.U.A. to explain our proposal for helping them to continue and to ensure their understanding and commitment to the proposal.

The proposal includes possible payment, initially for up to 3 months, for ongoing costs, and donations towards some vocational training at Mount Meru Tour Guide School and The Arusha Hotel Training Institute. We leave them to consider the proposal; we really hope we will see the teenagers back at the centre before we leave.

Dinner with the Kimaros from Living Water, who shared some more of the terrible stories behind some of the abuse of children who now live at their Centre.

Tuesday 30 January

Called at Living Water to have an emotional re-union with the 2 boys taken into the Centre last Friday. They were so happy to be back at school with all their friends, as well as having a new home at the Centre. (see photo)

Georgie and Nico

Frustrated as our meeting with St Lucia was cancelled.

Delighted to have phone call from T.E.K.U A. to say that they have accepted our proposal of help, so met with Ally to give TEKUA the donation.

Wednesday 31 January

Last meeting with Horace at Mr Meru Tour Guide School to pay a donation towards the cost of vocational training up to 12 months for a teenager from TEKUA. Horace had agreed to take "2 teenagers for the price of one." - delighted to meet them both on just their second day at the school (see photo)

TEKUA Students at Mt Meru

Another long trip up Mt Meru to Ndoombo to take an English lesson. Everyone is so pleased to see us, it makes the journey worthwhile. We play "Hot Seat", a word game that the young people really enjoy, we are sure the teachers there will use it again. We say our "goodbyes" and promise to return next year.

A terrific thunderstorm puts at stop to the play that we were going to watch, performed by the workers from WAMATA in the market area, to educate people on the dangers of HIV/AIDS. Another reason to return next year!

Thursday 1 February

A day of saying some more "goodbyes"

An exciting drive to Living Water, the roads are so muddy after all the rain yesterday, we managed not to get stuck but had a few scary moments!

An emotional farewell to everyone at Living Water. (see photo)

Farewell at Living Water

Absolutely fantastic to see 60 teenagers back having English classes at T.E.K.U.A, (see photo) they are so grateful that your donations have helped them to continue and given them a chance for their future. We really hope they can be sustainable and that we will see them again next year. A particularly emotional farewell as all the students sang a farewell African song dedicated to us.

Class at TEKUA

Gave a further donation to WAMATA to pay for food for very poor families affected by HIV/AIDS. Another farewell and a commitment from us to continue to help.

Meeting with Joanna, who will be here until March 2008, to discuss how we can work together to continue to support those we are helping. We will say in touch and look forward to meeting again next year.

Friday 2 February

Packed, and then returned our hire car safe and sound.

An interesting 6 hour journey on the bus to Nairobi. We were pleasantly surprised by the ease of passport/visa control at the border, unusual in Africa. Overnight in Nairobi, then an early morning flight to Lusaka.

New challenges await in Zambia!