When returning to my home village of Wrington (Somerset, UK), I might discover a couple of things have changed, a new bus stop perhaps or a different shade of cream on a house in Broad Street. That's fine by me, I like Wrington the way it is. I thought I liked Buswelu the way it was; sleepy, peaceful, on the fringe of the gorgeous Tanzanian countryside. Two and a half years later the changes are everywhere. New houses where formerly little plots of farm land sat, more shops and stalls selling a plethora of fruits and veg for reasonable prices (I'm still having nightmares about regularly paying £1.09 for an avocado in Sainsbury's) and cars and motorbikes roaming the vastly improved dirt roads. This is economic growth in action, but you're not here for a discussion on trickle-down economics.
The place has changed and continues to do so, for better or worse. The locals have retained their infectious, affable nature. Some things never do change, especially the continued cries of "Good morning Madam", cue my frustrated reply of "It's 4 in the afternoon and do I look like a Madam!?". The children of the Upendo family are as loveable as ever and they are growing up fast. The boys are becoming men, the girls turning into divas, although perhaps that's just Edina and maybe she's always been a diva...the important thing is that 2 years since I was last here they remain happy, healthy and looked after.
Whilst Upendo and its mission is adapting to the needs of the community (I'll leave the bosses to fill you in on the details in due course), it has been more than satisfying to know the kids are doing well and as charming as ever. It will be at least a couple of years before I have the pleasure of returning to this beautiful place, they'll be more changes no doubt, but I'll take solace in knowing that some things will never change.