They Come...and They Go

MAF Tanzania has had more farewells recently, as our fully recovered Programme Manager, Ian (who had that nasty fall here in Dodoma, followed by a hip replacement operation in Nairobi) has left for pastures new. We have subsequently welcomed our new MAF Tanzania Programme Manager, Bengt, all the way from Finland.
Although Bengt will be residing in Dar es Salaam, he has visited us here in Dodoma, despite several injuries sustained in Dar es Salaam when thieves in a moving van tried to snatch Bengt's rucksack from his back while he stood at the side of the road. He was pulled over backwards and dragged along the side of the road, with some nasty bruising and injuries resulting. He did manage to keep his bag, but it was hardly the warmest of welcomes to his new country of residence and new job! So when Bengt visited us here in Dodoma, it was good to be able to reassure him that such events are not the norm in Tanzania, which is usually a fairly peaceful and welcoming place.

We had an afternoon at a local cafe with all of the MAF Dodoma staff from our hangar, with speeches to wish Ian well -and  speeches to welcome Bengt, expressing our support for him as he settles into Tanzania with his family- and of course, lots of bottles of "soda"- coke, fanta etc, which seems to be a typical part of any Tanzanian get-together (much to Esther and Ben's delight, who are normally not allowed such sugary, fizzy drinks!!).
Speeches in Swahili... translated into English:

 Speeches in English... translated into Swahili:

 A Tanzanian-style Thank You gift for our outgoing manager:

 And words of welcome to our incoming manager:

 Joel was also delighted to join in the fun, wearing his African T-shirt  ("Thank you Granny and Grandpa!") for the special occasion:

 And just to round off the weekend before Ian left, the ever-shrinking MAF International Staff Team here in Dodoma got together last Sunday afternoon for pizzas and then afternoon tea/coffee and cake in our very own Parker garden- with some fabulous cake creations from our German, Swiss and Swedish neighbours! If photos tell a story, then Ian seemed to enjoy himself (!) and we wish him well on his future ventures!