Namonge Primary School

 Today we are visiting Namonge Primary School which is about 40Km from Ushirombo where we have just spent the night. Hamisi, Robert’s agent in Katoro is joining us along with his computer trainer Yohana who ran the computer training course for the teachers at this school.

We have arranged to meet Robert and the others at 9 so have a leisurely breakfast. We were unsure what we would get but having waited for a little while in the breakfast room we were served a plate, with a bowl of soup, spaghetti, cassava, chapati and a boiled egg. So not exactly what we would have chosen but we weren’t going to starve!!

Robert actually turned up about 9.30  We did have to stop at a few shops before we left Ushirombo as Robert had forgotten to bring a screwdriver with him and we would need one today to assemble the computer stands. He found something suitable in the third shop he tried and then we were on our way.

Our first stop was at the District Education Offices. Here we met the District Education Officer for Primary Schools. We explained about our project and she seemed interested and thanked us for our support to the schools. 

We then carried on to the school arriving at around 11.30. On the way we pass a place making bricks. One of the guys working there sees Pete taking a photo and happily poses for him!

On arrival we found a group of teachers were waiting for us. We were shown into the Head Teacher’s Office where we were introduced to various people including, the Head Teacher, the ICT teacher, the Ward Education Officer, Members of the School Board and the Village Committee and other teachers.

Namonge Primary School is in the district of Bukombe, in Geita Region. It is a large school with around 3600 children and 25 teachers. 17 of these teachers attended the computer training course run by Yohana in July 2024. The school has electricity and a secure room to use as a computer room and a security guard. 

After all the introductions Robert explained to them about our project and we then went through the Loan Contract with them. Everyone seemed happy and so signed the contract.

Hamisi, Robert and Yohana then brought in the 3 computers and the printer that they are receiving from us, and set them up. However they seemed to have a few problems getting the computers to talk to the printer.

Whilst they were busy the Head Teacher gathered a large number of the children together and told them about the computer equipment that the school was receiving from us. This of course caused lots of excitement. 

After talking with the children the Head Teacher then took us to see the new classrooms that have been built for Standard 7 and Standard 5 classes. These classrooms are some distance from the rest of the school and are surrounded by the school farm where the children grow vegetables. It was lunchtime so the children were actually outside. Again the Head Teacher gathered them together to tell them about the computers.

On arrival back at the Head Teachers office, we were told that lunch was ready. We were served rice, chicken in a sauce and greens, it was really very good. The chicken was the most tender I can remember having in Tanzania.

By the time we had finished lunch the computers and printer were all working. There were then more words of thanks from various people including one of the teachers who was representing all the others who were not there.

We had a few photos outside with everyone and then a quick visit to a Standard 6 classroom to say Hi.

By then it was 2.30pm and time to leave. First we drive to Katoro where Hamisi has his office and then continue on to Geita where we, Robert and Aaron are all staying for the next few days as it is a good location for visiting the schools.

We arrive in Geita around 5.30pm. Peter and I are staying at the Lenny Hotel where we have stayed before. It’s more expensive than some other places at TSh 100,000 per night for the room and breakfast but we have a large room and there is a nice bar area and even a swimming pool.

We meet up with Robert at 7pm to go for dinner. Tonight we decided to go to Desire Park, a place we have eaten at before on previous visits. We order chicken with onions, mashed potato, pepper sauce and salad and it is very good. I also share a bottle of wine with Robert which goes down well. All in all it has been a good day.