Tanzania: Day 1 in Kisauke

The Flavour of Tanzania 2006
Hello Everyone,

We were up and ready to roll at 6AM, full of anticipation -- a bit nervous, but nonetheless looking forward to the day that lay ahead for us.

With four people who have never been to Africa and with two of these on their first SCAW Distribution, I felt a little apprehensive. It usually takes several distribution days before the team begins to function properly. On this, our very first day, it didn't take me long to realize that we were going to be all right. We have a special group here.

Kisauke School was like any other Tanzanian School. It is located just outside of Dar es Salaam and is a cluster of five buildings, with a square in front of the buildings where most of the activity takes place, and the playing fields behind the school proper.

Tanzania is spending its "debt forgiveness" on education and health care. We could see the beginnings of a new building here as well as a general sprucing up of the buildings.

For a first distribution, it didn't take long for everything to begin running smoothly despite the heat and the unmerciful sun. The temperature was in the low 90s. The sun however, beat down on those of us who were unfortunate enough to have to spend much of the time in it. It was draining; it was tiring; it was strength sapping. I have never drunk so much water in my life. With all the water consumed, one would expect to have to run to the washroom often -- but not so. Your body uses up the moisture at a rapid rate.

The one constant was the children. To describe a Tanzanian child one uses words like: dignified, patient, mannerly, and well behaved. What a delight it was for us to witness their singing of the Tanzanian national anthem with heart and gusto followed by their school song.

I had the privelege of giving a talk in my broken Swahili to the kids, telling them who we were, that we came in peace and love, representing other people in the world who cared very much for them. It was well appreciated judging from their reactions.

This year SCAW has instituted a survey in an effort to find out as much as we can about our recipients' reactions and opinions about the usefulness of our bedkits. I spoke through a translator with about eighty people with a bedkit spread out before them. It was an interesting exchange. I used the opportunity to deliver the message that many of these bedkits were donated by children the same ages as their children, by churches, by service clubs, through "In Memorium," and by the average person. The parents indicated very strongly and unmistakably that they appreciated this help from overseas. It was heartwarming to see their reactions, all the while thinking of those children in our schools who so actively support their own SCAW projects.

We were spreading goodwill and happiness wherever we went and enjoying every minute of this precious time of sharing. Upon completion, we got into our van, waving goodbye to teacher and child, shouting out Kwahari -- Good bye -- to the sea of happy faces that surrounded us.

It is burned in our memories --- and another day is awaiting us with more joy, peace, and love to spread.

Until next time,

Tom Belton, signing out.
SCAW 2006 Tanzania Travelling Team