This week, we received a note from Mama Lucy describing some recent turmoil in her government. She mentioned that the Prime Minister had resigned and that the entire Cabinet of the Tanzanian government was dismissed last week due to charges of corruption related to the country’s electricity supply. I found this BBC.com article that describes the shakeup.

I remember when I was there that Lucy and our cab driver, Mr. Limo, both expressed concerns at the rising cost of electricity; I’m guessing now if it’s somehow connected to the scandal. Mr. Limo, a taxi driver who was on some days lucky to get a single fare of Tsh 5,000 (roughly $5 USD), said his bill was over $300 USD during the previous month (in a country where most people live off less than $2 per day!). Since our apartment was next door to the TANESCO electricity company downtown, I also remember seeing the lines to pay electricity bills that it now seems were likely inflated due to political greed.

President Bush leaves today for Africa, only the third sitting US president to visit the continent. According to this Reuters report published yesterday:

“the centerpiece and longest stop of the tour will be Tanzania, whose leader, President Jakaya Kikwete, is seen by Washington as a poster boy for progressive African government.

Bush, accompanied by his wife Laura, will visit hospitals, schools, AIDS and malaria projects. In Tanzania he will sign the biggest ever grant, of $698 million, under his Millennium Challenge Corp, to fund water, energy and infrastructure.

The MCC is intended to reward good governance and sound economic policies.

Kikwete named a new cabinet this week after the previous prime minister resigned over a corruption probe but Washington sees this as confirmation of the president’s anti-graft credentials rather than an embarrassment.”

For the sake of all of Tanzania’s children, I truly hope he’s right. I hope too that the violence that continues in neighboring Kenya comes quickly to an end.

Most of all, I hope for a day in the not too distant future when Gideon, Leah and Glory – some of the students in Class 4 – take on leadership roles in their country. At Shepherds Junior, the children already tackle some of the most difficult political topics in their country; I’ve seen them perform compelling skits about women’s rights and corruption in politics and even sing incredible songs about the HIV/AIDS crisis in their country like this one:

One of my other favorites is a poem that the preschoolers’ recited in the performance that concluded our most recent trip:

“We are little soldiers.
We shall fight ignorance!
We shall fight poverty!
We shall fight disease!
We shall win! “

Yes, they shall.

With their intelligence, kindness, and the incredible education these young people are receiving both in terms of academics and their character, I can only imagine the bright days that lie ahead for this beautiful country . . .