Birt: 26.07.2024
Today, there are some visits planned in Tunduru. First, we are heading to the 'Kindergarten Hannover' - not hard to guess where the community is that was the first main sponsor... It is smaller and simpler than the one in Mbesa, but with equally nice, lively children. We meet the director, a relatively young man who obviously knows how to inspire the children, and a somewhat shy woman who is also a dedicated educator with additional Montessori training. Another assistant/intern supports the team. The kitchen with dining hall (the children sit in groups on the floor to eat) and the houses where the educators, the director with his wife, live together are right next door. Unfortunately, the school bus is currently out of order, but fortunately they were able to borrow another one temporarily.
Next, we visit the radio station, supported by the community association. Here we meet a dedicated, mostly young team who explains their mission to us: to reach people in their region through a Christian radio station. They broadcast 24/7, not just at specific times, and also have news, music, and general information programs. But the main goal is to inform about the Christian faith and God's word. Due to the many
feedback and the resulting contacts, there is a pastor who visits and connects people, starting home groups in places where there are no Christian churches. We are impressed by the team and their dedication. For example, an editor tells us that she is actually from the north but works here for very little money because she sees it as her mission.
Next, we drop by the administrative center of the community association, which is located in the same building, and greet an employee there.
Now we head to the construction site of the new branch of Nazareth Vocational School. It is planned that the 3rd year of training will be in Tunduru so that the trainees can directly experience the market and real conditions. Two large buildings (auto and other workshop) have already been built, while other buildings are still under construction, including the dormitories. Also, an impressive project.
The bricks are made with a small machine from Sane with cement, and the dried ones are carried to the construction site by laborers. The construction work is done by a company, and the laborers are women from the community who are happy to have a job. The heavy bricks are carried on the head, about half wear a safety vest as required - but most wear flip-flops (the rest wear rubber boots) 🤨
Back in Nanjoka, Marko and Silvia show us the Bible school. Since it's currently vacation time, we can only tour the buildings, some of which are showing signs of age. But renovations have also begun there. The large auditorium already shines with a new coat of paint. It looks somewhat bleak, but that's mainly because it's not bustling with people...
On Saturday, we have a sort of day off, we brunch outside and in the evening we barbecue and have a campfire. In between, the tailor from Mbesa comes and brings our freshly sewn clothes. We pay a few extra euros for the delivery.