So I am back home and it is the most bizarre feeling in the world. I knew adjusting to life at home would be difficult but I had no idea how much!! I feel so useless, not helped by the fact that I'm not currently working or in school. I miss my kids too, but I'm pretty sure they are breaking up for the Christmas break this Friday. They get lots of time off partly because of Christmas and party because it is the rainy season and the kids just don't show up when it rains- so I think they just shut it down so the government doesn't have to pay the teachers. Anyways, I miss the heat, and my friends, and the staff at the house. Coming home makes me wonder if I did enough when I was there, if I could have tried harder (which I totally could have), if I spent enough time learning swahili, but I have to realize that I can't just keep wondering if I could have done more, I have to realize that what I did was important, and after 4 days, I think I finally am starting to.

It's cold here and I'm freezing, I know it's not that cold, but it's a good 20-25 degrees colder than africa so it is quite a shocker! I am also frustrated with the Christmas/Holiday greed that seems to be going on. I know it always exists but it is easy to get caught up in it when it's all around you, but being away for 2 months just made me realize, that so much of the money people are going to spend on gifts this year could be used to help provide the basics for so many people. Seeing the standards of living in Tanzania, which for some were more luxurious than others, makes me frustrated that so many people in developed countries just close their eyes and pretend not to see what is happening in countries around the world and in their own cities and neighbourhoods. People say, "oh the people in africa are so happy right?" and to that I say, yes, there were people their who were very happy, but there were also the people struggling to feed their families, looking after grandchildren, nieces and nephews that are ophaned because of aids, people who have illnesses that could be treated if only they could afford the medicine. These people are not happy. They look sad, defeated, tired, emotionally empty. So NO not everyone is all smiles and happy. Our saying, "oh they are happy to live that way" is simply a method to ignore reality. So this year, and all years, open your eyes, and think about it, do you really NEED more?? Do you WANT more? Where could that money go, or where could your time go? People struggle all over, and one need not go to Africa, or South America or Asia to "help". Just turn around in your own community and give up something that YOU HAVE, because many DON'T HAVE. I don't even mean money, I just mean, think outside of the bubbles we sometimes live in and think about someone else. Donate money, or time, clean your closet and give away clothes (I know I already did and I'm no where near done), cook something and share it with those who don't have means to do so. Just open your eyes extra wide now, especially at this time of year when society makes it so easy to give!!

Ok, that was quite a ramble, but is frustrating to see people who already have more of their fair share, greedy for more, or just buying things for people because they feel obligated. DON'T. Life here can be hard, I understand that, and I have frequently said that "life is too hard", and I'm sure I will say it again, but right now, I think our lives are too easy. Yes, we get stressed at work and school, and in traffic, and crowds, when we rush to be somewhere. But really, we are lucky enough to be able to go to work and earn wages, to go to school and learn, to have cars to drive in traffic, to go places for fun -so although these are valid feelings, just take a second and think about the larger picture, the global picture, or even the picture of your city, where it is clear that not everyone is on an even playing field, and some are not even playing at all.

This was quite the sociological rant, and that's probably because I'm a sociology major. I learned lots in uni but this trip just heightened my awareness to teh inequity we live in and will continue to live in until something is done. I'm not trying to be a crusader or anything, but I just feel this way. So, if you have no ideas for what to get people for the holidays, or want to try something new, check out www.amanikids.org and check out "how I can help". Two of my students in Tanzania lived at Amani, the home for street children, and seeing that place, I know they do good work, and the kids are being reunited with their families. Anyways, I'm not a preacher so I will stop and let you look at a few photos of my time in Tanzania.

I'll post more later, let me know what kind of photos you'd like to see!

Salama.-Laura

written by  Laura Collins on November 26, 2008 from Vancouver, Canada
from the travel blog: My Adventure in Tanzania
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Anyways, I will make this short but first, I MISS those mosquitos and I miss Africa, I haven't been back more than 24 hours, and I know I will start to miss those things even more once I get actually home and realize WHERE i was and WHAT I was doing.

My flights were interesting the first one from Kili to Dar Es Salam and then to Amsterdam I was sitting next to this pilot who worked for air tanzania who was very friendly and we had a few good chats, and he said he'd add me to his list of people who get discounts to fly to africa so that I can come back. He's canadian now, but was born in Tanzania and now lives there again, so we had a nice talk. At times I wanted to just do my own thing, but he was friendly, and that is something I feel like you don't find as often at home. He was going to calgary for 6 weeks vacation -crazy I know! The other woman was a refugee who now lived in the states and was coming to tanzania to visit her sick mother but because she oonly had refugee documents and no passport they shipped her back to the us without having left the airport in Dar, she'd been travelling for 4 days, it was sad and she looked very defeated. I felt badly for her, why does everything have to be such a challenge for people?

It was freezing ni Amsterdam, only 6 degrees, and I had long pants and a long sleeve and flip flops but comeing from 35 degrees, it was toooo cold. I felt like the only person not in a suit goingfrom Amsterdam to London, since it was a business hopper flight, but no big deal, I didn't even care. London was equally as cold, brrr, and to top it all off, my luggage didn't arrive. It's on it's way here now though, so I hope I get it soon. My running shoes and jacket and warm vest were all easily accessible to put on, but when they didn't arrive that plan was thrown out. Either way, I'm lucky enough to be able to borrow clothes from family so I don't freeze to death.

It's sunny today, I feel like I brought the weather with me, so I'll try to bring it to Vancouver too!

To explain the title, I feel like I keep saying swahili words to people, and then I realize they don't understand. Oh well. I have lots more to say about my last day and stuff but I'll do that later. I'll just say it involved a lot of singing, playing, running, drawing, hugging, eating, smile and tears. I love those kids, and really couldn't have asked for a better last day.

Anyways, I'll update again when I get home home.
Upendo -Laura

written by  Laura Collins on November 19, 2008 from Harrow, United Kingdom
from the travel blog: My Adventure in Tanzania
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I REFUSE to believe that I am leaving here in 36 hours. I know I should be off soaking up my last bit of time here, but I have all day today tomorrow for doing that! It's sad to be leaving. I thought I would be glad to be going home, and I am, but I am really gonna miss this place. I guess I knew that all along but it's hitting me now.

Yesterday, so many people left, there are currently only 6 of us in the house, down from 30 people who were here 2 weeks ago! 3 are in Zanzibar and come back tonight, so then there will be 9, and I leave Monday night, then there will be only 8 for a week until new people come, and even then it will be a small group. Yesterday and this morning all the people who'd been here for 12 weeks left. It was really sad to see them go cause to me they "came with the house" they were here when we got here, and now they're gone, it just doesn't feel the same now. Plus the 4 weekers and other 8 weekers left. It's crazy how being in Africa can make complete strangers really close - but who knows if I'll ever see most of them again. I guess there's always the possibility.

I'm planning a big party/play day for my kids tomorrow, I am gonna be so sad to leave them, I'm sure I'll cry the whole walk home. I'll really miss them, they are some of my favourite people here, them and some of the staff here. I think saying goodbye to them will be the hardest, because who knows if I'll ever see them again. Anyways, my kids are gonna play outside, we're gonna sing, have snacks, they all get new pencils with their names on them and erasers (this is a big deal, since 10 kids usually share 1 eraser and each has a pencil nub about 3 inches long- so I know they'll be overjoyed!) We're making "goo" to play with too. It's gonna be picture mania, Nick said he would take pics for me so I don't have to worry about that. You all will know my kids so well by the time you're through with my photos and videos!!!

Later today we are gonna go walking to the river and on an african adventure with locals to soak in Africa plus I have to get supplies for my kids!

When I signed up for this, 8 weeks seemed crazy long to be off in an unknown country on a continent I'd never been to, living with people I didn't know and teaching in a foreign language- but now that it's come to an end, I feel like it was just yesterday I arrived. I remember the van ride to ccs the day I arrived, it was pitch black because there were no lights, and all I could think was "I'm in AFRICA", I strained my eyes to try and see, but all I made out were the odd trees. It was hot and it smelled different. I couldn't explain what it smelled like, but it was African. Now I know it's burning garbage, and people and dirt and animals, and it sounds gross but it's become wonderfully familiar. (When we got back from Zanzibar, and were driving down the dirt road, I breathed in and it smelled and felt like home). Who would have thought!? I don't want to leave, but I do, I just don't know when I'll ever be back. This was an incredible trip, and I wouldn't trade this experience for anything!

There really is something special about Africa, I know understand all the stories that people who have been have told me- you just can't explain it enough! The people the colours, the smells, the heat, the dirt it all rolls into one amazing African package that I can't leave behind. It's gonna be really hard to adjust to going home. People aren't gonna talk to you as you walk down the road, I'll have to walk at a mzungu pace (that's right Nii, I've learned to walk slowly), people will look at me strangly when I don't match my clothes, I won't need to shower 2 times a day (maybe that's ok actually), and my kids won't be there. I'm gonna end it here, and go pack, so when people get up we can go on our last adventure, plus I've managed to cry my was through most of this entry so perhaps tomorrow it will be all out of my system, I doubt it, but maybe. Either way, hakunda shida, I'll miss this place- but I'll come back with anyone of you guys, just let me save up kidogo pesa first.

Love to you all, Salama.
-Laura

written by  Laura Collins on November 15, 2008 from Moshi, Tanzania
from the travel blog: My Adventure in Tanzania
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So I am up early and since it's quiet in the house I got dibbs on the internet! This weekend was a blur, I can't believe it's over and I can't believe I leave Tanzania in a week minus 9 hours!

On Friday, me and two other volunteers flew to Zanzibar for a weekend getaway! It was crazy expensive to fly but I knew I'd be disappointed if I came all this way and didn't see it. And I was right! We arrived at the airport late friday afternoon and went to our hotel in stone town, a reallly old part of Zanzibar. For those of you wondering, Zanzibar is an island off the coast of Tanzania, it was involved in traded spices and slaves with the east, providing African slaves to the rest of the world. So it has a long history. It was unlike anything I've ever seen before or could have imagined. The island is 95 percent muslim, and I've never been to a dominantly muslim country so that was incredible. The streets are so narrow and windy it's like small european towns, but closer together, the ornateness of indian culture, with arab influences, and african and arab and mzungu people everywhere. It was so incredible. I can't even begin to describe you have to see the pictures. But the smells!! Spices everywhere, salt water, cooking in the street, dead fish and chickens being taken to market, plus the smell of sweaty people since it was 40 degrees out and muggy! But really, I loved it, so much!! BOught some good stuff too. We took a walking tour with our hotel guidfe and he showed us everything, builldings made of coral, old sultan's palaces, freddy mercury's house, the hotel where livingston stayed. When we spoke swahili to people on the streets to get directions or say hello, they were so shocked, I guess most mzungus on Zanzibar don't speak it. All I could have wanted and more!! We had lunch overlooking the water, it is sooo blue, bluer than anywhere I've been! We watched the dhows comig in and ate crab!!! Then in the aftyernoon we headed up the coast to Kendwa!

We arrived there in time for the most amazing sunset, we sat on the whitest beach and swam in the indian ocean! It was incredibly warm (i know im using that word a lot!) and so boyant that my feet couldn't stay underwater. There was snorkling, but we just wanted to swim and chill so we did. The bungalows we stayed in were great too. I still can't believe I've swam in the Indian ocean, it seems so far from home!

We stayed there all day! I loved it, sunny and warm!! We took a shuttle to the airport, we got a flat, and he was speeding around curves and over one lane bridges, I was sure we were going to die! Really I was, no seatbelts and taking 40km curves at 100km is too much! Etiehr that or worse, we would kill someone else, kids, cows, bikers, anything. But thank goodness we made it to the airport with everyone still in one piece! Only to find out our flight had been cancelled. What an adventure of travelling, the three of us were frustrated and exhausted but we held it together, and managed to get them to pay for our accomodation for the night. THe did, and dinner and breakfast and taxi too. So that was good, but the only flight we could get that got us back in time for Janice to catch her 940pm flight to Amsterdam, arrived in arusha, 1.5 hours away. So we took the flight, in this tiny 19 seater plan and then took a 90 dollar cab ride from Arusha back to homebase. We got in at 330pm on Monday, instead of 1030pm on Sunday!!! We were defeintly glad to be home, and glad to be off that island, although it was beautiful and I don't regret going. It's the kind of beach used in motivational posters and the place you imagine being when stressed!!!

Anyways, I did find it hard to justify spending all that money to go when I know my teacher and her husband combined could'nt pay for the weekend with one month's worth of working. It's hard. And I met so many tourists, mostly euro and south african, who had come for the resort and hadn't seen the rest of africa. I couldn't believe it! But I guess now I know that most of Africa is not like the beach in Zanzibar, and that thte wealth we have in the west is beyond extyrvagant compared to most people's lives. I'm glafd to be back in Karanga, -where everybody knows your name!! hahaha. Alrightie, I need to get ready for school. I haven't seen my kids in 5 days, I was sick, heavy rain cancellled my homevisit, and the weekend, and missing my flight sunday night meant no school monday. So I am so excited to see my kids again -All I want is to give them a hugee hug!! I am gonna bawl when I leave them, and I'll miss them soooo much, I might even cry while I'm typing this, so I'll leave it here and get ready for school.

I have to say this trip has been a, as cheesy as it sounds, life changing expereicnce and I don't want it to end. I'm gonna go soak up my last week here. Lots of love!! Salama. Laura xoxox

written by  Laura Collins on November 10, 2008 from Zanzibar, Tanzania
from the travel blog: My Adventure in Tanzania
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This last week has been crazy, I went to placement all last week, and the kids have been pretty good. My daily walks to and from school with Zainabu and Kalisti are long since they really like to take their sweet time, but they are the cutest kids and I'll miss them. They are starting to understand my swahili/english. I'm a little disappointed that I haven't made the effort to learn lots of new vocab, I just seem to get by on the basic vocab I picked up at our lessons. I wish I knew more. Anyways, Kalisti now answers me in english sometimes, and when I say the swahili equivilant of "tomorrow, you, wait, me here", meaning wait here for me tomorrow (kesho, we we, suburi hapa, kwa mimi). I have no idea if it is in the right grammatical order, but he understands and says "kesho hapa" (tomorrow here) and hugs goodbye.

Lots of the new group has been eating in town this week, but since I am saving my money, I am eating at homebase. The food is good, but I am really craving salad with no dressing, and milk, and meat that isn't fried. Either way, I can't complain too much, since it is pretty good. I am just tired of the meal rotation.

At school I helped my teacher rearrange the classroom from two of desks that face each other, to an arrangement that allows them to see the teacher, and enables the teacher to sit beside all of them to help them. Although Mama Justina usually just sits at her table, or is out of the classroom making porridge. If I had my way, they could hire a local person to make the uji so mama Justina can actually teach.

Nick and I also painted the alphabet on the wall, we painted 2 solid lines with a dotted one in the center and then wrote Aa Bb Cc on the lines, so that they know how the letters should look. It's my pet peeve that teachers here write in all capitals, or just use capitals whenever they feel like it. All you teacher people would be so proud of me. We also have drawn 5 emotions (happy, sad, angry, confused and surprised) on another wall. Since the kids have disabilities we hope they might be able to point to how they're feeling even if they can't express it. Either way, they brighten up the classroom.

On Friday, we went back to visit Laurenti and Prosper. Nick brought a pair of his flip flops to give to prosper, he's 13 but looks like he's about 9. He is the most adorable kid. We walked to their house and they were all home, it was cool, we gave prosper the shoes and had brought sugar and soap as well. Then we wrote in the dirt with them, and played a game of improvised basketball. We used a sock filled with dirt and tied off, and then we hung part of a broken jug off the post in the yard. They loved it, I have a video of it that I can't wait to show you. I've been taking lots of video lately since I have lots of memory left (thanks Shannon!). I hope that will help get my experiences across.

The weekend was quiet, I went into town and went to the carving market. 3 of us went to an english speaking church service on sunday, it was very ecumenical and I enjoyed it. They had the swahili service before ours, but they are combining them in a few weeks so I might go back -it woudl be cool to see the exchange there.

Anyways, this week has been going well so far at placement, I can't believe I only have 8 days left with my watoto. I'm gonna miss them. We had a cultural dinner last night, with african dancing and drumming, I have to say it was a blast, but I am exhausted today.

I should go wash my laundry, since I still want to go to town this afternoon. 4 of us are going to Zanzibar this weekend, so it's very exciting!! Indian ocean here I come. Everyone who's been says it's incredible so I had to splurge and get a plane ticket, it's a short time, we leave fri afternoon and get home sunday late/early monday mroning, so I'll let you know how it goes. I hope this makes you all somewhat jealous to picture me lying on a beach in the indian ocean, with 30+ degrees, while you enjoy the canadian winter. Sorry!!!

I'll update again soon, and as a heads up, I think the people in Tanzania are more excited than most americans that obama was elected. We had a celebration this morning (sorry to be political)!

Today is the first day I really don't feel so hot, so I am chilling at home base, I'm off to find a new book to read.

Lots of love,

Laura (See you soon!!)

written by  Laura Collins on November 5, 2008 from Moshi, Tanzania
from the travel blog: My Adventure in Tanzania
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Anyways, I left you all hanging, I'm sure you're dying to find out what happened with my day on friday. So on Friday, my teacher met me and the other guy at my placement (Nick) and we were going to do our weekly home visits. Every friday the kids don't have school but the teachers go to visit the students and meet with their parents and find out how they are doing at home, and hear about any concerns the parents may have. So this week we were going to visit Laurenti (a boy) and his brother Prosper. Prosper has never come to school, but he has a intellectual disability and is registered, but he has no shoes so he doesn't come. Sad. So we started walking to his house. Everyday when we walk partway home with 5 or 6 of our students Laurenti always is the slowest and now I understand why. We walked about 5 or 6 km to get to his house. He lives way at the top of a hill- and his family is very poor.

When we got onto the road to his house we met his mother and brother, Prosper. They were walking into Moshi (a LONG way) to go the hospital and police station to file a report since Prosper had been badly beaten up by a neighbour -I'm not sure of the real reason, but it was something about a chicken. Mkunde, our teacher, talked to them in swahili and gave her some "posion" - it was something to treat a parasite their whole family had because it is so dusty, and their house is all dirt floors. Their feet look infected and very painful. Prosper was borrowing a neighbor's shoes to go into town. Sigh.

We kept walking up to their house because Mkunde wanted us to see it. It was tiny, smaller than most bedrooms, and it had two rooms. One was for cooking and it had a broken cupboard and a few simple low benches for sitting, and a fire, it had one small wiondow for ventilation (which wouldn't actually do much) and a wooden slated door to the ourside. The other room had another tiny window and two very small beds, plus all their clothing, which is less than I brought to africa by a long shot. 7 people live in this house. 5 kids and 2 parents. The only people home were the two girls, they were 6 and 9. They were very sweet and brought out benches for us to sit on. Mkunde gave them 500 tish, the equivilant of 50cents to buy soap. I had some stickers in my bag so I gave them to them, and they were so grateful. It was sad, but yet the kids were so happy. I can't write exactly how I felt, but I just didn't want to say anything -I felt like such a westerner, some kind of intruder coming to gawk. I didn't like feeling like that at all. We took pics of the kids and I showed them, and then we took pictures of hte house inside. I felt so strange doing it, but I need to show them to people at home. We saw Laurenti watching the neighbours cows in order to get some milk in return, but he just looked away -the teacher said he was likely ashamed of us seeing how he lived. Breaks my heart just typing this.

Then we had to leave, I asked Mkunde if when I leave I could give some of my clothes and soap and stuff to them, and she said of course, and that we would make a special trip. It's sad to think that Laurenti walks to school every day just to have his uji, a porridge made of flour and water. We also put peanuts in it so there is some protein, but it's not enough. He's skinny and hungry- how do you ever learn when you are always hungry???
We stopped for sodas on the way home- so stupid I thought since I would have rather given the money to somewhere useful seeing as I don't even like pop, but my teacher offered and it's disrespectful to refuse, even politely.

It was a day that really cause me to rethink things- I know that giving up all I have won't change their life, but it was such a reality check. I knew people lived like this, and I know people at home live like this, but things are really sinking in, and I know it will take a while to process. That was the bad part of the dream.

The good part came on Saturday when 3 of us went on our safari in Arusha national park. It was so nice just to get away from the home base, AND see more animals. We did a hike, we saw some water buffalo and a really nice waterfall. Joseph, our guide, knew we wanted to see giraffes and we sure did!!! We drove a ways, and saw baboons, giraffes, zebra, bush bucks, buffalo, warthogs, monkeys, birds. Very cool. We went canoeing, and saw hippos, but didn't get too close, good thing!! Though we did canoe through what our guide called hippo country! The water is very shallow, since hippos can't actually swim, and when our paddles hit ground we panicked slightly and wondered whether it was acutally a hippo or just the bottom of the lake. The park contains Mt. Meru, and the lakes were formed when it was still an active volcano, it's only dormant now. Canoeing was so peacful, we couldn't see anyone else, it was great to be so quiet and alone after 5 weeks of togetherness. I also managed to get very brown- Joseph said I am becoming a real african, no longer a mzungu! I like him. Then we did a bit more driving and saw more giraffes, it was good but I was dying to see them upclose. We did pay $200 after all. Then as we headed to the park gate, 8 of them came out of nowhere to cross the road, they were so close!! They are extremely elegant, and I want to be a giraffe one day. We could see their eyelashes, they were beautiful. Joseph said they were coming to say goodbye to us. It was the perfect ending to teh perfect day!

Writing this now, I feel like such a westerner, coming in with my money to go on safari after seeing how people live, and knowing that most of my students have never had the oppurtunity to see these animals. But I know feeling bad won't help, so I guess I have to accept the fact that I can never truly understand someone else's life, all I can do is try, and tell you guys, so maybe we can reconsider some small part of our actions or words.

Anyways, this is a long post, but I feel like I'll be busy this week and the computer will be in high demand, so I'll leave off here. I can't capture everything I see and feel in words, but I hope this gives you a sense of my life here. Love you all, Salama.

-Laura xoxo

Here's a photo (it took forever to get up here). Jill, another volunteer took this and emailed it to me. It's me and baby george at Neema Orphange. He was the sweetest baby, but he won't fit in my backpack so he's still there with no one to cuddle him.

written by  Laura Collins on October 26, 2008 from Moshi, Tanzania
from the travel blog: My Adventure in Tanzania
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So I am so excited for tomorrow!!! 3 of us are going on a vehicle/walking/canoeing safari in Arusha National Park! We apparently get to walk super close to giraffes and canoe in a lake with Africa’s number one killer –HIPPOS! Don’t worry, we have an armed ranger and will be safe. I promise.

I can’t believe I’ll be home in a month- I’m not sure I’ll know what to do with my self when I get back –and it will be cold. One of the new volunteers has a thermometer on his backpack and yesterday it was 36 degrees! Somehow I’m not burned yet –Sunscreen is good, but I am tanned.

Random Thoughts for today:
1.I got stung by this bee-like bug this week, it stung me twice, once on each shoulder so I have matching swollen patches. It’s not bad- just itchy. The bee-like bugs look like the have two bodies, they are huge!!!

2. My two new roommates are on a weekend long safari this weekend, and my old
roommate (Anna) is visiting her sister (who works in Tanzania) and her mom who came to visit, so since my safari is not overnight, I have the room to myself. I haven’t slept alone in 5 weeks. I hope I’m not scared!! –just kidding.

3.I recently filled up my first memory card, and have 750 pictures. The new people see everything as amazing even the things that I am now thinking are common, so I am taking pictures of my room, the house, the compound, walking down the road, my kids, people carrying things on their heads, the way the prisoners just wander around freely, the views, the houses. When I stop and think, it is really so incredible! I’m also trying to include myself in pictures, but somehow that is difficult, we’ll all have to share our pictures when we get back so that we can each have photos of ourselves.

4.I was thinking about eating food at home today, and what I want is a bowl of cornflakes with cold skim milk. We don’t have milk here, only if it’s cooked in porridge, and we can buy milk but it’s not pasteurized and I have a feeling I’d be disappointed.

Anyways, this week I met up with Mom’s coworker’s friend from university. Yes, read that again. Basically, a friend of a friend from home. She lives in Moshi so we met for coffee, which was actually a milkshake. We had a good time, and she was very lovely. She also gave me a heads up about a beach town about a 5 hour bus ride from here, so I am looking into planning that for the weekend after Halloween. People are very excited about Halloween, I personally have never liked the holiday so it’s no big deal, but I can’t believe October is almost over, and I only have 3 weeks left here, I really am a little in shock. Since we are “cross cultural solutions” we also are celebrating bonfire day as Ali calls it, or Guy Faux day. Some of the girls are going to be foxes just to be silly.

This week was pretty relaxing for me, I read a lot and have enjoyed the naps. School is good too, a little frustrating since I work with the kids and we spend a lot of time on math which the kids don’t get. We “anika moja, shika moja, wapi moja? Hesabu moja, anika moja tena, choma moja, ruka moja” and on and on. Basically, “write one, take one, point to one, count one, write one again, clap one, jump one” and on and on. But they are not really capable of ever grasping it since they’ve been doing it for months and for others, years. So I asked my teacher today if we could spend less time on math and work on more practical skills, she said of course, so I am excited to do that next week. We are going to work on days of the week, and reading more than math, but I am keeping my expectations low since I often set them too high. Many of the crafts we have done the kids have enjoyed but they have been too difficult for them. Oh well. My teacher, Mkunde also made a good point today. She said that since there are only two teachers and one spends the whole time cooking, with volunteers she can divide the class, and then she works with the kids who are learning to read and write, and I spend time with the other kids, and just by me being there, the brighter kids have the opportunity to be pushed which they may not have had otherwise, so that really helped me deal with some frustration this week. That, and I love my kids.

Everyday, Nick (the other volunteer at my school) and I pick up Kalisti and Zainabu (by the way, my first child will be named Zainabu, Zai for short) and walk them to and from school. They are the sweetest kids, and they just need love. They love to be hugged and have their hands held and such. Kalisti will come up and put my arms around him and then just bury his dirty face into my shirt. In African culture the kids don’t get much physical attention like this beyond age 2. They stay on their mothers backs, and once they are old enough for nursery school that’s it. Zai reminds me of Bambi, she has long limbs, and ears that stick out a little, (I’d post photos but it’s soooo slow), and her eyes don’t look straight ahead so she’s always looking to the side, which makes her look innocent –but she is not. She’s a trouble maker, and thinks she runs the show. She walks ahead and then runs into the bushes and “hides” until I “search” for her, she is sweet but sneaky so I keep my eyes on her.

We went on a home visit today, which was a reality check to say the least, but people are waiting and I’ve had my fair share of time, so I will save the update, and tell you about it next time. Let’s just say, we all have much more than our fair share of “Stuff and Space”.

I’ll try to update soon, as in Sunday or Monday! Love you all! Salama.
-Laura (aka Lola, teacher lola!)

written by  Laura Collins on October 24, 2008 from Moshi, Tanzania
from the travel blog: My Adventure in Tanzania
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I can't believe that I've been gone for 5 weeks and have only 5 weeks left -only 4 in Africa! It's unbelievable. It was sad this morning since two of my best friends left, but they went to Seattle, so I know I'll see them soon. This weekend has been very low key, other than the fact that 15 new people arrived. It seems very strange to be the vetran- but nice since I have time to sleep, nap and plan lessons. The new people seem nice but it is a lot of work to meet tons of new people and I'm sure they are overwhelmed so we retreat to our rooms alot. I have 2 new roomates who seem very friendly.

I have to say I am tired of staying here. This was my second weekend in a row where I didn't do any tours or anything and I need to get away. We still haven't done the walking safari but it is planned for this weekend. And then hopefully horseback riding at the base of kili next weekend. Woot!! I'm making musical instruments for my new students today with Ali. We're makig shakers and tambourine with beans and bottle caps. I hope it works!!!

On friday I did home visits to 3 of my students. They all lived in the vicinity but all lived in very different styles of houses. It was very cool to see them, but kind of sad to think that we live in this house and compound that must be like a masion next to their hut for 7 people. It's their reality but it's strange to think about.

I'm hoping to go back to the orphange soon- I think today I'm gonna go out and play with the kids -it's been a while and I have energy now. Other than that things are good. Not much has happened. I went to town today with the new people and the art market -I love it there. Everytime I go I get something new- it's all made by the people who sell it so I like the directness of the money exchange. Plus I know get to ask questions and know the history of the work and the person.

Anyways, I should go now- I want to be social and I have some safari stuff to plan. Ps: Mama Lilian says it's snake season now so we have to keep our eyes peeled- they are ALL posionous no matter what colour. I don't know if that's true but I asked my teacher and she agreed so I think I will stay away from them. I really hope to post a picture or two soon. Enjoy your weather and I'll continue to enjoy the heat and sunshine (not to rub it in or anything!)

Love ya!
-Laura

written by  Laura Collins on October 19, 2008 from Moshi, Tanzania
from the travel blog: My Adventure in Tanzania
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I have to say alot has happened since I last wrote. Number one, the internet hasn't been working, number two, the phone hasn't been working, number 3, the power has been out, and number four the water has been shut off. So I can say I've experienced a more realistic africa. On friday I did a home visit with my teacher but we ended really early so I went to Amani nursey school, one of the old volunteer's placements because the children swarmed me when I got out of the van and were very disappointed when I told them I had somewhere else to be. Though when I was done I went back. They were so sweet and so adorable- my little favourite was wisdom and I was tickling him til he squealed. It was lovely- then I had a nice walk home about 30 mins over the river from Soweto to Karanga.

This past weekend was a little sad since the ppl staying 3 weeks had to go home. It was sad to see them go since I had gotten close to most of them and will most likely never see them again. So it was bye bye to kakas and dadas- but it is exciting that this weekend we get a new group of volunteers!

I did stay here this weekend, we had fun here- it was nice to relax and do laundry and explore moshi a little bit more. Then on Sunday 6 of us went to the nearby catholic church with Prisca (a girl 22, who lives at the house and does small jobs so she can go to the school close by). It was interesting to say the least. I had never been to a catholic service and we thought we were going to the lutheran church but apparently we had a miscommunication. No biggie. So we walked up a big hill and there was this church. It was huge, they had a guy in the middle directing people during the hymns. And of course there were no books. It was also 40 degrees in there and we were all dying so we actually snuck out early -pole sana- but prisca stayed. They had calypso style organ music that would come on over the speakers for songs- it was a little bizarre but neat none the less. Alll of it was in swahili so we were completley lost, but it was still an experience. Then in the afternoon we explored a little bar (meaning a bench in the shade on the side of the road). We called it the barber shop since there was a shop within and Ali shaved his head mfrika style.

On monday, I decided to switch placements, it was a tough call. I love my kids at Korongoni, but I found out that a new volunteer will be placed there so there will be 4 volunteers and 3 teachers and the other disabled school would only have 1 volunteer and 1 teacher. So I offered to switch -plus as an added bonus- it is close enough to walk. I went on Monday and I loved it. The kids have lesss severe disabilities, but there is more structure and I have already been given the task of painting a mural. Woot woot. The kids are very sweet too. We actually made peanut butter to sell since there are some older kids and the teacher, Mama justina is trying to teach them skills that will be valuable in life. I really appreciate that. It was a good day, and as sad as I am to leave Kornogoni behind I know I am needed much more here at Shira Matunda. Oh and Zainabu, Calisti and neema are students at my new school!

In the afternoon me and two friends had a local adventure in our village. We wanted to go to the river, and we apparently looked confused so this man Raymondi -now our new best friend- took us to the river. There were kids swimming there and jumping off rocks it was so awesome. Then he took us to a banana forest, mangoes and boga and the water intake system. He took us all over for 3 hours. We met his family too. Kili was out and it was amazingly beautifuil. Then he wanted to take us to see monkeys, so we walked an hour to a bunch of trees by another river and Ray asked the kids where the monekys were and we saw them in the trees. Vervet monkeys, look them up, they were sooo cute. But since it was almost suipper time we headed back - ray lives very close so he walked with us. He invited us back - so we have plans for tomorrow. It was by far the best local experience I have had here and I am definelty going to do it again.

Then yesterday it was a bank holiday so we went to visit a local women's dairy cooperative. We got to try african cheese- not as good as at home, or maybe just different- but it was neat to see.

It's been getting hotter by the day here, but it's not raining so that is a plus. I am excited for new people to arrive. I've been doing some fabric shopping and art shopping, I got some gorgeous artwork and can't wait for you to see it.

Love you all lots, I'm thinking about you. THanks also for the comments!!

Ps: Jack I will look for the train tracks- haven't seen any trains yet though. Ohh, and the money is tanzanian shillings or tish for short. 1200tish is equal to about 1usd. I bought a big batik for 25000 and a nice painting for 8000, internet is about 1000 for an hour and iced coffee at the internet place is 1800. A taxi into town is 5000- so split that 4-6 ways and it's cheap. And the local bus from here to town is 300. So 30 cents- but it's not a pleasant expeience.

Sorry the last post sounded like a downer- I really am having a great time. i love it and can hardly believe my time is halfway over!!! I'll try to update again soon.

Lots of love, salama.
-Laura

written by  Laura Collins on October 15, 2008 from Moshi, Tanzania
from the travel blog: My Adventure in Tanzania
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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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