We were traveling by two Land Cruisers and a Land Rover Defender. It was a good thing we were in these heavy duty, all-terrain vehicles as we were in some of the bumpiest, steepest, roughest roads I've ever been on. The roads were cut out of the mountain leaving a reddish orange cuts. On the many switchbacks we could see across the mountains, green with pines and eucalyptus with swaths of orange as far as the eye could see. We rode ridges; steep drop offs on BOTH sides. Often across the valley we would see farm fields from the bottom of the valley to the top of the mountain. Mchangaji (Pastor) Sagga told us that the farmers grow maize, tomatoes, and cabbage (I am sure there are other things too). All these beautiful vistas, homes and farms perched in mountain sides, lumbering trucks and cut timber waiting for pick-up around every turn.
We came around another turn and there, lining both sides for the road, were the young people from the school. They were singing, clapping and beating drums. They gestured for us to get out of the vehicles. So we danced with them all the way to their school where their Headmaster and teachers were waiting. When we arrived there they had a welcome program for us, with more songs, introductions of the students by Form (class level), teachers and each of us, acrobats, and a native dance exhibition. The Headmaster and many of the teachers participated in these with their students which to me was the first indication of the relationships being developed at the school.
After our greeting, we were invited to tea (tea, hard boiled eggs and yams) with the Headmaster. His name is Sebastian Chaula. He has been the Headmaster for two to three years. He gave us an overview of the school. They have 256 students. He hopes to grow this number to 400 students, but knows they need additional dormitories, class rooms and teachers.
We started our tour visiting the boys' dormitory. The boys sleep two to a bunk. The dorms were full of bunk beds with clothes and suitcases and books everywhere even in the rafters. The windows were covered with plastic or blue tarps. The hallway floors were broken concrete or dirt. However, the setting is so gorgeous and surrounded with trees and the rivers. Next we visited some of the classrooms and the library with its heavily used books. And then we visited the new girls' dormitories. The girls also sleep two to a bunk (the girls were much more organized and clean - girls rock :-) ).
Lutangilo School was a recent recipient of a well. Saint Paul Partners coordinated with H2O for Life (who paid half) for the new well. Headmaster Chaula told us this had a significant impact on the school and students. Prior to the well they had to carry water from the rivers up the mountain to the school. With the river water they were constantly fighting skin and intestinal issues. As you can imagine fresh water has had an impact on the students and that has shown in the improved scoring since installation.
The beans and ugali were cooking over fire pits in preparation for dinner. The students have three meals a day: porridge for breakfast, beans and ugly for lunch and again for dinner. Headmaster Chaula said the students may get meat maybe twice a month. Maybe.
But lest you think I am describing something dismal, I am not. In the midst of this challenging, remote environment, they are growing and learning and joyful. Bega Kwa Bega is sponsoring 60 of the 256 students at Lutangilo. I forgot to mention that the Headmaster is going to start a forestry program planting and farming trees for lumber to earn money for the school and give another area for learning.
With the joy of life and learning in this Christ centered place full of song and dance, Lutangilo is an oasis in the forest. Please look online for more information about Lutangilo Secondary School. There are a few wonderful pictures.
From Iringa,
Dawn
p.s. - We have some fun stories about the ride home including a chicken and truck towing. We will tell you about that when we get home.
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