Karibu, Rais Kikwete

Yesterday was a siku kubwa (big day) for Peace House School. President Kikwete visited and toured the school and met the students. It's a huge honor, of course to be visited by a President. We (Mark and I) were introduced and had the opportunity to chat with him for a couple minutes. Scott Augustine also had the chance to talk to him personally about PHF. But the true honors, I think, go to Theo, our headmistress. She gave a speech about the mission and work of Peace House Secondary with our students and was the one who took him through the administration building and the classrooms to meet the students. No matter what my political views are, let's face it--it'd be completely cool to be touring your president around!

It was a tremendous honor for the students, too. Imagine, the most margainalized group of people having the opportunity to greet the President, sing for him, and stand up to represent their new school. They lined the road in, presented flowers and gifts, sang, and answered questions in class when he talked to them. Several were very disappointed because they had worked on a play that they weren't able to present because of the time constraints.

They have been pestering for uniforms from the very first day--even though they have PHS t-shirts, they have felt very shabby in their old skirts and pants and having the uniforms is very important to them in terms of feeling proud and belonging. Our friend Margaret set her tailors into overtime work to finish skirts and trousers so that the students could put their uniforms on for the first time for the special day.

Watching everyone I was reminded yet again how much credit should go to the people of Tanzania that are working so hard to make Peace House Secondary School a great place. Yes, it does take a tremendous amount of money that needs to come from generous donors outside of Tanzania. Yes, there is a place for us to facilitate and guide the integration of Western ideas into Tanzanian culture and practice. We all get plenty of positive feedback about the work we're doing. But today we were honored to see Tanzanian citizens being proud of their work, their school, and themselves. They met their president and shook his hand. They talked to the First Lady. How many of us can say we've had that honor? Our staff and students did a tremendous job representing PHS on a very special day. I always think Tanzanians have a great sense of respect and dignity for serious occasions. We were so proud to have President Kikwete come and see the students and their teachers!

You can see from their faces how great the day was. Mama Kikwete does a lot of work and visits to schools and both of them spoke personally to several students in each of the classrooms. They both have a very friendly and easygoing manner and the students responded to that. The students and teachers are anxiously waiting to have their own copies of the pics with them and the President/First Lady!

President Kikwete has a reputation for being very "hands-on" when he meets people. He has a great smile and is very easy to talk to. He ran very late in arriving (we lucky we were first on his list--the next group waited over 4 1/2 hours) and we were told that he would listen to a speech and have a very quick tour, possibly in his car. Once he arrived, however, he stayed for the whole program, including classroom visits and making a speech to everyone.

It was a great day!