Visit to Tuamoyo

On Sat, Mar 5th, we finally made it to Tuamoyo to partake in the children's monthly meal.  Usually this meal is made possible by a certain woman, however, this woman is out of town this month and everyone was thinking there would be no March meal.

However!  Someone anonymously donated a goat to Mama Mkubwa Fatuma, who was then able to sell it for a good amount of money which was then put towards a March meal.

We had 3 of Mr. Kimaro's sons (the gentleman who lives downstairs) join us: Evans, Alan, and David; as well as one of the professor's nephew's, Lucas (the professor is also on the Tuamoyo board and is one of Nancy's neighbors).  Plus of course Nancy Marie, the little one.  The 8 of us trekked out of Savei with a big cake in hand that Aunt Nancy had baked the day before in Mr. Kimaro's oven.

The trek involved 3 dala dala rides (hot and crowded), ride on the ferry to cross the bay, and a bajaji ride.  How might 7 grown adults with 1 child fit into a bajaji?  Well, we fit into two of the them.  In one, Lucas had Nancy Marie on his lap, Jeff had me in his lap, and Evans fit in with us.  It was a wild ride with my head hitting the top of the bajaji and my knees hitting the back of the driver.

Finally made it to the building in Tuamoyo where meals are held in a courtyard under the shade of a big tree.  There were maybe 80 children, sitting on long, thin wooden benches, and the Mama Mkubwas were all there getting the meal ready.  There was a sort of stage - concrete platform - where Aunt Nancy had all us guests sit for the kids to see us and she presented the cake to the kids.  They were all so obedient and anxious to get the meal going.  I found I was nervous.  80 children looking at us expectantly.



Mama Mkubwas in the back row - Fatuma just above my
head; the guys on either side of us: Evans, Alan, David,
and Lucas; Nancy Marie on Lucas' lap.



We finally got the meal going which included a big pot of rice cooked with meat and spices; a veggie stew; and of course, a small piece of cake.  And amazingly, the funds from the goat afforded sodas for everyone, as well as some local entertainment - 5 teenage guys who danced to hip hop music.  The kids were pretty engaged, but I think they were most excited about how much food they received.  I tell you, the food on their plates was mounded as high as possible - it was impressive.



Jeff and Mary with some of the kids eating their meal.



Small girl of Tuamoyo who kept stealing
glances at me and Jeff during the entertainment;
earned her a picture!

At the end of the meal and after the dancing guys had left, the kids were allowed to dance around the courtyard, which was priceless to see.  Then after they were settled back on their benches, Aunt Nancy had me and Jeff each come up and "say a few words".  What?  I was not anticipating this!  Lucas did the translating and I basically said they were beautiful and thanked them for letting us share the meal; and I told them we were so enjoying beautiful Tanzania.

We finally left Tuamoyo, as we had to return home before dark, and paid a quick visit to a beach - my goodness, the water of the Indian Ocean is WARM.  Made it home after a trek of about 2 hours and took much-needed splash baths (shower has no running water).  And the next day, boarded a bus (with A/C thank goodness) for the 9-hr ride to Moshi!