Remembering Why I Love Africa

Massai on the beach in Dar es Salaam

In case you were wondering…I totally made it! These last four days in Tanzania have been truly indescribable, and there is no way I will be able to adequately explain all the smells, colors, food, language, and both frustrating/humorous and validating experiences. Finding a place to start is so difficult!

On the more formal/serious side, in such a short amount of time I have been to the Tanzanian Ministry of Education and met the head of the English department, visited the US embassy of Tanzania for talks on health, safety, and Swahili, met Peace Corps volunteers to discuss the realities of education and teaching in both city and rural locations, and met Christian Mwananga who talked about the face of HIV and AIDS in Tanzania and its impact on youth and schools. In each speakers genuine words of thanks and encouragement I received a multitude of validation for devoting a year of my life to teaching in Tanzania. It’s so hard to realize a need and decide do something about it. As I described in an earlier post, it is so hard to leave the security of friends, family, and modern conveniences. However, being here and hearing and seeing the need and gratitude in peoples’ voices and eyes is more than confirming. While nervous about my abilities and living up to the Tanzanians’ expectations and hopes I have met, I am so excited to do and give what I am able.

On the more fun and both frustrating and humorous side, these last four days have been incredible but tough. From mosquito wars both outside and inside my room even with a mosquito net, to dalla dalla rides into and out of Dar es Salaam (public transport-basically beyond packed, like faces pressed against windows packed, really old/dirty busses and vans with overhead hand rails to hold on for your life with out of control body odor), to the picturesque white-sand, palm tree, and clear-water beach while only miles away that took two hours to get to on dalla dallas and a ferry, to savory Ethiopian and Indian food and food that would most definitely warrant a trip to the toilet and maybe even hospital (street and market vendors selling squid, octopus, and fish with so many flies on it), to power outages while in the shower having no clue where lights or a flashlight is, to no running water soliciting bucket bathing, to hand-washing my sweat soiled clothes because although it is winter it is still in the 90s here, to chatting with the very friendly infamous Massai warriors, to talks about de-worming pills and self-malaria testing, to dancing it up to some sweet local Tanzanian music, to sweet, juicy mangoes and chicken that is normal size and contains no hormones, to  market bargaining for vivid, patterned truly African cloth, I have/am remembering why I love Africa so much.

I have never been to a place where people rely so heavily on each other and have a greater sense of community where no one can really afford to be out for themselves. While Americans have running water, washing machines, personal transport with smooth paved roads, and restaurants instead of market and street vendors selling mostly roasted corn, sugar cane, fruit, and fly infested meats, Africans have a joy that comes from their service to each other. I love it, and now remember why I wanted to return so badly!

We leave tomorrow to travel for six hours to a town called Lushoto in the mountains for some intensive much needed Swahili language learning (as I have no clue what anyone is saying while they stare at the white girl and laugh), and teaching preparation of course. By the way, thank you so very much to those of you who have emailed me! I cannot tell you what a blessing your emails have been in keeping me informed in your lives. As much as I love being here, I will always need your support and love. Oh…and I want to post pictures, but I have to find some better internet first!

Much love! katie

A sanctuary of time

So…I’m not in Africa just yet. These last two days of travelling have been quite an adventure of stress, disappointment, fear, and anxiety…but I wouldn’t take them back for the world. After three flights, five shuttle rides, and two train rides with over 150 pounds of luggage, I am still just in New York. Craziness I know! Practically all my flights had mechanical issues, weather delays, too much weight, or were just cancelled. Therefore, I am in a hotel in New York when I should be in Tanzania. I do get to leave tonight though pending that nothing else occurs.

Given all this hardship though, I have received a multitude of blessings through people I have met, time alone, and books recommended (Thanks Ashley;)). Through a few tears, I think I learned that I am never in control of my circumstances really, that a life of busyness can be a life of emptiness, and as Saint John of Avila stated better than I ever will “one act of thanksgiving, when things go wrong with us, is worth a thousand thanks when things are agreeable to our inclinations.” As long as thanks is possible, then joy is always possible. I think I sometimes go through life trying to control my circumstances, and letting the busyness of it leave little room for the source of it. God will definitely get your attention even if he has to stop your world, and he definitely did mine. This last year has been one of a life so full of work that it seemed empty sometimes, so my goal for this coming year was to just be present. Time is life, and as the book I am reading “one thousand gifts” says, if I want to find the fullest life, then I have to find the fullest time. Getting ready for this trip had me working longer than I should have, and crazily running around to get everything ready and done. God definitely stopped all that and made me set my intention for this coming year. I have gotten to get to know so many people, read (one of my absolute favorite things to do), and just spend time with the Lord (amongst of course finding my luggage and problem solving to actually get to Tanzania.)

So…all I can really say is thank you to the Lord, and to my family and friends he has put in my life that were a constant source of encouragement and help these last two and a half days. Know as always, that I hold you in my heart. Also, you know I love quotes, so I am going to leave you with just one.

“Can it be that, that which seems to oppose the will of God actually is used of Him to accomplish the will of God? That which seems evil only seems so because of perspective, the way the eyes see the shadows. Above the clouds, light never stops shining.”

My assignment!!!

Real quickly, I just wanted to tell you all about my assignment that I received yesterday. So my placement in Tanzania is Buko Secondary School, located in the Mara Region near the town of Musoma. This is a special placement, in that my sponsor is the country’s Attorney General, Honorable Justice Frederick Werema. 
Mara Region is located in northern Tanzania, and the district I have been assigned to is called “MusomaVijijini” (Musoma Rural). To get there, Mr. Werema is flying me and my co-teacher Jacob to Tanzania’s second largest city, Mwanza, and then a car will take us 4 hours north to the Lake Victoria town of Musoma. I get to pass through the Serengeti National Park half way through the drive!!! I hope I get to see lots of animals. I am definitely keeping my fingers crossed. Then we have about one hour on a bumpy dirt road to reach the villages of Buswahili and Kongoto where I will be teaching. Kongoto has a desert like landscape and dry soil, but after only a one hour drive, you can reach the shores of Lake Victoria. You have to kind of look at a map...I will see if I can find a good one!

Buko Secondary School’s name is a combination of the two villages it serves- Buswahili and Kongoto. To get to school from my house, it’s a 20 minute walk down a flat road, or a 5 minute bicycle ride. The school population is small with about 20 students per class. There are only 6 teachers for the 200 students. Few girls attend school; there were only 3 or 4 girls per class. There are very little to no resources.  If there is anything used at the school, it is teacher guides only. No books are given to students. Additionally, Buko has no science or math teachers, at all, and if I am interested in picking up some extra classes in these subjects, I totally can.

So...I am excited, but definitely nervous!!! I cannot believe I leave tomorrow! Please keep me in your prayers :)

much love...katie

Habari

     So this is officially my first post (yay!) which is just a greeting to let you know I actually have a blog and am writing on it. If you know me at all, you know I am not the best communicator and therefore this occurrence is quite a miracle, but one I hope to continue for the next year as I live and teach in Tanzania. Habari simply translates as 'hello/how are you' in Swahili and habari gani, the title of this blog for now since I know absolutely no Swahili, as 'what's the news?' Therefore, as I share my experiences with you, I hope you will do the same with me.

     I would additionally like to say that I feel genuinely blessed to be given this opportunity to do something I love and am passionate about! I am extremely excited and cannot wait to meet my fellow teachers, neighbors, students, etc., but am also nervous and sad that I have to leave such an amazing support system of friends and family. I am so fortunate to have you all in my life and am going to miss you immensely!!! Therefore, my time in Tanzania will not be lacking in trials and many days of homesickness, but I know that God's plan for me this year is bigger than every fear, insecurity, doubt, and inconvenience.

     As I prepare to leave in two days, I still do not know where I will be living or teaching which is just a little scary. This also causes issues concerning packing...which you know I will be cramming as much as possible in my two 50 pound checked bag allowance anyway. But...as God assures Israel through Isaiah in chapter 41:10, "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand," I know He has me in his hands.

     Alright, so I hope you read my blog at least once over this next year, although I am not guaranteeing you will learn something, be entertained, or amused. I will be putting up loads of pictures though hopefully, so if reading is not your thing then you can just check those out. Please know that you all will be in my thoughts and prayers as I hold you in my heart!
Much upendo (love),
Katie