Kanga Fever

My last week at St Judes was marked by a number of occasions including a kanga night with my "flat mates" at Usa. Dinner and lots of laughing and singing as well as sporting our St Jude's kanga outfits.

Second Hand Clothes

Buying and selling second hand clothes is a very big part of life here. Many of the clothes are surplus from those that have been donated to charity in Europe. Vendors buy from the importers and sell in two markets here in Arusha. One is in the open air where sellers have their goods on the back of carts and the other is in a series of covered sheds.

I prefer the open air market because the prices are fixed. Shirts and tops 1000 shillings (60c), dresses 2000 shillings and scarves and accessories 500 shillings. There is also underwear but I have never inquired the price!


You just dig through the piles to see if you can find anything you like.

The undercover markets require you to bargain but they do have a bigger range. This afternoon a group of us went to these markets. Tonight one of the volunteers is having a birthday party and it is fancy dress. All of us need to dress as a rock or pop star. Should make for some interesting photos!

Michelle and (new) Helen explore the tee shirts

 It is very competitive but it's always a slow process to get a fair price. I paid 10,000 in total for the three pieces I needed but I did get it down from 25,000.

                                           Perhaps Laura is considering going as Dolly Parton!

The Class of 2012

Unfortunately, St Judes never has enough places for all the children who would like to study here. From September to November each year there is a process in place to ensure that the most deserving children receive the places there are in Class One for the following year.There is no discrimination on the basis of race, tribe, religion or physical disability.

On Friday a group of children were at the school to undergo a final aptitude test. I understand that each of these children's ages and identities had been checked and two members of staff have visited their homes to see first hand the circumstances in which they live.

One by one they are interviewed and given a series of matching and sequencing tasks.

A white paper means a place at St Jude's and the opportunity for  an education that will transform their life and the life of their family.

It is an anxious wait for the parents outside the gate I'm sure

Sunday in Arusha

Sunday is a fairly quiet day in Tanzania. Shops are closed and most people go to church and spend time with their family.

Last Sunday Laura and I went to the English speaking service in the Anglican Cathedral in Arusha and then went for a bit of a walk. The rain, if it comes, seems to be in the form of a late afternoon storm. Mostly the weather is very pleasant but between 3-6pm is quite hot and it's best just to find a shady spot to sit in at that time.

The English choir

The Kiswahili choir

                                                     Jacaranda time in Arusha