I think we all had a pretty good nights sleep and woke refreshed. We had a good breakfast at TemboTamu and then Peter and I walked down to ACTT to catch up with Robert and the staff. It was good to see everyone. Some of the staff from Mwanza were also now here in Moshi as Robert had organised the ACTT annual retreat for the next day. Some Mwanza staff were still travelling and would arrive later.
We had a good chat with Robert and then walked to Maembe Bar for lunch. We like this bar as it does a good mixture of Swahili and Western food. Today we ate Swahili food.
While we had been at ACTT the others had walked to Keys Hotel for lunch and we joined them there mid afternoon for some beers.
That evening we ate dinner at TemboTamu with Frank and Tony. Afterwards Frank cooked termites for us. They tasted like a salty snack and were actually quite good.
Tony now has a PlayStation so after dinner Simon and Robbie played FIFA with him and then we all spent some time building Lego, not that Tony needed much help.
Day 11
Today was the day of the ACTT Annual Retreat. All the staff had arrived from Mwanza and were staying in either Moshi or Arusha. The staff had chosen the Meserani Snake Park as the venue for the retreat. They had organised a daladala as well as Roberts car to transport us all there.
We met at 8.30 at the ACTT office in Moshi. Pete and I travelled in Robert’s car with 4 of the staff whilst Emma, Robbie, Caf and Simon went in the daladala with the rest of the staff to get the full African experience.
The journey took quite a long time as we had to stop several times to pick people up or for police checks or to pick up drinks and snacks. We eventually arrived at the Snake Park around noon.
First off we were given a guided tour of the park. They had quite a lot of snakes, camelion, crocodiles and birds. It was all very interesting, At the end they asked who would like to hold a snake. Emma and Simon were “happy” to get involved.
As was Peter.
However not all the staff were that keen including Sophia.
After holding the snake we visited the Maasai village where you could have camel rides. Frank was the first to have a go.
Si and Caf also had a ride along with quite a number of staff. The camel rides were definitely more popular then the snakes.
Not all camels were involved in giving rides.
While watching the camels Mama Irene’s little girl Maureen decided that I was going to be her friend for the day!!
After the camel rides the Maasai women offered to dress us up in traditional Maasai clothes. They transformed Peter and I and some of the ACTT staff into a Maasai tribe.
We were also, of course, given the opportunity to look around the Maasai huts and buy some trinkets
After this we all gathered in the picnic area for lunch.
We ate Maasai style. Goat soup ( not my favourite) followed by goat, chicken, bananas, chips and salad which was all good. After lunch the beer and wine came out and the games started.
We joined in too. Si and Robbie lost this one!!
The games were followed by the only slightly serious part of the day. Robert divided us into 4 groups and asked us to “brainstorm” how we (meaning the staff) could help ourselves progress in our careers and what was holding us back. We also had to decide what qualities could be taught and which were just someone’s personality. It led to some interesting discussions and each group had to record their thoughts.
After this the staff presented us with some gifts to say thanks you for our support to ACTT and the schools, which was a lovely gesture.
Then followed one of the most important parts of the day. Robert gave out the ACTT annual high performance awards. This year everyone received a small award as they had all worked hard. However there were 4 top prizes. In joint third place was Odilia from the Moshi office and Caro from Mwanza.
Then the second prize went to Ally who was not at the retreat due to a family bereavement and first prize went to Hamisi from the Mwanza office.
By now it was pretty late and so time to end the celebrations. Today had been a great opportunity for everyone to socialise and interact whilst having fun. By the time we got back to Moshi I think we were all ready for bed.
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