Problems take their toll

It's been a tough week. The electrical solar system which powers Sijwa seems to have been damaged in the generator fire. (Although we now have good reason to believe that the fire was caused by a short in the electrical system!) Attempts to fix it have so far failed and we have been without electricity for a week now which presents a whole host of other problems. (My laptop is presently being powered by a car battery!)

Getting an electrician in the middle of the African bush is no mean feat, although we did manage to get a young apprentice to look at it yesterday. Unfortunately, he was unable to help because is knowledge of solar-powered electrical systems was limited. The wiring of the system, which was done by the German missionary who lived here previously, is also archaic and confusingly colour coded.

We've also had a robbery to boot. Someone it seems stole a pair of my trousers and Elle's handbag and contents from our bedroom. (Fortunately, she keeps her purse elsewhere!) Thieving by the locals is common here and something unfortunately one has to live with. We suspected Evans for awhile but have no proof. We know he pilfers food but we turn a blind eye to that. He's not poor either, telling me he has a thousand pounds saved in his bank account.

Until Elle moved in, Evans had a 'maintenance' budget for Sijwa, which by his own admission, he used to supplement his salary with. Since he lost that, he now feels somewhat aggrieved and feels that Elle should make up the shortfall in cash. (Remember this is money which he embezzled from the budget. Work out the logic there...)

All these events, although they might seem minor to some, take their toll mentally. Both Elle and I feel tired and worn out, just trying to manage all the variables here and put in a day's work. I've been trying to write newspaper articles but am endlessly frustrated by intermittent internet, bad phone service and constantly having to recharge my laptop battery which is last about 20 minutes now. On top of that both our laptop adaptors/transformers blew last week with the short on the electrical system and had to be replaced.

Elle has gone into the national park today to set up a remote camera at a hyaena den which she has located with the help of her radio tracking collars and Google Earth. She's hoping to find and photograph hyaena cubs. She's walking in on foot with a colleague from WWF which is risky. (While I get to stay at home and mind the dog!) We know there is a pride of lions in the area and a large herd of elephants - her worst fear - have also been reported.