Sunday& Monday

The days are flying by here in Tanzania. Sunday was a great day; at about 11:30 am, I was called to the tree house, and LMH was sitting by her computer waiting to ask me the question I was waiting for, “Do you want to try and call your parents?” They didn’t answer the first two times I called, but the third time’s a charm, and they finally answered. Hearing my mother’s voice was music to my ears and brought tears to my eyes. I got to tell her the two most important things: that I miss her and I love her. She told me how proud she is of me and it just gave me so much motivation to continue to be strong here and soak up every moment.

We went to an amazing orphanage called Save Africa, and I really connected with two little kids named Rose and Dene. They had smiles that made this world go round. We played games in the field, sang songs on the patio, talked to each other, loved each other, and, most importantly, laughed with each other. The kids didn’t know much English, but they still loved reading stories and getting into some little conversations. It was an afternoon to remember.

Yesterday was Monday, my first day in Class 6, and I was so incredibly nervous. Coming from a younger class, I just didn’t know what to expect from a class filled with older students who learned much harder content. Class 6 really felt like school – I learned a lot, took notes on natural gas, and was reminded about singular and plural words. I taught “Madlibs” using nouns, verbs, and adjectives, and it was pretty funny to read them out loud to the class. After, when I played a game using singular and plural words, my nerves got the best of me and I made two back-to-back mistakes in front of the headmaster – not at all my proudest moment. The rest of the day was great: laughing, teaching, playing games and taking a few pictures here and there. I learned how thankful I am for a copy machine, because writing out nineteen copies of the exact same thing gets so painful, but it is all part of this amazing experience. I am really looking forward to the 6^th and 7^th grade dance party on Friday. Although dancing really isn’t my thing, I will learn to enjoy it for these kids.

I have really enjoyed teaching Class 6 – much more than I thought I would. They are so calm, quiet, and helpful; they absolutely love to learn, and I am so happy to be a part of it. There is a girl in my class named Sarah, and I could say she is my best friend. She was the first person that I met and someone who I just connect really well with. I love her smile, dedication towards schoolwork, and the way she plays with my hair.

I am always looking forward to another joyful day in the classroom.