Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Yesterday we were asked to help supervise mid-term exams. I discovered that I am getting a little old to spend three hours on my feet walking back and forth in the assembly hall. In between we also managed a trip to the community library in Mbeya. Unlike public libraries in the US, the library is not free. A membership for nonstudents costs Tsh 10,000, ($7.69 US)—that is also about how much we are paying per week for internet time. It is a hefty sum for many Tanzanians, and I wonder how many Americans would stop using libraries if they had to pay anything at all? Last evening darkness was falling as we took our walk around campus, and we noted several large fires on the mountain to our north—farmers burning off fields in preparation for planting when the rainy season arrives. The College, and I suppose the surrounding area has had no running water for over 24 hours. Hiari walked the 1.5 km to Uyole Junction at least twice yesterday for water, returning carrying a full 5 gallon bucket balanced on her head—we had not asked her to do that. She did it on her own accord, even cutting her evening English class in order to water the garden. We have decided to pay her Tsh 20,000 over the monthly minimum wage.
This morning there was a meeting with all the first year students to talk about the new syllabi—the students had not learned of them yet, even though they go into effect for first year students immediately after break (October 15). One of the changes is that communication skills has been added to the Certificate Course, but taught in English—heretofore, Certificate Courses, except for English itself, have been taught in Swahili. The principal told me I would be teaching that course, along with a new tutor who has not started yet. The meeting with the students, along with the faculty meeting that followed it, was entirely in Swahili. We understood nothing but we did our duty and attended.
The weather pattern has reversed itself. The last several days it has been calm an night and very windy during the day. A veritable dust storm was kicked up in the Assembly Hall during the session with the students. I understand this pattern is normal as the rainy season approaches.