First day in Musoma!

We started the first day in our new lodgings for the next 17 nights in Musoma shortly after the sun rose over Lake Victoria - an amazing sight. After a breakfast that could best be described as "different" we made our way to Eagle Lodge - essentially Go MAD's HQ where we all went through some in-country orientation which was very helpful indeed. 

We set off to see some of the work that Go MAD has done along with the locals. We met a number of families whose lives had been transformed.

 

One lady we meet had seven children and her husband had died. Go Mad built her a brick house, including a outside toilet. She has also just had electricity installed and was very excited to show us her 'big light' in operation!!  

Eliza was using her water tower when we got to her house. The clear water was running freely and whilst it still needed to be boiled before drinking it was incredible to see her able to turn the tap and get her own water. 

Another man, Daudie, was one of the first people Go MAD helped. He benefitted from a water tower for his family and a goat shed. Daudie has become a leader by example in the community and he now works closely with Go MAD. He heads up the farmers cooperative and ensures the locals are playing their part. 

Daudie took us down to the local water source. We had a slight pause on the way down to let his son who was bathing in the water to get dressed. The water resembled a stagnant pool. The locals bathe in it, water their cattle, wash clothes AND use it for cooking and drinking. To see the difference in the water there and that which was coming out of Eliza's water tank was inspiring.

 

This confirmed to us that the water tower for the children in the school was something we wanted to build!! 

Our day finished as we climbed up Eagle Rock where we sat at the top and watched the beautiful red sun set over the lake. An extraordinary day for us but just another ordinary day for the people of Musoma facing daily challenges that we in the west don't give a second thought to.