So Hard to Leave Behind…

It’s that time of year again – leaving Tanzania and all the kids is always hard for me.

This time has been particularly hard, as our Zawadi was so ill. Having spent a month with relatives over the summer break, she came home weak and thin – she’d not taken her preventative medication, and lost weight while away. Unfortunately, this change to her immune system made it necessary to start her on anti-retro virus medication (ARV) and changed her health status from HIV to AIDS. ARVs are harsh drugs, and Zawadi spent 3 months adjusting. Before I left, she had to spend 3 nights in hospital for a blood transfusion. She was back home and on the mend when I left. Although she did spend another night in hospital, now she is recovering her strength and has even started back to school. 

Joining the family is 12 year old Kondo, who is also an AIDS victim. He also was born with the HIV virus. Living with his older sister after both parents died, he was struggling to keep up in school. He is adjusting very well to the household, and all the kids have made him feel welcome. Paulo is especially glad to have another brother, as the girls had far out numbered him and Emmanuel.

The other children are well, and are enjoying the littlest “brother”: Isak is the 6 month old son of Inno, our grounds keeper/caregiver. Isak and his mom joined the family in September. 

The children prepared a gift for me to bring back to Canada – they collected the nuts from our cashew trees, and took them to a neighbour whose business is burning and removing the shells. How delicious they are, fresh from the trees of our property!

And, at the very last moment, our white goat gave birth, causing a bit of excitement just as I was about to leave with the taxi! 

It’s a going, growing concern, this project of ours. And while I’m glad to be home again for the winter, I do miss my home in Tanzania.