The Uhuru Torch visited our school last week. Uhuru means Freedom in Swahili (did you know that, Star Trek fans?), and this torch is the symbol of Tanzania. When the country achieved independence in 1961, the torch was carried to the top off Mt
Kilimanjaro, to symbolically shine the light of freedom across the whole country. Now, the torch travels from town to town every year, much like the Olympic torch. And it came to our school! Great anticipation and preparations! Mark and I even have Uhuru Torch polo shirts. (They only had XXL, so mine hangs on me like a dress).
Of course, in typical Tanzanian fashion, it was 2 hours later than we were told, but no one minded, not even us. And, it only stayed about 15 minutes, but that was OK too. It spent the night on the market grounds in our town
I've attached a photo. That's our headmistress in a blue track suit in the middle, reading a prepared statement. The other people in track suits escort the torch, as do the soldiers. The people who carry the torch wear masks for protection from the fumes. Students are in the background of the photo, and behind them is a classroom where I teach, Do you see the boy in the Boy Scout shirt? There is a scout troop at our school. The shirts, when they manage to acquire them, are probably donated to Goodwill or whatever in the U.S., and make their way to Africa. They all say "Boy Scouts of America" on the front.
What an exciting end to the term for all involved. Now we have a few weeks off before the next term starts. We'll relax, get caught up on chores, and do some traveling.
