Words from Tanzania

Secondary school in Tanzania follows seven years of primary school. If a student has funds and qualifies and does well on exams, he/she would attend four years of secondary school. Advanced level (forms 5 & 6) would follow for two years, again requiring qualifications and more funding.
A neighbor of mine knocked on the door early last Saturday morning and spoke the usual “hodi” greeting. It was a little after 6am. I knew it was George by the voice and got up and went to meet him. George was dressed in track suit pants, but had a pressed dress shirt on. I knew something was up today, and he calmly explained that today was the day of his graduation. Having just arrived from the US on home leave, I was not aware of the latest schedules in town. Most ceremonies and events here in Tanzania are scheduled only 1-4 weeks in advance, therefore I had no prior knowledge of this special event.
George was asking for my help. His mother was in town, having arrived from Dar es Salaam the day before. It is very common for students to go to secondary boarding school in a town or village far away from their parents. The graduation ceremony was held at the secondary school about 6 kilometers away from our neighborhood, and I was to escort George’s mother in my car. George also requested that I pick up a crate of soda for the party afterward.
So, at 11am I picked up George’s mother, sister and uncle and we attended the 4-hour graduation ceremony. I was pleasantly surprised to find out the keynote address was given by the director of the local Compassion International, Mr. Gilliad Mkubwa, a friend of mine. The opening prayer and special message was given by the Lutheran Same Cathedral pastor, Eliniema Mndeme, another friend and the school chaplain is another Lutheran pastor, Pr. Rosan. Being a governmental secondary school, I was again surprised by the level of Christian involvement and the number of “praise be to Jesus” phrases mentioned.
All went well, loud speakers turned and tuned to crackling perfection, and the crowd was mostly obedient. The family members of a graduating student normally rush to the front to congratulate the student immediately after they receive their certificate and this causes quite a stir. George, his mother and sister and some friends piled in my car to return to his aunt’s home for a meal and small celebration. Great day for George and his family, I was proud to be a part of it.