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