I am in Africa.

Tanzania is amazing. I absolutely love it here. The people are so nice. They literally greet everyone and I do the same. Everyone is seen as family. They call others mama (mom), baba (dad), dada (sister), kaka (brother) and so on, depending on age. Respect is big here so greeting elders is a must.

I speak a lot of Swahili here (as much as I know, anyway) and Tanzanians love that I speak it to them. I enjoy the language so much that I plan to pursue it when I get back.

I have 3 roomies. A mother and daughter team and a Norwegian. Nice people.

Us volunteers are pretty spoiled at the home base. There's the main house and a smaller house behind it where the volunteers sleep. We get amazing food that the cook makes and an abundance of nice, clean water.

I live in the village of Karanga and every other day or so I go into town (Moshi) where I wander with the other volunteers. It's really fun except for the people who go up to us wanting to sell us things. They really don't take no for an answer. I would say "Hapana asante" (No thank you) or "Pole" (Sorry) but they would still follow us around thinking that MAYBE we'd change our mind. That's the annoying part of it all - no matter what, can't really fit in because of skin color. White = $$$. Other than that though, it's fine.

I started my placement today where I taught about 20 or so children basic math and we also have art time. It was chaos. Very short attention span. They are definitely tough to control. There are some that listen to me but the others don't really. Whenever the head teacher is around though just to look into my class, they are quiet but right when he leaves it's a totally different story. My classroom is actually outside because the actual classroom is getting plastered. I can't see how the children could really concentrate with chicks and roosters running around. I have a chalkboard up front and they have benches and tables which is nice. The kids are quite lovely though and they are fun to play with. I am usually found playing soccer with them during their 30 minute play time. They love to touch my hair and hold my hand.

The people here love my big smile and how I seem happy all of the time which is pretty nice because people here always seem happy themselves. I have been asked quite a few times if I'm Chinese. I found that pretty funny.

Internet is extremely slow here.

I don't take as many pictures as I would like because I would have to ask if I could take their picture since some don't want their pictures taken. Also, I feel weird taking pictures when I'm in Moshi because I'd like to fit in as much as possible - if it's at all possible.

The volunteers are pretty cool. Pretty diverse group. 3 from England, 1 German, 1 Norwegian, 1 Czech, a few from Canada, and rest Americans. Very diverse agewise as well. Nice group.

Basically, I LOVE it here and I shall try to blog it up more often.

Porridge Time

I received information regarding my volunteer placement today. I learned that I am caring for children between the ages of 5 and 7, aiding in the start of their education (English and math mostly). All of the kids are from peasant families and the school the children attend serves as a care center until they are old enough to go to a primary school. Currently there are approximately 80 children and from the notes that I have read from previous volunteers, it sounds like I am caring for around 15! Learning that made me quite nervous, especially since one volunteer didn't earn her respect from the children until the end of the 2nd week! Firm but loving, firm but loving. I have to keep that in mind. I am such a softy. My nerves rose even more when I learned that they may take advantage and then I saw the pictures. Once I saw the children's smiling faces, I got excited more than ever.

That was the moment it hit me. I am actually going to Africa! Not only that, but I am given the opportunity to meet these bright young people. I can't wait to learn their names and their passions. I love art and I am thrilled about doing arts and crafts with them.

Here is a picture of the children eating porridge. They have porridge time daily because a volunteer provides money for the milk and the parents provide the grain. Porridge Time - how great is that?

Packing?

I have yet to start packing. I have yet to even buy the backpack that I am to pack my belongings into in order to start packing. Multi-tasking is not a talent of mine, so I choose not to balance packing and finals to save me the stress. I thought it would be quite the wise choice.

Going to Africa has definitely not hit me. I still have to learn my Swahili. Though, I have learned that my Lonely Planet phrasebook is my best friend (sorry Sydney).

My packing strategies will be mapped out in a week or so. Until then, my thoughts are filled with interactions between organisms and their environment + tetraphenylnaphthalene, which is not as enjoyable but it will have to do for now.