A School Opening and Serengeti

 The intrepid tour group was scheduled to spend the day driving through the Serengeti National Park, while I and one member who had to return to Australia for a meeting later this week drove straight to Bunda for the opening of Shalom Pre and Primary School.

The intrepid tour group was scheduled to spend the day driving through the Serengeti National Park, while I and one member who had to return to Australia for a meeting later this week drove straight to Bunda for the opening of Shalom Pre and Primary School. My drive all on tarred road was about an hour. The Serengeti was rain affected so the tour group had to retuen to the gate they entered through for an extended drive.

They were up at 4.30am for early breakfast, then a three hour drive to the park entrance via Mugumu Safe House which the church operates to support girls fleeing FGM. An interview with a girl resident since 2019 is disturbing (trigger warning).

John Sandeman has written about the Serengeti in “The two sides of Africa: a safe house and Serengeti” so have a read of the Other Cheek to get his take on the day. Tourists visitin the national park would be horrified to know this ancient practice is still practised where they are visiting.

As I indicated the rain required alternative arrangements for baggae for nineteen to be conveyed to the next accommodation in Bunda. Bishop Mwita Akiri generously provided a school bus for a school opening in June for the cost of petrol.

Two police roadside checks and a customs border stop and we were in Bunda in time in time but the Bishop and special guest of honour opening the School Archbishop Kanishka Raffel from Sydney were running a bit late.

The day was full with speeches and children entertaing guests after the opening. If you would like to see all photos and video click the link. The kids dance welcoming us can be viewed separately. Here are some to to look at.

Ret Bishop Hilkiah Omindo, Canon Helen Hoskins, ABp Kanishka Raffell, Bishop George Okoth and diocesan and school staff. Principal Joyce Baringere left in red and green

The Serengeti group saw animals and lots of rain. The park had few tourists which I have since learned is not unusual during the wet season. They did not arrive back till 7pm two hours later than planned. Dinner and an early night in a hotel.

Monday (day 3) to Rorya and Mara

18 travellers some with specific interests, so on Monday, day 3 of the tour the group split into two. 13 plus myself travelled the 75 minutes to Mara Diocese in Musoma. Five visited Rorya.

The group visits two dioceses

Mogabiri overlooks the Serengeti plains

Accommodation

Dining room at Mogabiri

18 travellers some with specific interests, so on Monday, day 3 of the tour the group split into two. 13 plus myself travelled the 75 minutes to Mara Diocese in Musoma. Five visited Rorya.

In Rorya Lucy Lim Executive Director of Anglican Relief and Development Australia with the Kellys visited Nyamusi, a village where they had supported the church in a feeding program at a school and where a mission had recently taken place and a church established.

Michael who works for Anglican Aid visited Kowak Bible College to meet staff and see the college facilities.

Robin Vonk’s family has provided sponsorship to a now 17 year old youth for over ten years. Through some perseverance he was able to negotiate a visit to the young man and his family and spent the best part of the day with him as well as visiting the main centre where child sponsorships are co-ordinated by the Mennonite Church.

Robin greeted by students at the local village near Shirati

Robin meets the young man his family has supported for over ten years

Robin with the family of his sponsored child

Meanwhile the group to Musoma had a varied day. Greeted in the bishop’s office where the customary signing of the visitor’s book occurred we then visited the Mother’s Union Sewing Centre, the cathedral and to the old cathedral for a meeting with heads of departments. The speakers each spoke for 5-7 minutes outlining the roles of Youth, Evangelism, Mothers’ Union, Education, Link and Development and Secretary’s departments to give an overview of governance and structure.

The English congregation meets here

Abel Obura Youth Director

Max the Diocesan Secretary outlines his role

Rev Jotham Odongo in his seventies and retired spoke of the early days and the role Australians had in developing the church and building the actual building we were meeting in.

Bishop George and members who visited Mara Diocese

We then went across the road to Rehema Cafe and Tailoring Centre Lunch was a western style meal (the only western cafe for hundreds of kilometres) and some people had measurements for shirts and skirts taken to be hand tailored and delivered by Wednesday.

The sewing centre

John measured up for a shirt

After lunch visits were arranged to two villages. Mothers’ Union or Umaki took a group to Kiabakari about 40 minutes south on sealed roads. Four of us visited Mugango with a short stop at Nyakatende on the way back. This provided an experience few tourists would ever have of seeing village life. At Mugango we had a welcome afternoon tea in Pastor Francis’ earthen floored house and then went to the church where choir members sang for us. Pastor Francis has a Jonah like story which can be viewed here translated to English.

We visited a youth program where brick making was developed as an income generating activity. From digging the clay, forming it and letting it dry before baking in a locally made kiln this prepared us for Nyakatende.

Pastor Francis’ house

Mugango Church

Choir

Brickmaking

Craig Roberts tries his hand at making bricks

The kiln for baking bricks

From Mugango to Nyakatende which was unscheduled but requested by the Bishop. This was interesting for a number of reasons. The church building is basic but the pastor walks 20kms to the church as the house they commenced building some years ago used unbaked bricks. Well the rain came and depsite having the walls up to window height, all the efforts were washed away with the rain.

Nyakatende Church

What’s left after the rain caused the walls to dissolve

Meanwhile the group visiting Kiabakari met Mothers’ Union choirs and visited a church being constructed.

Then back to Mogabiri for our last night. There are many things I have seen transported on motor bikes but the following photo is the first tme I’ve seen a bike transporting a cow.

Bishop Mwita Akiri arranged a farewell dinner for us together with many staff and clergy. Dominic and Catherine Steele celebrated 30 years of marriage and this was recognised by the bishop who congratulated them. Dinner ws an extravagant display of hospitality.

Bishop Mwita his wife Mukami with Catherine and Dominic Steele

The following day was to be a Serengeti Drive to Bunda while I made my way there separately for the opening of Shalom School. The plan to load the bus this evening was thwarted by looming clouds so an alternative transport for the bags was hastily arranged.

To view journalist John Sandeman’s take on today visit The Other Cheek