Coffee Anyone? Week 6 Blog

Kilimanjaro from Alex and Lorena's farm

The Super Moon on Full Moon night

My apologies for a late post for week number 6.  You will see that there was and is such a lot going on that there was no way to sit down to write and post.  As it turns out, my knee exercises and treatments take most of my day.  It is getting better and that is the blessing but such a lot of really hard work.  It really makes me cry for a little nap.

My week began with the last 3 of the Saa Moja's (seven o'oclock swimmers)  My instructor Sabini, Sophya, and Eric.  We are a very complementary group and having fun while working hard.  My knee is better I think mostly because of Sabini and my PT Dee Dee.

Sophya, Sabini, and Eric

That night was both the super moon and our planned with dinner with one of our adjunct DGHI professors Abu from Shanghai.  We had a good dinner at 10 to 10 pizza, even though only one of us Frances (our admin. director had pizza!)

John Abu Frances Dorothy Trish

Abu was presenting research that he had been involved with in Shanghai regarding smoking cessation and the huge success they have had with this campaign.  I found Shanghai to be lovely and not nearly as polluted as Beijing, but it was definitely a city of smokers.  So three cheers to Abu's work.  Can we replicate it here at KCMC?  We shall see.  Thanks Abu, and such a charming man. We headed home and I took about 30 pictures of the super moon, as you can see up top.

On Tuesday I headed out with my Dada's group to my Dada Agnes' home.  There we had Agnes to greet us but also her husband my dear friend Baba, and her daughter Yusra who has turned into a stunning and very sweet, smart young woman.  Wow!

Dada's and Baba!

Dafrosa being silly!

We had some very traditional Wednesday Pizza night, Bob, Pastor Tony, and then Greg & Nikoli but wait.. Terrie had just returned  to Moshi from a 6 month stay in the US.  She was repairing their house and going to horse shows it seemed, but fortunately the house is much better, and it is great to have her back. She says going back to African time is a bit of adjustment.  Goodness so busy.  Friday night was play night at International School, and who should be the stars, but our "God child" Nikoli and his good friend Ita.  The play was he "Delicious Death" and it was a Miss Marple adaptation.  Our friends Phil and Sara who run Rafiki foundation's eldest daughter Lydia directed the show in less than 5 weeks.! The whole group was quite good but I of course thought that Nikoli and Ita were terrific.  We sat in possibly the worst chairs in the world in the Gym, all of which made the acoustics and the back and knee comfort tough.  But it was worth it to see how far in theatre Nikoli has come, and to mention how tall. But, on to Saturday!

Trish giving presentation about Mother to Child HIV Transmission

Trish and Yusra at Social Work Meeting

Saturday was the all day Regional Social Workers meeting.  I was delighted to be asked to give a presentation on the PMTCT cascade and the "leaky PMTCT cascade" It was well received even though a great deal of the the time of the meeting involved fees and social workers not paying their membership fees. I was driven home by Agnes daughter Yusra and we had a chance to talk together about her hopes for the future.  She loves Math!!! Can you imagine. I think she has a great future ahead of her!

Finally Sunday and the hash.  Coffee anyone?  It was located on a farm in the upper part of Kibosho and the farm is run by Alexandro and his wife Lorena.  They are both originally from Columbia where coffee is a huge business as well. They have two sons who go to ISM even tough it is a 30 minute drive to town.  But the beauty of the farm and the delicious coffee they grow is worth it.

Levi John and Lorena arguing over end and beginning of hash

The hash had its issues, for though John, Levi and Lorena set it carefully with lots of flour, some children must have been watching and made all sorts of false trails with bits of the carefully laid flour, so everyone got off a bit and some even a bit lost.  It was crazy.  But everyone was back in before dark...altogether good fun.

When they were back, I explored the coffee and the house with my camera.

Alex and Lorena house

Some favorite flowers though I don't know their names

beautiful falling geraniums around the house

coffee beans close

Do you know that as high up as this farm is in Kibosho, it takes 32 days from flower to bean, and then another maybe 2 weeks before red and then just a short time to pick.  Down lower the beans come much quicker.

Flowers and hash flour

landscape with coffee mimosa & Acacia trees and flour for the hash

coffee flowers

coffee flowers up close

Funny black bird fluffing like crazy  S/he had a nice call

And after the hash we drink beer and catch up.  I took pictures of an amused Leonard (who was a hare) and one of the local lawyers who usually walks with me.

Amused Leonard--who is a manager on the farm & was quite amused by all the shenanigans of the group

Handsome Ralph who has a wonderful family home in Uwo & is a lawyer

I miss run/walking with Ralph.  He was a constant buddy.  I hope so much I can do it again

The last of the weekend photos are around our house back in Moshi at our beloved #A-5

Rangoon Creeper and Mangos

Cannot keep that creeper out, but it is sooo wonderful beautiful & smelly!

Water Into Wine

The first Miracle of Jesus Christ is said to be the turning water into wine.  I have no intention of making fun of that first miracle, or of anything said about it; however I do want to offer a particularly full week that seemed to incorporate that very  first miracle.  And it has to do with the following:

A. The MEPI "closeout" in which Charles M. determined that this was the miracle.  (not just the water to wine but the miracle of MEPI
B. Our fabulous yard and the care taken by Pauli, as well as new chickens and suddenly a turtle!
C. Our clinic and the new hats donated to the babies and their moms!  Thanks donors.
D. The 350th hash, which I think may go down in history as a great way for us all to see each other, the dustiest hash, and the least attractive, but with good food (and this is not the assessment of my own dear and near husband but everyone I have talked to).  But it was the 350 so it should go down for something.

Lots of pictures!

Proof positive..water to wine (MEPI and all that it has stood for and continues to stand.)

The boys played "football" but maybe the girls were just as good.  Chrispina shows her ability without any fancy sport clothes on.

WeruWeru Lodge has chosen to have camels for money making.  I have been told by a good source that they have the "good life" lots of good grasses and whatever they eat and are well behaved.  Dativa and Chrispina have ridden them!

Sia Msuya, well known for mentoring students, particularly with unusual and unique research projects.

Sabina Mtweve being crowned the queen of TBL (Team Based Learning)  She loves students.

Fabulous beautiful girls. Dr. Mtweve, Dativa, Glory and Chrispina....wow

Our own MEPI Alumni Chair, Rose, who is giving the keynote and acknowledging everyone involved.  Let's go MEPI 3!

I think everyone has seen our front yard, but we had not for 6 months and here it is, still beautiful!

I have no idea what kind of succulent the "brain Tree:", but it looks a little less like a brain as it grows bigger and bigger

Two gardenia bushes send their scents almost to the house.  It is intoxicating and I just wish they were closer.  

won't look like anything but this is my Mawenzi mt. and the Duke basket ball flag (faded) and the Opposition Party (Chedema Party) fly high (held on by giant cactus)  At this point we are big fans of the opposition.

Biggest surprise is Kenny (Kobe-Turtle)  He lives with the Kukus & they steal all his food so I worry about him, but bring him melon and mince and greens and shut the chickens up.  Wish I could give him to my brother Jim!  He is actually huge.

Actually, this is the most beautiful Rooster I have had.  I have not warmed to him, but named him Charlie Jr. so he would have the same opportunity as his name sake who will go down in history as my fav.

My really favorite bush is "Yesterday Today & Tomorrow.  I love the gentle sweet smell and the sad (to me) knowledge that the flower lasts exactly 3 days. Amost gone now and hope it comes back soon!

We are happy to always host visitors, and Diana and Charles from UCSF and Dar Es Salaam were no exceptions.  We had great talks about the future of our projects and wow, young people are terrific.  Thanks for coming.!

Remember Sarah?  She was a 3rd year resident in 2009!  And now working in Uganda.  Great weekend with Sarah, thinking about the "old days"  (2009??????)  Great to see her!

Winnie looking great wit the hats donated.  Wow thanks donors.

It is important to notate that the new rules about confidentiality for patients (particularly minors) and their parents or guardians are particularly strict.  So the Nurses (sisters) and I decided to show off the hats in the best way we could, with the fabulous sisters who actually see the patients and care for them would show off the hats.  They are sosooo excited for their patients to have the opportunity for a new hat.  You never outgrow this need.  THANKS TO ALL THE DONORS!

Our fabulous study nurses looking through all these hats.  Such a bountiful gift.  Thank you all so much!

Next just one or two pictures from the 350th hash: FYI, it was located at the TPC, the Sugar Plantation which is often beautiful.  For some reason, it struck me as dusty, barren and well, ummmmmm.  But my new knee dilemna (IT band disaster) has leveled me and I can neither run nor walk.

Doesn't look like I feel sorry 4 self, but I do.

John in misery with Nelson who missed a turn somehow and ran 12K instead of 6, in the worst dust imaginable.  Kali (Foul Tempered) John

On the right, great friends Liselotte and Martin back for two weeks to Moshi.  L is one of the best choir soprano voices I know and a flute player on top.  Loved singing with her in the early days of 2005-2009.  Sigh.

So, with the 350 over with and new weeks coming.  I say goodbye to this blog for the week with just a few more pictures.  I have to say that the hardest thing is that I cannot walk, and I'm totally discouraged about it, and confused.  I look at places that I used to walk every day, and now if I try to get there, I am in tears.  I'm told that this IT band will  or can be fixed, but the pain is almost too much to bear.  But I am the soldier of my dad and mom and I will try and soldier on.

Here are the last pics.  The Rangon Creeper (apparently like honeysuckle and just as sweet,) the Traveler's fern...amazing, and the mountain.  Losing its snow really fast now, but so regal regardless.

Rangoon Creeper taking over the house (fine with me...and the yard).

Love this Traveler's Fern

Snows disappearing but oh so beautiful.

Most weeks are much quieter, but gracious this one was packed.  My take away message is that we have young energetic people to take over from us, and soon, and we are only here to give support and guidance.  There is lots brewing just like in the states, and who knows what will happen, but the time has been the best I could have ever imagined!