November 14
We continue to start our day with omelets, fruit, and
African coffee and tea. Eggs are abundant here and are a part of almost every
meal; the coffee is dark and strong—these foods, along with good conversations,
are how we prepare for the day ahead. This morning, we went to meet with Bishop
Sima and other ministers at the ELCT Central Dioceses office. Although our
drive was short, the red “Xs” and “BOAMA,” which means break down, appears on
many buildings along the road. As the new highway that will connect the cities
and regions of Tanzania continues to be constructed, the houses and shops along
the pathway continue to be broken down, and the owners must relocate. For those
who have families the transition will be easier than for those who will no
longer have a home or shop and will be left with nowhere to go.
When we arrive at the office, we are greeted by the diocese
Secretary General, Daniel Mandi. After Bishop Sima welcomes us, Peter Kijanga,
the retired minister who will be the provost of Singida University and Daniel
take us to meet with people they have been working with at TTLC, a
telecommunications company that is developing internet connectivity in Central
Tanzania. Fiber optics cables, their efficiency, costs, and future implications
are reviewed. We are told that these cables are the only reliable way to route
internet access to Kiomboi. Much review and discussion will need to take place
at the ELCT office in order to make the best decision; the technicians at TTLC
will be putting together more information to help with this decision that we
will come back to review with them on Thursday.
When we get back to the office, we contact the computer
company and find out our computers should be available for pick-up at 2 PM on
Tuesday—we celebrate this good news during lunch! After lunch, Mark and Al
roll-up their shirt sleeves and get to work on preparing five new computers at
the office for use with Windows and Skype, and install some updates and
applications on a few other office computers as well. With only one connection
and many steps, Mark and Al have nearly all of the work completed by 6:15 PM.
Pastor Laura and I, while intrigued with the technical work, spend the
afternoon visiting the Open University with Peter Kijanga. The Open University
is primarily a technical college that offers diplomas and certificates in IT,
computers, Microsoft™ applications, primary and secondary teacher education,
and law. Peter was critical to the University’s development and is very proud
that degrees in sociology and other liberal arts are being added to the
programs. Many of the courses are offered through distance learning online and
all of the students have access to an online library as well as a computer lab.
As long as the rains keep falling that are essential to generate the electrical
power, the school will be able to provide many opportunities for its students.
Laura and I also visit a museum displaying tribal artifacts that is adjacent to
the university.
After a dinner in downtown Singida, which had Mark introducing his palate to some of the local peppers that ignite his senses, sleep comes easy . . .
Andrea
