Buses, school and sickness...

Since Esther started in Reception class last Monday, she has settled in nicely. She is thrilled to climb aboard the 7:20 MAF school mini-bus to be driven in style to school (although maybe not always so glad to be woken at 6:30 each day!!).

MAF parents take turns on a rota to take/collect the children. I drive 3 times a week, to pick up Nursery/Reception children, who finish their day at 12pm. I had to overcome my fear of driving new vehicles! After a couple of lessons with a patient Andrew and Julie-Anne at MAF, I now feel fairly at ease driving the MAF mini-bus:

The children are always glad to board the bus, homeward bound for lunch, running enthusiastically (with the bleating of nearby goats to add an African flavour to their happy chatter):

On the back seat:

On the topic of school, Andrew's sister Claire has now arrived in Dodoma to take up her new post as Year 4 teacher at the junior section of Esther's school. It a relief that she is finally here, after an upsetting start to life in Tanzania...

All began as an idyllic holiday with her Aussie friend and travel companion, Keva, on Zanzibar; but then a nasty bout of what has since been diagnosed as amoebic dysentery meant that Claire was very ill for several days, involving an unpleasant night-visit to Stonetown hospital, plus time spent at a more reassuring clinic in Dar es Salaam. Her actual bus journey to Dodoma was delayed until she was well enough to travel.

Eventually, Claire accepted a lift in a car from an Italian priest. It seemed a better travel option than the hair-raisingly fast bus- at least the car could stop suddenly if Claire needed to! We expected her late Saturday afternoon in Dodoma.

There was no space in the car for Keva and the luggage. So Keva travelled alone on the bus, with all the luggage. We expected her late in the evening.

As it happened, Keva arrived safely for dinner on Saturday evening, with all the bags, but there was no sign of Claire... Adding adventure to calamity, Claire's journey was significantly interrupted by a rather dramatic puncture, just as the afternoon was coming to an end:

Claire spent at least 2 hours by the side of the road, right into the black of an African night, with lots of interest from the local villagers. They set up a vigil with Claire and her fellow car passengers after they broke down- even lighting a fire for them once night fell!

The puncture was finally repaired.... and Claire arrived at our Dodoma home in the wee small hours of Sunday morning!

Here is proof that she is finally- and safely- here, recovering from her illness, teaching at school -and pictured here settling into her new Dodoma home near to the school: