Today is our last day at Rhotia Valley Lodge/Children’s Home. It was a day of leisure. We got up late. I had breakfast at 8am and Veta ate around 9am. Then we headed to the children’s home for a tour of their dormitories and communal dining/playroom. It’s quite lovely and cheerful with lots of books and games. Outside is a well worn soccer field and swings and jungle gyms for climbing. We got a tour of the biofuel machine/system that turns the cow manure mixed with water into fuel for the generator – quite ingenious. All US ranchers should take note or all homes built from now on should have a system where the shit from the toilet is turned into power.
The bakery was quite professional producing breads and small cakes for sale. I was asked for ideas on how to make the cakes fluffier and less dense. I told them how to turn the flour into pastry flour by adding corn starch and sifting it together several times until well combined. I plan to taste one of the finished cakes and see if I can help a bit more.
We played games, read books, and Veta sang songs with the children. They were all very sweet. They were all different ages. Each house has a mother who does the cooking, cleaning, etc. so it is as if they have a new family with brothers and sisters of all ages. Former children from the home still come back to visit because they view the people as their family. I am thrilled we were able to stay here and donate supplies to help out.
If anyone comes to Tanzania, I suggest a visit here: http://www.rhotiavalley.com
This has been a great visit. Tomorrow morning we leave for the Serengeti and hopefully witness the migration and a river crossing…there is hope….