I realized that this weekend will mark my half way point on this adventure. So far it has been a series of ups and downs. It seems so long ago that I was sitting in Kennedy Airport with my parents, frustrated over the delayed plane and the knowledge that I would miss my connection in Amsterdam. At that point, I wasn't even sure I still wanted to do this and if there had been an opening to get out of it - I might have taken it. But there wasn't and I am so thankful.
This trip is so much more than I ever could have imagined. I am truly right in the middle of this fascinating world. We go to the villages, are welcomed into peoples homes, we teach in the schools, live in the village, go out with the locals... Seriously, I know I sound like an advertisement right now, but a volunteer type visit is the way to travel. I can't imagine traveling to a country like this in any other way. I feel like I am getting so much more than I would as a tourist. I so wish everyone of you reading this blog could come here and see and experience what I have seen and experienced. You would be amazed.
Although the food at our home is terrific, last night a small group of us went to "IndoItaliano," which is Indian and Italian food (weird combo, but you see a lot of Indian/Italian restaurants around here). Anyway, it was AMAZING. As good as the food is at the home base, this was different... it was ITALIAN... it was LASAGNA! I ate my entire lasagna... in fact, I'm going back tomorrow night. It was soooo delicious, and the food is so cheap (5,000 shillings for my lasagna which is less than $5).
I am also very excited right now because my fiance, Jack is coming to Tanzania next week for a short visit before he goes back to grad-school. I am going to try to bring Jack to my placement. As there is only one male teacher in the school, I think they would welcome him as they did us. He is trying to bring some sports equipment with him and I can only imagine the excitement if he shows up with some soccer balls and baseball balls and bats. Those of you who know Jack know what a crazy athlete he is and I know he will have a grand time with the kids in the school.
This week I also began going to Upendo Orphanage in the afternoons, which has been another very intense experience. After what I have heard about orphanages around Africa, I was actually pleasantly surprised by the facilities. I think the emotion with this visit is similar to the emotion anyone would feel visiting an orphanage. And it is so hard to leave at the end of our visit, knowing that these children won't be leaving. Our first visit there (for only 2 hours) ended in about 30 children crowding around our van, some crying hysterically that we were leaving. The fact that in just two hours they can attach to complete stangers broke my heart. It breaks my heart that as I'm typing this, they are sleeping alone in their beds, lined up 20+ in a room. I plan to continue my afternoon visits to the orphanage throughout my stay, and will write more about it later.
Yesterday, I was able to sit in on an afternoon of the Rwanda genocide trials at the ICTR (International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda) in Arusha. I don't have much more time on the comp to explain, but let me tell you, even though I may be a bit of a law geek, I wasn't prepared to really understand the atrocities that are the subject of this trial.
Ok, I just crawled out of bed to grab a bit of time on the computer, but I'm going to go back and get a good night's sleep. I am actually getting used to sleeping under a mosquito net and after the tarantula that was found INSIDE the house, I have even more of an appreciation for it. Since my days start at 6:30 and are nonstop, sleep is always welcome. I must say, teaching is exhausting! That's another bit of awareness I've accumulated on this trip.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Thanks for the Small things...that really aren't so small.
Last night it rained (first time since I've been here) and it was SO MUDDY TODAY. After our muddy trek to school, we realized that our 2nd grade teacher decided not to show up. Just as the kids were beginning to go a bit crazy (running around the classroom, hitting each other, screaming), two angels sent from above (or from Moshi Primary - 7th grade class - Rachel and Lillian) came in for an hour and helped Libby and I to translate our lesson, and control the kids. At one point one of the 7th grade girls who was helping us started to hit the kids with a stick. I explained to her that that was not OK. She understood and stopped, which felt good. It's just so sad... she grew up thinking that it is OK to use this type of punishment, because that is what was done to her. So she continues it... that's how these things continue.
Anyway, I have no idea how these girls knew to show up at our classroom, but they SAVED us today. The kids are really well behaved when the teachers are there, but when it is just the foreigners with the limited Swahili (aka me and Libby), they know they can have a little more fun(I suppose this is payback for the way we behaved whenever we had a substitute teacher!). This class was a bit intense but went well, given the circumstances today.
1st grade was calm compared to 2nd grade. And remember the girl I told you about? The one who was having difficulties and was placed in the rear of the class. Well I've been working with her a lot, and today she actually kept up with the rest of the class!!! This was a big deal. We wrote out our numbers, 1-25 (one, two, three, etc.)... we've done it before, and usually she doesn't get past 10, but today she made it to 25!! She was SO THRILLED and was hugging her book and laughing and smiling endlessly. I know it may not sound like much but if each of you could have seen her face :).
Well, I should get going. One quick note - This morning as I was getting ready for school I noticed a big lizard climbing up the wall next to my bed. As I continued packing my bag, not even flinching, I realized I'm starting to get the hang of this whole Africa thing ;-)
Anyway, I have no idea how these girls knew to show up at our classroom, but they SAVED us today. The kids are really well behaved when the teachers are there, but when it is just the foreigners with the limited Swahili (aka me and Libby), they know they can have a little more fun(I suppose this is payback for the way we behaved whenever we had a substitute teacher!). This class was a bit intense but went well, given the circumstances today.
1st grade was calm compared to 2nd grade. And remember the girl I told you about? The one who was having difficulties and was placed in the rear of the class. Well I've been working with her a lot, and today she actually kept up with the rest of the class!!! This was a big deal. We wrote out our numbers, 1-25 (one, two, three, etc.)... we've done it before, and usually she doesn't get past 10, but today she made it to 25!! She was SO THRILLED and was hugging her book and laughing and smiling endlessly. I know it may not sound like much but if each of you could have seen her face :).
Well, I should get going. One quick note - This morning as I was getting ready for school I noticed a big lizard climbing up the wall next to my bed. As I continued packing my bag, not even flinching, I realized I'm starting to get the hang of this whole Africa thing ;-)
Friday, August 22, 2008
A Collection of Experiences
All of the following pieces of this entry are taken from Allison’s various emails. Cut and pasted, they give you some idea of the things she is seeing and doing. She asked that we enter them here and she will try to write more herself soon. By the way, she can receive emails at Allison.dinoia@gmail.com if you have any questions for her.
Safari – Spending the weekend on a safari to the Ngorongoro Crater (if you can, google it and see how magnificent it is) Just saw two lions and a lioness. Earlier we watched cheetahs prey on zebra. The cheetahs are sooo patient, we watched them for 30 min and they still didn't attack. (That's actually a good thing because I am not sure I am ready for nature's reality.) We earlier stopped to make a pit stop (don’t ask, but lets just say, flushing and washing your hands afterwards were not part of this adventure!) and monkeys actually appeared out of nowhere and tried to climb in our car. Seriously... It was like the safari park at Great Adventure!! Hehe. We camped out for two nights and the sounds and stars were amazing. Its such a huge world. When I get back, I will send pictures.
Life at School – I have gotten several emails asking if there is anything you guys can send to me. Its so sweet that you ask and we are all allowed to receive care packages, but they say that it is difficult - they take a few weeks to get here and we are taxed on what is inside the package. It doesn't make much sense to me, but that’s what our program directors told us. I don't need anything for myself (aside from hot showers, great cup of coffee and fresh tap water :-), but I could use a ton of stuff for my kids. It's challenging to come up with creative lesson plans when they literally have NO MATERIALS to work with (not even paper, crayons, pencils, etc.)! We have been making up our own worksheets and making photo copies in town, which has been working well... but tough when you have 100+ students/day. Gosh are these classes big. Three to four kids will squeeze into a two-child bench just to be closer to the front. They even need to share pencils to get their work done. I know I say this all the time, but they are all sooo eager to learn.
I will start taking pics of my students maybe later this week or next week, but the people here are very sensitive to photographs. Also, the kids are a bit intense and crazy and I don't have much control over them... just bringing a pencil or a crayon makes them go crazy, not sure if I could keep them under control if I started taking pics! I will certainly get some before I come home though :-)
As for a visual, the school is kind of what you would imagine or see pics of a basic school in Africa... think minimally... cement buildings, no electricity so there are holes in the side of the walls that provide for lighting, and the children sit on wood benches.
Not really third world - they have Backstreet Boys!!!
I totally forgot to tell you guys- they LOVE the Backstreet Boys here. The other day I was walking home from school and this local hangout was blasting it. Then yesterday I was talking to our safari guide and asked him what type of music he likes, and BSB was one of the few groups he mentioned. He said people love BSB here haha. I really do belong here!!
The food - Today was such a good day. I gotta be quick but ill try to write again later. I'm packing right now for Zanzibar. We have lunch at 1 and were leaving at 1:15 so I gotta shovel the food in. Have I told you guys how good the food is here? Literally, a FEAST for every meal. The other night we had BBQ... those of you who are meat eaters would have been in heaven. I am not certain what animals we were eating though. I hope it wasnt the tarantula from our bathroom or the hedgehogs from the back yard!
Things they need - I spoke with the principal of my school today. Ill have to explain more details when I get to a computer, but basically if anyone is looking to help there is a ton we can do. She showed me one unfinished project where there is no sidewalk, just a dirt path right outside the classroom (happens to be my grade 2 room). Today it rained, and since it was muddy outside all of the kids had to take their shoes off. So now half the kids are wet and cold and barefoot in class all day. (Yes, it does get cold in Africa – its winter here – not really cold like we are use to, but cool none the less) Anyway, to finish this project is only like 200 usd... They also need a fence (to keep intruders away, and children in) but that is more expensive. She is preparing a cost summary for me for a few of the projects so I can spread the word back home if anyone wants to help.
Aside from structural problems, out of 520 students ... 301 of them are orphans. That is over 50 percent of the students. It’s just hard to comprehend. And to sponsor a child (pay school fees for a uniform, lunch, etc.) is only $26 a year.... I thought I heard her wrong, but she said 26500 shillings which means about 26 bucks. I want to sponsor them all!
Not All Wonderful - One difficult part of the teaching is the use of corporal punishment on the students. I have witnessed several events of teachers hitting children with sticks and it breaks my heart. So unheard of in the US, apparently it is not unusual here. It’s clear that in order for these children to break away from poverty they will need an education but there is so little available to them – as simple as paper, books and pencils - and at times, it is even a bit frightening. I wish I could do more. The days I see this are hard and I find myself feeling like such an outsider, far away from home.
Ok I gotta finish packing so I don't miss lunch ;).
Wonderful Days Also - and many of them at that - Oh my and I’ll write back later and tell you about today. We did arts and crafts projects with the kids and they were SO HAPPY. We took pics afterwards, and every time the flash went off they erupted in screams... Then they rushed the cameraman (aka me). :)
Safari – Spending the weekend on a safari to the Ngorongoro Crater (if you can, google it and see how magnificent it is) Just saw two lions and a lioness. Earlier we watched cheetahs prey on zebra. The cheetahs are sooo patient, we watched them for 30 min and they still didn't attack. (That's actually a good thing because I am not sure I am ready for nature's reality.) We earlier stopped to make a pit stop (don’t ask, but lets just say, flushing and washing your hands afterwards were not part of this adventure!) and monkeys actually appeared out of nowhere and tried to climb in our car. Seriously... It was like the safari park at Great Adventure!! Hehe. We camped out for two nights and the sounds and stars were amazing. Its such a huge world. When I get back, I will send pictures.
Life at School – I have gotten several emails asking if there is anything you guys can send to me. Its so sweet that you ask and we are all allowed to receive care packages, but they say that it is difficult - they take a few weeks to get here and we are taxed on what is inside the package. It doesn't make much sense to me, but that’s what our program directors told us. I don't need anything for myself (aside from hot showers, great cup of coffee and fresh tap water :-), but I could use a ton of stuff for my kids. It's challenging to come up with creative lesson plans when they literally have NO MATERIALS to work with (not even paper, crayons, pencils, etc.)! We have been making up our own worksheets and making photo copies in town, which has been working well... but tough when you have 100+ students/day. Gosh are these classes big. Three to four kids will squeeze into a two-child bench just to be closer to the front. They even need to share pencils to get their work done. I know I say this all the time, but they are all sooo eager to learn.
I will start taking pics of my students maybe later this week or next week, but the people here are very sensitive to photographs. Also, the kids are a bit intense and crazy and I don't have much control over them... just bringing a pencil or a crayon makes them go crazy, not sure if I could keep them under control if I started taking pics! I will certainly get some before I come home though :-)
As for a visual, the school is kind of what you would imagine or see pics of a basic school in Africa... think minimally... cement buildings, no electricity so there are holes in the side of the walls that provide for lighting, and the children sit on wood benches.
Not really third world - they have Backstreet Boys!!!
I totally forgot to tell you guys- they LOVE the Backstreet Boys here. The other day I was walking home from school and this local hangout was blasting it. Then yesterday I was talking to our safari guide and asked him what type of music he likes, and BSB was one of the few groups he mentioned. He said people love BSB here haha. I really do belong here!!
The food - Today was such a good day. I gotta be quick but ill try to write again later. I'm packing right now for Zanzibar. We have lunch at 1 and were leaving at 1:15 so I gotta shovel the food in. Have I told you guys how good the food is here? Literally, a FEAST for every meal. The other night we had BBQ... those of you who are meat eaters would have been in heaven. I am not certain what animals we were eating though. I hope it wasnt the tarantula from our bathroom or the hedgehogs from the back yard!
Things they need - I spoke with the principal of my school today. Ill have to explain more details when I get to a computer, but basically if anyone is looking to help there is a ton we can do. She showed me one unfinished project where there is no sidewalk, just a dirt path right outside the classroom (happens to be my grade 2 room). Today it rained, and since it was muddy outside all of the kids had to take their shoes off. So now half the kids are wet and cold and barefoot in class all day. (Yes, it does get cold in Africa – its winter here – not really cold like we are use to, but cool none the less) Anyway, to finish this project is only like 200 usd... They also need a fence (to keep intruders away, and children in) but that is more expensive. She is preparing a cost summary for me for a few of the projects so I can spread the word back home if anyone wants to help.
Aside from structural problems, out of 520 students ... 301 of them are orphans. That is over 50 percent of the students. It’s just hard to comprehend. And to sponsor a child (pay school fees for a uniform, lunch, etc.) is only $26 a year.... I thought I heard her wrong, but she said 26500 shillings which means about 26 bucks. I want to sponsor them all!
Not All Wonderful - One difficult part of the teaching is the use of corporal punishment on the students. I have witnessed several events of teachers hitting children with sticks and it breaks my heart. So unheard of in the US, apparently it is not unusual here. It’s clear that in order for these children to break away from poverty they will need an education but there is so little available to them – as simple as paper, books and pencils - and at times, it is even a bit frightening. I wish I could do more. The days I see this are hard and I find myself feeling like such an outsider, far away from home.
Ok I gotta finish packing so I don't miss lunch ;).
Wonderful Days Also - and many of them at that - Oh my and I’ll write back later and tell you about today. We did arts and crafts projects with the kids and they were SO HAPPY. We took pics afterwards, and every time the flash went off they erupted in screams... Then they rushed the cameraman (aka me). :)
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Teacher, Teacher!
As we turned the bend and saw the school in sight, Libby and I suddenly saw a parade of school children charging for us. "Oh my God, are they running to us?" Sure enough, 10 seconds later we were bombarded by what seemed like a million smiling faces, eager to hold our hands and lead us to school. One little girl tugged on my hand and said, "Teacher, Teacher... Will you really be back every day to teach us?"
We were lead to the main school yard, where all the children meet every morning to sing and march. The principal had Libby and I stand in front of the entire school, and the children sang a welcome song for us ("Welcome! Welcome! How are you today? Nice to see you, Happy to meet you. Welcome! Welcome! How are you today?").The teachers were all so grateful that we would be here for 6 weeks. Some of them even kissed my hands as they thanked me. It almost brought tears to my eyes.
We worked with some teachers to set up a schedule, and will be teaching English lessons to standard 1 and 2 every day. I've never really taught before, so I was a bit nervous, but I followed some good advice - Confidence leads to Competence, not the other way around. This proved to be true. Our lessons today were very successful. All of the children are SO eager to learn. At one point, we split the class into groups and were going around to each group to have conversations with them in English. I noticed one little boy who was especially eager - after I came to his group, he jumped over his bench to join the next group that I was going to.
Oh, and in the beginning and end of each lesson, we always sing a song. I'll admit, this might be my favorite part of the lesson :). Grade 1 didn't know the hokey pokey, so Libby and I taught it to them, and they loved it. The teacher participated with us and kept saying, "Please, mama ... can you sing it again?" After class, and without our involvement, the entire class formed into a circle in the playground and then called us over to sing it with them again. It was so sweet.
Well I need to make some copies of lessons for tomorrow before dinner, so I better get going. I hope you are all doing well, and I will write again soon!!
Love, Allison
We were lead to the main school yard, where all the children meet every morning to sing and march. The principal had Libby and I stand in front of the entire school, and the children sang a welcome song for us ("Welcome! Welcome! How are you today? Nice to see you, Happy to meet you. Welcome! Welcome! How are you today?").The teachers were all so grateful that we would be here for 6 weeks. Some of them even kissed my hands as they thanked me. It almost brought tears to my eyes.
We worked with some teachers to set up a schedule, and will be teaching English lessons to standard 1 and 2 every day. I've never really taught before, so I was a bit nervous, but I followed some good advice - Confidence leads to Competence, not the other way around. This proved to be true. Our lessons today were very successful. All of the children are SO eager to learn. At one point, we split the class into groups and were going around to each group to have conversations with them in English. I noticed one little boy who was especially eager - after I came to his group, he jumped over his bench to join the next group that I was going to.
Oh, and in the beginning and end of each lesson, we always sing a song. I'll admit, this might be my favorite part of the lesson :). Grade 1 didn't know the hokey pokey, so Libby and I taught it to them, and they loved it. The teacher participated with us and kept saying, "Please, mama ... can you sing it again?" After class, and without our involvement, the entire class formed into a circle in the playground and then called us over to sing it with them again. It was so sweet.
Well I need to make some copies of lessons for tomorrow before dinner, so I better get going. I hope you are all doing well, and I will write again soon!!
Love, Allison
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Day one teaching!
Hi again! I only have two minutes on the comp (because we have Swahili lessons), but I saw it was empty (which is very rare) and decided to jump on for a quick hello.
I had my first day at my placement today at Moshi Primary School. It was INTENSE... I might need to stress that again... INTENSE.
After getting dropped off by our van, we walked about 10-15 min down a rocky dirt path to the school. Children ran up to us and fought to hold our hands on the way there. They just walked beside us, staring up at us with big beautiful smiles the entire way.
We met the principal of the school who was a very nice woman, and brought us to our class. I am teaching standard 1 (7 yr olds) and standard 2 (8 yr olds) with another volunteer (Libby), which is helpful. The teachers were very friendly, but, unfortunately, expected us to come in today with lesson plans and materials! They thought we were actual teachers, and when we tried to explain to them we were not, they wondered if we are not teachers in America, why did we come here to teach? The question does make a lot of sense! We didn't do much teaching today, just introduced ourselves to the class, and had each child introduce themselves to us ("Hi my name is___. I am __ yrs old"). We also did fun songs (they LOVE the hokey pokey and head, shoulders knees and toes). Their English is very limited, and compared to speaking with other volunteers (working at different primary schools) our kids are a little behind for their age.
We sang and danced with the kids at recess and they were ADORABLE! All hanging all over me, kissing my hands, putting their hands through my hair. They are so curious about our culture, as am I about theirs. I can't wait to learn more.
Shoot, I have SOO much more to write but we have Swahili lessons now and God knows I can't afford to miss those. I'm going to try to get to an internet cafe this evening to research lesson plans and might have some more time to write a little more.
Stay tuned.... I'll write more later.
LOVE YOU ALL! And love my kids... I can already tell it is going to be so hard to say goodbye to their beautiful smiling faces. They are truly amazing children.
Love, Allison
PS - Sorry this is so sloppy.... I just have so much to tell you and no time at all!!!
I had my first day at my placement today at Moshi Primary School. It was INTENSE... I might need to stress that again... INTENSE.
After getting dropped off by our van, we walked about 10-15 min down a rocky dirt path to the school. Children ran up to us and fought to hold our hands on the way there. They just walked beside us, staring up at us with big beautiful smiles the entire way.
We met the principal of the school who was a very nice woman, and brought us to our class. I am teaching standard 1 (7 yr olds) and standard 2 (8 yr olds) with another volunteer (Libby), which is helpful. The teachers were very friendly, but, unfortunately, expected us to come in today with lesson plans and materials! They thought we were actual teachers, and when we tried to explain to them we were not, they wondered if we are not teachers in America, why did we come here to teach? The question does make a lot of sense! We didn't do much teaching today, just introduced ourselves to the class, and had each child introduce themselves to us ("Hi my name is___. I am __ yrs old"). We also did fun songs (they LOVE the hokey pokey and head, shoulders knees and toes). Their English is very limited, and compared to speaking with other volunteers (working at different primary schools) our kids are a little behind for their age.
We sang and danced with the kids at recess and they were ADORABLE! All hanging all over me, kissing my hands, putting their hands through my hair. They are so curious about our culture, as am I about theirs. I can't wait to learn more.
Shoot, I have SOO much more to write but we have Swahili lessons now and God knows I can't afford to miss those. I'm going to try to get to an internet cafe this evening to research lesson plans and might have some more time to write a little more.
Stay tuned.... I'll write more later.
LOVE YOU ALL! And love my kids... I can already tell it is going to be so hard to say goodbye to their beautiful smiling faces. They are truly amazing children.
Love, Allison
PS - Sorry this is so sloppy.... I just have so much to tell you and no time at all!!!
Notes from Africa - I am really here
Hi!
I have limited time on the comp because many fellow volunteers are waiting, but I just wanted to say hello and let you all know that after a tough trip getting here, I am alive.
My flight from New York was delayed, which caused me to miss my connection in Amsterdam and I had to spend night there by myself. But I arrived safely last night in Kilimanjaro and met my CCS host at the airport who took me to the house. I was welcomed by the other volunteers, and much of my nervousness went away.
Today we had orientation in the morning and then went to a village in the afternoon. It was really cool. We first had to meet the chief of the village (Rau) to introduce ourselves and ask permission to walk around his village. Then we all walked around for hours, meeting people, going into their homes, and playing with little children the entire way. I was telling another volunteer that I've never felt so out of place, but also have never felt so welcomed. I know people say this a lot, but it's true... in American standards, the people here have so little, but will really give you everything they have. The culture here is so different from home... people are very helpful and eager to meet you. For instance, some volunteers were trying to find a store yesterday, and asked a local for directions... he then got off his bike and walked them the entire way to the store.
The children are adorable... so beautiful and pure. They are so happy just to hold your hand and walk beside you. Some of the children are very good w/ English and at one point these three girls came running up to me asking me a million questions (what is my name? Where am I from? What is my favorite food? etc. etc.). The village was so large, but everyone knows each other and there are kids running around and smiling everywhere.
Tomorrow I start my placement in Moshi Primary School. I'm pretty sure I'll be teaching standard 1 (7 yrs) or standard 2 (8 yrs). I hear the school I'm going to is not very well equipped, no electricity and barely any teachers... the previous volunteers said to be prepared to be totally on your own with the kids. Since I don’t speak much Swahili I don’t know how this will go, but we shall see! I'm learning the basics that I'm told will be useful as I'm teaching (Acha Kelele- stop making noise, sikilizeni - everyone listen, Hpana - no).
Oh and I'm going on safari this weekend! About 20 of us from the group are going. We camp out both nights, go to a Masai village as well as the Ngorongoro crater and Lake Manyara... it sounds awesome. Check it out online. The scenery and the animals are suppose to be amazing. Hopefully I'll have time to get some pics up on here next week.
I'll write again as soon as I can.
Allison
I have limited time on the comp because many fellow volunteers are waiting, but I just wanted to say hello and let you all know that after a tough trip getting here, I am alive.
My flight from New York was delayed, which caused me to miss my connection in Amsterdam and I had to spend night there by myself. But I arrived safely last night in Kilimanjaro and met my CCS host at the airport who took me to the house. I was welcomed by the other volunteers, and much of my nervousness went away.
Today we had orientation in the morning and then went to a village in the afternoon. It was really cool. We first had to meet the chief of the village (Rau) to introduce ourselves and ask permission to walk around his village. Then we all walked around for hours, meeting people, going into their homes, and playing with little children the entire way. I was telling another volunteer that I've never felt so out of place, but also have never felt so welcomed. I know people say this a lot, but it's true... in American standards, the people here have so little, but will really give you everything they have. The culture here is so different from home... people are very helpful and eager to meet you. For instance, some volunteers were trying to find a store yesterday, and asked a local for directions... he then got off his bike and walked them the entire way to the store.
The children are adorable... so beautiful and pure. They are so happy just to hold your hand and walk beside you. Some of the children are very good w/ English and at one point these three girls came running up to me asking me a million questions (what is my name? Where am I from? What is my favorite food? etc. etc.). The village was so large, but everyone knows each other and there are kids running around and smiling everywhere.
Tomorrow I start my placement in Moshi Primary School. I'm pretty sure I'll be teaching standard 1 (7 yrs) or standard 2 (8 yrs). I hear the school I'm going to is not very well equipped, no electricity and barely any teachers... the previous volunteers said to be prepared to be totally on your own with the kids. Since I don’t speak much Swahili I don’t know how this will go, but we shall see! I'm learning the basics that I'm told will be useful as I'm teaching (Acha Kelele- stop making noise, sikilizeni - everyone listen, Hpana - no).
Oh and I'm going on safari this weekend! About 20 of us from the group are going. We camp out both nights, go to a Masai village as well as the Ngorongoro crater and Lake Manyara... it sounds awesome. Check it out online. The scenery and the animals are suppose to be amazing. Hopefully I'll have time to get some pics up on here next week.
I'll write again as soon as I can.
Allison
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Leaving tomorrow
As I'm sitting in my mom's living room at 1am the morning of my flight, surrounded in every imaginable thing I might need on this trip, I can't help but take a quick break from packing to say one thing to you all: Thank you.
I am overflowing with excitement and eagerness, and I'll admit I am more nervous than I can put into words, but more than anything I feel so grateful to have the opportunity to do something like this. The only reason that this is possible is because of all of the tremendous support from my wonderful group of friends and family. You all have no idea how much this means to me.
As I head off to bed, I am thinking of something my CCS program manager said to me yesterday. She simply stated, "It's hard to explain, but when you go to Africa it will take a piece of your heart .... and you'll never get it back."
I'll keep you posted.
I am overflowing with excitement and eagerness, and I'll admit I am more nervous than I can put into words, but more than anything I feel so grateful to have the opportunity to do something like this. The only reason that this is possible is because of all of the tremendous support from my wonderful group of friends and family. You all have no idea how much this means to me.
As I head off to bed, I am thinking of something my CCS program manager said to me yesterday. She simply stated, "It's hard to explain, but when you go to Africa it will take a piece of your heart .... and you'll never get it back."
I'll keep you posted.
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