Ng'irese Village

Monday, January 13

We began the two hour journey back to Arusha.

The countryside in this area was beautiful with its rich fertile soil.








Along the way were many children in their school uniforms walking to school, sometimes for several miles. In the background you'll see the police (usually women) vehicle inspection check point. We saw many of these in several different places. Later, our vehicle was stopped at one of these check points and issued a ticket because one of the vehicle stickers was 5 days over due (but we were on safari). The police actually wanted David to pay a bribe and they would let him go. He didn't because if he got pulled over again, the next officer would want another bribe. TIA (this is Africa).




This is actually a small village along the way ~ we passed several of these ~






We deliver everywhere ~


Locals gathering ~ usually in the shade ~


Bicycle loaded with grass ~ motorcycles used for taxi service everywhere




And just to remind us we are in Africa ~ giraffes along the road right next to the telephone pole!




Mt Meru coming into view ~



Every day these women walk six to seven miles or more to the market area to sell their foods and then back home again. Many people cut the tall elephant grass to sell for livestock feed and we saw them transporting this in many different ways; in huge bags on their head, in push carts, on bicycles and in baskets.



The butcher shop ~ look closely to see the meat hanging outside. Farmers bring their livestock here where it is butchered and sold. (See them waiting for their turn)


Market day ~


Livestock to be sold ~



Maasai bringing livestock to sell ~





Welcome back to Arusha! We haven't seen traffic like this for days ~
The sights and sounds of the city ~











David dropped us at the Impala Hotel in Arusha where we re-registered, unloaded our luggage and picked up our guide, Peter, for the final afternoon of our safari.

David drove us to the small village of Ng'irese. Ng'irese sits on the slopes of Mt Meru. While we were only about four miles from the hotel the road to the village was as bad if not worst than many of the rutted roads of the Serengeti.
As we did on safari, when another vehicle (truck or motorcycle) passes, you have to close your window to prevent even more dust from coming in. Sometimes you can't see for a minute because of all the dust.


First, our guide Peter asked if we wanted to see a waterfall.


Oh yes, we all replied before we realized where he was taking us - straight down hill. As we rounded the corner we were met by local children wanting to accompany us. One sweet little girl raised her hand to me offering flowers ~ that was it ~ they had me.

Can't you just tell ~ the leader of the group



Down, down, down ~





Hold on ~



We continued straight down hill having to hold onto tree roots to navigate the trail while the local children ran up and down next to us. They all wanted their pictures taken and laughed when we showed them their photos. The trek to the bottom was worth it when the water fall came into view.






This will be a roaring waterfall after the heavy rains start in March.










Checking out their own pictures ~ laughing at the children who didn't want their pictures taken but were captured in the background.







Now ~ how to get back up?










As we were leaving several local children came to swim beneath the falls.







We couldn't figure out why they would take their clothes off ~ just jump in and wash the clothes as well! Everyone and everything gets dirty walking through this dirt.



Back at the top we realized these children hadn't just been playing ~ they had been working. They had been sent to cut and collect sticks for cooking.

Isn't this machete what you would send your child out with?




Each had their own pile of sticks to carry~




Back at the top, they showed us the local brew, banana beer ~ at 10% alcohol none of us were brave enough to try it.




We drove a little further to the village and were welcomed by the village leader who was also founder of the educational program of the area.

First we had our last boxed lunch and then began our two hour walking tour ~ who signed us up for this again??



how they collect bees for honey ~



The avocado tree ~ ripe with fruit


Three different kinds of bananas; one for eating, one for cooking and one for beer ~ distinguished by the hanging flower ~



As soon as we arrived children ran out to meet us. Most of them bearing flowers and shy smiles. They all wanted their pictures taken so they could see themselves on the camera.






This is a small village of Maasai who decided they didn't want to roam any more so they built permanent structures but continue to live in the traditional ways.




These children are beautiful and appear very happy.



The same dirt flying around the roads is the same dirt we were walking through and the same dirt these children walk through and play in. It is impossible to be clean even though these people are constantly sweeping and cleaning.






Up and down hills again with Mt. Meru in the distance. Our guide explained there is never a water problem here due to the run off from the mountain and as you might expect it was lush and green.


it doesn't help the dry dusty roads though ~
























The coffee bush and beans ~










Each family has at least one cow ~


The men and women do not live together. The first and second wife must live in the traditional cow dung hut while the men live in a separate building.


We went inside one of these and it was very hot! It was larger than the one we saw in the Serengeti but still very close quarters especially when you consider that mother, small children AND all livestock spend the night inside!






The bathroom ~



They start learning early ~ young children carrying heavy loads on their heads ~










































Children everywhere. The guide explained that through the education program the adults were learning about "family planning" so instead of averaging twelve children per woman, it had been reduced to seven!





These creative children were playing soccer with a ball made of a head of cabbage and plastic bags!

































while this little guy had a bow and arrow he had made ~


















Flower for honey ~
























The church ~ there was a service while we were there and the singing was lovely ~



One of the most impressive outcomes of this project is the school program. The village leader had an idea that they needed to take advantage of tourism and promote their village. Through the tourist fees and programs they were able to open an elementary and secondary school in this village. Their children and those from two other towns all go to school here.
There was also funding from American programs to support this project.


The primary school ~ it was a religious holiday so no children today ~


The classroom where more than 50 young children learn their a,b,c's








The library ~ built by American donations




The secondary school where there could be 100 - 150 students in a class ~












The bathroom and water tank at the school ~ until the American involvement in the project there were only outhouses ~



The butcher shop~



Beautiful flowers everywhere ~










This flower is always used in funerals ~


and the chickens ~



Town office where meetings are held with all people sitting in the square ~



One of the other homes outside the village ~ beautiful flowers in this area



It was very interesting but we had had a very long day and we were ready to crash.
We returned to the Impala hotel and relaxed by the pool before dinner.