So I don't know where I left off, but I know I have to say a happy belated birthday to karen! Yaya for that! 22!

Alright, so it's all still good here, it rained this week in the mornings and I have to say it turned into a mud pit. The dust is hard to take but the mud just makes everything a little more difficult- the classroom was so muddy! Luckily today it's nice it's a scorcher! Things have been a little more upbeat this week, my kids at school are doing fine- we had music today- I thought we could just play our intrumsents that we made, shakers and rubber band guitars, but the teacher wanted an actual song to be played. Eeek!! These kids have difficulty shaking them let alone shaking to a siong. Oh well....

We had the oppurtunity to make batiks this week, it is a long process but very cool, I made a really neat one of a girafee and think it should be framed forever. Look up what they are if you don't konw- very cool wax and dye and fabric craft. The internet has been down at the house again this week- I think this weekend I'm laying low and then soon we are going to do a walking safari with giraffes- sooo cool. I want to go to a local lutheran church this weekend to compare to at home, so a few of us are gonna check it out.

I am very tired and looking forward to having the chance to nap next week- that and plan some super cool lessons. Not much out of the ordinary is happening. Our first group of volunteers who are only here for 3 weeks leave this weekend. It's crazy that its so soon.

We also went to eht ICTR (tribunal for the rawandan genocide) for a tour in arusha. It was neat to see it and interesting to be in a un building- we watched court too. Crazy that they are still prosecuting people 14 years later.

I've planned paint by numbers for my kids, they are kind of getting it, but it is difficult to interact with the kids since they don't speak enlish at all, and altough I speak some swahili it is not enough to to understand what they say. They'll look at you and I know they are asking me something in swhaili but I don't understand so I can't really respond. Some days I wonder how much of a difference I am really making. I feel like if I were to come back to teh school in 3 years, lots of them would still be there, doing the same puzzles, still writing the numbers 1 through 5 and not understanding what they mean. The kids need one on one attention but the teachers expect us to tteach the whole class so it is a little difficult. For you teacher folks, you might understand that kids are dirty and you don'ty have personal space- but these kids, pet my hair, rub my arms up and down and when I wash when I get back it is dirty water I tell you dirty.

Anyways, I do really like most of my kids. i KNOW I shouldn't have favopurites, but one boy "godlisten" yes that is his name who we call "godi" for short is my favourite! (Did I already write this?) Read it again anyway! He would be autistic at home, but here they don't classify that. The loves beads and string and we spin the beads like tops and he squeals with delight. He's such a sweetie when he's not biting, but he seems to getting better. I try to take him for a walk when he gets like that, but sometimes wailing on the floor is what he needs too.

We did a craft this week about marafiki (friends). we had the teachers say in swahili that friends are people we love, and don't hurt, people we play with, and then we asked them \who their friends were. They all named ppl in the class. Then we gave them outlines of ppl we had drawn and they had to try and write their name and then colour them in, one boy, Josephi (they are have i's at the end of their names, not written but pronounced eg/ Richardi, raymondi, antoni, manueli, goodlucki), drew ears on his person, it was so cute, since he has really big ears the picutre looked just like him. Then we put them on the wall. It looks good. Any ideas for craftys would be appreciated!!!

Alright, this is getting long, I wish you could all see all that is going on here, I try to take pictures but they don't like it in town so I have to do so subtly.

I really will try to post pictures soon. We're off to get a africa shaped cake for the volunteers who are leaving!! It tastes different than cake at home but it is sugar we all want.

Talk to you all soon, I hope you are all enjoying the conviences of home like washing machines and internet!

Love you lots,
Laura or as my children say mwalimu (teacher).

Ps: my new favourite hobby is saying "mabmo mzungu" when we pass other white ppl in our village. It's a grand thing to do. and "poa" is the new "cool". poa actually means cool so i'll be saying it when I get home.

written by  Laura Collins on October 9, 2008 from Moshi, Tanzania
from the travel blog: My Adventure in Tanzania
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Poa!

What's a "batik"? I guess I'll look it up later. Schools sound so much different there than here. Enjoy the Africa shaped cake!

Geoff

written by  Geoff on October 9, 2008

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i looked up batik!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batik
for anyone else who replies after me... :)
i agree...time really does pass by fast...september is long done! we have thanksgiving weekend coming up, and then halloween soon after. I wonder if Africans have any concept of what halloween is? probably not, huh?

just a response from me to ur entry: i believe that you make a difference...the kids may not show it in the way that the kids show it back home, but i'm sure that they have their own way of telling you. plus, your trip isn't even half way yet so you still have time...

written by  shannon on October 9, 2008

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Mambo mzungu!

First off, how are you liking the star-filled sky as seen from the Tanzanian side of things?

Whoa, you went to the ICTR! I want to know EVERYTHING about it when you get back!!! Unfortunately, that's something I never got the chance to explore when I went to do that so all I can do is live vicariously through you...mwah!

It's neat to hear about your classroom experiences -- the stories you tell definitely remind me of some of the experiences I had in Monduli. At times I became frustrated with the system, but in hindsight I'm realizing I never had the right to feel that way.

Also, and I'm with Karen on this one, of course you're making a difference! Just by being you and by being present and radiating with your aura of fun-ness, you're definitely making a positive contribution to the children's schooling experience.

Keep up your high spirits, Darling, and have fun spending time with those giraffes!!

Lots of love and hugs!

written by  Sandra B on October 9, 2008

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Sorry, I meant..."I'm with Shannon on this one."

Ooops. Sorry for the mix-up, my dearest knee-buddy. How's your left leg? Hope the MRI results were okay!

written by  Sandra B on October 9, 2008

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I'm curious about the African cake. What's it like? And also what other foods are you eating. Any of that appetizing fish in brown sauce that Ken had?

written by  Amy on October 9, 2008

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Hi Laura,
Sounds like you are still having fun and being safe. Good thing! As for making a difference, I will put on my teacher hat and tell you that any time you touch someone's life you make a difference even if you can't see it in their immediate learning or behaviour. So even if they are still doing the same puzzles their lives will be richer for the activities you shared with them. And your life too.
Have fun on your walking safari. Keep being safe, Love Mom

written by  Linda Collins on October 9, 2008

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Every blog is another colourful adventure!! thank you for the update! I can only imagine how amazing it will be to walk with the giraffes... wow!! And you actually got to MAKE a batik?!?!!!! that's poa. I want to see it.

It sounds like you are making a difference to those kids. Regardless of what they are being taught from an educational stand point, the fact that you spend time with them and get to know them reminds them that they are important individuals. Your work is of value because it helps the kids to feel valued.

I'll try to come up with some fun ideas for you...

love and hugs from Trevor and me!!

written by  Jane and Trevor on October 9, 2008

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POA !

written by  Ron Laver on October 12, 2008

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Enjoyed your blog. What a fantastic experience. Keep your spirits up and yes - you do make a difference - remember there is nobody else like you. Best regards. Looking forward to your next report.

Love Uncle Keith and Auntie Odette

written by  Keith Collins on October 12, 2008

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Hi Laura... Just wanted to let you know that Jack and I are enjoying your comments!! A strange question for you... what is the name of the money used there? and what is it worth compared to $US or $Can? Waiting for pictures. Love and prayers, Barbara

written by  Barbara Schaub on October 12, 2008

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Hi Laura. This is a congratulations message from Jack for your so very detailed and very interesting reports . I can almost feel as if I'm there by seeing it through your eyes. Keep those reports coming. Questions: Did you attend the Lutheran church in Moshi ? Tell us all about it please. Did you help as an usher ? [ha ha ]
If your sister would not help me, just two old men would be in charge. We need a reliable person like you to bring smiles to all. Next: I am a collector of train pictures from around the world . There is main rail line in Moshi, supposedly having a lot of traffic on it. If it is possible, could you take pictures for my collection? Thanks in advance . That's all for today. Our Lord be with you on all your travels and bring you home to your parents and all of us who care very much about you.
In Christian love, Jack and Barbara Schaub

written by  schaub on October 13, 2008

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