The 2013 Sweat  Equity trip is coming to and end and we thought we would take some time to update you on our work this week…First, Roger and Dave never got to the Ukerewe Island.  On the day we were supposed to fly to Mwanza our flight was cancelled by Precision Air.  There is only one flight per day to this city from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Because of the tight ferry and flight schedule we knew that if we waited even one day to get to Mwanza we would basically get to Ukerewe Island and then 18 hours later turn around and head back.  Most of our time would be spent in transit and only a few hours with the Rotarians in Nansio. Instead, we returned to Moshi to work with our partners in this region.

This week we have been revisiting medical clinics and dispensaries to confirm they are ready for the equipment  to arrive over the next six months.  This means traveling rough back roads in the Old Moshi Town, Msaranaga and further afield to Nganjoni.  

Today was especially fun as we visited the community of Nganjoni.  The clinic in Nganjoni was previously mention in the “Power to the People” blog entry last week which celebrated the success of the local Rotarians convincing the local government to fund the connection of the electricity to the clinic.   When we arrived at the clinic we were immediately greeted by group of women dancing and singing welcoming us, and celebrating the announcement that the electricity connection had been funded.  The joy in their faces and their enthusiastic singing clearly communicated their excitement about the change coming to the community.

The Welcoming Committeee

After a tour of the clinic and the newly completed doctor’s house we were presented with thank you gifts of shirts and kangas.  Our celebration was completed when Meaghan and Mackenzie were invited to join the ladies in a traditional dance.  It was a great way to celebrate the end of our trip.  We look forward to returning to this community and celebrating one final time when the electricity is on and the new equipment arrives.  The people will finally have the health care services they need and deserve.

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