Glass blocks

It is so tempting to go out into the street and take pictures of people walking around, capturing street life and sharing views of Dar es Salaam. But the fact is that I am supposed to be facilitating a planning meeting...and I find that capturing the glass blocks that are found in the corridor are much more rewarding to me. So sorry...

Last night I was invited to one of the homes found in our project. The mother of the house looks after 8 orphans of different ages and sexes. She is a star and has raised a number of kids over the years. Her own child is in a boarding school...his leg amputated after a bad bus accident. But the Salvation Army is looking after him and now she looks after these other kids.

I was invited for a meal of beans and rice ... and then to participate in a huge event - the unveiling of a NEW TV!!! The money for the TV was a choice made by the family. Rather than buy clothes they decided to put their budget towards buying a TV. The excitement throughout dinner was palpable...the younger kids could hardly finish their meal! After eating watermelon for desert the box of the TV was brought out and opened. The smell of 'newness' wafted throughout the room. We connected it and after a few moments of fumbling around the black box we found the switch and voila!

All sorts of thoughts went through my mind about the end of talking and more blank stares into the boob-tube and western influence and capitalism...and then I realised that like anything else, it is how the technology is embraced that will ultimately determine its goodness or evilness...