We arrived yesterday afternoon after having completed our in country orientation and making the trip from Bukoba to Kamachumu.
All of the host home members were already waiting when we arrived and volunteers waved goodbye to each other and headed to their new homes. It was quite an exciting yet somewhat anxious afternoon. Later in the day we met at the local inn and all of the vols had an opportunity to discuss their host homes and families. Everyone seems happy with their placements which is good. There were a couple of slight issues as due to us having an uneven numbers of boys and girls some volunteers are staying in bedrooms alone (as of course boys and girls can't be expected to share). VSOs policy is that only ICS participants can share rooms, however some of the host mum had decided to ask their daughter to stay with our uk females who were in rooms alone so that they wouldn't get scared or lonely, it's such a lovely gesture but due to the policy me and Aive had the awkward task of explaining to the host families that this wasn't allowed. The families under stood though and all is now sorted.
Today we had a 'tour' of the community and visited various places around Kamachumu and many calls of 'Muzungu how are you?' Could be heard coming from all directions! We were introduced to the Kamachumu Ward office who gave us a stern talking to and asked that we behave respectfully and professionally throughout our stay in the community, the official then asked directly to me (as the UK PS) if I could vouch for all volunteers - Awkward! Ha.
I had a chat with my host home this morning as the cockerel woke me around 5.30am today, I was far from impressed and despite all the challenges this experience is bringing me this cockerel situ is by far the worst! It was funny talking with them about it and they found it hilarious me reinacting the cockerel and my reaction when it wakes me up, then later on today I was chatting with Aive and she told me that the cockerel and his hens are going to be relocated for my benefit! I couldnt believe it. On one hand I feel relieved but on the other I feel super guilty as tonight I have seen the 'pen' where the cockerel and hens are living (which is directly outside my room so no wonder its waking me up!) and the pen is huge so I've not the first idea how they are going to shift it and if they do its going to be a hell of a job!
I'm starting to get more familiar now with the 2 girls and 2 lads who are the house helpers. Mikyla is 14 and has a wicked sense of humor and a bit of a naughty streak, she's always pulling funny faces to me whenever my host mum and dads backs are turned. She's been funny today as i brought some peanut butter from Bukoba and she hasnt seen peanut butter becore and is really excited to try it. when shes in the kitchen and im there she picks up the jar and holds it up to me with a massive grin, I hope it lives up to its porential and she actually like it! Samia is 25 and really sweet and we've got to the point where we hug to greet each other now. David seems a bit older and he does lots of hard jobs like fetching water and sawing wood etc, there's another younger boy also who takes care of the cows and his name is Dixon.
Last night when I came home from work Mikyla arrived on a push bike. Neither my host Mum or Dad were home and Mikyla took full advantage of this fact and communicated to me ( in body language) that she wanted me to have a go on the bike. To her delight I agreed and she took great pleasure in pushing me really quickly on this death trap whilst I screamed in shear terror!!! She and the others found it hilarious and it was nice to have a laugh with them although I cannot fully communicate with them yet.
Right now I'm just sat in my lounge typing this and Aive has left the PS mobile with me by mistake! I've answered it twice already and luckily both times it's been someone I know, fingers crossed it doesn't ring again as god help me if its someone speaking Swahili cos I've no chance! Lets hope there's no emergencies tonight!
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