The villagers of Gorimba in
Tanzania gathered to witness the first-ever landing at their brand new airstrip last Saturday. After hearing the sound of the plane, the local residents ran to the strip to watch MAF pilot Eivind Lindtjørn land the
Cessna 206.
MAF's Airfield Development team has been working hard with the villagers to develop the strip. Early that morning, Eivind and the team drove to Gorimba from nearby Handa – one hour for just seven miles – to inspect and prepare the strip. Although quite bumpy, Eivind was able to approve 700 of 950 metres of the airstrip for landing on. After the first landing, Eivind flew the village elders to check the strip under load – their first-ever flight.
The airstrip opens the door for a medical team from
Haydom Hospital to fly in regularly on the monthly safari and provide vital healthcare.
The villagers plan to finish the remaining 250 metres of the strip in the next 2 weeks.