Hello everyone!
It's good to be home. I just want to say thanks to EVERYONE who was at the airport last night. What a welcoming!
I want to apologize for not blogging for the last 5 or so days, we had trouble finding a computer and the time to sit down.
Here is the last couple of days in a nut shell:
We said our goodbyes to Bunju on Thursday. There was singing and joking, playing and some crying, and many, many, many pictures taken. The next day we all woke up at 5:30 for the 8 hour bus ride to Arusha. Traveling out of the city of Dar es Salaam and into the country was a beautiful transition. We even got to see Mount Kilimanjaro (faintly).
We arrived at the Epiphania Center later that day and settled in quickly.
The next day we left for the Sopa Lodege on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. All of our students told us that Arusha and the Crater would be cold. We though that was funny because 1) Africa is never cold 2) some of them thought Dar was cold which was insane because the sun was ALWAYS out. The Crater was cold, and not just cold, it was wind blowing, misty, COLD. Here's a link for the lodge where we stayed: http://www.sopalodges.com/ngorongoro/home.html
It was beautifulll. The first 15 minutes we got there I 1) saw a buffalo RIGHT OUTSIDE MY WINDOW, 2) got so excited I screamed to Jenna who in turned screamed, so screaming we both ran outside to find Mandy and Rachael's room to show them and 3) left the key in the room, not knowing that the doors automatically lock behind you.
It was really fun explaining why we locked ourselves out of the room to the woman at the reception desk. Hahah
Our day in the Crater was absolutely fantastic, I honestly could not believe how many animals there were. Hippos, and lions, and wildebeests, and zebras, and antelopes, and hyenas, etc.
We traveled back to Arusha to spend our last night back at the Epiphania Center that Sunday. We went to the Cultural Center where they have every possible souvenir you could think of: bracelets, kangas, paintings, drums, Tanzanite, tshirts, spices, books, EVERYTHING.
Then it was off to the airport to fly for 8 hours, wait 6 hours in Amsterdam, fly for another 8 hours, sprint (seriously) through customs, and finally a quick hour and 15 minutes later we were in Hartford.
Thank you everyone for your support and prayers through out the whole trip. It really means a lot to the whole group when we see all the comments on each post and that everyone at home is really proud of us for what we did.
Thank you so much and God bless
LOVE,
KK
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tano
Hey everyone
It's getting close to the end now. We only have one more day left, and we're pretty sure every one of us will be in tears on the car ride home tomorrow. BUT, it is a good excuse to party! Today was a very good day for all the classes, we wrote our autobiographies! It was really fun learning about all our students and hearing their stories. We even got to teach some of the boys new games like tictactoe!
Today me (KK) and Carolina joined Tyler in the soccer match. Seriously. I know, it was nuts. All the boys are extremely good, extremely fast, and can kick WICKED FAR. So basically I looked like a tool out there. Hahah. Seriously though. They have a passion for soccer here, it makes me jealous.
It's time for mass now,
Talk to everyone kesho!
Lovelovelove
KK and Rachael.
p.s. MOM MY PHONE IS NOT WORKING!!!*&)(^()$$$)_(+&#@$#$
It's getting close to the end now. We only have one more day left, and we're pretty sure every one of us will be in tears on the car ride home tomorrow. BUT, it is a good excuse to party! Today was a very good day for all the classes, we wrote our autobiographies! It was really fun learning about all our students and hearing their stories. We even got to teach some of the boys new games like tictactoe!
Today me (KK) and Carolina joined Tyler in the soccer match. Seriously. I know, it was nuts. All the boys are extremely good, extremely fast, and can kick WICKED FAR. So basically I looked like a tool out there. Hahah. Seriously though. They have a passion for soccer here, it makes me jealous.
It's time for mass now,
Talk to everyone kesho!
Lovelovelove
KK and Rachael.
p.s. MOM MY PHONE IS NOT WORKING!!!*&)(^()$$$)_(+&#@$#$
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
hey everyone its Tyler
today was a good day, teaching went well. We don't want to leaver the kids but we are still very exited to go to Nogorogoro. Today was the first International Volleyball game. HCHS vs Dogodogo. It was a well faught match, but dogodogo couldn't stand the heat of PJ's crazy serves and Mandy's fearless eyes. hahaha Carolina and Sam were a great team and keept us laughing. To tell you the truth no one knows the score but one thing we do know is that HCHS came out on top!
Today at lunch we had "fish" with ugaili. I speak for all of us when i say this, it was one of the most difficult moments of our young lives. It went down like sandpaper. when i say fish i mean it was thw whole fish, very tiny. i wouldn't even use them as bate. they came fully equiped with tail, eyes, and the fishiest taste that man knows. But we all tried it and some ate a good amount. Well Done.
We have two more days @ Dogodogo, and it will be a very sad day when we leave. Pj will be giving a speach translated by father Jalbert. on our last day we are goin to have a party and have sodas and cookies.
When we get to Nogorogoro Pj and I have come up with a plan, we have to grab the hair off a lions tail. this will prove our manhood. just kidding, no but really we are.
we all miss you and love you. see you soon
p.s. Love ya mom, dad, Nick and Lauren
today was a good day, teaching went well. We don't want to leaver the kids but we are still very exited to go to Nogorogoro. Today was the first International Volleyball game. HCHS vs Dogodogo. It was a well faught match, but dogodogo couldn't stand the heat of PJ's crazy serves and Mandy's fearless eyes. hahaha Carolina and Sam were a great team and keept us laughing. To tell you the truth no one knows the score but one thing we do know is that HCHS came out on top!
Today at lunch we had "fish" with ugaili. I speak for all of us when i say this, it was one of the most difficult moments of our young lives. It went down like sandpaper. when i say fish i mean it was thw whole fish, very tiny. i wouldn't even use them as bate. they came fully equiped with tail, eyes, and the fishiest taste that man knows. But we all tried it and some ate a good amount. Well Done.
We have two more days @ Dogodogo, and it will be a very sad day when we leave. Pj will be giving a speach translated by father Jalbert. on our last day we are goin to have a party and have sodas and cookies.
When we get to Nogorogoro Pj and I have come up with a plan, we have to grab the hair off a lions tail. this will prove our manhood. just kidding, no but really we are.
we all miss you and love you. see you soon
p.s. Love ya mom, dad, Nick and Lauren
Monday, July 20, 2009
Habari za mchana (jioni)
JAMBO Family and Friends!
It has been another pleasant day here in the lovely Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Today we taught to our students after the looooong, relaxing weekend. Jumatatu (Mm-uh-tah-tu), as we tell as our students (I'ts Monday...). Still, the students were all WICKED eager ("Teacher!") to learn more English. They continue to amaze us being completely awesome and more than welcoming. As we get down to the nitty gritty and complete their autobiographies, we learn more about their stories each day. In KK's class (among many others!), they make her read the KiSwahili word for EVERYTHING!!! they do (they think us mzgungus are funny!) :) Before lunch, the multimedia kids were so nice and rapped for us (oh! and one boy was wearing a heavy winter jacket because it was "cold" today). After class, PJ learned a new way to play checkers. It was inevitable that he got totally beat because they did a gazillion jumping moves. We also played a variety of sports with them, from kicking a soccerball, to sprinting (guess who?), to volleyball. Some of us kept playing with the Dogodogo children (still ADORABLE!!! and they even like learning not only English - which they know pretty well - but French and Spanish).
So, that's just the conundrum of a normal day as we now just chill until Mass and dinner...
Hope all is well and the weather is better!
LOVE,
KK, Rachael, and the whole Africa Mission '09 family
P.S. Thanks for the support :)
It has been another pleasant day here in the lovely Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Today we taught to our students after the looooong, relaxing weekend. Jumatatu (Mm-uh-tah-tu), as we tell as our students (I'ts Monday...). Still, the students were all WICKED eager ("Teacher!") to learn more English. They continue to amaze us being completely awesome and more than welcoming. As we get down to the nitty gritty and complete their autobiographies, we learn more about their stories each day. In KK's class (among many others!), they make her read the KiSwahili word for EVERYTHING!!! they do (they think us mzgungus are funny!) :) Before lunch, the multimedia kids were so nice and rapped for us (oh! and one boy was wearing a heavy winter jacket because it was "cold" today). After class, PJ learned a new way to play checkers. It was inevitable that he got totally beat because they did a gazillion jumping moves. We also played a variety of sports with them, from kicking a soccerball, to sprinting (guess who?), to volleyball. Some of us kept playing with the Dogodogo children (still ADORABLE!!! and they even like learning not only English - which they know pretty well - but French and Spanish).
So, that's just the conundrum of a normal day as we now just chill until Mass and dinner...
Hope all is well and the weather is better!
LOVE,
KK, Rachael, and the whole Africa Mission '09 family
P.S. Thanks for the support :)
Sunday, July 19, 2009
It's alll nzuri here
Hello everyone!
It's KK, Rachael, and Mandy! We are currently sitting in the office of CEFA ( pronounced not see-fa, chef-fa). We just got back form Kunduchi Beach. It's B-E-A utiful there! White sand, clear water, radiant sunshine, and soda in glass bottles? Salama, peace.
Today was a LOOOONNNNNGGGGGGGGGG day. It all started when we woke up before the sun to get ready for church. Yes, it's was early. We left the hostel at 6:15 to go to the church at Muhimbili Hospital. It was a mass like no other. The room was jam packed, there were at least 7 songs with three verses each, and mass was in Kiswahili. It was a traditional African mass with dancing and clapping and music and a complete sense of community. They even welcomed us when Father Jalbert introduced us to the whole congregation.
After we went to an ebony market. The carvings were beautiful, but the market was really very chaotic. Everyone wanted us to enter their shops, calling out "Looking is free..., karibu". Needless to say it was awesome, in the words of Mandy :]. After it was a quick stop back at the hostel for lunch. We had mangoes for dessert, it was delicioouusss! I (KK) made a complete mess of one of my white shirts... sorry Mom, but it was totally worth it.
After lunch it was off to the beach for sun, sun, and more sun. And now we're relaxing, waiting for dinner, getting ready for tomorrow's lessons.
Ta ta for now,
Lovelovelove
Mandy, Rachael, and KK :]
Thanks for reading guys!
It's KK, Rachael, and Mandy! We are currently sitting in the office of CEFA ( pronounced not see-fa, chef-fa). We just got back form Kunduchi Beach. It's B-E-A utiful there! White sand, clear water, radiant sunshine, and soda in glass bottles? Salama, peace.
Today was a LOOOONNNNNGGGGGGGGGG day. It all started when we woke up before the sun to get ready for church. Yes, it's was early. We left the hostel at 6:15 to go to the church at Muhimbili Hospital. It was a mass like no other. The room was jam packed, there were at least 7 songs with three verses each, and mass was in Kiswahili. It was a traditional African mass with dancing and clapping and music and a complete sense of community. They even welcomed us when Father Jalbert introduced us to the whole congregation.
After we went to an ebony market. The carvings were beautiful, but the market was really very chaotic. Everyone wanted us to enter their shops, calling out "Looking is free..., karibu". Needless to say it was awesome, in the words of Mandy :]. After it was a quick stop back at the hostel for lunch. We had mangoes for dessert, it was delicioouusss! I (KK) made a complete mess of one of my white shirts... sorry Mom, but it was totally worth it.
After lunch it was off to the beach for sun, sun, and more sun. And now we're relaxing, waiting for dinner, getting ready for tomorrow's lessons.
Ta ta for now,
Lovelovelove
Mandy, Rachael, and KK :]
Thanks for reading guys!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Shwari... Smooooth like the ocean :)
Hujambo Americans!
Just so you all know, Africa has been great. Whether we are going to Bunju each day (if we are awake in the car) or doing errands at the shopping plaza (it's pretty big!), it's always a thrill to simply look out the windows and take in all the sights... it sinks in that we ARE in Africa. Where else would you see women in colorful clothing balancing urns on their heads? Or chickens (or cows or goats) running around? Or pyramids of the freshest looking fruit ever? Or even Obama posters!?!?! (NOTE: KK has a student related to Obama's tribe!) We've learned that getting caught in a "jam" (they pronounce it jah-m) can be so entertaining... as well as narrowly getting by a huge truck on a bumpy back road.
Lately, the highlights of our days have definitely been Bunju. Everyone there is SO welcoming! The multimedia boys showed us another dance today. We really are connecting in more ways than one... even by showing our skills in soccer or volleyball (haha). Today, we even played awesomely FUN soccer "trust" games with the students and some monthly sponsors! Mandy, Jen, and KK especially, have also gotten wicked friendly with the Dogodogo children (who are absolutely adorable!), and they played "Duck, Duck, Goose" with them today.
It's a good thing that we miss you all because I think a few of us are definitely considering living here in such a peaceful setting...
... and the longer we are here, the more we are learning the true meaning of "solidarity."
Thanks for following our trip and continuing your support :) Another post soon.
<3 Rachael
Just so you all know, Africa has been great. Whether we are going to Bunju each day (if we are awake in the car) or doing errands at the shopping plaza (it's pretty big!), it's always a thrill to simply look out the windows and take in all the sights... it sinks in that we ARE in Africa. Where else would you see women in colorful clothing balancing urns on their heads? Or chickens (or cows or goats) running around? Or pyramids of the freshest looking fruit ever? Or even Obama posters!?!?! (NOTE: KK has a student related to Obama's tribe!) We've learned that getting caught in a "jam" (they pronounce it jah-m) can be so entertaining... as well as narrowly getting by a huge truck on a bumpy back road.
Lately, the highlights of our days have definitely been Bunju. Everyone there is SO welcoming! The multimedia boys showed us another dance today. We really are connecting in more ways than one... even by showing our skills in soccer or volleyball (haha). Today, we even played awesomely FUN soccer "trust" games with the students and some monthly sponsors! Mandy, Jen, and KK especially, have also gotten wicked friendly with the Dogodogo children (who are absolutely adorable!), and they played "Duck, Duck, Goose" with them today.
It's a good thing that we miss you all because I think a few of us are definitely considering living here in such a peaceful setting...
... and the longer we are here, the more we are learning the true meaning of "solidarity."
Thanks for following our trip and continuing your support :) Another post soon.
<3 Rachael
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Hujambo!
Hey everyone! It's Jenna and KK (or Cait, or Caitlin ;])
We just want to say sorry for the long breaks between posts, we literally have no time to do anything! But the days are long here, and jam packed with meetings and activities.
We just got home from our 4th day of teaching. We'll be honest, it's hard to leave everyday. When we say our goodbyes, everyone asks "kesho?", or "tomorrow?". It makes us sad to realize that one day we'll have to say no.
BUT, lets get away from the sappy goodbyes, and talk about our day! Jenna is teaching the multimedia students. They are very good English speakers, they're very nice gentlemen. When we first arrived they danced for us. PJ's mouth was legitimately on the ground the whole time. We were shocked to find out that they only took a week and a half to learn this extremely complicated and amazing dance.
I teach the carpentry students. They love to teach us the Swahili words when we tell them the English words. My class is the biggest, we have 12 students. (We as in Carolina and KK) They love to joke and laugh, but it's always in good sport.
A lot of the boys are extremely eager to learn English, some stay after to copy down everything on the board. A lot of the boys who aren't even in the English classes are eager to talk and learn from us during our break.
Here soccer is a passion. The boys are amazed at Tyler and Jenna's skills. They love to watch Ty juggle, and they think Jenna's funny because she likes to only juggle with her right foot. PJ even played a little the other day in the match.
Yesterday was Jenna's birthday and we all went out to dinner. Yes, we wore paper hats made from newspapers. In public. It was awesome. After we got back to the hostel we surprised her with a cake!
Well it's time for mass now and then dinner.
We'll write again soon!
Hope all in well in the States
Thank you for your continuous support!
We just want to say sorry for the long breaks between posts, we literally have no time to do anything! But the days are long here, and jam packed with meetings and activities.
We just got home from our 4th day of teaching. We'll be honest, it's hard to leave everyday. When we say our goodbyes, everyone asks "kesho?", or "tomorrow?". It makes us sad to realize that one day we'll have to say no.
BUT, lets get away from the sappy goodbyes, and talk about our day! Jenna is teaching the multimedia students. They are very good English speakers, they're very nice gentlemen. When we first arrived they danced for us. PJ's mouth was legitimately on the ground the whole time. We were shocked to find out that they only took a week and a half to learn this extremely complicated and amazing dance.
I teach the carpentry students. They love to teach us the Swahili words when we tell them the English words. My class is the biggest, we have 12 students. (We as in Carolina and KK) They love to joke and laugh, but it's always in good sport.
A lot of the boys are extremely eager to learn English, some stay after to copy down everything on the board. A lot of the boys who aren't even in the English classes are eager to talk and learn from us during our break.
Here soccer is a passion. The boys are amazed at Tyler and Jenna's skills. They love to watch Ty juggle, and they think Jenna's funny because she likes to only juggle with her right foot. PJ even played a little the other day in the match.
Yesterday was Jenna's birthday and we all went out to dinner. Yes, we wore paper hats made from newspapers. In public. It was awesome. After we got back to the hostel we surprised her with a cake!
Well it's time for mass now and then dinner.
We'll write again soon!
Hope all in well in the States
Thank you for your continuous support!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Mambo? It's all Poa here.
Hujambo!
Today was our second day at Bunju, but our first day of real teaching!
Yesterday we got a tour of the school and we met a whole bunch of students who are so sweet and love to play checkers, crazy 8's, soccer, volleyball, and pretty much all the same stuff as at home. We have had mixed experiences with our classes of kids, oh! and a minor adjustment was made in the number of kids. We went from each having two, to each having about 7. (average) So that was one hurdle, jumped! We shall see. That's all for now,
Sam =)
Today was our second day at Bunju, but our first day of real teaching!
Yesterday we got a tour of the school and we met a whole bunch of students who are so sweet and love to play checkers, crazy 8's, soccer, volleyball, and pretty much all the same stuff as at home. We have had mixed experiences with our classes of kids, oh! and a minor adjustment was made in the number of kids. We went from each having two, to each having about 7. (average) So that was one hurdle, jumped! We shall see. That's all for now,
Sam =)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
First blog from Africa!!
Sorry we haven't written sooner, but the computer at the Hostel is down. We aren't really sure where to start... So, we've been here for three days at the Cefa hostel which is beautiful! The food has been great and the staff has been extremely friendly. Recently we went to the beach, played soccer and volleyball, saw a monkey, drove on the left side of the road, and sweat in the hot Tanzanian sun. Even though it's their "winter", the heat is stifling. The neighbors of the hostel wave and say "Jambo!" everyday, we enjoy their friendliness. We have noticed that the Tanzanian people are a warm and friendly bunch that love when we try to communicate in what little Kiswahili we know. We are preparing for our teaching job and will have more on that when the school week starts on monday! For today, we will enjoy a tour of Dar es Salaam and and a barbeque at Father Mike Snyder's house.
Bye bye for now!
-Sam and PJ
Bye bye for now!
-Sam and PJ
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Hey there!
I guess ill be starting the Africa Mission blog. Today at 4:00 we all will be on a plane headed for Tanzania, but not before stopping at three different locations first. I don't have much for now but soon this blog will have all the information you'll need. So ill attach this picture and say WE ARE SO EXCITED TO GO!
-PJ Adzima
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