I am back in Njombe, my home region. The weather is not as cold as the so-called chilly ‘tropical’ winter of the July and August months, yet to arrive. But here I am in Njombe town, strolling down the Songea highway, when suddenly my mobile phone rings. But before I can click the ‘receive’ button, the line is cut off. I realise I have been ‘beeped’ as the Bongolanders would call it.
I stop and try to check who has ‘beeped’ me, and I realise that lately, I have faced problems with reading. That is to say, my eyesight is failing, notwithstanding my donning a pair of glasses. It simply means I need a new pair of lenses to see better.
I continue with my stroll, only stopping to marvel at the modernistic and majestic Njombe Catholic Church Cathedral, which, apart from its spiritual appeal, is also an architectural masterpiece. But as I resume my leisurely stroll, my eyes catch a bold signpost, ‘Eye Centre Shop’, hung on a building adjacent to the church.
God’s answer to my eye predicament, I presume. I immediately walk into the shop, and my eyes are checked and the necessary orders placed.
Now, this Centre is located at a gas station next to the majestic Catholic Church Cathedral. And somehow, the latter has a strong and lasting memory in my life.
You see, way back in 1968, I was among a few boys from Benaland in Njombe District who were selected to join Class 5 in the then few ‘Upper Middle Primary Schools’ in the Njombe District.
It should be recalled that during that time, one had to sit for Class 4 national examinations and hopefully pass before joining Class 5. I was one of them.
From the Njombe Benaland schools, I and two others were selected to join the Ukinga-based Tandala Upper Boys Middle School, some 55 or so kilometres south of Njombe town, perched on top of the chilly Mount Livingstone highlands.
Those years, there was only one bus that plied the muddy and pot-holed route. And that was twice a week only. Because of the pathetic state of the road, the bus would take almost two days to reach its destination.
My journey to school from my village in Benaland would necessarily entail a two or three-day stopover in Njombe town before catching my bus, or sometimes a lorry, to Tandala.
That was a big deal. We had no money to pay for our accommodation and meals in Njombe town. And that was how the Catholic Church Diocese in Njombe, or as the Latinos call it ‘Diocesis Niombenus’, came to our rescue.
The Diocese had a hostel behind the cathedral main building, and it availed free accommodation and meals to all bona fide transiting students. And that was how we managed to successfully reach school and continue with our studies. God bless them!
“I couldn’t resist the temptation to visit and pay homage to my old hostel, which played a pivotal role in assisting me in my long educational journey.”
So, as I came out of the Eye Centre shop, I couldn’t resist the temptation to visit and pay homage to my old hostel, which played a pivotal role in assisting me in my long educational journey.
Indeed, it was still there, with its tiny dining room and several rooms with their bunk beds. The sister in charge of the facility, one Felicita, was so excited to hear of my historical relationship with the facility.
She blessed me with a cup of ‘Lupembe’ tea and an omelette.
Somehow, the facility is now occupied by nuns and sisters of the Diocese. And it should also be mentioned that the road from Njombe to Tandala is now smooth and fully tarmacked.
Tens of buses and ‘Daladalas’ ply the route every hour.
Oh, how times have changed!
The author is a veteran journalist and communication expert/consultant. Email: mpumilwa@gmail.com
