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.

July 18th & 19th

Nothing brightens your day more than showing up to school seeing all your students in sweat suits and stretching, it was too cute. Friday was game day; in the morning my class has a test or weekly review in almost every subject. It was surprisingly pretty entertaining to give a test because tests are usually known as boring but I found it exciting; their excitement, dedication, and happiness proved it to be easy for them.  In the afternoon the games begin. To sum up game day, it was about three hours of recess. Kevin and Tate got into a good game of soccer with some older boys and male teachers. I took the time to get to know some older students and got into another really good conversation with Ms. Flora. We talked about America and their school system, college (university), my braces and plenty more. I feel so real with her, comfortable, and open. I am nervous to switch classrooms but I think it will be good for all of us to branch out and get out of our comfort zones.

Yesterday I went on a home visit with Krissy, Gitte, Sawyer, and Sofia. The student we were visiting was Noella she is in class three with Sawyer. When we arrived her grandmother was outside waiting to greet us. She was so small, so sweet, and so welcoming. Noella lives with her father, grandma, and cousin who works at LOAMO in the kitchen. Her house was small but very nice with two bedrooms and a decent size living room. Noella’s mother died when she was three months old, she died from HIV AIDs, because the doctors did not catch it fast enough. It was hard to hear her father was also infected but it broke my heart when they told us Noella is HIV positive as well. The hardest part was that Noella didn’t even know, and she is eleven. Her father doesn’t want her to know because she is “too young.” She is on medication that they get for free but she also has a skin condition that is very noticeable and it upsets her. There is medication for it, but they cannot afford it. It really touched me and I am thankful for how open her father was for telling us their story and sharing personal details about his life, as well as Noellas. Noella is a strong girl and I admire all her beautiful characteristics.

Today was Saturday, we left the house at 8am and headed for the school. Today was cleaning day, our goal was ‘spotless.’ We cleaned windows, washed the chalkboards, wiped down the desks, scrubbed the walls, and got down on our hands and knees using a sweater to mop the concrete floor. Moping a floor with a sweater was probably one of the weirdest things I have ever done. But after thinking it through I realized how resourceful the entire process is. Hours and hours definitely paid off, the classrooms looked one hundred times better. The kitchen ladies were so sweet always wanting us to take a rest or eat. It was a productive, yet exhausting day. The staff at LOAMO were so grateful they could hardly find words to say.

I feel awesome, what we accomplished as a team and individually made an impact on our entire experience. I am already looking forward to Monday, but even more at this point, so we can all see the student’s faces when they enter their new clean rooms. 

With a new face, comes a new name

As the days pass by, I am constantly seeing new faces and learning a new name. The school’s energy always brightens my day. I am growing closer and closer to the kids in Class 2. There are 13 boys and 5 girls, and all these little monkeys make me think of my little brother, full of energy, always talking and asking questions and occasionally getting out of control. Early mornings and long nights are our way of living here. The teachers give us so much freedom; in some forty minute classes I get to teach a lesson that I created. It’s tiring and I am struggling to keep it to myself. Staying active and being energetic every minute of the day is a challenge. However, I absolutely love my teacher Flora; she is so welcoming and gives me the freedom to teach as I want to. Having been a teacher the past 4 days, I am really seeing the classroom (and just the school in general) a different way. It is so nerve-wracking to stand up there for a couple of seconds without knowing what to say or do, which is why I spend long nights preparing for class. Lesson planning is so much fun but a big challenge, and it is the most important thing that we do here. Today I taught math and spelling and it was super fun. In the afternoon, Ms. G and I played some really fun math games, as well as review games for their test tomorrow. When introducing games and activities the excitement flows through everyone, and it is a constant struggle to keep kids in their seats. It’s hard to feel tired and warm down when surrounded with these perfectly happy students who are eager to soak up energy. 

Yesterday Kevin, Tate, Nicole and, Ms. G went on a home visit. They went to Mr. Kimaro’s house. He has a son, Declan, who is in my class. I have a mental image of what his house looks like, and it’s not pretty. To start, it’s not even a house; it’s hardly even a shack. Mr. Kimaro is one of the most amazing men I know. He works in LOAMO as a teacher. When school is over, he goes to the University of Dar Es Salaam, Arusha Campus, to study Computer Technology. He works long, busy days just to give his family dinner. His family is lucky if they eat 2 meals a day. I got to talk to him about it today, and he told me about the home visit. He said, “I let them come inside to see what I lack.” After hearing some of the things he said I was one hundred percent speechless. Most of the money he makes goes towards paying off his debts, and he has 3 kids in total. The 2 youngest are girls. One is old enough to be in baby class, but they don’t have the money. As sick as I already feel, this just makes it worse.

Mr. Kimaro showed me that life is not handed to you. If you want something bad enough, make it happen. His strength and selflessness opened my eyes, and inspired me to look at the world and the life I have differently. 

The Beginning

Tan sand, hot sun, trashed filled ground, and lions are what come to my mind when I thought of Africa. But the moment my eyes opened, looking down on beautiful Mount Kilimanjaro and a land of jungle green really surprised me and gave me an entire new mindset. I didn’t know there could be that much excitement built up in 10 kids. Customs was busy and bags felt heavier by the second, but the excitement and motivation stayed the same. All bags made it just fine and our execution was as smooth as it could have been. When packed into a crowded car you don’t realize how tired you really are until you are asleep on your neighbor’s shoulder. To this minute I am absolutely amazed on how beautiful it is here and how they drive on the other side of the road, I don’t think I am going to get used to that! Our first night was pretty calm, meeting the house staff Jodi, Dada Datto (our kitchen lady), and Loy who is our night guard. I didn’t know what a cold shower was until I was standing there with a goal to just finish washing my hair and not let the water touch my body. The first full day was awesome, Rosta Jon was our tour guide. He was so cool, funny, down to earth, and full of energy. He gave us a tour of most of Arusha and a couple of museums that contained artwork and pictures that will forever remain in my memory. Sunday was a great day, sleeping in and really sinking in here. We had a great yoga session, which I lasted about 45 minutes, we went through and organized all our donations bags.

Cradle of Love is a place for true love. It is a real orphanage for babies here in Tanzania. We got to love, snuggle, and smother them with kisses, but there is always that moment you have to set the one who has been on your hip for the past 2 hours down and walk away. The worst part was… I didn’t even know his name.

Monday was our first day at the school. Short lil blue pants, long lil blue skirts, and a million dark lil eyes glued on you every second. In the mornings the school lines up singing and dancing to the beat of the drums during assembly and finishes with a touching prayer. Working in Class 2 (second grade) jogged my memory and taught me how to carry and borrow numbers again. My fingers are soar from sharpening so many pencils with a knife. Grading books and paper work had never been so fun, teacher mal is definitely a new name for me. The days here at the school are long with hours that pass by very quickly, especially when getting into deep conversation with my Class 2 teacher Ms. Flora. For Tuesday I was assigned to teach a math lesson, if you know me well you can imagine my facial expression, thank God it was only to teach them about the fraction ¼. Monday night I brainstormed what to say, ideas and most importantly, fun games and activities to help them learn. So when math time came around LMH and I taught a mean ¼ lesson with play dough and colored chalk. The kids went nuts! Playing teacher especially with LMH, wasn’t just a blast but it taught me a lot about myself and what I am capable of doing in the class room when I am not focused on my own work.

I get to sit in Ms. Flora’s desk, answer questions, and just learn the way the school works. During tea break and lunch break time really flies because you just don’t get the chance to look at your watch, you constantly have kids holding your hand and climbing you like you are a tree. Each moment I am in the classroom a feel more comfortable with the kids, interacting with adults and other staff, and most importantly myself. I have fallen into their daily routine and eager to learn new names everyday and become closer with my teacher.  

African Slave Trade & the Holocaust

Recently we have been assigned to research the African Slave Trade and the Holocaust;

African Slave Trade
"Most of the Negroes shipped off the coast of Africa are kidnapped."
          To me this line says a lot. In 1788 the world as we see it today is nothing like it was back then. People were treated unbelievable unfair, forced to be somewhere they didn't want to be or forced to go somewhere where they didn't want to go.
"The slave trade between Western Africa and the America's reached its peak in the mid-18th century when it is estimated that over 80,000 Africans annually crossed the Atlantic to spend the rest of their lives in chains." 
Traditionally African slaves were brought to preform menial or domestic labor, to serve as wives or concubines, or to enhance the status of the slave owner. 
The Atlantic Slave Trade developed after Europeans began exploring and establishing trading posts on the Atlantic (west) coast of Africa in the mid-15th century. Portuguese followed by the British and French were the first major group of European traders in the West. 

The Holocaust

Of the nine million Jews who had lived in Europe before the Holocaust, approximately two-thirds were killed. The term "Holocaust," originally from the Greek word "holokauston" which means "sacrifice by fire," refers to the Nazi's persecution and planned slaughter of the Jewish people.

These two situation can relate to each other with a very strong connection because of the lack of control either the Africans or the Jews had. Both were forced to to participate in something they didn't want to. Two extremely unfortunate situations that happened in our history. 

After researching both these situations I do not just have one single emotion, I have many coming and leaving my head. I feel sad and confused, my only question is why. Why did this happen to such innocent people for no good reason. Back then people were so sick and had problems that people didn't know about or could not be treated, and because of that sad and unfortunate situations were made. 

Massai Tribe

As the days get longer and the sun gets brighter I am (literally) having dreams about my trip in July. Recently I have been thinking and researching about the Massai Tribe.  All the basic questions like "who are they?" and "what do they do?"

Maasai Tribe

The Massai tribe are people that live in parts of Tanzania and Kenya and are typically known as tall fierce warriors. They are recognized by a special red cloth called Shuka. The Maasai people live a nomadic life moving from place to place with their animals. They rely on their animals feeding on milk, meat, and animal blood. They walk many miles with their animals to find fresh food and water typically by trading (swapping) with other Maasai people. The men carry spears to protect the cattle from wild animals like lions. It is illegal for a Massai warrior to kill a lion or other animal that is trying to kill his cow.  

The woman are responsible for cooking, gathering sticks for the fire, taking care of the children and building homes. The homes are called Manyatta, and they are made out of mud, sticks, grass, cow dung/ urine. It is also very common for woman to have many piercings that leave either small or very large holes for special beads and patters to be hung there Twigs, bundles of twigs, stone, elephant tusks are all used to pierce or stretch to ears. Beads used for earrings, bracelets, necklaces are made from many different things such as; clay, shells, bone, seeds, wood, copper, brass etc. All the beadwork is done by the woman. 

The clothing varies by age and location, some Shuka have patterns some are just simple red. Many Maasai in Tanzania wear simple sandals which are recently made from cowhides. 

There are has been so many amazing things that I have learned about the Maasai tribe(s) just by doing a little research, I can't wait to experience it all in just a couple months away. While reading through all this new information there was a few things that really stuck out to me, like..

-Maasai boys go through a circumcision at age 14 and then traditionally spending up to 8 years looking for livestock far from their villages. They become warriors upon their return to the village to get married. 

-A woman who has miscarried in a previous pregnancy would position their hair at the front or back of the head depending on whether she had lost a boy or girl. 

- Two days before a boy is circumcised their heads are shaved. 

-Their diet mostly consists of raw meat, raw milk, and raw blood. 

All these things surprise me because I never realized how different life can really be. I have grown up in one place my whole life, things have been the same for me for 14 years and for me to do some research about a tribe in Africa is so eye opening. It's so surprising to me to see that people like this actually do exist and the was they live is an actual lifestyle. 

When I think about being with the Maasai people I truthfully don't know what I would ask them. I think that when the time is right and I am actually in Tanzania experiencing and taking it all in I think that I will have a million questions running through my mind. 

I can't imagine growing up as a Maasai. Having lived the life I have lived for the past 14 years it is so hard to picture it any other way. All the things that I have learned about are all very shocking to me and almost confusing, but if I were a Maasai all these confusing things would be so natural, and I am sure that it would go the same way for a Massai warrior to look at me and try to picture himself as 

me. 

3/9/14

During the last CGA meeting the volunteers were given two questions to answer, who are three people who inspire you and why? And if you were an animal what animal would you be?

Different people inspire me in different ways. But there is one person that always comes to mind when I think of inspiration through all aspects, my mother. I am one of four children and we are all very active, and we all just about go to different schools and on top of that my dad travels very often for business. No matter how hard things got or how stressful situations can be she always remains calm and works through things the best she can. On Monday, March 3rd I had hip surgery, which put a major set back in our family as my dad and two of my siblings are off at a ski competition and my mother is left helping and doing everything she can for me. She is so strong and really good leader and mentor for me now, as well as what I want to be if I ever become a mother. 

I recently transferred to Battle Mountain High School and should be playing my first high school soccer season but because of my hip injury I am unable to do so. There is a junior at BMHS named Logan Nash, she has inspired me for soccer for many years. Last year Logan tore her ACL and was unable to play all season. Watching Logan play in her first game back against Eagle Valley High on March 6th at BMHS was incredible. The amount of energy and strength that she put into the game gave me just what I need to recover and be ready for next season. I look up to Logan more than anyone else. Her kindness and dedication has given me something to work for. 

Even though I have decided to quit skiing due to injuries, there is a girl named Morgan Schild that moved from Vermont to join Ski Club Vail. It was a pleasure getting to train with her and watch her succeed everyday with learning a new trick or correcting her skiing. Just recently Morgan finished the Noram Tour (Tour for the best skiers in North America) she lead the tour by over four points. As she won the last competition of the tour, the US ski team coach welcomed her to the team. Seeing Morgan's hard work and detection made me realize that if want something bad enough than you will make it there. Congratulations Morgan Schild and than you for your inspiration. 

If I were to be an animal I would be a lion. I would be a lion because they are fearless, leaders and will stride for success. For example if a lion were to hunt for food but cannot seem to catch it that lion would not just give up and starve. Similarly if I were to take a test a receive a grade that I know I can do better, I will not just give up and leave the grade. This is what we have in common as well as being leaders for their "pack" or my friends.