Just because I don't want to forget, I wanted to write some of the names of the children who are in my class, or who are at the Orphanage. It's so funny to hear their names called out during roll: 1) Happiness 2) Lightness 3) Name on Fire 4) Glory Godbless 5) Good Love 6) Joseph with Smile 7) Gifti 
Witness 9) Heavenlight
Here's the information for anyone interested in donating to the St. Lucia Nursing Home.
The organization that is accepting donations is called the Karama Connection, which in Swahili, means Divine Gift, Honor, Respect, a Blessing. The website is as follows: www.karamaconnection.org, or you can mail any donations to:
The Karama Connection
3484 Irwin Simpson Road
Mason, Ohio 45040
What your donations will do? $20 will buy a new bed, $50 will pay for medication for two children a month, $500 will pay for school for a child for one year, $900 will pay for two months rent at St. Lucia.
The Karama Connection is a 501(c) non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible. 100% of your dionation goes to St. Lucia Nursing home to benefit HIV children and Hospice Patients.
I’m thinking of building a small playground for the school I work at…they currently have no facilities for children to use besides a huge, HUGE field in the back where most of the boys play soccer. Please do not feel obligated in having to donate money, but if you are willing to chip in a few dollars, I would greatly appreciate it. So far, a tire swing set costs about $70. I’m thinking of also installing a basketball board and maybe some metal poles that can be used for tether balls. If time doesn’t permit, I’m willing to spend a few dollars to even pay for some decent balls and ropes for jumping. If anyone is interested, please e-mail me. Thanks!
So I finally did the SAFARI bit of my trip, and took a journey with a few other volunteers to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. It was amazing–I can't even describe in words how beautiful and stunning the Serengeti plains are. We set off Friday morning to Lake Manyara where we got our first introduction to baboons, hippos, flamingos, giraffes and warthogs. We spent the night in a campsite called Mosquito River (luckily with less mosquitos than expected) and then made our way to the Serengeti plains via the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Because we're in Africa and things seem to run by Murphy's Law, our 4×4 undoubtedly stalled in the middle of the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. For two hours we attempted to start the car and as our guides rambled in fast kiswahili, and as other tour groups sped past us or stopped to offer any friendly advice, we finally combined a bit of Claire's medical tape and Pat's engineering background to make a sturdy cable from the engine to the battery. We were OFF! We were afraid we'd miss much of the Serengeti (it was another two hours from the Crater), but fortunately arrived around 2:00pm. We saw TWO leopards (which is a treat!), a superfluous amount of different breeds of antelope, hyenas, a few female lions, THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS of wildebeasts and several zebras. The volunteers and I hung our heads out of the top of our range rover and let the fresh air run through our hair as we hummed the theme song to Jurassic Park. 
It was stunning. Serengeti means "Endless plains," and it was better than any nature show you've seen on PBS; it was undeniably breathless and humbling to be driving through such a vast region…the sky was endless and incredibly blue.
We then spent the night at our campsite, Pimbe, where we set up tents, ate dinner, enjoyed a bit of our wine and konyagi (Tanzanian vodka) and watched the sunset and eventually the lightening storms envelope our campsite. We were warned of the possible night creatures that may inhabit our campsite–even our guide glared a flashlight in the forests surrounding our site and tiny little eyes reflected back! We went to bed to the sound of hyenas laughing and as we closed our eyes, we heard the scuffling of animal feet surrounding our tents.
The next morning we were greeted with a spectacular sunrise and then headed off to Ngorongoro Crater–the supposed 8th wonder of the world. The Crater houses some of the most diverse amount of wildlife. We saw the BIG FIVE: rhinos, lions (a full family-two males, five females and one baby), cheetahs, leopard and elephants.
We had nature-shock when we returned to Arusha town, but I have to say that I can't wait to come back with the family and/or friends; I feel like I'm in a National Geographic Nature show….fabulous…FABULOUS…FABULOUS time….i love it !
This morning, the volunteers were awaken to the sad news that our program director's brother, who was only 12 years old, passed away due to malaria. It has become a common occurence to hear such news, but when it happens so close to our CCS family, it is difficult to cope with–malaria is unfortunately the number one killer here in Tanzania due to misdiagnosis and lack of technology. Although it is one of the most simple diseases to cure, most doctors are unable to give the correct medication to their patients in time.
In addition to this news, I decided to work at another volunteer site today–St. Lucia's Hospice Care. At this center, 9 young children and one baby are orphaned and infected with AIDS. The center is owned by a woman named, Mama Winafrida, whose character and strength have opened the doors to outcasted HIV/AIDS patients in the surrounding areas. In addition to housing these children, three women (who were abandoned by their families) live and cope with their disease. Today, two other volunteers and I went on five Home Visits–since many of the patients are too ill to leave their homes, volunteers are sent out to record their current health status.
Of the five patients we visited, only one was male. Many of the women were "abandoned" or outcasted by their families/husbands because of their disease. I have never seen someone infected by AIDS…but today, was my first glance of the different stages and effects it can have on an individual, his/her family and the community as a whole. We walked through alleys filled with trash, run-down villages and through polluted waters. Each patient was at a different stage of the disease. I met a 25-year-old whose face was sullen and who could barely sit up to greet us. In contrast, I met a 50 year old whose only complaint was sore toes.
It is difficult to understand the full social and economic ramifications of HIV/AIDS until you have actually seen the incompentencies and misconceptions that occur socially and medically. Because we are mzungus or of lighter color, many Africans feel that we have a better knowledge of how to cure AIDS or any diseases associated it. It was definately overwhelming at times, especially when a patient and his/her family asks for you to tell them what to do to make their lives better. There was a point during out visits when we were simply suggesting common cures (i.e. drinking enough water, or putting oatmeal on a rash). But Africans take this knowledge as if it is gold. One man had not eaten in five days because no one would cook for him and he was too weak to do so himself. It is difficult to encounter these types of situations, especially when you return to the CCS compound with a full meal and bed that same day.
Overall, the experience was incredibly intense, but well worth it. To see AIDS/HIV in a real scenerio instead of over TV or through some campaign puts a certain humanity to the disease.
I am hoping to figure out how to raise money for St. Lucia. We are trying to figure out sustainable ways of income for both the patients and children. Their medicinal cabinet is the size of a 12 x 14" tray–having expired medication and Tylenol as the only means of curing the daily pains of the children and women. If anyone has any suggestions or sites to visit regarding sustainability, please send away.
So today, karma hit me in the face…literally. As I watched my teacher whip nearly 20 children for being absent more than 10 times in the past 4 weeks, her stick broke and flew right into my face. The class gasped, the teacher fumbled…this mzungu (as we're called–the 'white' foreigner) was blinded for perhaps 10 seconds and was found screaming alongside the student being punished. I'd like to think it was coincidence, but I was at least 15 feet away. I think it's the higher being telling me to not hit another child again and to opt for the more American way of teaching. Anyway, after having the whole Standard I staff come in and say "Pole sana" which means, "Very sorry," I decided to take a very very long tea break and exit out of the room with as much grace as possible. No black eye for this Asian, but I am now at a dilemna with how to stop being in the line of fire with both the teachers and the students.
I just would like to add that I had an AMAZING experience yesterday with the children. I copied a color-by-number drawing in which the students had to figure out addition problems and then color according to the number. The kids went crazy; it was obvious that most of them have never colored before. They grabbed crayons, fought over their problems, struggled with coloring within and outside the lines. It was probably the most overwhelming teaching experience I've had. But once the crayons were handed to them, SILENCE broke over the entire classroom. It's how a classroom SHOULD be. It was as if they were embracing a childhood they never really had. Two of the 70 students actually completed the problems correctly and colored the picture accordingly. The rest, however, made colorful rainbow creations, coloring crocodiles purple and palm trees pink. Enjoyed every minute of it and the children were so proud after they finished.
I just created a connect the dot series for the children to do. We're counting to 50 now…so the options are far better than before! If anyone has other suggestions on math, please write. I have limited supplies here, so be creative. THANKS!
I am that SUBSTITUTE TEACHER whom every child preys upon when the teacher leaves!! I had the unfortunate experience today of having to whip nearly half of the children in my classroom. "Whip" is perhaps not the correct term, more like tap, poke and then scold. Strangely, when the teachers have a faculty meetng, they ALL leave their classrooms unsupervised for approximately 1 or more hours. I was the only teacher or Mwalimu in a classroom and the kids looked at me like hungry lions. Immediately after the teacher left, kids were jumping off desks, hitting each other and running around! I found myself screaming "ACHAA KALELE" (QUIT TALKING) or yelling "KAA HAPA" (SIT DOWN) so many times that I found myself whipping out the cane and threatening the children. Although the CCS staff encourages the teachers to remain calm when such things happen, 70 children running amok is hardly the time to be calm. FInally after hitting a child on his hands for misbehaving, I finally got some respect..but it was a constant struggle. MOst of these children DO NOT have enough to do. With only three lessons a day…which are taught in a simplistic form, half of the students finish incredibly fast, while the other struggles. I wish I had eyes behind my head. But I am admittingly enjoying my placement, nonetheless. It is nice to talk with each child, sing with him/her, and see their smiles when I "CONGRATULATE" them for answering correctly. I will give you an update as the weeks progress. WHEW!!! HARD WORK!
Just returned from a trip to Zanzibar with some other volunteers. UPon our arrival, we were met by a huge marching band and assembly–apparently the president of a small island was making his way to Stone Town for a huge political meeting. It was a nice way to enter the island paradise. After negotiating with our taxi driver to take us to the Clove HOtel, we were sped off through the colorful, aromatic streets of this mostly Muslim community. StoneTown is known as a melting pot of cultures from Asia, Africa and the MIddle East–having been a hub back in the 1800s for slave and spice trade. Our taxi driver feigned ignorance and loss of translation when he drove us to another hostel where his "friend" came out and asked us to look at his "very nice" rooms for $10 a night. After repeatedly asking our driver to leave and take us to the Clove, he finally resigned to the fact that he would NOT be receiving a commission from his friend. We arrived at the CLove Hotel and paid $30 a night for a quaint room located in a five story building overlooking the center of town. We settled in and proceeded to explore the shops, the beach, and of course, the gorgeous sunset. We proceeded to buy cocktails and eat spring rolls to the clatter of locals (men and boys) jumping off rocks and their fishing boats into the crystal blue, azure ocean. Dinner was eaten at the Monsoon Restaurant, where we sat in a huge room covered by Kanga prints, rustic rugs and black and white photographs of daily scenes around Zanzibar.
The sounds of Zanzibar are quiet melodic–you hear the daily prayers from the local mosques, the chatter of young girls fitted with traditional muslim attire heading to or from school, and the whines/growls of the massive cat population. The next morning, we decided to walk the cobblestone streets and admire the intricate wooden panel doors which decorate the white exteriors of most of the buildings. Hawkers selling scarves, kangas, spices, kikoys (skirts), pillows, crowd around and welcome you into their shops. I happened upon a small shop selling African Masks and of course ended up buying one for probably more than it was worth!!
Friday, we headed to Nungwe, a small village located on the northern tip of Zanzibar. As the hub of tourist paradise, Nungwe was very calm and quiet (tourist season ended in February). The weather was gloomy at first, but we negotiated to stay at The Amaan for $25 each night…a room which overlooked the water and when the tide is just right, you can jump off your balcony and into the ocean. Of course, we did this multiple times. In fact, most of the volunteers ended up juimping off anything (restaurant balconies, rocks, etc.) just to get a dip into the refreshingly warm ocean.
Saturday, we headed out for snorkeling to an island called Mnemba–a two hour boat ride. The island is supposedly frequented by such celebrities as Bill Gates. Its white beach and dense array of banana trees and bush makes it the perfect place for a hideaway. We snorkeled for two hours and although the reefs are damaged by global warming, you feel like you're swimming in a fish tank. It's FABULOUS! There were so many times when all of us were in complete awestruck of the beauty and clarity of the ocean and sky. After snorkeling, we enjoyed a light snack of mangos, oranges and chapati, and then made our way back to the mainland. OUr boat's engine broke down towards the end, but we slowly floated our way back to the base. As our British Claire so aptly put it, "our holiday" was a slow, relaxing and just plain incredible.
Jambo! Habari! I’ve arrived safely and have finished my first work week at the Moivaro Primary School. Due to unfortunate miscommunications, Claire (a volunteer from the UK)and I found ourselves moved into the Primary School, instead of the nursery school section. It was slightly disappointing until I was shown the actual classroom of the nursery school–a 5′x7′ room. 40 children crowd on four benches as a teacher attempts to move/slide through the classroom teaching basic ABC’s.
My classroom situation isn’t much better. I am currently teaching basic mathematics (addition and subtraction) to 70 Standard I students (ages 6, 7 and eight). They currently go to school from 8:00 to 11:15am. They are taught three subjects: Math, Kiswahili and English. I am most empathetic when it comes to the children’s punishment. The teachers whip, pinch and poke the children when misbehaving or have incorrect answers. The highlight of the teaching experience though is watching these children’s faces light up when they get a correct answer. The teachers argue the same arguments as in the United States–lack of finances, no support from government, not enough supplies. I attempted to explain to one what sushi was, and she couldn’t quite grasp the concept of it.
Another highlight was seeing the President of Tanzania. We were pulled to the side of the road and as the president’s cars rushed by, he waved directly to both Sara and I.
I’ve also just recovered from being sick with some bacterial flu. I’ve been drinking tons of water and have been forcing myself to eat, drink, take vitamins, etc. Feeling much better, but will be taking this weekend pretty slow.
Hope everyone is well. Sorry for the strange grammar in this e-mail. It’s 12:41am here and I’m still not recovered from jet lag, etc. Wishing everyone the best. Please write!
Just wanted to give a heads up that photos may actually NOT appear on this blog because of a lack of technology in Africa. Sorry about that…I’ll try to describe as best I can what the program house, classroom, etc. look like. If I’m lucky, I’ll be able to import the photos, but right now…it’s not looking like it will work (noted from past volunteers).
