And more photos :-)

Dan sure did like making friends ... Love his t shirt!

Will and Brandon answering questions after the debate 

All 29 on a dialler daller!!

The slave market ... And the youngest got a free drink at the Africa hotel ... But shared it with her friends 

During the spice tour, which was a Mazzini ... This is natural lipstick .... So of course the boys had to have a go :-) then we sampled lots of fruits and teas ... A great day out ...

Lilly and Dan were made husband and wife due to having the closest birthdays to the spice tour day!

Camp fire last night ... And the dawn that many got out of bed to see at half past 6! Dedication ... Unfortunately this are all the photos I can access from the ipad ... I'll see if there's more I can add tomorrow. Kind regards Mr L

Finally some photos ...

Don't know what I have done but suddenly I can get photos on the blog from the iPad ... So here goes ... I as so shocked they loaded that I didn't care about the order ... Now I don't want to delete and start again ... Just in case!! First one is Mary teaching ... She looks born for it ... Maybe it's in the genes

Becky was a star thought out and really worked hard with the students 

Julius Nyerere square on our first day in Dodoma ... The whole team together

Zac quietly and confidently getting on with the job at hand.

first day in Dodoma again ... Mr Hotty is there in his traditional robes, looking very splendid

Our first sight of the hotel ...

Bus full of students asleep so blog update instead of texts!!

everyone except the driver and myself is sound asleep ... Not sure about the other bus ... But I haven't the heart to wake them all up so please take this as notice that we expect to be on time (3.30) at school (not Innage lane).
Many thanks
Mr L

What a change in the temperature!!

Just landed at Heathrow safely and waiting to disembark ... Will get students to phone when we are an hour away but should be on schedule for 3.30 at school

day nine/ten - nominations continued

Best prank award - Ottilie - general joker, but the phone call in her best French/ Cornish farmer/Welsh accent had James M convinced that the hotel were going to charge him for the broken glass, to much amusement ... He even had his money in his hand, ready to go to the desk to pay!
Most laid back award - James M - took the injury and stitches in his stride, not letting the fact he couldn't shower or swim phase him at all ... He was incredibly mature and balanced throughout.
Best Barter award - Dan - allegedly he got a 100,000 Tsh purchase to 10,000 tsh ... Most of us felt guilty knocking them down to half .. But Dan had no such scruples :-)
Motherly nature award - Becky and Becky - their nurturing helped to keep Brandon on side, helping him to be the fantastic young man already mentioned.
Most unlikely scrapers award - Beth, Izzy and Marsha - what started out as a good natured netball match turned into a full on boxing match with these three in the middle ... But they extricated themselves well.
Most unexpected inclusion award - Mr Street - his sudden inclusion of Umonga, Umonga, Umonga as we were practicing using our words to 'we are the champions' for the celebration left everyone rolling in the aisles, and did exactly the same at the event in front of an audience of 800 Tanzanians!
Relentless optimism award - George - never was there a moment when there wasn't a smile on his face or he wasn't keeping us entertained with his commentary on affairs.
Most mistaken for a teacher award - Freddie - when he stood up in the lesson, with Mr Street at the back, the students mistook height for age and thought he was Mwalimu (teacher) ... He did a very good job.
Most inviting hair award - Olivia - her hair was touched more by our Tanzanian student friends than any others, as they loved the colour and texture ... The number that reached out and stroked her hair as she passed was unbelievable at times ... I'm not sure she was always aware!
Lifetime achievement award - Dec - he could have so many different awards - biggest reaction to a visit to the clinic award, Mr Gadget award, Flash Harry award ... The list goes on ... The most pharmacies visited in Dodoma award, equal most visits to the doctor award, worst chat up lines award ...
Taught most impromptu lessons award - Mrs Sampson - every time she stepped into a lesson, no matter what it was, the Tanzanian teacher immediately gave up the chalk and expected her to teach the lesson for them ... Also her sarcasm and wit really kept the the students engaged in a brilliant way throughout the 11 days of trip and the travelling.
Tour guide award - Nicola - she was laid back but professional so that the trip ran very smoothly.

We are now three hours or so from our homeward flight ... I will update with photos and even videos if I can work the technology over the next few days ... But I want to say thank you to all the students for making it a magical trip that has had real impact ... And thanks to the teachers who have made organisation easy and low key with us working together very well as a team throughout ... I'll be evaluating the trip with them over the next week or so and considering when the next trip will be ... Most likely Easter 2017 ... But in the meantime I hope that many of you/them will get involved in sponsoring students A-level education at £10 pcm ... A commitment of two years ... More details to follow in the next few weeks ... we are considering a photos and videos evening for parents and students  in the next week or so when we can talk more about things.
All the best from Doha ... Look forward to seeing you around 3.30 pm later.
Mr L

Day nine ... To be added to during the day

Good morning ... I just have to start early today ... Fawlty Towers continues this morning ... We rise to get breakfast at 8 to find the manager agitated because it turns out that they only have chairs and tables for a maximum of ten people to eat at any one time ... It's probably because, as Miss Sampson says following our experience of yesterday, that they don't know how many rooms they have or people they can sleep! So with 29 of us we will be eating breakfast in shift ... More later on :-)

We are now at Doha ... A six hour wait until our flight to Heathrow ...

After Basil Fawlty had sorted out breakfast, we worked our way into stone town to visit a couple of shops selling local produce and a mini market to pick up snacks for the ferry. The ferry was busy but those who had not burned yesterday were able to sit outside on the front and enjoy the brisk breeze in their faces ... Very enjoyable.

Then the usual packing cases into one minibus with students in the other and heading for the air port in Dar ... Raffia was very heavy so we were an hour late for check in ... But this is Africa, so we weren't too bothered ... Once in departures we gave the students half an hour to look through the gift shops (I had warned them that they were expensive but sold nick jacks that aren't easy to find elsewhere) but most went straight to the cafe for pizza or burgers!

Now we were getting harrassed because we were the only people not on the flight so we got on with 25 minutes to go ... And we were off ... Good inflight food and attendance and here we are.

As teachers we have been thinking of some nominations for certain awards won during the trip ... The
list is as follows (haven't told the students yet, hoping they will pick it up on the blog as they have scattered to the four corners of the massive airport:
Best debater - Harriet - put herself forwards for the debate and contributed well, quickly picking up Tanzanian debating rules and expressing herself concisely and in a way that was well understood.
Best teacher - Mary - used her initiative, thought on her feet and taught very well ... One of the best pictures I have shows her at them black board doing a maths problem.
Absent without leave - James Riley - with his earphones in place, never knew where he was supposed
to be or when and was the only student to have to be woken most mornings for breakfast.
Best sports coach - Amy R - the cheers from Umonga supporters when she scored in the game against Dodoma were heard across The whole of the city
You've been tangoed award - Mike - who thought it uncool to use suntan lotion despite our best efforts so has been very sore all day!
Braver award - Zac - for his stoicism during the removal of the urchin spines.
Most unsubtle award - Holly - her Australian accent was most appreciated by students but not the
Australians sitting a row ahead on the plane ... But her laugh kept the whole plane awake!
Chivalry award - Brandon - has stepped up, holding doors, taking bags down many flights of stairs for the girls and has been a pleasure to be with ... But his dress sense with his fluorescent shorts kept many Tanzanians entertained.
Brit abroad award - Oli - its been a roller coaster ride from negativity to positivity ... But he has entertained us all with his continual banter and useful suggestions. He refused to use any Swahili in the first few days but managed to teach our Tanzanian  some phrases ... Starting off with with 'let me teach you how we speak in the black country' which we cringed at ... But Samson then called him 'cocker' for the rest of the trip.
Accomplished musicians awards - Amy Beth and Luke - setting the right tone for the camp fire, which was a very pleasant evening for all.
Best present award - Ellie - the little girl she gave the rag doll too beamed from ear to ear for the rest of the day and held the doll so tight it was great to see.

Most infectious laugh - Lilly - she kept the mood light at all times, the lack of suitcase didn't cause an
outward ripple (she was well supported by her friends) and the 'swimming down the corridor' on her suitcase at the hotel in Dar when we were all a little down about the hotel really improved everyone's outlook.
Breakdance award - Will - any opportunity to demonstrate his prowess was taken with relish ... He and Brandon challenged the local street dancers to a dance off ... And he also taught some locals '
the worm'  on the beach in Zanzibar!

Day 8 part two

finally arrived in stone town ... Seeing more wild red colobus monkeys on the way. After a scene that was pure fawlty towers as the manager tried to sort rooms ... Not seeming sure which of his rooms were twins, triples or single ... A scene that took as long as a full fawlty towers episode ... We finally all had rooms ... Although one poor Tanzanian had to be turfed out of his room to make way for Mr Street ... He was last seen reclining on a sofa somewhere upstairs!
We went to the street food market outside the House of Wonder (first building in East Africa with electricity) ... Getting there through a maze of dark Streets ... Most students eating Tanzanian pizza finishing off with Nutella chocolate and banana pizza (delicious ... It is rumoured that I had more than one ... But I couldn't possibly comment) ... Others having kebabs of lobster, chicken, marlin, tuna, tiger prawns or beef ... With a drink of sugar cane for those initiated into Tanzanian culture ... Then back to the hotel ... Some suffering from too much sun earlier so wanting to get as much sleep as possible ... Our last night in a bed for 48 hours ...
At this point I have to sign off ... Just found more urchin spines in Otilies foot ... Why she left it so long to tell us I'll never know ... But it will be a new experience ... I was getting tired of the hospital I visited twice earlier today!
Until tomorrow ...
Mr L

Day eight - relaxing by the pool and in the sea ... If only!

We are about to leave for stone town ... So being unsure of the wifi status tonight I thought I'd update you now.
I forgot to mention the visit two the slave market yesterday ... Students were horrified by the conditions slaves were kept in and the stories of the traders ... But it was incredibly interesting to get such a detailed account of what happened and to see the dungeons where 75 slaves were kept ... Packed in and starved for two days with no water to see who was tough enough to be a good worker ... Then taken to the whipping post where they were whipped in front of buyers ... Those who didn't emit a sound went for a higher price than those that did ...barbaric treatment, not just by foreign, mostly Arab traders but also by local people who got in on the act ... So many died during the process ... A real lesson to us all of the way man can treat his fellow man.
Many students got up this morning to see the sunrise at 6.29 ... Which led to a science lesson on why it was light before the sun was up ... I have my uses :-) ... Then some students wanted to go in the pool so instead of going back to bed like any sane teacher ... I stayed and did my work emails, sorted some photos for the blog (when I get good enough wifi) and read for a time ... John Cleese autobiography 'so anyway' ... Thanks Nick ... It's great, but unfortunately it's getting a bit battered in my rucksack (sorry).
The students had a great morning ... Swimming in the pool and the sea ... Although, despite lots of encouragements to get factor 50 spread on exposed flesh ... Some students have burned ... Some even failed to put on any sun team despite lots of warnings! Hey ho ... Not a lot more we could have done.
I have also visited the local doctors surgery twice this morning for minor cuts and sea urchin spine wounds ... Dec and Brandon cut their feet quite badly running into the sea, Becky C had a less serious cut and Zac had sea urchin spines in his foot ... Dec and Brandon are walking around like war wounded ... Zac who had to have the two spines cut out with a scalpel was incredibly brave
throughout the procedure and is stoical when walking ... Top bloke. On my return, I found that Olivia had stepped on an urchin whilst getting out of the sea ... So I had to go back ... Fortunately her one short spine came straight out and she didn't have to go through the ordeal Zac did ... His spines were about 5 and 7 mm long .. As you can imagine the students had been banned from the sea as two visits was more than enough! I did finally manage to get a swim just before lunch ...
Lunch was great ... More marlin, chicken stew and chips/rice with mango/water melon for afters ... Just waiting for our African adventures leaders to rejoin is from photographing the project they work with here in Zanzibar so that we can head back to stone town. Hopefully I will be able to add to this later.
Best regards for now,
Mr L

Days six and seven - contrasts!

day six was spent on the bus from Dodoma to Dar es Salaam ... Nearly nine hours again ... We arrived at the hotel through a very poor district through rough dirt roads ... With a sense of foreboding ... And whilst the staff were very pleasant and we watched two premiership games of football on the TV ... The rooms were not good (an understatement!)
Day seven started at 4.45 am ... Having had very little sleep, it amused the students grately that I slept straight through two alarms positioned right by my head ... So for once one of them had to come and wake me! How the mighty are fallen :-) ... i took it in good grace! A quick breakfast of bread and boiled egg (I am sure I heard someone say that by now they have had at least six months worth of eggs on this trip!) and mango juice we got onto two dollar dollars (or as the locals say darla darla) ... Minibuses that the Tanzanians overload hugely that act as local buses ... And made our way to the port to board Killimanjaro IV a fast catermaran service to Zanzibar ... Once again the students were amazing ... Just getting on with it in good humour. The ferry left a little late but we got off in Zanzibar and were onto two new minibuses soon after 9.30.
First was a tour of stone town ... Seeing the many sights, Freddie Mercuries birth place, the lovely teak doors, the fort, the food market (where some chose to avoid the smelly fish auction section where there were fresh octopus, tuna, marlin and many others ... But most did it all ... Through into the meat section with cow and sheep heads and many different joints of meat ... Then into the veg/fruit section and the spices) ... We also visited the Africa and Dowh Palace hotels as they are very special places in East Africa ... Opulent splendour ... A wonderful morning ... We visited a restaurant for lunch that was very pleasant .. And then the jewel in the crown ... We drove to a Government spice farm and spent three incredibly happy and informative hours wandering through the plants, seeing turmeric, cardamom, ginger, coffee, pepper, cloves, cinnamon, pineapple, cocoa, lemon grass, sour custard fruit (!) and many other spices, fruits and other tress in their native form ... We tasted
nearly everything on the walk. Then we went to the central area and sat and ate mango and green Orange (oxymoron?), grapefruit, jack fruit, banana, pineapple, lychee and so many other fruits, before sampling three spiced teas (lemon grass, ginger and vanilla). Then we watched 'butterfly' climb a tall coconut palm which had to be 30 m at least straight up with no branches to help the climb ... He cut down some coconuts that we then drank from and sampled some of the flesh. He was a show man and sang as well as doing various tricks ... The only help he got was from a rope loop around his ankles that he used to help grip the trunk ... Quite amazing. After buying various spices for home we then set off for the visitors inn in the South East of the island ... Seeing wild red colobus monkeys on the way ... What a change from last night ... From 0 star to 5 star!
The ocean is mere feet away ... The pool is currently populated by most of the team (I have told them I am reserving the wifi code until I have finished the blog as it has been taking me three hours or more to complete most nights due to poor wifi connection!) ... Dinner is at 7, we have planned a beach fire for 8.30 that they don't know about yet ... Then it's a slightly later bed time (twin rooms this time which they prefer) ... Then breakfast between 7-9.30 rather than at a set time ... Out of rooms by 10 but we then have until 2.30 to rest on the beach or by the pool before we head back to stone town and our fish market dinner tomorrow night (which we are all looking forward to).
Sorry about the lack of a blog last night ... But hopefully today's makes up for it ... We are having, as many of you have commented ... An experience of a lifetime ... So many students have recognised a passion for Africa that I hope will continue throughout their lives.
One thing to note before I sign off and get a quick dip in the pool before dinner ... A couple have asked whether they really have to be in school on Thursday. I have made it very clear ... I will take an incredibly dim view to students not being in school for Thursday and Friday ... This experience has already cost four days of school and it must not cost more than that at any cost please ... I hope I can rely on parents to support me on this matter!
Sorry ... Got all serious there ... But it is important.
I hope that we will have wifi tomorrow in stone town so that I can update you on our day tomorrow ... Until then ... kwaherini ...
Mr L

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

Day four - Kaloleni primary school and debates

Umonga are the champions, my friends! We have just been working on our song and dance moves for the celebrations tomorrow ... We have adapted 'We are the champions' by Queen and also the St Leonard's school song to our situation and have been practicing ... So now I will be humming the song all night! 

The school day started with further observations ... whilst I took Dec to find some new anti malarials ... We then visited Kaloleni Primary school. The school was built in 1958, and looks old ... It has recently had new corrugated iron roofs to some classrooms but looks very run down. The school has nearly 600 children and 31 teachers ... Classes are from 68 students to over 100. Most classes have too few desks and chairs and students are squashed in or sit on the floor. I have been trying to arrange a relationship between Kaloleni and a Bridgnorth primary school for three years ... the primary school were keen and did send some resources the last time I came over, but there are frustrations at this end as contact has not been good ... I will be looking for a new primary school link when we return.

It was fairly emotional at the primary school ... To see such young keen students crammed into classrooms, with no real chance to learn effectively was a little distressing for us all. The headteacher Isaac has really moved the school forward over the four years he has been there but he is really up against it.

We then had a debate in mixed teams, in front of the whole of Umonga secondary school ... The motion that was carried in the end was that 'education is more important than money' ... The debating skills of the Tanzanian students was good as they debate quite often and also get involved in inter school debating competitions. Our students adapted well and got fully involved in the debate. 

Then, we had a Q and A session in front of all 750 students which was a little daunting, but again our students rose well to the occasion, answering questions about our culture, schooling, government system and economics and asking some good questions back.

The late afternoon was spent walking through the covered market ... A fantastic array of foods from all over Tanzania, an experience not to miss ... Then the street market, ending up in a little souvenir shop where many students bought things for home. 

Tea tonight was vegetarian ... Sweet potato stew, Tanzanian beans and the cabbage/kale mixture that is very common ... With water melon for afters ... a very tasty meal.

So, we look forward to our last day at Umonga school tomorrow ... Some observations, a celebration, and a teacher conversation where we will discuss sponsoring three students through sixth form and using the profits from the taste of Tanzania coffee company to fund extra teaching in English and Maths ... I'll drop off to sleep humming we will rock you I'm sure ... We're all looking forward to the reaction to Mr Streeets solo during the transition in the song ... It knocked our students out the first time he added it ... It certainly has impact ... Until tomorrow,

Mr L

Day Three - Dodoma school

The day started with rain ... The first we have had ... We missed most of the heavy rain but it continued throughout the morning. Doughnuts and omelette were enjoyed for breakfast which was slightly later due to not needing to be at Dodoma school before 9.30.

Dodoma school is one of the oldest schools in the country with 1300 students and forms I to VI (A level). We were shown around the school by Mr Marko, headteacher ... The main difference between the two schools apart from their age is that Dodoma school has specialist rooms ... They are very proud of their science labs and their food room ... Although they are very old and in bad repair. We observed teaching in Physics, Biology and Geography with forms II, III and IV and found the teaching and ability of the students to be very similar. Another difference is that Dodoma school has a tradition of speaking English, teachers and students, at every given opportunity so the students grasp and use of the language is that much better ... Therefore their progress in school is that bit better. We have been working with Umonga headteacher, Rose Msafiri for the last four years, helping her to encourage her teachers to speak to students only in English and not to answer questions in Swahili but the politics of a female headteacher enforcing unpopular policy and the fact that teachers can just up and leave when they want, makes it difficult, but she is clearly making progress.

We then taught our lessons to the form I students and they were well received yet again ... The students really enjoying the engagement and fun in our learning. After a lunch of chips and fruit (we are struggling to have traditional Tanzanian cuisine on occasion because they want us to feel welcome!) we had a Q and A session with form IV students ... Our students sat on the stage and I acted as compère ... It was slow to start but once the students got confident I felt it could have gone on all afternoon ... Our students gave well considered answers with George, Marsha, Izzy, Beth, Ottilie, Mary, James R, Harriet, Brandon and Becky C playing a key role in asking and answering questions.

Late afternoon saw the Umonga v Dodoma school football and netball matches. Amy, Beth and Ottilie were key people in the netball and the crowd were particularly impressed by Amy as she demonstrated great skill playing for Umonga ... Unfortunately there was a disagreement between a player and spectator and the game ended following a fracas with Ottilie being a superstar ... Umonga were leading when the game was abandoned so we claim the moral victory. In the football, two very skilful sides, with James R, Brandon and Mr Street playing for Umonga and I refereed. The game was intense and played at a very high tempo in the roasting heat (unfortunately the rain and clouds had gone by this point so we played in the blazing late afternoon sun). Umonga won 2-0 in a close fought game, making it a clean sweep.

Now we are back at the hotel awaiting beef stew with rice and Ugali (Tanzanian staple food made of maize flour and water) ... Tomorrow we are hoping to visit Kaloleni primary school which shares the Umonga site in the morning, followed by a Q and A with Umonga form IV students and then we will visit the covered and clothing markets. 

More tomorrow ... Kind regards

Mr L

Day two in school

After three hours of trying to upload photos until the small hours of the morning ... I've given up on that for the moment ... even when I thought I had bandwidth because it was very late ... it turns out that students were downloading apps in their bedrooms!!
Having said that the students have been amazing ... last night when we were all tired after a long day, they still gathered together to improve the lessons they had delivered in the day. Today, we saw the benefit of that time together because the lessons were even better. The Tanzanian students were active and engaged in their learning today about numbers, animals and colours ... the BES students had a lot of fun and great interaction.
We finished the day again with sports, netball, football, volleyball and basket ball with hordes of students, at least twice as many as last night ... football finished 1 - 1 satisfying both teams.
Tomorrow we go to Dodoma school, established in the 1950's for a comparison with the much newer Umonga, we will teach a lesson, observe teaching and then be involved in the local derby ... Umonga v Dodoma at football and netball. I have been very impressed with the skills level of the footballers and netball is improving. Our footballers and netballers will be part of each team and I will be the football referee to ensure it doesn't get too rough!
The students are now settling in for a quiet night ... hopefully without the mild drama of a visit to the hospital of last night ... James M is doing fine today and has taken part in everything except the sports.
All the very best for now,
Mr L 

First days teaching

We finally have wifi but only limited. We have 26 worn out students following a day of observing lessons followed by teaching form I (14 year olds) ... Then we did sports coaching for an hour which finished us all off!
Very enjoyable day though and Lilly was finally reunited with her bag so has a bigger smile! I will try to get a few photos on here later once the students have gone to bed and freed up some bandwidth!!
Mr L

First day in Dodoma......

Habari (Hello) parents and friends!

We still have no internet access ... Tomorrow hopefully. We have had a chilled out day, planning our lessons for the next few days ... Wandering through the streets of Dodoma experiencing Tanzanian life on the streets ... Then back to the hotel where the teachers met with school leaders to plan for the future. Dinner was marinaded beef and chips which was welcomed by the students as being the closest to their normal experience! 

We have recovered a little but the general feeling is still tired but happy to be here. Hopefully we will be able to upload some photos tomorrow to show you what we have been up to.

Kwaheri (Goodbye) from the Tanzanian team

Safe Arrival!

Safe arrival!
Dear parents after 33 hours of travel we are safely in our rooms in Dodoma. The students have been fantastic with all the many transport changes, the biggest hiccup being late arrival in Doha with a very short transfer time but we made it .   Wifi in the hotel isn't running until Monday and I cannot get to an Internet cafe tonight so it's just text today ... Hopefully more tomorrow (a lazy day of orientation).

Safely through security and waiting to board our flight to Doha

We are a happy and excited bunch with an hour to go before our flight is due to leave for Doha ... Can't upload group selfy as wifi is too slow but will try again later

Leaving School

Friday 13/2/15 please be at BES by 7.30 am so that we are loaded up and ready to leave by 8.00 at the latest. Please meet in reception - I have various items I will need to spread out amongst you such as footballs and books ... We intend to stop for 1/2 an hour at some stage on the journey but only if we are making good enough progress. It would be advisable to take a drink and a snack for the journey

Airline
Qatar Airways 1 x 30 kgs
Hand luggage 1 x 7 kgs (for dimensions visit qatarairways.com)

Outbound
QR008 - Depart London Heathrow on Friday 13th February at 15.05
Arrive Doha at 00.40 on Saturday 14th February

QR1349 - Depart Doha at 02.15. Arrive at Dar es Salaam Julius Nyerere International at 08.15

                    

Inbound

QR1348 - depart Julius Nyerere International on Tuesday 24th February at 18.25 and arrive in Doha at 23.59

QR007 - Depart Dona at 06.35. Arrive in London Heathrow at 11.05 Wednesday 25th February.

Returning to school

Wednesday 25/2/15 - we expect to be back at BES by about 3.30 pm.