Thursday, March 20, marks the beginning of an extended long weekend in Tanzania. March 20 is set aside for the observance of the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The term for the holiday is Mawlid. The day is a public holiday in Tanzania and most institutions are closed for business including Muhimbili University of Health & Allied Sciences (MUHAS).Fred and I spent most of the day with the past director of the MUHAS Library, Dr. Alli Mcharazo. Alli took us on a vehicular tour of the city as well as the University of Dar es Salaam. We had lunch at his house and met his family. Alli drove us back to hotel to meet with the current director Rehema Chande-Mallya to discuss aspects of the customer service workshop in a library setting planned for Wednesday, March 26.
Friday, March 21, is Good Friday, another public holiday in Tanzania. Actually, Easter holiday spans Friday, March 21, through Monday, March 24. We're taking advantage of the holiday to see other parts of the country. Fred is going east to Zanzibar to meet up with a friend who works in a clinic in Mombasa, Kenya. I, on the other hand, am going west on a safari to Mikumi National Park with three Dartmouth College colleagues who are associated with the seven year DarDar Study at MUHAS, which is designed to reduce morbidity and mortality from HIV-associated tuberculosis.
Fordham von Reyn, principal investigator for the study organized the safari through Kearsley Travel & Tours. Also joining the safari were Ellen Rennard, friend of Ford and Wendy Wieland-Alter, Laboratory Technician who is also associated with the project. Our driver/guide was Issa Juma Nyamgosa. Both Fred and I are coming back to Dar on Sunday, March 23, to finish preparing for customer service workshop scheduled for Wednesday, March 26. On Monday, March 24, we dine with Vice Chancellor of MUHAS Dr. Kisali Pallangyo.
