You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.

This week has beckoned the end of a chapter in my time in Arusha, a milestone has been reached and the rag-tag team of hopeful entrepreneurs, I have had a hand in assembling, training and pushing into the commercial environment of Ngaramtoni, are ready to prove their worth. 


The first weeks trading figures will be available the week after next and the result of my efforts out here will be worryingly easy to scrutinise. I feel a certain amount of pressure to show positive results, not only for myself of course but, for the grant recipients and their families who are in such desperate need of a basic income to enable them to at least subsist and if they are lucky afford the occasional luxury like sugar cane or a new piece of cloth to fashion clothing from.


The training consisted of teaching very basic profit and loss principles, accounting practices, record keeping and ideas on how to make their individual businesses attractive to potential customers. Over the two days I spent in front of the 12 or so people, gathered in a local church to listen to our attempts at equipping them with the tools necessary for success , I realised that to get these people excited and fired-up is almost impossible, with a total lack of any recognisable signs of excitement or enthusiasm on show. I am told this is a cultural trait and that all those setting sail on this journey of commercial discovery are hugely passionate "on the inside". I just hope that it's true.


The church we used as our training centre was on the grounds of a local school and the children were delighted to see *Wzungu and myself and my fellow Mzungu friend were mobbed upon arrival.

 Bob Marley is a very popular figure in Tanzania and this week it would have been his birthday if he were still in the land of the living. This would-be occasion is marked here by a weekend of Bob tribute acts performing at most of the bars and hotels in town as well as by Bob-themed evenings being put on at every opportunity. Tonight I am looking forward to a large helping of Mr Marley's contribution to music and to witnessing some of the unique local dancing styles on show. I will try and get some photos but, the locals can get pretty tetchy about this and usually demand money before any photos can be taken.

Have a good weekend.....