November 17, 2013 - Chicken Pilau at Mwakeima’s

Mama Heri’s chicken pilau is legendary….I made an attempt at chicken pilau last month and it was not great but at least edible.  When Mr. Mwakeima heard I had tried to make it he immediately invited us for Mama Heri’s pilau.  We had a lovely time as always.  The chicken pilau was delish and nothing like what I had prepared – although Mama Heri said the spices I got at the market were the right ones so it must be my technique or lack of same I conclude.  Anyway it was very tasty and as a bonus, their first born daughter Heri was home after graduation from university.  She is a very accomplished and lovely young woman.  Her degree is in Public Administration.  Jobs are not easy to find in Tanzania but she has hopes of a job in Tukuyu.  She would like to live in Dar es Salaam where she went to school but there are not many jobs there either.  So it goes everywhere it seems for recent college graduates.  Mr. Mwakeima says that teaching degrees are very much in demand so those graduates will usually find a place quickly.  Then the challenge here is to get paid as agreed.  Some of the schools run short and don’t pay teachers….can’t imagine but we have a friend who is teaching here in a private university who has not been paid in more than 6 months….He manages somehow I am thinking that since this is not uncommon there is some kind of extension for expenses but wow….not easy. 

The Mwakeima family is so very warm and welcoming to all the teachers in the program.  Sean and Mr. Mwakeima enjoy talking history together – Mr. Mwakeima is called “the professor” by many folks in Manow.  He has lots of knowledge about Tanzania and the Manow area – he and his brothers grew up not far from the school.  We are well cared for by all the folks in Manow.