Some of Benajmin's experiences

Benjamin had an eventful week, in early May. On Sunday he bravely pulled his own second baby tooth out of his mouth, by himself, on the advice of someone at church. This was very exciting for him, as the first one became loose and then as it wasn't pulled out, came out by itself and got lost (probably in his food and swallowed we think).


He also got a black toe nail, and was brave enough to have a hole drilled in it to relieve the pressure and the pain. Unbelievably this really helped - we just wish we'd done it the first night when he couldn't sleep and was in a lot of pain.

Last week was his 6th birthday, and this along with some other things, brought a lot of excitement for him and for his siblings too. Thursday 20th May was his big day, but we decided not to have the party for him then, as there was already a party planned for all the MAF children. This was because the little Play Park (that was being built by 2 volunteers from Switzerland) was to be opened that day.

Ronnie and Ben, the 2 Swiss volunteers who built the Play Park!

There was much excitement, but as usual, it was never as simple as planned. As the day unfolded (along with my headache, nausea and dizziness), we learned that there was a Finnish pilot (Juuso) who has been here for about 6 months, helping out with our shortage of pilots by flying in Arusha, who was going to fly in for the last time to Dodoma. So, many of the MAF folk went up to the airport to see him fly in and off again, so that they could say goodbye, give him a hastely signed card and a gift that had been preplanned! Phew - at least something had been preplanned! We managed to squeeze this in, and then had the Play Park Opening afterwards. The children were delighted with some jelly and ice cream, with meringues and shaped cookies. What fun!


Next, a child's name was chosen from the cowboy hat, so that they could be the one to cut the tape and open the park. Aleah was chosen - she's only 1 and a half, so Benjamin was asked to help her, as it was his birthday. Then it was onto the Play Park for everyone!




And what fun was had by all! Can you see all the girls? There was a while after we came to Tanzania (in 2005) when there were about 3 girls amongst all the MAF families.