a Peace Corps Tanzania blog

Goodbye

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:12:43 GMT

I said goodbye to my students and fellow teachers. And now I say goodbye to this web page. This will be my last entry.

lack in the luster

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:56:20 GMT

the president of Tanzania - Pres. Jakaya Kikwete came to my town. I was semi-excited. When the Prime Minister came in 2007 there was lots of dancing and music....it was interesting to watch. I figured it would be an even bigger deal for the President. I was wrong. The crowd was not excited, people were talking amongst themselves during his speech. It was un-impressive. But at least I got pictures...........

Ways to measure time in Tanzania:

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 09:24:02 GMT

so it’s been 2 years now since I’ve been in the lovely Tanzania. And that means many things in terms of units of time. In the past two years…………….

4 school terms of teaching high school math

3 mango seasons have passed

2 sets of Form IV graduation parties

6 times Subi (a child of my next door neighbor) has saved me from having a breakdown by just being her happy loving self

3 sets of puppies have been born (neighbor’s dog)

73 The number of books I have read

3 separate visits to Zanzibar beach

6 visits to Matema Beach

10 hours spent outside Tanzania (in Malawi)

> 100 tests that I have typed

> 200 people I have seen beaten with sticks

A beautiful child named Davis was named my Godson

> 24 really boring meetings I have been required to sit through in Swahili

> 700 miles I have run as my main source of exercise here

13.1 miles ran near the base of Kilimanjaro Mountain

> 50 times I am sitting enjoying having electricity and “TIA” (this is Africa), the power goes out

> 20 students who personally approached to me to say how happy they are to have me for their teacher

3 visitors from America

4 Mamas I have adopted or have adopted me

19 Tanzanian Baha’is have met

14 three hour NECTA exams I have answered and used to do review

> 700 bucket baths

Subi Some of my students at their graduation

Two of my students post-graduation

I am going to miss Tanzania. I say my final goodbye mid-November. But the goodbyes have already begun.

corporal punishment is bad

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 07:53:45 GMT

My Credo

I believe the world’s rivers and streams and seas
They have been filled by us.
The pain, the trauma, the never-ending drama of this thing called life.
Our tears never stop,
Every second of everyday
Oh, I do believe even those tears your eyes won’t shed;
Travel in the air to later condense

Why? The question with no answer
How? The answer always depressing
For the Who just look in the mirror
For we do this to ourselves
We humans, we kill our brothers, rape our sisters, beat our children

I believe the earth is rich with blood
Everyday we fertilize the ground
Then cry out in angst when the seeds of our labour fail to give root
To our hopes and dreams

When? Oh When will this cycle end
When will we realize if we all decided never to kill
We’d never lose a loved one to murder
If we never stole, we’d never be the victim of theft
If we never struck another, we’d never be struck
What are we doing to ourselves?

Where do our screams of grief go?
I believe they form the thunder.
Oh and it’s loud. Baby, it’s loud.

Zanzibar

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:41:34 GMT

So after running a Girls' Empowerment Conference. And training the NEW members of PSDN (Peer Support and Diversity Network). I finally got to "fully" enjoy my vacation time. Me and a few friends went to Zanzibar. It was my third time being there. And each time has been different. The first time with my mommie, second was for New Years' Eve celebrations, this time more low key.

My top 10 things about

Zanzibar
10. The maze-like streets that I get lost in
9. Beautiful clouds and skylines
8. Red colobus monkeys that come so close to you
7. Henna tattoos
6. Fancy resorts
5. Romantic settings
4. The fact that males get up and give their seats to females (and old old men) on the dalas (public transport bus) without even being asked to. So different then the mainland where everyone fights for a seat.
3. Fruits galore
2. Beaches and the smell of ocean air
1. Seafood, seafood, seafood

Girls Empowerment Conference

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:56:45 GMT

After 4 months of preparing and planning, of writing grants (numerous additions/revisions), visiting potential guest speakers, copying and correlating information packets and various little things…..and WOOHOO. I, along with two other Peace Corps Volunteers and Tanzanian counterparts conducted a kick-ass Girls’ Empowerment Conference. It took place 6-10 June 2008 at a nearby boarding school. Ten girls were selected from three schools to participate in life skills sessions (Relationship, Decision-making and Communication Skills), AIDS/HIV sessions and general training to be peer leaders.

    Here in Tanzania the difference between female and male performance in school is extreme. Here the minimum expectation is that a girl finishes primary school (8^th grade) and marries well. Numerous people in the government and education system are trying to change this but, as we all know change takes time. HIV/AIDS is a known problem here in Africa, with Tanzania having a prevalence of around 8.5%. However, in my region/state it has been recorded that 17.2% its residents were recorded as HIV-positive. My region/state is especially vulnerable because of road transportation between bordering Zambia and Malawi is fueling the prostitution market. And stuides have shown that the greater the gender discrimination in societies and the lower the position of women, the more negatively they are affected by HIV. So we many peace corps volunteers like to lead Girls' Empowerment Conferences.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well everything worked out. Our counterparts (Tanzanian teachers) were a great help since the conference was all in Swahili and even though Amber, Sky and I are fairly fluent there are some words/explanations that we lack. The 30 girls that were selected were all enthusiastic. They took seriously their new roles as peer leaders and educators. The last night the girls performed various skits/songs/lectures for about 100 girls at the school we were staying to share the information they learned. I felt like a parent must feel when they realize their kids are “all grown up and thriving”. For example, one group I worked with did a condom demonstration (female and male condoms) and provided relevant facts. First, you have to realize that Tanzania is a very conservative country where a girl wearing a skirt above her knees is considered scandalous. So I was very pleased when I first asked for volunteers to redo a condom demonstration in front of 100 students that half of them raised their hands. And when the chosen girls did their presentation it was very detailed and informative (with a few laughs). I feel like the girls will all make great peer leaders and help others. Mission accomplished.

the good in all

Fri, 09 May 2008 09:26:08 GMT

Every once in awhile I have moments where my faith in humanity and our capacity for good is re-established. I find that at my school I have to remind myself of the good in my fellow teachers because I witness them beating students until they start crying or (in rare cases) start bleeding. Thursday was one of those days where the teachers and students demonstrated love and community……..One of the form I students appealed to us teachers for help because his economic situation is really bad. He can not afford notebooks, uniforms, school fees or even food. Plus he lives in a small village about a 2 hour walk from school. So he leaves home at 5 am everyday to arrive at school at 7 am. And then when school is over at 5:30 pm he doesn’t get home until 7:30 pm. The student is asking for assistance finding a place to sleep during the week closer to school and for school supplies and money. Many teachers contributed to help him. (I gave money as well. Monday is the deadline for contributions. If he does not have enough I will make sure he can continue his studies.)

While I was teaching form III, some of my form IV students came in and asked to make an announcement. They asked their fellow students to donate any old clothing or school supplies they can. Also they asked the male students to see if there is space available in their home for the form I student to sleep so he doesn’t have to walk 4 hours everyday. I was touched. My whole school was combining their efforts to help.

Moments like these make it easier to see a bit of God in everyone.

i have a new puppy

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:56:25 GMT

These are the children of my next door neighbor who happens to be my headmaster at the school I teach. These kids are my heart. I will miss them so much.

The puppy is Mbweha (fox in swahili) I have adopted him.

busy busy busy :)

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:59:12 GMT

(my new dog, Soni)

The increase from 18 periods to 30 has gone better than I expected. I kind of like being constantly busy Monday – Thursday. It makes me feel more useful as a Peace Corps volunteer. Also it means less time spent witnessing corporal punishment. Additionally this week I have had a lot of secretarial work to do for the Mkuu (Headmaster). So basically I’ve been teaching and grading homework non-stop 7:30 am to 2 pm and then a 90 minutes break for lunch and then typing reports from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The oddest thing is that this past week I’ve been in a really good mood. Quite contradictory one would think.

I walked into my Form IV class today and told them they must bring in Tshs. 100 for their test next week and they APPLAUDED. I was confused why my students would be happy they have a test and must bring money, one replied “Madam, it is because you only ask for 100 shillings and not 300 shillings like Teacher _____.” I will never comprehend how some teachers can be so dishonest. I request Tshs. 50 for a one page exam and Tshs. 100 for a two page exam. Copies are Tshs 40 each but often 10 or so students will not bring in the money so the leftover covers it. I can’t tell you how many times I hear the students complaining that the teachers are requesting Tshs 200 each for a two page exam etc. I have questioned some about it and they say things like “I use the extra money to buy red pens and a soda to drink while I grade.” Then I start conducting a math lesson….. “A red pen is Tshs. 300 – 500. A soda is Tshs. 300. You paid Tshs. 12,000 for the copies but received Tshs. 30,000 from the students. Even with the red pens and soda it does not add up!” The common response is just laughter. Alas

In other news…..I’ve decided to adopt a stray dog. His new name is Soni (Swahili for shyness). He has been hanging around my house for months. At first I just ignored him as a friend of my previous dog Hiba. However when Hiba disappeared/was stolen/got hit by a car in September, Soni still preferred to sleep in front of my house. He is called Soni (shyness) because he is terrified of humans. My guess is that his previous owner beat him. There is no concept of animal rights in Tanzania/Africa. And animals are often beaten or starved by their owners. I remember how much my fellow Tanzanians laughed at how I treated my previous dog Hiba ‘kama mtoto/like a child’. This past week I have been working on getting Soni to realize I am not a threat. Now he longer runs away when I walk by. Also he is willing to eat a few feet away from me. Small steps.

what a difference a week makes

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:22:45 GMT

Teaching in Tanzania is the job you end up with if you were smart enough to get through Secondary school but not smart enough to get to University to study a specific profession like medicine or law. Go to any secondary school and ask the teachers 1.) If they plan on leaving the school in the next 2 years? 2.)If they enjoy their job? and the answers are likely to be the same. 1.)Yes 2.)No

Teachers just do not hang around for long. Also the rate of secondary schools and advanced level schools opening up is much greater than the rate at which the total number teachers are available. Take my school which comparably speaking is an awesome school.....when I first arrived in Dec 2006 we had over 20 teachers for 600 students. Then August 2007 comes and 11 leave for "further studies". The government has a deal where one can work as a teacher for 2 years and then they will cover some of the costs of an university education. The assumption is that the teachers study education or something they will teach in the future and then return to school. HOWEVER, a lot of teachers just work for 2-3 years, then go get a degree, receive a job assignment to work at some school and then run-away from that job or responsibility. Not sure how easy it is to get away with but, it seems like a simple task.

It's a tricky situation because teaching here is so hard when there are only 7 teachers for 600 students. It's easy to understand why some teachers would get exhausted or stressed out to the point of quitting. At the same time if all the "appointed" teachers stayed at their jobs then the total number of teachers would increase and lessen the stress.

This whole entry was inspired by the the fact that last week my school lost 3 more teachers. 2 of which taught math. So now there are 3 math teachers left at my school (myself included ) but one of those teachers is now the only physics teacher for the school. In theory that means I would have to increase my periods from 18 (plus 3 adult classes) to 30 (plus 3 adult classes). I do not want to teach that much. I enjoy my sanity. But I feel guilty making another Tanzanian teacher add those classes to an already busy schedule just to stay within my Peace Corps 18-24 recommended schedule. So I have decided to teach the 30 periods but stop teaching the optional adult classes. I still have Friday off though (it's all about the small joys)

and here's a picture of Subi who lives next door. she is my heart. and definitely on the top 3 list of people I will miss when I leave Tanzania in November. She makes never fails to produce a smile from me. My friend Amber took it while we all went hunting for guava last month.

age is but a number

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:29:07 GMT

It's weird sometimes to think that at 23 years old I am teaching seniors in high school. Now add on the adult classes I teach 3 hours a week where the age range is 20-35. It creates this weird dynamic especially here in Tanzania where age is often more important than wisdom. Luckily being a teacher is met with great respect......the first president of Tanzania himself is known as "The Great Teacher." So teaching the adult classes is going better than I expected. The students acknowledge that I have knowledge about something they wish to learn (mainly mathematics). Though I still feel weird correcting someone 10 years older than me or seeing them struggle with something that is so easy to me.

Since I am a volunteer and not suppose to have an outside income I am using the $0.80 I get paid an hour for teaching these adult classes to print copies of exams for my Form IV and III students. Normally they have to pay everytime I want to give a test (paper in this country is relatively expensive).

Life otherwise is going along beautifully. Running/training for the Kilimanjaro Half-Marathon on March 2 has proved a great stress reliever and outlet.

I'm a godmother!

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 08:25:23 GMT

So I am a Godmother! His name is Davis. My friend Deborah who lives in Tanzania has a center/orphanage for 65 children (www.theolivebranchforchildren.org) and also a smaller house for her 8 adopted children. The newest addition to is little Davis.

Written by Deborah: He's 18 months but smaller than normal at 4.7 kilograms because he was malnourished.. He is suffering from severe kwashiokor. Although his mother is alive, she is 17 and admitted for treatment at CHimala Hospital due to complications relating to HIV/AIDS. Davis's mother and HIV+ aunt asked us to help Davis, since doctors told her that he could not survive in his state for much longer. They contacted us through another local HIV/AIDS orgnization. He cannot walk, he cannot talk, but in jsut a few short hours and after several very good meals, he mustered the strength to crawl, laugh, play and sing. We hope that this is the beginning of a wonderful new life for our little Davis.

school year 2008

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 08:19:46 GMT

There is a popular saying “This is Africa”……often used when surprised by an event that would not happen in the Western world. I had a very “this is Africa” moment when I returned to school after a relaxing vacation on Zanzibar Island and in the capital Dar-Es-Salaam. I had left the schedule I wanted with the Academic Headmaster before leaving for my vacation. It included me teaching 3 streams/classes of math for Form IV and 1 of Form III giving me the grand total of 24 periods a week. (Last year I only taught 18 periods). In this schedule I had Fridays off, like I did last year. I was planning on teaching 150 students from Form IV and 50 students from Form III. HOWEVER, when I return to school I see that the other teachers had combined Form IV into 2 streams instead of 3. This means 75 students in each classroom instead of 50 students. Also they put me down for teaching 2 streams of Form III instead of 1. So I went from having 150 students last year to 270 this year. They scheduled some of these classes on Friday. The icing on the cake was that newly adult classes were going to be taught at my school after 4 pm and I was required to teach at least 2 hours a week. I am standing and staring at the schedule when all this information sinks in and I have a stressed “Oh my gosh, that’s a lot” moment. However, I take a breath…….rearrange the schedule so I still manage to get Fridays off and consider that my consolation prize.

So basically my left hand will get a work-out this year from grading 270 papers anytime I give tests or homework instead of a comfortable 150 and have less free time to do so.

This is Africa.

christmas in tanzania

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 13:25:44 GMT

.Yesterday was my second and last Christmas in Tanzania. And it was lots of fun. I spent it in the bigger town in my region/state at my friend Deborah's orphanage center. ie lots of kids. First I celebrated it with her 7 children who she is the legal guardian for and then at the larger orphanage where she helps 60 children. It was just what I needed to feel the christmas spirit......because really kids are what make christmas, christmas. If you don't have screaming excited kids opening presents it doesn't feel the same; incomparsion to last christmas which I spent relaxing on a beach. My friend Allen's parents came to visit and they surprised us adults with presents as well. :) After the gift exchanges the kids painted a mural outisde the orphanage center with help of Allen's mother who is an artist

here are some pictures:

me and Laudi

the christmas tree and gifts for the 7 kids

Allen acted as Santa Claus. I acted as an elf. And Shama got a present

kids opening presents

Deborah, Me, Allen and Amber full of Christmas cheer

the mural outside 'The Olive Branch for the Children' Center

end of the school year !!!!!

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 10:29:04 GMT

So I finally finshed grading my final exams and writing the report forms for my 152 students. My left hand is tired from writing and I miss having everything computerized in America.

For my final exam (I teach form III math) the highest grade was a 95% the lowest with 2%. I will never understand how a Form III student is able to get 2% on an exam since when I was a high school student if I got anything lower than an A I would get upset. But I guess when you factor in the whole language barrier and that some students just don't care if they fail I can begin to understand it.

For their report forms 15 A's, 29 B's, 52 C's 48 D's and 8 F's.

threat of police action

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 09:45:21 GMT

My headmaster called all the teachers in for an emergency meeting in his office Thursday. I new something was up because normally meetings are in the staff room. I walk in and all the teachers are present and one female student who is tears. After much fast talking in Swahili I figure out that this girl (a form III student, thus one of my students) had been injured because of coropal punishment. She was caned 6 times on her hand (granted the law for this country is a max of 4 times) and was hit by a male teacher (another law says only female teachers can hit female students). She went to the teacher-on-duty to ask permission to go to the hospital but the teacher laughed ans said no. So then she went to the Headmaster to ask permission. Things escalated quickly and the next thing is the 'emergency meeting' because if she goes to the hospital for treatment and they find out what happened she will have to file a police report or bylaw the hospital cannot treat her. While this whole thing is going on I couldn't help but secretly hope that she does decide to persue it and a report is filed because I am so sick of all the regulations not being followed.

After 30 minutes the resolution is a shady one. One of the teachers is to buy pain killers and bandages for her wrist and the teachers apologize for her injury in return the student does not go to the hospital or the police.

After the girl returns to class, one of the teachers can tell I am disgusted with the whole situation and ask me to speak my mind. I just shake me head and tell them that they are constantly told by the headmaster to follow the laws for corporal punishments and they never do and half of the teachers don't even know what the laws say so this problem will never be solved until the guidelines are posted in the staff room. Judging by their looks I doubt they will follow my suggestion anytime soon.

more pictures less words

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:23:32 GMT

some of my students.........they're writing letters pen pal style to a school in America (with my help)

The entertainment for the Prime Minister's visit etc............. you should have seen the security force

prime minister visits and one year left

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 12:54:05 GMT

So last Wednesday (October 24) my town was blessed with a visit from the prime minister of Tanazania. He showed up with an entourage that defines the word entourage.......i.e. about 10 cars carrying around 40 or so people. The head of CCM (political party) in my town set up the grounds with chairs etc and there was a live band. Numerous "important people" spoke before the prime minister to thank him and give a background. Then the prime minister spoke for about 15 minutes. His speech touched on new roads that were commissioned to be built in my region, places that were to be connected to electricity, the problem of teen/student pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. I was happy that I was able to understand most of his speech (yay for improving Swahili skills). MY whole school and other schools in my town attended the speech so the references to teen pregnancy and HIV were extremely relevant. The prime minister quoted statistics for my region 20% of people who got tested for HIV tested positive and every month 10 teachers (from my region alone) die of HIV/AIDS. HIV is such a problem but it seems everyone in my town is informed about it but still new people become infected. Alas. And the problem of student pregnancy struck a cord for my students since in the last few months 3 form II students had to leave the school because of pregnancies.........granted I do not approve of the fact that when I student is found pregnant they kicked out of school. I believe that only makes the problem worse because now the mother is a teen parent and uneducated, without means to find a decent job.

Alas it was a good speech and it was amusing/interesting seeing how things are done with someone important in the government comes to town.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In other news we have lost another Peace Corps volunteer. This time it was a closer friend so I was bummed but understanding since the volunteer was not happy here. We started with 41 and now we are down to 31.

I have a year or so left and even though I love it here I have already started a countdown in my head. I miss my mommie and daddy, I miss my nephews (one of whom I have never seen face-to-face), I miss my brothers and sisters, I miss NYC, I miss my friends, I miss being able to wear whatever I want, I miss technology. And sometimes I get so homesick I think this next year will be painful. But then I realize when I return to America I will miss things about Tanzania.........like my students, the sunsets, the clouds and mountains, my neighbor's kids, my new friends and having my own personal tailor who makes a dress for $3. :)

happy birthday to me

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 18:32:51 GMT

Quite often I find myself thinking about how lucky I am....how blessed....how loved...how happy. And these past two days surrounding my 23rd birthday have been a prime example. Looking at the table in my living room covered with the 15 cards or so I have received from various friends and family back home in America, reminds me how even though I may be far away people are still thinking of me and wishing me well. Thinking of yesterday's mini dinner party with brownies with candles (courtesy of my lovely mommie) and icecream, brings a smile to my face. Looking at the pictures taken at today's celebration at my friend Deborah's center for orphans overwhelms me with a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation for good friends.

Displays of love and kindness have been my saving grace these past 12 months.......and in the end all that matters is love. Love is the answer.


( I'm the guest of honor)                                 (The kids giving me a gift and card)


(dancing with the kiddies)
(if I was married and had a steady income I would adopt Laudi, as I have fallen in love with her)

A list of thanks:

Thanks for the card: Mommie and Daddy (thanks for the books, food and pictures), Akeem, The Newman Family (thanks for the pictures), Grandma, Godmommy, Jordan and Shakeema, Jennifer from ABC, Lorretta Pyatt, Uncle Hughie and family, Lindy and Nettie Curry, The Murray Family, Dotti Tillman from ABC, my students, Patsy Morton from ABC and The McDonald Family, Jerrethe Jones, Aunt Sandra and Jasmine, Elise (thanks for the book and CD)and Lynn Wedges from ABC

Thanks for calling/texting/etc: Farah (loved the photograph), Ricardo, Kwame, Deborah (thanks for the party, jewelry box and bag), Dr. Josh, Allen (thanks for cooking dinner), Ariel, Albert, Mommie and Daddie, Jeremiah (thanks for the card/book and chocolate), Amber (thanks for the icecream), Steve, Emma, Max and Matina, Fadhi, and Rati,

Also thanks to all the people who sent 'Happy Birthday' wishes to me through Facebook.

and Special thanks to all the children at The Olive Branch for the Children Orphanage for the singing and performances.

Graduations tanzanian style:

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 10:40:52 GMT

Graduations tanzanian style:

I went to the form IV graduation ceremony for my neighbor's/headmaster's son Bahati this past saturday. It was very different then graduations in America for many reasons. One being that school is not over until December 5, but they like to have the graduations before the series of exams (that start in October) to see if one will pass Secondary school and be able to continue to Advanced Levels. Second being that there is NO school graduation. So church groups host their own graduation. The one this past week was for the Luthern church. I was technically a guest of honor, meaning I can sit at the head table and get free sodas but I dislike that sort of attention so I just gave a donation and sat in the crowd

All in all it was fun mostly to hang out with all my students in a non-school environment. And weird seeing them not in uniform....some of the girls even wore jeans.

here is a pic of the graduation boy, Bahati and family

Health Club beginnings

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 13:10:30 GMT

It's been a busy week. I started a Health Club/Life Skills Club and have had 2 meetings so far. It was a long process in the making. 3 weeks ago I announced that I would be starting a Femina Club (Femina is a Magazine that covers issues facing youth in Tanzania...ie AIDS, pregnancy, relationships, drugs and alcohol) to all 700 students at my school during assembly. I requested that those who want to sign up give their names to the class monitor. I underestimated how popular I was with the students (which is easy just given the fact that I don't beat them with a stick etc.) so I ended up with more than 300 names so I had to do random selection and limit it to only form 2 and form 3 (10 and 11 th grade).

My first meeting went really well. I started off with general introductions and aims of the club and then moved on to a debate subject "HIV/AIDS is not a problem here" I was surprised by some of the responses since I live in a pretty good town with lots of facilities and infrastructure. But about 2/3 said they knew people who suffered or/and died from AIDS and mentioned a problem of street children that I had not observed at all. Also, suppossingly there is a mini prostitution issue here. After the debate I did some questions and answers.

The second meeting, two of my female students (form III) performed a role play about teen pregnancy. I had briefed them on the details the day before. I was more than pleasantly surprised by end result. It was funny and informing at the same time. Then we had more questions and answers.

I look forward to seeing this club evolve and continue.

this schedule thing is pure UJINGA (stupidity)

Fri, 17 Aug 2007 14:05:59 GMT

So 12 teachers are leaving my school (that was more than half of the teachers)....we received two more teachers so now there is a grand total of 12 teachers for 700 students. Which is still good (sadly) for Tanzanian standards but this abrupt change is because the teachers are going to Universities to get degrees/masters. I personally think the scheduling for schools is a problem. Secondary schools start Jan and end in December however Advanced Level schools start in March/April and then Universities start in September. Forget the fact that now there are 4 months of secondary school left, just imagine you finish High School in America and then have to wait around for 4 months before you can go to A levels and then after finishing A levels you have to wait around for another 4 months before going to University......and remember there are no "summer jobs" or "internships" in Tanzania. ie My neighbor's daugther has been passing the time cleaning the house and cooking for the family. Alas. Now I will be teaching 24 periods instead of my 18 but I still have Fridays free because I was AGAIN incharge of making the new schedule. The other teachers wanted to make me Academic Headmaster because of my organization/admin skills but I said no.

And in other news. We started with 41 volunteers in my training group. Now we are down to 33. **tear**

in africa i can give out meds

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:10:40 GMT

people lining up at reception

me giving meds

the school where the clinic is held

I volunteered for the second time at a Health Clinic in the poor, desert area of my region (state). This time instead of alternating between condom demonstrations and giving medication my job was as a pharmacist. Deborah (Canadian who runs 'The Olive Branch Orphanage') organized it so that there are two doctors, one for each room. The doctor sees the patient and then writes out a prescription. My job was to then fill the prescription with the right dosage and explain how and when to take the medicine in Swahili to the patients. My room saw about 250 people (7:30 am to 5 pm). The frustrating times are when you have an old women who can't read, here with her 6 grandkids, all of which have to take their own medicines......you do the best you can drawing figures to explain the directions and informing then to ask a neighbor to help then read some parts. And then all the children who came to the clinic by themselves. I couldn't help but think of how I am handing them medicine that if used improperly could do some damage but they children seemed much more mature then their years.

But I enjoyed volunteering and treated myself to some ice cream later that night and then passed out from exhaustion (we had to wake up at 5 am to be at the site in time)

death in Tanzania

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:04:31 GMT

I was sitting in the staff office grading homework when one of the teachers looks over my shoulder to admire my grade book (I'm an organization freak). And see one name with a lot of blanks spaces where grades should be.
"That student died last month while you were traveling." He says this in the same exact manner one talks about the weather or farming here. It shook me a little bit. I barely knew the student because he had been absent 4 out of the 5 months for the first term. I knew he was sick a lot and that is why he was not present but I had no idea. I have yet to be to a funeral here in Tanzania, but I have had many conversations with Tanzanians about death. It's treated with more practically here. "Pole sana, Mungu Atakusaidia(So sorry, God will help you)" is the standard response. Not to say Tanzanians do not mourn because they do intensely..... but when death is seen everyday one can not stop their life completely the way so American can.

first week of school

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 09:35:01 GMT

The first week of school for the second semester has come and gone. Monday, July 9 I walked into the classroom and saw no chairs or desks, just 10 or so students standing around talking. Why you may ask? Because in Tanzania collecting school fees is a long process and many students are late in bringing them in. Some students try to sneak into school without paying. So my headmaster's solution is to collect every single chair and desk and lock it in store rooms and only hand out desks and chairs to students who have paid their school fees. It sounds harsh and weird but it is actually affective for those cases of people who can afford to pay their fees but just like waiting to the last minute to do so.

Anyway, I didn't teach much last week. Thursday to pass the time I just sat in the classroom with some of my students (by this time 60 of the 153 were present) and "piga storied" (told stories/chat). My fellow teachers think I am a little different in the way I treat my students as equals. But it was fun. Got into a debate with some girls and boys about whether females should wear pants etc. etc. My highlight was when one of my female students tells me "Ninakupenda" which is basically a Tanzanian way of saying i'm her favorite teacher.