It is Saturday afternoon in Moshi. It is so hot as I type this my face is sweating. Snow sounds really nice about now, sweaters, boots, mittens, clean cold air. Starbucks, Chai Tea, organic anything, okay I am getting carried away. I am packed pretty much, and after my shower I will be just waiting until it is time to leave. This has been an incredible experience, but I am ready to go. There is a few of us, mostly the "older" group, that is leaving this weekend. The folks that arrived with us are sad that we are leaving, the teen crowd does not care, but the over 24 crowd now is feeling out numbered by the kids and they say they are homesick. My partner Ali, feel sick today, it seems there are few who get by not getting sick. I consider myself very lucky. I stuck with my moderation, and "don't make a mistake philosophy" and it seems to have worked. I just need to make it through the next 30 hours or so and I will be home!
I will be sharing some more behind the scenes stories as we chat and I willl do more postings as I digest the past 3 weeks. I feel like it will take a year or a book to say and share all that there is to say. Thanks for your thoughts and support through all of this, for reading my blog and sending me your positive energy. I look forward to re-connecting with all of you and I hope to see you all soon! Let's do some Yoga!
Peace,
Kat
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Last day of school for me..
Today was my last day at the school. It is also a Muslim holy day, so we only had about 25 kids. We did our usual stuff and then we started working on numbers. The classroom has many different levels in it. Some can do math problems while others can't wrte there numbers at all. The group who can do addition were very excited about it. I walked around and gave them easy addition problems and then either they would come back with there copy books saying "Teacher, Teacher" or I would stop by to see there progress. Several of them did really well. It is like they learn to spite the fact that every few weeks they get an inexperienced teacher thrown at them. Hawa their TZ teacher, has only had 6 months of training and has limited teaching skills, although I do think she has learned from us. Often CCS will send young 20 somethings or even 18/19 year olds, and from what they have written about the placement are completly over whelmed. Mama Grace did tell me that I was not a typical volunteer, that many are college kids and inexperienced. What we really need is a Teach the Teacher program, so that the permanet teacher can gain the skills to handle the classroom and then volunteers are there to help rather than run the class.
When it was time to leave it was sad and I did get misty at La La time and when I said good bye. I am very proud of all of us, as a group we all learned from each other. After the children left I gave Hawa the first aid kit I had brought from home. I showed her the wipes and the bandages, so she would know how to use it. We also left her with any paper we had, crayons and a few other things. She started to really cry, and put her head down on the desk, crying. It was an unusual emotional display and we hugged and said goodbye.
She does not have email or internet access so I guess I will have to use the mail to stay in touch. Which they say in Motown (Moshi) is very unreliable....we will have to see what the Universe has in store for us.
When it was time to leave it was sad and I did get misty at La La time and when I said good bye. I am very proud of all of us, as a group we all learned from each other. After the children left I gave Hawa the first aid kit I had brought from home. I showed her the wipes and the bandages, so she would know how to use it. We also left her with any paper we had, crayons and a few other things. She started to really cry, and put her head down on the desk, crying. It was an unusual emotional display and we hugged and said goodbye.
She does not have email or internet access so I guess I will have to use the mail to stay in touch. Which they say in Motown (Moshi) is very unreliable....we will have to see what the Universe has in store for us.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Another day in Motown
Today I was at the school without Ali. Ali went to Arusha to observe the Rwanda Genocide Trials which are being held here in Tanzania by the UN. She is going to law school in the fall and she was very excited to go. I was a little worried about handling the children without her but I was confident we would get through the morning.
When I arrived I spotted Fatuna, our injured girl, her eyes were bright and she was smiling. I told her I was happy to see she was feeling better. These kids are made of tuff stock. It is litterly survival of the fittest. No time to be a baby in Africa, grow up and survive.
We purchased copy books in town for .15 cents each. They are worth about 15 cents, but that is all they have, flimsy little paper books. The children were delighted! They cheered! Their old books were completely full, and it always took some time to find a corner to write on. Hawa inscribed the children's names on the books and then they practiced writing their names. Several of the older children can write their names well, and they were all proud of the new books. Today I needed to take the new pencils away from 2 children. They happened to be the 2 brightest kids in the class. The reaction was amazing. They were humiliated and both had their heads down. Now remember just a week ago, chewing on your pencil w as the thing to do. Now it was embarrassing. After a brief time, I gave them both back a nice pencil and we moved on. It probably is such a habit for them it is hard to break. I am happy to see that they care now.
I kept the pace going in class and the children were very good! Ali had given me a jump rope, and as expected it turned into an Olympic jump rope contest. Hawa was turning that rope so fast I could not believe it! These kids rock!
We had a nice day and I took some movies of them in the yard. Tomorrow is my last day and I leave on Saturday,
When I arrived I spotted Fatuna, our injured girl, her eyes were bright and she was smiling. I told her I was happy to see she was feeling better. These kids are made of tuff stock. It is litterly survival of the fittest. No time to be a baby in Africa, grow up and survive.
We purchased copy books in town for .15 cents each. They are worth about 15 cents, but that is all they have, flimsy little paper books. The children were delighted! They cheered! Their old books were completely full, and it always took some time to find a corner to write on. Hawa inscribed the children's names on the books and then they practiced writing their names. Several of the older children can write their names well, and they were all proud of the new books. Today I needed to take the new pencils away from 2 children. They happened to be the 2 brightest kids in the class. The reaction was amazing. They were humiliated and both had their heads down. Now remember just a week ago, chewing on your pencil w as the thing to do. Now it was embarrassing. After a brief time, I gave them both back a nice pencil and we moved on. It probably is such a habit for them it is hard to break. I am happy to see that they care now.
I kept the pace going in class and the children were very good! Ali had given me a jump rope, and as expected it turned into an Olympic jump rope contest. Hawa was turning that rope so fast I could not believe it! These kids rock!
We had a nice day and I took some movies of them in the yard. Tomorrow is my last day and I leave on Saturday,
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Pencil Police,Putting out fires and EMTS…..
Tuesday we hand out new pencils from a recycled Bottle bottom which I have labled with stick on letters “Pencils”. This might be the nicest thing in the room. I tell them the rules, if you put the pencil in your mouth I will take it and you will get a chewed up pencil. Hawa translates and the seem to understand. Suddenly, I find I am the pencil police and within 5 mins. I have confiscated about 6 pencils. That seems to do the trick no need to take anymore for the rest of the day.
In Tanzania, atleast where we are, the people burn their trash. They burn it wherever and whenever. There is smoke and a stench in the hot steamy air. The air quality is awful. For some reason, today at school, someone started one of these trash fires directly in front of the school beneath the window. Within minutes the room was full of smoke. My black T-shirt had soot and ash all over it. The children were starting to cough and Ali was beginning to freak out. She took charge and went outside and with one of the TZ teachers threw dirt and water from our water bottle to put the fire out. It was one of those surreal moments. This is Africa. This is harsh. This is third world.
Remember the Hole?
Early on I told you about the cavernous hole in the play yard, there is a picture of it on the blog. Well today one of our students fell in the hole. She cut her head severly and was pulled out covered in blood. Hawa rinsed her off with water. I kept saying someone get her Mama, this is a neighborhood school, she can't be too far. There is alot of running around but not alot of assistance to the child. So I ask for some ice and bandages. The small shop next door sells ice pops so they give me one and I take the childs bloody shirt and do my VERY best to avoid touching anything ( and I do avoid touching anything) and hold the ice in the shirt to this poor baby's head. It is so hard to stay calm, but I know that I must. The girl is quiet which concerns me more than if she was crying, I keep asking Hawa to ask her if she is okay,,,, does the ice help? Do they have bandages? Antiseptic? Shortly we have a crowd of neighborhood women, lots of talking but no action. Where is her Mama? A new tattered dress appears for her and we take off her bloody uniform and put on her dress, I zip her up. Meanwhile the children press in closer all watching. Where is her Mama? After holding the ice for about 10 mins, the bleeding has stoped. It is a nasty gash. I ask for a rag, a scarf, something to tie around her forhead. Hawa appears with a dish cloth ( they use as hankies) and I roll it bandana style to make it as long as possible. It is not long enough to tie, so one of the women tucks it behind her ears. I tell Hawa the child needs to go home, and again I ask where is her Mama? She tells me that she was one of the women that was here earlier. I am confused by this... nobody but me and Hawa was taking care of this child. Her mother never came over to us. I insist that she must go home and get some treatment.
Hawa takes her litterly next door, which is home... but then decides to take her down the road to the Clinic. Ali and Hawa take her down the road where she receives an antiseptic and a bandage. Ali later tells me how crude this "clinic" is, we are just grateful she received some type of treatment.
During all of the mayhem we did learn that another child had fallen in the hole the day before. Her Mama showed us her injury which was a huge scrape and bump on the back of her 3 year old head. When we were picked up we had one of the local volunteers come and see the hole and we found out who was responsible for the land. We also discussed the incident with our mgt. at homebase, and we are all doing what we can to get the hole fixed.
While Ali and Hawa were at the clinic I calmed the children down with La La and a story. We then learned about plants and planted some beans in pots we made from recycled water bottles.
Today was the toughest day so far.
In Tanzania, atleast where we are, the people burn their trash. They burn it wherever and whenever. There is smoke and a stench in the hot steamy air. The air quality is awful. For some reason, today at school, someone started one of these trash fires directly in front of the school beneath the window. Within minutes the room was full of smoke. My black T-shirt had soot and ash all over it. The children were starting to cough and Ali was beginning to freak out. She took charge and went outside and with one of the TZ teachers threw dirt and water from our water bottle to put the fire out. It was one of those surreal moments. This is Africa. This is harsh. This is third world.
Remember the Hole?
Early on I told you about the cavernous hole in the play yard, there is a picture of it on the blog. Well today one of our students fell in the hole. She cut her head severly and was pulled out covered in blood. Hawa rinsed her off with water. I kept saying someone get her Mama, this is a neighborhood school, she can't be too far. There is alot of running around but not alot of assistance to the child. So I ask for some ice and bandages. The small shop next door sells ice pops so they give me one and I take the childs bloody shirt and do my VERY best to avoid touching anything ( and I do avoid touching anything) and hold the ice in the shirt to this poor baby's head. It is so hard to stay calm, but I know that I must. The girl is quiet which concerns me more than if she was crying, I keep asking Hawa to ask her if she is okay,,,, does the ice help? Do they have bandages? Antiseptic? Shortly we have a crowd of neighborhood women, lots of talking but no action. Where is her Mama? A new tattered dress appears for her and we take off her bloody uniform and put on her dress, I zip her up. Meanwhile the children press in closer all watching. Where is her Mama? After holding the ice for about 10 mins, the bleeding has stoped. It is a nasty gash. I ask for a rag, a scarf, something to tie around her forhead. Hawa appears with a dish cloth ( they use as hankies) and I roll it bandana style to make it as long as possible. It is not long enough to tie, so one of the women tucks it behind her ears. I tell Hawa the child needs to go home, and again I ask where is her Mama? She tells me that she was one of the women that was here earlier. I am confused by this... nobody but me and Hawa was taking care of this child. Her mother never came over to us. I insist that she must go home and get some treatment.
Hawa takes her litterly next door, which is home... but then decides to take her down the road to the Clinic. Ali and Hawa take her down the road where she receives an antiseptic and a bandage. Ali later tells me how crude this "clinic" is, we are just grateful she received some type of treatment.
During all of the mayhem we did learn that another child had fallen in the hole the day before. Her Mama showed us her injury which was a huge scrape and bump on the back of her 3 year old head. When we were picked up we had one of the local volunteers come and see the hole and we found out who was responsible for the land. We also discussed the incident with our mgt. at homebase, and we are all doing what we can to get the hole fixed.
While Ali and Hawa were at the clinic I calmed the children down with La La and a story. We then learned about plants and planted some beans in pots we made from recycled water bottles.
Today was the toughest day so far.
Week 3...
Week 3
Monday morning and back to work. The children behave fairly well today. They listen and their manners are improving. When we hand out the pencils we are thanked loud and clear, and they seem proud of themselves. I am also having some success in getting them to keep their hands down. They do this reaching begging thing with their palms up and out that drives me nuts--- it is a begging gesture, and that is the best way I can describe it. I am handing out the pencils, just hang in there and you will get yours!
Speaking of the pencils – on day one Ali had new nice pencils for everyone. We sharpened them and handed them out. Now just 9 school days later ---they are half missing, chewed on and a general mess. I tell them it is Bad Manners to put your pencil in your mouth and if they do – I will take it from them. To my surprise, I only need to take away about 2 of the pencils and both are from 2 of the older boys, who seemed stunned to have lost their pencils. Life goes on and we finish the day feeling like we are making progress.
Monday morning and back to work. The children behave fairly well today. They listen and their manners are improving. When we hand out the pencils we are thanked loud and clear, and they seem proud of themselves. I am also having some success in getting them to keep their hands down. They do this reaching begging thing with their palms up and out that drives me nuts--- it is a begging gesture, and that is the best way I can describe it. I am handing out the pencils, just hang in there and you will get yours!
Speaking of the pencils – on day one Ali had new nice pencils for everyone. We sharpened them and handed them out. Now just 9 school days later ---they are half missing, chewed on and a general mess. I tell them it is Bad Manners to put your pencil in your mouth and if they do – I will take it from them. To my surprise, I only need to take away about 2 of the pencils and both are from 2 of the older boys, who seemed stunned to have lost their pencils. Life goes on and we finish the day feeling like we are making progress.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Beating the clock!
I am so excited I got my posts posted today! I have been writing on my laptop and then coming in town with my memory stick. It takes about 10 mins just to get online and I only have an hour, I had to update word! It wa a 2003 version and it worked! I beat the clock... as they say nothing is easy!
Week 2
Monday is a bit of a disaster; it is just like the first day all over again. We struggle through the morning. Lots of yelling and crying and general mayhem.
On the ride back to home base we discover we all have had a bad day. At the hospital Randy tells us a psychiatric patient escaped… with very little fan fare. Randy’s degree is in Public Health and they call him Daktari and we tease him endlessly, asking him to diagnose our various bites and ailments. He has a great sense of humor and keeps us entertained with the crazy stuff that goes on at the hospital.
There is tension between two volunteers at the Women’s Center and a bit of drama unfolds on the van ride home. Some volunteers are here for weeks, even months, before our group arrived and needless to say it does create a disruption to suddenly have 9 new people in your house and several new folks joining you at your placement.
As the week progresses we all seem to find our place and rhythms. At Jendeleze we dedicate a part of each morning to Good Manners and Bad Manners. It is working… even if is just a little bit. When they get their pencils they all say “Thank you” now. So we reinforce it everyday. We decide to split the group and take turns outside. I take my group outside and we do Yoga, Brain Gym and play games. I am so grateful to have the yoga toolbox to rely on. They seem to enjoy it and when we do go back inside they do much better at doing their work. We come back together to go “la, la”, which is still a very touching time in the classroom. Tenderness is in short supply here.
I have started recycling water bottles to have cut into pots and the plan is to plant beans. Our Director Moses is pleased and said it is a very good biology lesson. I am hoping maybe it will result in some healthy food for them and maybe a gardener or two will be inspired. We are now collecting toilet paper rolls to make castles out of for art; we basically have no supplies so it is challenging to come up with ideas to make interesting things. We are making some difference.
A bit about the food…
The food is good even though it is fried in oil regardless of what it is. We have fresh watermelon, pineapple and bananas. We have chicken often and they do cook it to death so I have been eating it. The food is very starchy and it is easy to get bloated.
My practice is not to eat too much of one thing. Some of the ladies have found something they like and then they just eat that one thing and end up hugging the toilet later. There has been some eating and drinking mistakes around the house but for the most part there does not seem to be more than one person down at a time. We also go into town and buy yogurt to keep in the frig. And that has helped us stay healthy on several levels…. Thank God for yogurt!
We have a saying around here, “Just one mistake” and you can be in trouble. My “mindful practices” have really paid off. I must say I am completely present at all times, and very mindful of what I eat. I have just 5 more days to go (after today) and I am hoping I will get through with no ailments.
My practice is not to eat too much of one thing. Some of the ladies have found something they like and then they just eat that one thing and end up hugging the toilet later. There has been some eating and drinking mistakes around the house but for the most part there does not seem to be more than one person down at a time. We also go into town and buy yogurt to keep in the frig. And that has helped us stay healthy on several levels…. Thank God for yogurt!
We have a saying around here, “Just one mistake” and you can be in trouble. My “mindful practices” have really paid off. I must say I am completely present at all times, and very mindful of what I eat. I have just 5 more days to go (after today) and I am hoping I will get through with no ailments.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
TGIF
It is Friday! We have made it through our first week. Today we are making Valentines and showing the children the printed pictures of themselves. We start with Greetings, alphabet, and move to counting. The copybooks the children have are a mess. There are hardly any blank pages and several are falling apart. The room is really dirty. Hawa walks around sharpening pencils as the shavings fall to the floor. The pencils are chewed and broken in half; the children fight for the erasers. Some of the children have running noses and everyone is dirty. They all seem fairly healthy. There is some skin discoloration; which I am told by another volunteer that is malnutrion.
We follow our routine. The Valentines are a hit and I share with the class the Valentine my husband gave to me to take with me. I was not sure they would get the concept, but they do and they copy Ali’s artwork with determination. Some of them are artists already and do an amazing job. Others are struggling, getting frustrated so we try and help them. Everyone gets a crayon, some share with their friends and has a variety of colors and others fight over the colors. I don’t think too many were eaten and we have Valentine Cards for giving.
There are times that there are 5 or 6 children crying, 4 Teachers yelling, kids all pinching and total chaos. If I wasn\t living it, I am not sure I would believe it could be so bad. The class room is the dirtiest room I have ever been in. My young partner Ali is hanging in there but I can see in her eyes that she is struggling with why am I here- This darn foriegn keyboard is messing with me, so forgive my mis types. But it is FRIDAY and we made VAlentines and I hear the beep beep of the bus and we are on our way back to home base!
We follow our routine. The Valentines are a hit and I share with the class the Valentine my husband gave to me to take with me. I was not sure they would get the concept, but they do and they copy Ali’s artwork with determination. Some of them are artists already and do an amazing job. Others are struggling, getting frustrated so we try and help them. Everyone gets a crayon, some share with their friends and has a variety of colors and others fight over the colors. I don’t think too many were eaten and we have Valentine Cards for giving.
There are times that there are 5 or 6 children crying, 4 Teachers yelling, kids all pinching and total chaos. If I wasn\t living it, I am not sure I would believe it could be so bad. The class room is the dirtiest room I have ever been in. My young partner Ali is hanging in there but I can see in her eyes that she is struggling with why am I here- This darn foriegn keyboard is messing with me, so forgive my mis types. But it is FRIDAY and we made VAlentines and I hear the beep beep of the bus and we are on our way back to home base!
Day 3
Day 3
The sky is clear and Kilimanjaro is out for us to see. It is a lovely morning.
We have been learning about the culture and we were told the children of Jenedeleze are the poorest of the poor. Our Program Director, tells us he was not sure it would work sending volunteers there, because it is so bad…. I find myself feeling defensive; it is not THAT bad, is it? It is funny how you get used to things so quickly.
We get dropped off early, usually we are the last to get dropped off… and it is 8:00, a half hour early. Only about half the kids are there and they are already inside. The lovely morning is already terribly hot….no clouds gave us a view but the temperature is soaring. The teacher wants us to start and we do. We seem to be in a small din of noise, but we move on. Letters, and numbers and we do some counting. Since we have nothing to count we count the children. They seem to get it, and they seem to enjoy our antics.
When it is time for something different we learn This Old Man and they have a tuff time with singing, “with a nick knack paddy wack give the dog a bone” but we keep trying and I break it down for them further and they do a pretty good job. The heat is getting to us all and we are ahead of schedule as we head outside.
They do the usual scary scatter and we hang in the front and play quieter games. This is by far the hottest day. The sun is beating down on the red earth. We all feel scorched by the sun. Stay in the shade, I tell myself and no Hokey Pokey for this Bibi (Be be – Grand mother). We play paddy cake, and do some Brain gym. I ask the Hawa if I can take a photo of each child. So she sits them down and I take their pictures they are very patient. I have this cool little printer a Pogo that prints out small 2-inch photos with a sticky back. Our plan is to put them on index cards and write their names on them and use them to decorate the bare walls.
No porridge again and we go back inside.
They are beyond out of control… they ask for La, La so I sing to them as some doze off. We are starting to have a routine. We still have a problem being ahead of schedule but we manage to fill the time with stories and songs and I ask if we can let them go a few minutes ahead of time. In Tanzania, nothing begins or ends on time and I think this is a good time to go with that flow… so off they go into the dirt roads and alleyways of this African Village.
The sky is clear and Kilimanjaro is out for us to see. It is a lovely morning.
We have been learning about the culture and we were told the children of Jenedeleze are the poorest of the poor. Our Program Director, tells us he was not sure it would work sending volunteers there, because it is so bad…. I find myself feeling defensive; it is not THAT bad, is it? It is funny how you get used to things so quickly.
We get dropped off early, usually we are the last to get dropped off… and it is 8:00, a half hour early. Only about half the kids are there and they are already inside. The lovely morning is already terribly hot….no clouds gave us a view but the temperature is soaring. The teacher wants us to start and we do. We seem to be in a small din of noise, but we move on. Letters, and numbers and we do some counting. Since we have nothing to count we count the children. They seem to get it, and they seem to enjoy our antics.
When it is time for something different we learn This Old Man and they have a tuff time with singing, “with a nick knack paddy wack give the dog a bone” but we keep trying and I break it down for them further and they do a pretty good job. The heat is getting to us all and we are ahead of schedule as we head outside.
They do the usual scary scatter and we hang in the front and play quieter games. This is by far the hottest day. The sun is beating down on the red earth. We all feel scorched by the sun. Stay in the shade, I tell myself and no Hokey Pokey for this Bibi (Be be – Grand mother). We play paddy cake, and do some Brain gym. I ask the Hawa if I can take a photo of each child. So she sits them down and I take their pictures they are very patient. I have this cool little printer a Pogo that prints out small 2-inch photos with a sticky back. Our plan is to put them on index cards and write their names on them and use them to decorate the bare walls.
No porridge again and we go back inside.
They are beyond out of control… they ask for La, La so I sing to them as some doze off. We are starting to have a routine. We still have a problem being ahead of schedule but we manage to fill the time with stories and songs and I ask if we can let them go a few minutes ahead of time. In Tanzania, nothing begins or ends on time and I think this is a good time to go with that flow… so off they go into the dirt roads and alleyways of this African Village.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Day 2....
Now with a mornings worth of experience behind us we tackle day two. It really is more of the same. I start doing more yoga and brain gym exercises with them and they really love it. I show them Diamond Breath and Mountain, Crescent Moon and Tree. We do some cross lateral exercises, which they do find challenging, but typical for their ages. As the day progresses we begin to realize some of these kids are really smart. Eager to learn and ready for more, a challenge in the one room school house, but as we walk around and group them by level we begin to see progress.
The children begin to signal me when it is time for a yoga break. They will start to breathe and count breaths; they know it makes them feel better. Outside today we stayed in the front yard, with the “shade” and play calmer games. The heat is difficult. They seem to be as bothered by the heat as us, which surprises me. Suddenly we are back inside. What about Porridge? I ask the teacher and she says not today. Not today? I reply….
The children are miserable. Hot and hungry. I suggest they put their heads down and I will sing to them. I start to sing, “ Hush little baby” and walk around patting their heads. It is hard for me not to cry. I choke on the words and just start to “la la la” and it occurs to me La La in Swalhili is sleep. They look up at me an smile and fall a sleep, it is peaceful and calm in Jenedeleze.
The children begin to signal me when it is time for a yoga break. They will start to breathe and count breaths; they know it makes them feel better. Outside today we stayed in the front yard, with the “shade” and play calmer games. The heat is difficult. They seem to be as bothered by the heat as us, which surprises me. Suddenly we are back inside. What about Porridge? I ask the teacher and she says not today. Not today? I reply….
The children are miserable. Hot and hungry. I suggest they put their heads down and I will sing to them. I start to sing, “ Hush little baby” and walk around patting their heads. It is hard for me not to cry. I choke on the words and just start to “la la la” and it occurs to me La La in Swalhili is sleep. They look up at me an smile and fall a sleep, it is peaceful and calm in Jenedeleze.
First day Jitters cont..
After our Yoga Break the children calm down a bit, and we continue on for a short time on numbers And before we know it, it is time to go outside and play! In the front of the school there is a spigot and a tree with some tiny bit of shade. The children scatter in different directions some heading off to pee (somewhere, I really don’t want to know where, and neither do you), somehow the teacher seems to know who is where (or maybe she is just not concerned about it) but regardless everything appears to be okay. We start to navigate around to the back of the building, passing a hole about 8 feet deep that would swallow up half the children if they miss-calculate a step or happen to stumble. Ali and I appear to be the only ones to even notice this cavernous hole, as we carefully step by. The play yard, I guess you could say is a “courtyard” style… an open area with several shanty shacks backing up into the red dusty earth yard. The women are doing laundry, gathering buckets of water and generally doing morning chores. They look up at us; some smile but generally seem to be unfazed by our presence. Some of the kids are running around, pushing each other, falling down and crying. Others are simply clinging and hanging on Ali and I. A small amount of the children have a Popsicle type of thing they are sucking on, I have no idea where the Popsicle came from, but those children are the happiest. In a short while, one of the women appears with 2 balls and we begin to play pass the ball. Now don’t forget the ages are 3 – 6 years old, I get passed the ball by the teacher who passes the ball like I would imagine one of our all star Huskies Ladies would pass the ball, fast and accurate. To my surprise I catch it, and begin to play catch with the children. They catch every pass. I throw it further, they still catch the ball. Doesn’t matter if they are 3 or 6, these kids are coordinated. Nobody falls down unless they are pushed, and we are having fun. (Did I mention, it is about 90 degrees?) Eventually our game of catch ends and the girls show us a circle game. I will have to video it; I don’t think I can do it justice. Suffice it to say it is adorable. Next we all go back to the front yard, and the children are given porridge. The porridge is sweet hot oatmeal; they each get about a half-cup full. We had been told that was the first meal they would receive that day, and maybe for some the only meal. We are offered some, and we say “hapana sante”, (no thank you) They are quiet and content for the moment. After porridge they file back into the classroom. They are hot and tired, the teacher motions them to put their heads down and some of them fall asleep in just a few seconds. The Peace does not last too long. We only have about a half hour to go, but these kids are so done. So I read a story, and the teacher translates, they really enjoy it! We sing Twinkle, Twinkle little star and then the horn beeps and it is time for us to go back to home base. As we leave they all jump up and run out to the Dala Dala (Van) waving and jumping, hugging and laughing. No Mamas come, our 3-6 year olds walk them selves’ home and they are fine and happy.
Generally, speaking we feel the morning went well. Yes there was chaos, but we all survived. Considering the circumstances, I think these kids are great! Our American children would not make it 5 mins. in a situation even half as bad. Ali and I are dirty, sweaty and tired. We are both overwhelmed by the experience and immediately start to plan the next day.
Generally, speaking we feel the morning went well. Yes there was chaos, but we all survived. Considering the circumstances, I think these kids are great! Our American children would not make it 5 mins. in a situation even half as bad. Ali and I are dirty, sweaty and tired. We are both overwhelmed by the experience and immediately start to plan the next day.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
First Day Jitters, Tuesday 2/9
My book bag is packed. Sunscreen is on and I have sprayed on my bug spray. I am ready for my first day teaching Nursery School in Tanzania! Our group has piled into the van and we are both excited and nervous.
I am the elder in our group, so I tend to take advantage of that and sit in the front row. Our youngest volunteer is a 19 yr. old boy from Ohio. Reilly’s face is red with sunburn from our day at the Rao Village, so I sit with him and check in on how he is doing. Like all of us he is nervous, he is going to a Primary School to assistant teach. I try to mother him a bit, and tell him to take care of himself. He seems to appreciate my concern. One by one, my fellow volunteers are droped off at their placements. Melissa is going to a Juvenile Center, which has street kids and some young criminals. She is in her twenties and from Canada. She is majoring in Psychiatric Care and appears to be well equipped for her assignment. Reilly and Andrew (20) are assigned together at the Primary School. The assistant program director gets off the van with them to introduce them and get them settled. Jay is in his 30s, he will be teaching at a Secondary School. Randy is in his 40s, (closest to my age ) and is assigned to the Hospital. Several are assigned to the Women’s Community Center, where they do business training, English classes and several other services. At this point we are down to 3 of us, Ali my partner and Dee Anna who is also assigned to a Nursery School. Her School is gated in and she is greeted by the Head Mistress. This school is considered very good, and the teachers speak English. We travel on, bouncing on the rough road going deeper into the village. The huts are rough, the worst we have seen. We come to a stop, and we see our students lined up outside waiting for our arrival. We are greeted by hugs, smiles and rehearsed “Hallos” and some funny little Welcome songs. The children file into the school and sit in their seats, so far so good. The two women who are at the school are limited in teaching skills and in English. Hai the lead teacher is about 21, she has attended a 6 month training to prepare her for her job as teacher. She is able to translate our instructions to the children, but we really can’t have a conversation. The other woman basically gives hugs, takes the kids to the toilet (hole) and wipes noses. One of the men , Leveng (Living) from CCS joins us to help translate and make sure we are okay (I guess) and he to is helpful.
The children appear to be eager to learn. And so we begin….We start with the alphabet and they do fairly well. We move onto numbers and again things are going pretty good, I think we must of gone an hour and a half? Let me remind you these little ones are 3 – 6, sitting about 3 - 4 on a bench with a desk in front of them and it is 100 degrees and we are all hot. So we attempt writing the numbers and I am amazed at the dexterity and fine motor skills they are capable of holding a pencil fairly well and are writing their numbers. About now they start to melt down, are start crying and hitting and losing it. I can’t blame them.
Breathing is Universal.
I introduce to them “Take 5” and we take 5 Breaths counting on their fingers and then go AHHH…. They smile. We do it again. They are quiet. Ali and look at each other. I have them stand up and they learn Mountain pose, tree, sun breath, and more. They are calm and willing to sit and work some more.
To be continued.....
I am the elder in our group, so I tend to take advantage of that and sit in the front row. Our youngest volunteer is a 19 yr. old boy from Ohio. Reilly’s face is red with sunburn from our day at the Rao Village, so I sit with him and check in on how he is doing. Like all of us he is nervous, he is going to a Primary School to assistant teach. I try to mother him a bit, and tell him to take care of himself. He seems to appreciate my concern. One by one, my fellow volunteers are droped off at their placements. Melissa is going to a Juvenile Center, which has street kids and some young criminals. She is in her twenties and from Canada. She is majoring in Psychiatric Care and appears to be well equipped for her assignment. Reilly and Andrew (20) are assigned together at the Primary School. The assistant program director gets off the van with them to introduce them and get them settled. Jay is in his 30s, he will be teaching at a Secondary School. Randy is in his 40s, (closest to my age ) and is assigned to the Hospital. Several are assigned to the Women’s Community Center, where they do business training, English classes and several other services. At this point we are down to 3 of us, Ali my partner and Dee Anna who is also assigned to a Nursery School. Her School is gated in and she is greeted by the Head Mistress. This school is considered very good, and the teachers speak English. We travel on, bouncing on the rough road going deeper into the village. The huts are rough, the worst we have seen. We come to a stop, and we see our students lined up outside waiting for our arrival. We are greeted by hugs, smiles and rehearsed “Hallos” and some funny little Welcome songs. The children file into the school and sit in their seats, so far so good. The two women who are at the school are limited in teaching skills and in English. Hai the lead teacher is about 21, she has attended a 6 month training to prepare her for her job as teacher. She is able to translate our instructions to the children, but we really can’t have a conversation. The other woman basically gives hugs, takes the kids to the toilet (hole) and wipes noses. One of the men , Leveng (Living) from CCS joins us to help translate and make sure we are okay (I guess) and he to is helpful.
The children appear to be eager to learn. And so we begin….We start with the alphabet and they do fairly well. We move onto numbers and again things are going pretty good, I think we must of gone an hour and a half? Let me remind you these little ones are 3 – 6, sitting about 3 - 4 on a bench with a desk in front of them and it is 100 degrees and we are all hot. So we attempt writing the numbers and I am amazed at the dexterity and fine motor skills they are capable of holding a pencil fairly well and are writing their numbers. About now they start to melt down, are start crying and hitting and losing it. I can’t blame them.
Breathing is Universal.
I introduce to them “Take 5” and we take 5 Breaths counting on their fingers and then go AHHH…. They smile. We do it again. They are quiet. Ali and look at each other. I have them stand up and they learn Mountain pose, tree, sun breath, and more. They are calm and willing to sit and work some more.
To be continued.....
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Inchoherent Blogging
Okay, so you might find some mistakes... I think I missed named a posting. I am writing at night and cutting and pasting when I get to the internet cafe, so you might see somethings twice or mis labled. When I get here it is a race against time.... we lose electricity, the web gets so slow you don't know if it will work, so I am firing these off as quick as possible.
Talk to you soon, and things are going great!
Talk to you soon, and things are going great!
Rao Village
Our first day we spent some time in a traditional village, walking through the rough dirt paths with ruts that had been carved out by the torrential rains of the rainy season. By the depth and width of these ruts it is hard to imagine life in this village during the rains.
Dalle a local CCS volunteer and Sara were leading us through the twists and turns of navigating the village. Mama Dalle invited us to see her home. The gate out front was large and impressive, but the home was humble and simple. Roosters roamed the yard as well as grand children. I felt honored to have been welcomed by Mama.
The landscape is very rough, banana trees, and maize are cultivated. But the rain has not come and neither has the maize. Our group of 9 is greeted by the village children and they are sweet and adorable. The kids are fascinated by our digital cameras and love to have their pictures taken. As we walk further into the village the huts are traditional mud and wood. The women wear traditional dress and are working very hard. Children and babies are everywhere and my American mind is amazed at the amount of hazards these children navigate; ditches, trash holes, rocks, fires, bugs, water holes… the list is endless. And they are okay. Not a helmet or an elbow pad, the idea is funny to even think about. There is a fair share of infected cuts and bites on there young skin but by their smiles you can see they have no worries. Babies as young as a year old are toddling around, with maybe a sibling somewhere close by. Our group startled on baby, and she began to cry, her mother appeared in a heart beat and swept her up to comfort her. It reminded me how we are all the same, the same things matter regardless of where you live.
There were times on this walk that I thought my husband would freak out if he saw me here (sorry honey). Honestly, I always felt safe, but I did think of the mosquitoes and the malaria and it made me a bit uncomfortable. I have not gotten bitten yet. I wear my DEET and take my Malarone ( anti-malaria pills). Hakuna Matata … No worries…
Dalle a local CCS volunteer and Sara were leading us through the twists and turns of navigating the village. Mama Dalle invited us to see her home. The gate out front was large and impressive, but the home was humble and simple. Roosters roamed the yard as well as grand children. I felt honored to have been welcomed by Mama.
The landscape is very rough, banana trees, and maize are cultivated. But the rain has not come and neither has the maize. Our group of 9 is greeted by the village children and they are sweet and adorable. The kids are fascinated by our digital cameras and love to have their pictures taken. As we walk further into the village the huts are traditional mud and wood. The women wear traditional dress and are working very hard. Children and babies are everywhere and my American mind is amazed at the amount of hazards these children navigate; ditches, trash holes, rocks, fires, bugs, water holes… the list is endless. And they are okay. Not a helmet or an elbow pad, the idea is funny to even think about. There is a fair share of infected cuts and bites on there young skin but by their smiles you can see they have no worries. Babies as young as a year old are toddling around, with maybe a sibling somewhere close by. Our group startled on baby, and she began to cry, her mother appeared in a heart beat and swept her up to comfort her. It reminded me how we are all the same, the same things matter regardless of where you live.
There were times on this walk that I thought my husband would freak out if he saw me here (sorry honey). Honestly, I always felt safe, but I did think of the mosquitoes and the malaria and it made me a bit uncomfortable. I have not gotten bitten yet. I wear my DEET and take my Malarone ( anti-malaria pills). Hakuna Matata … No worries…
First day Jitters
First day jitters, Tuesday 2/10/10
Flash cards, books, paper, my bag was packed for the first day of school.
Our first day we spent some time in a traditional village, walking through the rough dirt paths with ruts that had been carved out by the torrential rains of the rainy season. By the depth and width of these ruts it is hard to imagine life in this village during the rains.
Dole a local CCS volunteer and Sara were leading us through the twists and turns of navigating the village. Mama Dole invited us to see her home. The gate out front was large and impressive, but the home was humble and simple. Roosters roamed the yard as well as grand children. I felt honored to have been welcomed by Mama.
The landscape is very rough, banana trees, and maize are cultivated. But the rain has not come and neither has the maize. Our group of 9 is greeted by the village children and they are sweet and adorable. The kids are fascinated by our digital cameras and love to have their pictures taken. As we walk further into the village the huts are traditional mud and wood. The women wear traditional dress and are working very hard. Children and babies are everywhere and my American mind is amazed at the amount of hazards these children navigate; ditches, trash holes, rocks, fires, bugs, water holes… the list is endless. And they are okay. Not a helmet or an elbow pad, the idea is funny to even think about. There is a fair share of infected cuts and bites on there young skin but by their smiles you can see they have no worries. Babies as young as a year old are toddling around, with maybe a sibling somewhere close by. Our group startled on baby, and she began to cry, her mother appeared in a heart beat and swept her up to comfort her. It reminded me how we are all the same, the same things matter regardless of where you live.
There were times on this walk that I thought my husband would freak out if he saw me here (sorry honey). Honestly, I always felt safe, but I did think of the mosquitoes and the malaria and it made me a bit uncomfortable. I have not gotten bitten yet. I wear my DEET and take my Malarone ( anti-malaria pills). Hakuna Matata … No worries…
Flash cards, books, paper, my bag was packed for the first day of school.
Our first day we spent some time in a traditional village, walking through the rough dirt paths with ruts that had been carved out by the torrential rains of the rainy season. By the depth and width of these ruts it is hard to imagine life in this village during the rains.
Dole a local CCS volunteer and Sara were leading us through the twists and turns of navigating the village. Mama Dole invited us to see her home. The gate out front was large and impressive, but the home was humble and simple. Roosters roamed the yard as well as grand children. I felt honored to have been welcomed by Mama.
The landscape is very rough, banana trees, and maize are cultivated. But the rain has not come and neither has the maize. Our group of 9 is greeted by the village children and they are sweet and adorable. The kids are fascinated by our digital cameras and love to have their pictures taken. As we walk further into the village the huts are traditional mud and wood. The women wear traditional dress and are working very hard. Children and babies are everywhere and my American mind is amazed at the amount of hazards these children navigate; ditches, trash holes, rocks, fires, bugs, water holes… the list is endless. And they are okay. Not a helmet or an elbow pad, the idea is funny to even think about. There is a fair share of infected cuts and bites on there young skin but by their smiles you can see they have no worries. Babies as young as a year old are toddling around, with maybe a sibling somewhere close by. Our group startled on baby, and she began to cry, her mother appeared in a heart beat and swept her up to comfort her. It reminded me how we are all the same, the same things matter regardless of where you live.
There were times on this walk that I thought my husband would freak out if he saw me here (sorry honey). Honestly, I always felt safe, but I did think of the mosquitoes and the malaria and it made me a bit uncomfortable. I have not gotten bitten yet. I wear my DEET and take my Malarone ( anti-malaria pills). Hakuna Matata … No worries…
Orientation, Monday 2/9/10
Orientation, Monday 2/9/10
Monday we were given some information regarding our assignments and things to read from previous volunteers. I am partnered with a bright young women from NYC, Ali, and we were reading every thing we could about our Nursery School. The comments were alarming! “Kids are out of control”, “the teachers are not helpful”, “ Be prepared to teach right a way”…. One room with 50 children ages 2.5 – 6 yrs, and nobody speaks English, no supplies! When we met other volunteers, and told them where we were assigned to Jendeleze School they looked at us with pity and concern.
Later that day the teachers from the school were coming to meet us at home base. I had prepared a list of questions, until Mama Grace ( our house mother, yes her name is Grace!) translated for us we were not doing very well. When Mama joined Ali and I, we fired away with questions and ideas. After the meeting Ali and I knew we needed to get our act together quick, so we put together our lesson plans. Since neither of us are Nursery School teachers we were struggling. And the language barrier was scary.
I was having a very difficult time expecting 2 & 3 year olds to sit for more than 20 mins. at a time. I was having anxiety about the “potty” (basically a hole in the ground) and just could not imagine how or why this could work. We were told to work on counting, letters, English, science, and writing… Huh?? And Art and Music. A one room school house with 50 Swahalli speaking children ages 2.5 – 6. I thought “out of control” was an understatement. I thought about my Yoga bag of tricks, and thought maybe that will help? Who am I kidding?
Monday we were given some information regarding our assignments and things to read from previous volunteers. I am partnered with a bright young women from NYC, Ali, and we were reading every thing we could about our Nursery School. The comments were alarming! “Kids are out of control”, “the teachers are not helpful”, “ Be prepared to teach right a way”…. One room with 50 children ages 2.5 – 6 yrs, and nobody speaks English, no supplies! When we met other volunteers, and told them where we were assigned to Jendeleze School they looked at us with pity and concern.
Later that day the teachers from the school were coming to meet us at home base. I had prepared a list of questions, until Mama Grace ( our house mother, yes her name is Grace!) translated for us we were not doing very well. When Mama joined Ali and I, we fired away with questions and ideas. After the meeting Ali and I knew we needed to get our act together quick, so we put together our lesson plans. Since neither of us are Nursery School teachers we were struggling. And the language barrier was scary.
I was having a very difficult time expecting 2 & 3 year olds to sit for more than 20 mins. at a time. I was having anxiety about the “potty” (basically a hole in the ground) and just could not imagine how or why this could work. We were told to work on counting, letters, English, science, and writing… Huh?? And Art and Music. A one room school house with 50 Swahalli speaking children ages 2.5 – 6. I thought “out of control” was an understatement. I thought about my Yoga bag of tricks, and thought maybe that will help? Who am I kidding?
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Habari from Africa!
I have arrived safely. My bag was missing for a few days, but that too has arrived safely. Communication has been alot harder than I expected. But finally that too is coming together.
Today I went to the Nursery School, the children are amazing. They are small, 3-6 and eager to learn. They are a bit out of control at times but under the conditions it is understandable.
This post is going to be short, I need to write it before I get to the cafe and then just send it. I already have many stories to share. STAY TUNED.....
Peace and love!
Kat
Today I went to the Nursery School, the children are amazing. They are small, 3-6 and eager to learn. They are a bit out of control at times but under the conditions it is understandable.
This post is going to be short, I need to write it before I get to the cafe and then just send it. I already have many stories to share. STAY TUNED.....
Peace and love!
Kat
Friday, February 5, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Off to Africa...Stepping into the journey
Well the day has finally arrived. Tonight I leave for Tanzania. I feel like all the preparations, fund raising, and community efforts have come together and now it is time to step into the journey.
My assignment is teaching at a Nursery school which is run by a Muslim Widow and Orphans group. My understanding is that it is in a very depressed area and there are few supplies at this school. I am nervous, first day jitters... I guess you would say. Teaching Nursery School is challenging enough,but when you add in the language barrier and times that by 40 children, well you get the idea. I consider myself creative and able to punt, so I will plan too much and be ready for anything... Yoga anyone?? Can we just Breathe? I will need to figure out how to say that in Swahilli, Lesson 1.
Before I head off, I need to thank all of you for the support and encouragement you have given me over the past year. Not only have you helped me raise the money to volunteer for this effort, you have encouraged me and inspired me with your care and interest.
My intention is to update the blog daily. It takes two days to get there, so maybe by Monday I will be able to get something posted. It might take me a few days to figure out the routine. I think I will need to venture to an internet cafe to do my online stuff. I will figure it all out and keep you as up to date as possible.
Feel free to comment, ask questions and such. I would like to stay grounded and connected to all of you out there.
Peace,
Kat
aka (Kathleen, Leen, Mom and Una)
My assignment is teaching at a Nursery school which is run by a Muslim Widow and Orphans group. My understanding is that it is in a very depressed area and there are few supplies at this school. I am nervous, first day jitters... I guess you would say. Teaching Nursery School is challenging enough,but when you add in the language barrier and times that by 40 children, well you get the idea. I consider myself creative and able to punt, so I will plan too much and be ready for anything... Yoga anyone?? Can we just Breathe? I will need to figure out how to say that in Swahilli, Lesson 1.
Before I head off, I need to thank all of you for the support and encouragement you have given me over the past year. Not only have you helped me raise the money to volunteer for this effort, you have encouraged me and inspired me with your care and interest.
My intention is to update the blog daily. It takes two days to get there, so maybe by Monday I will be able to get something posted. It might take me a few days to figure out the routine. I think I will need to venture to an internet cafe to do my online stuff. I will figure it all out and keep you as up to date as possible.
Feel free to comment, ask questions and such. I would like to stay grounded and connected to all of you out there.
Peace,
Kat
aka (Kathleen, Leen, Mom and Una)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)