Africa Schoolhouse

Piga lipu

2011-02-17T07:51:00.000-08:00

We have been so busy building the health post that I forgot to update our blog! We're already in the finishing stages now-the major one of which is plastering the interior walls, or 'piga lipu' in Swahili. A few of the trials and tribulations we faced along the way have been: 1) Getting my mobile office (backpack with laptop and files) stolen out of the side window of our truck-while driving 2) Having our 27ft long custom made trusses on the health post blown over in a big wind storm 3) No rain-this is actually good for construction but bad for everyone around because they depend on the food they grow. On the whole, everything is going much smoother in our second big project because we had a plan BEFORE we started it! We learned a lot from building the school.

They're here!

2010-08-22T13:19:00.000-07:00

Students and teachers...are now on campus! Almost 400 students are walking an hour or two less a day to get to school since they relocated to Ntulya Primary School after it officially opened around July 10th. It's exciting to have the houses being lived in and classrooms being studied in after all the effort we've been through to get them built!
Next-up: "Health Post." We're just finishing up plans for the next Africa Schoolhouse project in Ntulya. A "Health Post" is a clinic where basic medical aid such as first aid, treatment of common diseases, and pre-natal care will be provided.

If you build it...

2010-01-04T21:53:00.000-08:00

The school year in Tanzania starts in January so we're hoping that students and teachers may start to utilize the buildings that are finished. The school is not finished but with two teacher houses complete, a latrine for students, one for teachers, and five classrooms complete with windows and doors we hope that the facilities can start to be used. It should be exciting to have students and teachers on campus!

Social Change

2009-11-05T05:43:00.000-08:00

Last week we had to get a lot of small change in order to pay the villagers that crushed over 7000 buckets of aggregate at 355 Tanzanian shillings per bucket. After failing to find sufficient amounts of change at local 'dukas' or shops, and even knocking on the church's door to see if they had change from their collection (it was Friday so we we too late), we headed back to the bank to make a final plea to the teller that had told us the bank didn't have change...He agreed that there was change but we would have to sort through sacks of old 100 shilling coins to take a minimum of 100,000 shillings worth of good mia mia's. It took two of us about an hour to make the count (1000 coins!) and by the time we left with our large sack of money, worth about 80 dollars, we had made good friends with most of the staff in the bank!

Back online!

2009-10-25T13:29:00.000-07:00

A year and two months after the last post and...(don't worry we made it back into the country) we have a campus of 14 classrooms and 10 teacher houses in stages from foundation to complete. Next up: 'choo.' Choo is the Swahili word for latrine. With the help of local experts, we devised a design for a self-composting pit latrine! Now we just need to dig the holes for 3 toilets before before the rains get heavy.

Week Twelve August 31 September-6- Getting kicked out of the country

2008-09-09T19:06:00.002-07:00

After meeting with the immigration officers in Mwanza, they confirmed that we will need to leave Tanzania this week in order not to overstay our visas. So we are going to Rwanda for the weekend (Road Trip) ha ha----in order to get new visas.

Week Eleven August 24-30- THE WEEK OF PUMBA

2008-09-09T19:06:00.001-07:00

After weeks of running around like crazy people, we finally had a chance to focus serious efforts on how to make our job site more efficient. Without getting into the details, we got our workforce more focused on specific task and had each worker specialize in a particular component of the project.

And now to PUMBA.

Pumba is rice chaff, which is the by-product after winnowing rice. It is also the material that locals use to fire bricks. The search for Pumba is a serious endeavour that only the determined and unrelenting individual will succeed. Pumba is always in high demand and usually is purchased a week or even month ahead of time (which is very rare in this part of Tanzania). After much frustration, we heard talk of a possible supply, several villages away. So, we dropped everything and went to investigate this lead. Fortunately our sources were good and we were able to secure a supply of Pumba to get us started firing bricks. No champagne cork popping yet, the search still continues….

After Eleven straight weeks of eating rice every night we asked Kishosha if there were any other kinds of food that we might buy to cook for dinner. He thought about and said, “What about rice mixed with lentils?” Last night, we had rice again for dinner.

Week Ten August 17-23- BRICKS

2008-09-09T19:03:00.002-07:00

After several weeks of testing the bricks that we had been producing for our classrooms, we came to the conclusion that we needed to find another brick solution. So the problem with the bricks that we were creating was that they did not hold up to water and our soil was not condusive to the Kenyan made brick machine. After trying many different soil and cement mixtures and contacting the manufacturer of the machine, we decided that we could not go forward with this brick type. So, we got a local brick expert to come to our job site to test our soil for use in making mud fired bricks. His conclusion was that our soil was a perfect candidate for this type of brick. With this green light we wasted no time is training our workforce to start producing these mud fired bricks.

Week Nine August 10-16- OUR FIRST DAY OFF

2008-09-09T19:03:00.001-07:00

After dropping the last of our guests off at the airport, Jake and Valerie got to relax by a pool, use a sit-down toilet, and drink a beverage that has been chilled in a refrigerator…..HOW GREAT!

Then we picked up Eleanor, Sam, Joe, Mark, Lydia, and Lucy. While Eleanor, Jake, and Kishosha got busy meeting with government officials, Sam and Mark threw themselves into fully understanding the local art of the area by working and talking with the local artists of Ntulya. On the business end, Eleanor, Jake, and Kishosha secured a revised copy of the memorandum of understanding, a document outlining the support of the local government for our project and outlining their responsibilities in supporting our work, While Mark and Sam got to work on a massive power object (traditional piece of art, containing locally made dawa, or medicine) in the form of a 12 foot teacher and student made of cement, rebar, and other materials from the job site.

It was such a pleasure having everyone’s energy and enthusiasm on the job site at the compound.

Week Eight August 3- 9- THE BARN RAISING

2008-09-09T18:59:00.000-07:00

So let’s be honest… Anyone would be nervous about the entire board of directors and their families arriving to check the progress on a job site. Fortunately, we had nothing to worry about! Their visit was great. Everyone worked hard trying out all the various tasks that were happening on site. They dug foundations, moved water, made cement blocks, moved bricks, planted euphorbia, and got involved just about everywhere. Greg Cook, Carol Ann’s personal contractor, and his family, Jill, Derek, and Brea were extremely helpful. Greg helped our team on the ground with his extensive knowledge and experience. Thanks Greg! The week ended with a local holiday called Nane-Nane (Eight-Eight, August 8th), Farmers’ Day. About 300 people attended a huge celebration with snake dancers, local ball games, and a huge feast. Benjamin, Jill and Digger’s son, even joined the snake dancers, showing no fear in the presence of an eight foot python.

Week Seven July 27-August 2- SUPPLIES… SUPPLIES…SUPPLIES…

2008-09-09T18:51:00.000-07:00

So we got a lot of supplies.

And the First Four Foundations are well on their way.

Residents of Ntulya answered our aggregate problem by offering to make aggregate on site at fair price by using rocks from the hill of our job site. Within days of them starting, the hill came alive with the sound of pounding. Then Aimee, Mark, Blakey, and Clay picked up Jill, Digger, Benjamin, and Clare from the western gate of the Serengeti and brought them back to Ntulya.

Week Six July 20-26- THE BIG VILLAGE MEETING

2008-09-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

The focus of this week was an ALL villages meeting (meaning the 14 hamlets that will be served by the primary education school that we are building). So we had the meeting and were pleased to have Mama Theresia who was a gifted speaker and was able to rally the hamlets to help focus volunteer efforts to help on the job site.

Also this week, we GOT WATER!!!! Successfully the pump was completed and we could finally start pouring our foundations. We also secured a contractor to aid us in moving forward.

Week Five July 13- 19- A VERY TRYING WEEK

2008-09-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

So the week started out really well with our contractor starting work on the first four classroom foundations. Then the work started to become very difficult. The first of a serious of unfortunate and trying events was trying to secure aggregate. The difficulty with securing aggregate was the local producers formed a cartel and would not sell it to us a reasonable price. As a solution we had to start trucking it in from over 30 km away. This was an enormous cost in fuel, which was almost as high as the cost of the material, but this was still a cheaper solution than buying from the people in our area. The second was thee injuries on the job site that required Jake to start his own hospital ambulance service, for emergency room and follow-up visits. The last of these hospital visits was delayed when Jake looked out into the distance and saw a big orange glow rising above the trees. This orange glow turned out to be the flames of five homes belonging to residents of Ntulya . Quickly he and Kishosha, our on the ground Sukuma expert rushed to the join everyone trying to help grab items from the homes before the were lost to the fire. If this was not enough after these unfortunate events, our contractor had a stroke and could no longer work on our project and Valerie got extremely ill.

WEEK FOUR- July 6-12- THE CONTRACTOR AND DRILLING THE WELL

2008-09-09T17:34:00.000-07:00

So we finally got our contractor on board. This process was arduous because we had to negotiate quite extensively. Jake and Valerie had to prove to themselves and to the contractor that a classroom foundation trench would not take two weeks to complete. So they and a couple of villagers started digging a foundation and completed it in one day. The contractor, Pius, finally understood our dedication and determination and came down not only in his price, but also his construction schedule. This busy week ended with the first traffic jam in the village of Ntulya. It only lasted for a minute, but the three drilling trucks and one other car that were brought in to start the bore hole were a lot for the normally quite pathways of Ntulya. The equipment brought a lot of excitement and anticipation. Even with a water survey in hand, there is no guarantee that you will actually hit water. Therefore, when we did, there was much cause for celebration. Not only did it mean that we could move forward with construction, but it also brought the promise for relief during the long dry season for years to come.

WEEK THREE - June 29-July 5 - THE WATER WELL

2008-09-09T17:21:00.000-07:00

The week started out with the search for the best water well drilling company. The hydrology company that Africa Schoolhouse hired to survey our land recommended 3 possible bore hole locations and 3 different companies for us to get quotes from for our water well. All of our ground rescources highly recommended Maswi Drilling Company, but we reviewed all of our options just to be sure. In the end, after much laborious research our conclusion was that Maswi Drilling was indeed the best.

WEEK TWO JUNE 22-28 THE DRIVE AND NTULYA

2008-09-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

The crazy Americans are always trying to stretch the day. On Sunday, Aimee, Jill, Jake and Valerie woke up at the crack of dawn to drive across the Serengeti (a 6 hour drive) and to Ntulya (an additional 5 hour) all in one day. Valerie states that it was interesting to experience the Serengeti and all the animals for the first time driving across it as fast possible in a Land Rover. After arriving in Ntulya, the village where the primary educational school is being built, the four of us were off and running. First, we met with surveyors, who we had hired prior to arriving, to survey the land which Africa Schoolhouse purchased from the village to build the school. Next, Jill and Valerie walked the purchased plot of land and started the process of laying out the four classrooms before Jill had to return to the States. Then, we interviewed a highly recommended contractor Pius to possilby aid in the construction of the primary school.

WEEK ONE

2008-09-09T08:19:00.000-07:00

Flying into Dar es Salaam and once on the ground the hunt for the perfect utilitarian vehicle begins. Aimee and Jill looked at over 100 vehicles and then once Jake and Valerie got on the ground they all looked at about 20 more! After about a week of looking at every possible option in Dar with no perfect matches, we decided to fly to Arusha to look at a Land Rover that fit our parameters to a T. We go into Arusha, looked at the care, got it checked out by a professional garage and then purchased it. It was the ultimate match!!! While in Arusha, Valerie and Jill drove to Karatu to study the architectural tectonics of a newly built medical dispensary and a children's orphanage.

Check out our Facebook Profile!

2008-08-22T17:38:00.000-07:00

Africa Schoolhouse on Facebook now

Africa Schoohouse is Building this Summer

2008-07-22T12:49:00.000-07:00

Check out my word cloud from the list posted below.

On Our Way!!

2008-07-21T19:36:00.000-07:00

WELCOME TO NTULYA!!!!
July 30: Jill, Digger, Benjamin, Clare
August 3: Bettina, Emmett, Finn
August 5: Carol, Moise, Annabella, Luca, Nico
August 7: Nina, Matt, Julia, Megan; Jane and Dan
August 13: Eleanor, Sam and Jo

Money:
If you bring $100s to change, make sure they are 2000 or newer—the newest bills are the best. Some Bureau de Change will not accept bills older than 2000.
Bring some $1 bills (also new bills) for tips needed before you change money—for airport and hotel porters.
For those of you coming into Dar or Nairobi airports, there are ATMs at both airports. The one in Dar is just outside of the baggage claim—to the right of the door as you walk out.

Dar:
Getting into town: a taxi or minibus into town from the airport is 20,000 Tshillings. (This is the amount to the Movenpick).
Smoker is a great driver to take you around town for the day. His day rate is 70,000 TSH. (He doesn't smoke, by the way). Bettina's friend Becky recommended him and he is extremely reliable and trustworthy. His number is: 07

Mwanza Airport:
Baggage claim is a bit crazy. They unload into a small area and everyone clamors for their bags.

Supplies for Families Travelling to Ntulya:
Sleep sacks (you can make from a double sheet sewn in half)
Pillows
Water containers
Headlamps
Blanket (or buy one here)
Flipflops that can get wet in shower
Closed-toe shoes for work site
Anti-malarial
Food for kids (comfort foods for kids)

Life in Ntulya Village:
Village Etiquette--
--Greetings are a very important part of life in East Africa and Usukuma (the Sukuma area in Tanzania). It is very important to take time to respectfully go through all the greetings.
--Women kneel down (more like sitting on your heels) to all men who are older.

Morning Greetings:
Mwangaluka baba: good morning father (said to all men/boys)
Mwangaluke mayu: good morning mother (said to all women/girls)
Inkwimba: Respectful greeting for those older than you (used by both men and
women)—the response is: Wa Baba—or Wa Guku—or Wa Mayu (you come
from our father or grandfather or mother)
Mwamishagamhola: How did you wake up?
Mhola: Peace (the answer to basically all greeting questions)
Kukaya mhola? How is the household?
Mhola: Peace
Bana bako balimhola? How are your children?

Afternoon Greetings:
Mwa dila gawiza, baba/mayu: good afternoon father/mother
Gawiza baba: shortened version

List of village elders names:
Namhala (this means elder/Mzee) Makongote (village chief)
Namhala Nkuba (2nd in command): often wears a sweater with broad pink, white and navy stripes)
Namhala Pita: the oldest man in the village—very dapper—usually wears hats
Namhala Salasala: cares for visitor area—4th in comman in the village hierarchy
Namhala Joji: secretary for the village
Bagi: village healer—he also brings the visitors water
Busu: village worker: head of the brickmaking operation

Other names:
Jefta Kishosha (Kishosha): translator and everything man
Pius Msongazila: contractor overseeing 1st 4 foundations
Irisha: Pius' assistant

Dress while in village:
While things are quickly changing in the cities (like Dar and Mwanza), village dress is still very modest. You will see women wearing pants and shoulder-bearing tops in the city—but this is quite shocking in the villages. The Sukuma (as well as may other cultures in Tanzania) are very modest.
Men can wear pretty much anything.
Women: dresses and skirts only. No pants in the village. The skirts and dresses should cover the knees. Make sure knees remain covered even when sitting.

Other things to bring:
leggings to put on at night when mosquitos come out (the mosquitoes have not been bad so far)
socks for at night to cover ankles
long-sleeved shirts for night
sweater(s)
shoes that can get wet in the shower/bath area (like flip flops)
hats for the hot sun

Things to bring to the village:
Each family will need to pay about $150 for food while in the village in addition to a recommended $100 to pay for extra for the village to eat.

For the Kindergarten and 1st and 2nd grades:
pens for 100 children
crayons and art supplies
paper
pencils for 100 children
picture books for the kids—all kinds
Kindergarten activities and puzzles.

For the village children:
shoes
children's clothes

For women:
dresses
shirts that cover shoulder
skirts that cover knees
shoes

For families who lost their houses (there was a village fire):
clothes
shoes
$50 per family visiting will pay for all 5 houses to be rebuilt. (each house will cost about 100,000 to rebuild—or around $80)

For elders:
hats
clothes
shoes

For John Timba (Ntulya artist):
paints
brushes
paper

Jake and Valerie need:
-Absolute needs:
Large bottle Ibuprofen (for them and for village)
Large castile soap (or more!—for biodegradable clothes and dish washing)
Bandages
Big box bandaids—assorted sizes
Large box of Bic pens
Africa Schoolhouse letterhead
2 bottles of 90% isopropyl rubbing alcohol (not available here)
2 Large boxes of rubber gloves (preferably latex free)—1 box size x-large; 1 box 1 size fits all
Non-stick gauze pads
Cloth medical tape (easy to get at sports stores)—athletic tape
Neosporin—several large ones (J and V need for workers—and Bagi also has been using for village injuries)
Handiwipes (or diaper wipes) large package
Syringes
Sponges (a couple)
Silver Sigg bottle (Jake's was stolen)
Pocket-sized jackknife—Buck brand or if not available—then Kershaw (Jake can reimburse you)
Size 7 ½ womens workboot with steel toe; size 13 wide mens work boot with steel toe

Other needs:
Apple Cinnamon instant oatmeal packages (Quaker)
Macaroni and cheese boxes
AAA batteries
Keychain
Ramen soups
Coffee maker (press or Italian percolator)
Dishtowels
Can anyone download the Michael Jackson Thriller CD and Thriller video (a long story—but this is to share with the village)

For all of us:
Ingredients to make S'mores
Ingredients for large Barbeque
Baskets to put paper plates in (enough for 25 people)
Comfort foods for your kids and snacks!!
Emergen-C or other energy drink mix for electrolytes

Kisukuma Phrases and Words:
Ng'wangaluka Mayu/Baba: Good morning mother/father
Inkwimba: Respectful greetings from Kwimba Chiefdom (Women say this to those older than them)
Ng'wa Baba: Of our father (Respectful reply to Inkwimba)
Ng'wa misha gamhola? How did you wake up?
Ng'wa misha kinehe? How did you wake up?
Mhola: Good
Ng'wa dila gawiza: Good afternoon
Ng'wa dila: Afternoon
Ulimhola? How are you?
Mhola du: Just fine/good.
Nalimhola. I am fine
Alimhola? How is he? Alimhola. He is fine.
Bana bako, balimhola? How are your children? Balimhola. They are fine.
Nalimhola I am fine
Alimhola He is fine
Ulimhola (Are you fine?)
Mlimhola (How are all of you?)
Tulimhola (We are fine)
Balimhola (They are fine)
Kukaya mhola? How is the household?
Kaya: house/compound
Ulihaya kinehe? What's up?
Kinehe? What's up?
Mamilimo: How is work?
Hagene: Work is fine.
Wabeja; Thank you
Wabeja geete: Thank you very much.
Wabeja kolomba: Thank you for thanking
Wabeja shilewa shinonu: Thank you for the delicious food
Geete: very
Tujaage: Let's go. Nahene: Ok
Tujaage luulu: Let's really go. Nahene: Ok
Nahene: Ok
Tukwibona: We will see each other again.
Tukwibona ntondo: We will see each other tomorrow.
Bujiku ng'waka: Good night.
Yaya: no
Eeeh: yes

A note on Pronunciation:
Kisukuma Pronounced
A ah
E ay
I ee
O oh
U ooh
Ng'wa: a nasal "mwa" sound

Are you guys on?

2008-07-16T16:55:00.000-07:00

We've finally got a blog. Let's hope Valerie and Jake can sign on soon! xEl

Blog Created

2008-07-10T13:32:00.000-07:00