Early in October 2003, I visited the Tengeru cemetery in Tanzania.
Contrary to the past when the Polish embassy in Tanzania did not
want to get involved in the upkeep of the cemetery and maintenance
was left to a few private individuals, the embassy is now making
funds available for its upkeep.
And it shows.
A wall has been built around the cemetery and cattle no longer roam
freely among the graves.
There is a permanent watchman present by the name of Simon Josefu
Barabvungwa who takes care of the graves.
The cemetery is still in use.
We noticed a freshly dug grave belonging to a Mrs Anna Karaiskos, a
Polish lady who married a Greek.
Altogether 148 Polish persons lay burried at the Tengeru cemetery.
I will scan the list and put it on the internet.
Next to the cemetery, a museum has been built.
As yet it still stands empty.
I would request our moderator, Stefan Wisniowski, to contact Mr
Roman Strzemiecki, Polish ambassador in Dar es Salaam, to ask him
when the memorial hall will be put to use.
I have no doubt that if and when the museum will come into
operation, it would be the ideal depository for artifacts like the
Tengeru photo album.
On 18 August 2002, a guest book was opened at the cemetery. During a
period of one year, 305 visitors signed in, the majority students
from the nearby training college for community development, but also
a fair sprinkling of visitors from Poland.
