Our volunteers are settling in nicely

It would seem that the guys in Tanzania have not been following our orders of not feeding the volunteers (see previous post). Here are their first impressions sent by email.
Nicole:”I will start with the house in Ilongero – it is lovely! We were all pleasantly surprised I think. We have been enjoying sitting out the back in the afternoons and taking in our view. Not to mention our lovely neighbours.
We had dinner in Dar es Salaam with Gloria and Bonne before heading off to Dodoma. Gloria was wonderful and very helpful in getting us on the right bus – the bus stations can be a bit overwhelming and I am sure we would have been ushered onto an Arusha bus if she hadn’t been there to help.
Bonne has been amazing. He arranged for us all to meet in Dodoma and travel to Singida together. A surprisingly short trip of 3 ½ hours and good roads! He has been giving us daily Swahili lessons and has been great in introducing us to people we will need to know in Ilongero.
And Maria…I can see what you mean now in that she will be like a mother figure. She never stops! Jess and I are a little worried our kangas won’t be fitting us soon as we are being so well fed. Maria is showing us to cook African food – I am a little scared of cooking Ugali though, that stuff is dangerous!
Yesterday was our first day really seeing the town. We were introduced to the executive committee, the head warden, the police and the headmaster and some teachers of the secondary school. We have also been to the sunflower factory and the sewing and the centre for the disabled.
Our heads are spinning and full of ideas and questions. I am very excited for the next 5 months!
Jess & Ben I just wanted to send you a quick note to say we have arrived safely in Ilongero! We’re currently in Singida using the internet at the post office before heading back to the village. I think Nicole has already sent you a proper email so I won’t repeat what she has already said, but I wanted to let you know that from our end, everything is going great and we’re having a fascinating time. Gloria, Bonne and Maria have all been wonderful, meeting us in Dar, getting us to Singida and looking after us now we’re here. Our Swahili lessons are going well (there’s a lot to learn) but the best thing has being meeting everyone and seeing the work that RWDA is doing. We visited the secondary school yesterday which left the three of us buzzing with thoughts and we’re looking forward to learning more. We’re going to the RWDA centre tomorrow to meet the women working there too and we can’t wait.