Friday 20 February 2015

Day five - an emotional farewell

the day dawned without a cloud in the sky ... One of the hottest days of the visit beckoned. A slight rearrangement of the day so I could visit the hospital with James M to see if his stitches could be removed (nope ... Another 7 days recommended so they will be removed in the UK) ... So the team visited classrooms for some final observations instead of teaching (they were all secretly pleased ... As one student said to me 'teaching is exhausting').
Following a meeting with Headteacher Rose and Sinene (teacher Governor, great supporter of the school and one of the teachers who visited us last October) to discuss what I intended to say to staff and students, we got on with the farewells ... Firstly to forms II and III ... I spoke for a few minutes in Swahili to much applause and they then left for the weekend.
We then met the staff to discuss our support for the school and explain about the Taste of Tanzania ... TOT is funding 33 hours of extra English and maths classes over the next month from the profits of their business ... This makes extra learning available to all not just those who have money ... And I have also committed us to providing three sponsorships for students going on to A-level education ... The sponsorship will cover the school fees which are prohibitive to most of the students. There are two different sponsorships: the best student based on examination results in form IV; the most improved boy and girl in form IV. Each student will cost roughly £100 per year so I will need to raise £300 in the first year and £600 in subsequent years. I have set up some protocols verbally that I will set up in writing for reporting back and will be looking for parents to sponsor a child for £10 per month ... More once I am back and have had time to think further.
Forms I  and IV were waiting in the assembly hall ... We traded songs ... Firstly our 'you are the champions' then their 'our motto is education' then 'we are the students of Bridgnorth endowed' then 'sorry for your long journey' ... They then invited us up to dance to the jive-o part of 'sorry for your long journey' which was greeted by much merriment all around. We were then exposed to some
 comedy drama, most of which went straight over our heads but we picked up enough to enjoy  most of it.
When I explained to form IV about the sponsorship there was intense interest from many students ... And we also awarded the costs for new uniforms to three form I students who had impressed us with their hard work whilst we had been working with them ... A total of $90, paid for from funds raised. This was seen by the school as being very popular. We handed over all of our donations, books, games, chalks etc along with all of the sports kit ... and then it was the big kwaherini to all.
However, saying goodbye and getting the students to leave was a different manner ... Normally the bell goes and the school empties but not today. We retired for some traditional Tanzanian food, plantain, ground spinach, bean and aubergine spicy stew with beef stew, shared with the teachers.
Once we had finished, the students came back in and we chatted for quite a while before getting on the bus back to the hotel. There were a lot of tears from our students during the day as they contemplated leaving their new friends ... Lots of swapped email addresses and letters and then we were off.
A lazy few hours at the hotel and marinaded beef and chips ... Students are now enjoying a warm evening, packing and chatting in the hotel whilst teachers and some students sit around playing cards. It has been a fun day but emotionally quite tough on everyone ... But we have a few days to recover now so all will be well.
Rose and Sinene are joining us for breakfast at 8.00 then we will be on the bus back to Dar for 9 hours ... Not sure of wifi at the hotel tomorrow night but I will do my best to update tomorrow ... Kind regard
Mr L




2 comments:

  1. Sad to say goodbye but what an incredible experience for all!
    Wishing you a safe journey for tomorrow.

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  2. What a wonderful day - can't wait to hear the songs!

    Have a safe journey back to Dar tomorrow :-)

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