MR PANDU'S VISIT TO THE UK - MAY 2008

MR PANDU’S VISIT TO THE UK – MAY 2008

Mr Pandu spent 2 weeks in the UK, bringing the fabulous warm weather with him and taking it away again the day he left. His visit was a resounding success in every way and more than fulfilled everybody’s expectations.

It was extremely useful for Janie and Mr P to tackle general admin together, including accounts, in a temperate climate as opposed to the heat of Zanzibar, where she sometimes finds it difficult to think straight! ZAP Directors and supporters had a good opportunity to discuss many other matters with him, including the water crisis (see other news item) in Jambiani. He had visited all ZAP projects in the week before his arrival and was able to report in full on their progress. He brought excellent reports from the vocational students at college (electricians, plumbers etc.), and examination certificates from the University undergraduates. They are all doing extremely well; the electrical student attaining particularly impressive grades, and one of the University students straight As – all very gratifying.

Mr P was ever the perfect guest, staying at all the Directors’ homes in Norfolk and spending an action-packed week in London too. Completely adaptable, interested in everything and everyone, he charmed all who met him and made many new friends wherever he went. His crammed itinerary included such diverse attractions as a 12 mile bike ride down Norfolk lanes with Andrew, visits to Holkham Hall, UEA, Cambridge colleges, Ely Cathedral, the London Eye, Docking church, London Mosque, Buckingham Palace, a boat trip down the Thames, Tescos and – most popular of all – a guided tour of Chelsea Football Club!

We held 2 receptions for him; one in London, and one in Norfolk which were very well attended. Mr P had prepared a moving speech of thanks and appreciation from the Jambiani community in which he re-iterated the deepening ties of friendship and co-operation between ‘our two peoples’ as he put it. He expanded on the water pump crisis and described the plight of a community with no access to fresh water, answering questions as best he could as to the technical nature of the problem. Many very kind donors came forward, as well as supporters with particular knowledge on the subject, and we are delighted to say that ZAP now holds the balance of funds necessary to purchase a new water pump. More news on that in due course.

Mr Pandu left for Zanzibar at the end of his stay with hundreds of tales to tell, almost 300 photographs and an enormous suitcase full of baby clothes and reading glasses kindly collected and brought to London by our most stalwart fund-raiser. To everyone who helped make his visit such a success, many thanks – we are sure he will be back next year!

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