Over we go!!!

It is now mid-winter. It feels like a nice summer’s day though occasionally it has been windy. No chance of snow then!!! (or rain)

Some small, potentially significant events happened this week.

Following last week’s meeting with the Tax Inspector Malcolm drafted for the Bishop a letter to the Revenues Authority expressing concerns about how the Hospital has managed its tax affairs and inviting the Regional Manager to make an assessment. It will be interesting to see how dramatic the response is, and how they deal with the fact that all records to the end of December 2007 have disappeared with the previous accountant!!

Malcolm has also started preparing the statutory 6 month statement of each employee’s tax position – (this is not a requirement in the UK as the UK system is more sophisticated). This is probably the first time the Hospital has carried out this procedure. So far it shows that most staff had too much PAYE deducted – but this was a period when there were no allowances or arrears paid which in the past probably have not been taxed even though they should have been. Malcolm anticipates some adverse reaction from staff when they are properly taxed for, possibly, the first time on these – no-one likes paying taxes.

On Thursday, because the cashiers had run out of receipt books and no-one was around who knew where the new books were. Malcolm took the opportunity of re-introducing the cash till. This had been used some time ago but by one means or another the cashiers managed to return to hand-written receipts. Not now (at least, not yet!!!). Despite some teething problems the till seems to be working well and is much quicker for the cashiers to operate and finance staff to check the total cash that should have been collected.

Irene continues with the filing. In some ways the worst is over as most of the files which were in random order are now sorted. However, the shelves are almost full and there are a lot more files to move to the new filing room. A carpenter will create more shelves, but this will mean moving the existing ordered files – there is a good opportunity for the files to get out of order again, and all the good work to be undone. Malcolm doesn’t want to be around if that happens!!!!! She had a bit of excitement on Friday. She was sitting doing some filing when a scorpion came out from a pile of files and headed quickly towards her feet. Fortunately Bernard leapt into action and killed it before she could find out what the scorpion had in mind!!!!

For relaxation Malcolm took the Walton’s German Shepherd dog, Squashy, for a 3 hour walk on Saturday – at least it would have been 3 hours but Squashy is rather unfit. This meant that for a fourth hour he virtually crawled back, resting every 200 yards or so in the shade of a tree. Little does he know he’s going out again this weekend – lets see if we can make him a bit fitter!!!!

On Sunday we were guests of honour at St Andrews church for a fund raising service for one of the choirs. Because of other activities, such as communion and the election of church elders, the service took about 4 hours in total. However, it was most enjoyable – and we were surprised and honoured when we were chosen as ‘Honorary Elders’ – which we think means we will be asked for further donations, but won’t have to go to meetings – well worth it. The service was followed by lunch at one of the member’s houses. Only the third occasion so far we have been inside a villager’s house.

When we first arrived at the hospital Malcolm was introduced to a former Chaplain, Stanley. Unfortunately he died suddenly on Saturday and the funeral was held on Monday. As well as chaplain he was also a well known personality and evangelist, and much loved. For someone who lived modestly and had a humble background the service was attended by probably 1500 people, was led by the former Archbishop of Tanzania and a former prime-minister (and school friend) attended and spoke. This was the second Tanzanian Funeral that Malcolm attended so he was prepared for, and carried out the custom of entering the house to give condolences to the widow, and to join a procession to view the body before it was buried in a concrete lined grave (to prevent grave-robbers).

Finally, Irene picked up her new skirt and top from the ‘fundi’. At first she was concerned that the top looked too small, but when she put it on it almost fitted perfectly, being tailored and fully lined – and all for £4. She can’t wait to order more!!!

So, another week is over – another week to come. At the moment we are not too sure what is happening – anything could happen!!!

· we hope to book a guest house at the Mission Aviation Fellowship complex in Dodoma for a break one weekend – Irene wants a hot bath!!!!! (Malcolm doesn’t)
· another walk for Squashy?
· will the Revenues Authority receive the letter from the Bishop? How will they respond?
· finalising the Hospital’s draft budget
· having a stock take of the medical stores
· Irene may order a second outfit from the ‘fundi’, and move on to organise the medical stores