Back to Tanzania!
Trip Start
Feb 20, 2009
1
10
Trip End
Apr 23, 2009
Kimundo, Tanzania
Friday, November 5, 2010
As some of you may know, I headed back to Tanzania last week. (I know, evidently I have to go to Africa to actually send an email to keep in touch…) I've settled in quite nicely, jumping right into the swing of things. I arrived late last Wednesday- to a power-outage of course! Some things never change. I'm staying in the same room- same bed, actually. There are 6 other volunteers here at the moment and lots of new staff. In fact, there are lots of new additions: new school buildings, new children’s dorm, and of course, new children! Since I left, the orphanage has doubled in size, now caring for 21 kids (+ Kaaya & Joyce’s kids and nephews). It was such a fun reunion! Even the new children knew my name before we were officially introduced. I received many tight hugs, some shy smiles and more drawings and 'notes’ than I could count on my fingers and toes.
Another new addition worth mentioning is internet in the house. Wireless, I might add. Now, it’s not quite reliable internet, as it requires electricity, which seems to be sparse at the moment. But, yes occasionally we can (slowly) access the world wide web sans an 8 mile hike and 2 daladala rides.
Another thing we seem to be lacking even more this time compared to last is water. We aren’t getting much rain, though I did see a dusting of snow on the top of the mountain yesterday. Hopefully rain is coming soon. I’ve taken a few "bucket showers" already. In hindsight, I should have thought twice before bringing out the slip n slide on my first day. I think we are still making up for it… Oops. (Kids loved it though!)
We’ve certainly been having fun- lots of “football” (I’m on the sidelines for that one) and other games. One of the volunteers is teaching the kids to sew. Balloon animals came out today. As they popped, I’d try to pick up the trash- but of course, that was a prized possession, to then be tied as bracelets, used as hair rubber bands, slingshot, even tied up on the popped end to then be blown up again. You name it. Land of improvising.
During my prior trip, the orphanage kids were occasionally allowed to watch a Disney movie on the TV at the house. I brought a few movies with me this time, which were a big hit to say the least. Unfortunately, the dvd player at the house now “only plays CDs” (?- but true) and the little TV/dvd player down at the school would not recognize the American movies I brought. Well, the kids had already found “Monsters vs. Aliens” (crazy that they choose that over a phonetics educational dvd…) in my stash, so I had to figure out a way. I ended up playing it on my computer, while 32 children (news spread to the neighbors) stared in awe, sitting in/on the desks in one of the schoolrooms. It could have been a Mac advertisement: Apple computers, entertaining orphans in 3rd world countries. I’m going to try to get something set up that works for once volunteers w computers leave. Not that they need to watch movies all the time, but it certainly was considered a treat.
The culture shock isn’t as apparent this time. While it still pulls at my heartstrings, I’m used to the kids wearing dirty, ripped clothing/broken shoes (broken everything…), always asking/hoping for a piece of paper (which will first be colored on, then folded into origami and played with for hours on end); children taking care of children; kids craving attention then cherishing every second you give them; 8 year olds considered “little mamas”- required to help with the cooking, cleaning and taking care of the “little ones”. But occasionally something really affects me. Today, Jennifer, a little girl who lives up the road, was playing over at the house after school. She lost her flip-flop. Mind you, this was a mismatched flip-flop, that I had taped together several days ago, then someone else had then tied together. She was beside herself, and continued crying even after we found it. Turns out she was so upset about what her mother’s reaction would be to having to buy new shoes, that she was having a hard time calming herself down. Flip-flops cost less than $2 here.
The children who live in the orphanage are expected to leave upon completion of primary school (equivalent to 7th grade), to make room for other needy children in the community. They will be ages 12-15 at that point. Education in Tanzania is not free and less than 20% of children continue on to secondary school. Without scholarships, these orphans will be expected to live with extended family (strangers for the most part) and pull their weight for the family income- ie farming or working in the market. This is the primary reason for my visit. I am trying to set up a US-based nonprofit, Peace by Piece (PbP), but need to determine the logistics prior to completing my federal application for 501(c)3 status. Kaaya, the founder/director of PM has been taking me around to boarding secondary schools in the area, to determine pricing/availability. I’m trying to learn the ins and outs of the government and private schools systems, which is quite tricky. Government schools, which are much more affordable, don’t offer boarding and may not provide the highest quality education (understatement). Private schools accommodate boarding students, and are more appropriate for our star students, but cost a pretty penny. So there is lots to still discuss. We are contemplating building a small hostel at the government school for some of the PM kids. It is my hope that PbP can work with some other NGOs to send those that can succeed in private schools (performance based & those who score highest on national exams) a larger scholarship for private schools and send other students to the government school, assuming we can build living arrangements. Anyway, probably more than you wanted/needed to know, but that’s where I am at the moment. On a funny note, we drove 30 minutes to a secondary school yesterday morning. They presented us with a typed out breakdown of the school fees. I then asked if I could have a photocopy and the headmaster said “sure, it will be ready for you tomorrow” (Kaaya then went by there today. The receptionist said that, yes, she did make A copy, but the headmaster had it and he has run off to the hospital.) TIA- This Is Africa
You will all be hearing more about PbP once it is up and running. If you have any great ideas, helpful advice or words of wisdom, send them my way! They will be welcomed and appreciated! I’m having to figure this out as I go.
I do hope all is well. I’m going to crawl under my mosquito net now, keep my fingers crossed that the roosters stay quiet until at least 5 am (wishful thinking…) and get some sleep.
Take care and have a great rest of the week!
-Susan
One other funny thing- I had a conversation with Kaaya about buckets the other day- the longest conversation I’ve ever had about buckets or anything of their equivalent. We talked about how essential they are here, compared to how infrequently I actually use a bucket at home. Families here would have a hard time surviving without buckets. They are everywhere. Kaaya thought it was crazy that I rarely use a bucket (Maybe to wash the car, though Chad is probably rolling his eyes…) He kept giving me examples of when I’d need one, “to wash your clothes/dishes?”, “carry water?”, “shower sometimes?”, “feed the cow?” Yep. Got me there. Need the bucket to feed the cow.
