2. 08-04-2014

My first impressions of Bukoba were entirely unexpected. It is beautiful. The whole area is a vibrant green ocean of banana trees, leading to the gorgeous coastline (is it a coast?!) of Lake Victoria. Of course it isn't only bananas that are grown here, the actual list is endless, but it may as well be. 

After the 3 days training at the hotel we were told who we would be living with, and where we would be.

To say the first week was emotional is beyond an understatement. I don't think I have ever cried so much and so publicly in all my life ever. Perhaps tiredness? Perhaps hormones? Arguably even maybe culture shock? I honestly could not tell you. This all came to a head when we arrived at our host home. After being shown around Mama Ester's very basic house I had what can only be described as a mini-meltdown. Everything from the completely unguarded shower, the hole in the ground toilet and the lack of electricity got a little too much. The next morning however, I woke up ready and feeling better than ever.

Host Home - View from my bed, outside toilet and view from the "shower"

My bedroom, did my best to make it my own. The blue bucket is the shower.

I was placed in Katoma to work in Katoma B and Kemondo primary schools. I was living with Grant, another UK volunteer, his counterpart Frank, who spent the first week suffering with malaria (I can't even describe how matter-of-factly he told us this, little did we know how much malaria we would be yet to face) and Rhoda, my counterpart and room buddy. Even at this point I knew I was on to a winner with Rhoda, never have I appreciated another person so much. From escorting me to the toilet the first few times to teaching me to handwash clothes to just having a bloody good gossip and giggle she is one of the loveliest people I have ever met and probably ever will.

Katoma Local ;)

Frank, Grant and Rhoda

Katoma Girls

As for the house, yes it was basic but Mama Ester herself was everything I could have hoped for and so much more. She would do literally anything to make you feel more comfortable and don't even get me started on the magnificent spreads she put out for dinner over the first few weeks. Despite not speaking a word of English she 100% put me at ease and reassured me I was going to make it through the following 11 weeks.

Mama Ester's House. Home.

First of many lunches at Kailembos

So at the start of our last week of training everything was going great. Everyone got on and everyone was super enthusiastic to start the work.