Wednesday, September 4, 2013

The One With The Final Post! (9/4/2013)

First of all, I would like to start with an apology for those of you who thought I was still stuck somewhere in the Serengetti! I am not.  I have made it back to America in one piece! And ironically, in the midst of the fast pace and social media driven culture of America I have had a harder time writing this blog post than I did with any of the ones I wrote while in Africa, with no electricity and limited internet.  I guess I felt like as soon as I wrote it in my blog, out there for anyone to see, than I really am back in America and my life is not in Tanzania.  But I am back!

I spent most of the summer traveling, visiting friends and family and standing in the doorways of grocery stores psyching myself up to actually step through the doorway.   I miss walking to the market, or to the neighbor’s house to get my food for the day.  I miss the overwhelming generosity and hospitality of people in the village.  I miss the simplicity of life and the humility that it forced.   

I miss Tanzania for sure, but there is a lot about life here that I am excited about! I can pick up the phone and talk to people in America anytime I want.  I can turn the lights on when it gets dark.  I can turn a convenient little knob and instantly take a shower.   I have an apartment in Pittsburgh with a great friend and I am surrounded by so many other people that I love.  And I have just begun a job that I am super excited about! I am working with the CCO (coalition for Christian Outreach) as their Training and Events Coordinator.  As you all know students of all ages are close to my heart, and now I am getting to work for an organization devoted to transforming college students to transform the world.  I couldn’t be more excited! 


For those of you who have been asking me to continue with my blog I am sorry to say that I won’t be.  But I am going to be writing a newsletter detailing the work that I am doing here with the CCO.  If you are interested in getting on my mailing list for that and hearing more of my continued adventures in this new position email me your mailing address (carly.spoor@gmail.com) .  

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The One With The National Geographic Safari (6/3/2013)

The safari has been incredible so far! Yesterday we saw crocodiles, giraffes, hippos, elephants, zebras and so so much more, all just in the morning.  After lunch we went back out for an afternoon game drive and saw 3 leopards!! A mother and her two cubs!  When we first saw them they were up in a tree resting but then they came down (a super rare site!) and literally crossed the road 10 feet in front of our car and then proceeded to wrestle with each other for the next half an hour! It was incredible! And then on the way back to camp we saw a lion stalking a few zebras that had been drinking at a stream.  So we camped out and got to watch the attack (although not the kill, the lion didn’t catch any of them and we weren’t really sure whether to be glad or sad about that). When we reached the camp we asked Madeal, our driver, if that was the best drive he has been on.  He said, “maybe not the best, but it was better than most of the drives I have been on with the National Geographic photographers”.  He really has been an incredible driver and guide and I am so excited to see what this last safari day brings!

PS Right now I am sitting in Duxbury MA posting this! I cant beleive I am home!!! ...more on that later.  But since I now have American internet here are a few pictures and I will try to post more from the rest of the adventures soon!










Wednesday, June 5, 2013

The One Where The Safari Began (6/1/2013)

Right now it is day 2 of the safari, we have already seen 4 out of the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo… just waiting on rhino), been in the midst of migrating zebras, watched elephants bathe from 10 feet away, seen about a million other animals and as I type this I am sitting in a giant tent (just to give you a sense of how big it is, only Hannah and I are staying in here but there are two full canopy beds, a toilet, and a shower) and it is in the middle of the Serengeti.  It has been an amazing two days so far and we still have three to go! I am going to try to post some pictures when we get out of the park so check back in soon!

Monday, June 3, 2013

The One With The Beach Resort and The Econo Lodge (6/1/2013)

Sunday was a long bus travel day to Dar where Mom, Bob, Dahlia and I spent the night.  And Monday morning we started off early again.  Dahlia and I took my Mom and Bob to the Lighthouse Inn located on the beautiful beaches on the outskirts of Dar.  Seriously, this place was a beach bungalow with fresh flowers on the beds and a woman with a tray of freshly squeezed passion juice as we stepped out of the taxi.  Unfortunately though, Dahlia and I could only stay for a few hours and one amazing meal because we had to head back into the city to the Econo Lodge (nothing against the place, it was actually pretty nice, but there certainly weren’t and flowers on the beds) because we had our End Of Service Conference with WorldTeach. 
The conference was really great though.  All Day Tuesday we were at the Ministry of Education talking about our experience, giving advice for preparing next year’s volunteers and laughing about the ridiculous concerns that we had at our first orientation meeting which occurred in that same room.   Two of the ministry officials who had come that first week to welcome us came back to hear our feedback and suggestions after spending a year teaching here.  There are a lot of things that I think they do really well in Tanzania but I have also had a lot of frustrations especially with the difficulty of the national syllabus.  I think everyone at the conference felt so much better about leaving knowing that they ministry cares so much about improving things and that they were willing to hear us out. 

Wednesday was back to the beach for Dahlia and I to pick up my Mom and Bob and then, once again, back into Dar where we picked up Hannah!!! (One of my best friends from college) That’s right, Hannah is here in Tanzania for the last two weeks of my adventure here.  I am SO grateful to have her with me! 

Saturday, June 1, 2013

The One With The Big Goodbye (6/1/2013)

Saturday morning I left Kafule for the final time.  The district sent a car to pick us up and take us to Mbeya so Dahlia, Mom, Bob and I woke up just before dawn to finish packing and say our last goodbyes.  Unfortunately it was a really rainy morning so only a few people made it to our house to wave us off but with the whole village there I don’t know if I actually would have been able to get into that car and drive away… maybe the rain was a blessing.  About 10 people came through and stood there waving as we pulled away.  I don’t think it has really hit me yet that I have officially moved out of Kafule, who knows if it every really will.  But I am really thankful that I have friends and family here with me now and for the adventure that we are now on together. 

We made it to Mbeya midafternoon and were greeted by the district and regional education officers.  We sat with them for a while talking about Dahlia and my teaching experiences and some of the changes that have been going on in the education system here recently.  And then we were off again to Kita’s house for another goodbye dinner.  Kita has been such an amazing friend to both Dahlia and I during our time here.  He solved any problem that I even hinted at, was always willing to drop whatever he was doing to be there for me and was incredibly patent with me as he tried to explain his culture and learn about mine.  I hope and pray that his dreams of furthering his education in America come to fruition so that I can try to welcome him with even half the support that he has given to me.     

Thursday, May 30, 2013

The One With The Goodbye Party (5/27/2013)

Friday we closed the school for winter break which meant that all day there were meetings to sit through and preparations to make.  After dismissing the students, the school threw a goodbye party for Dahlia and I.  Ward officials came, speeches were made, food was plentiful, and the goodbyes were near impossible.  This has easily been the most rewarding year of my life and sitting in the staff room for the last time and saying goodbye to each of the teachers there made me realize how much of an impact they have made on me.  They were going on and on about the impact that Dahlia and I have made on the school and community but I have never felt more like what I have done isn’t enough.  This community is so deserving, so welcoming, and so generous with everything that they have.  And as I said goodbye I was just wishing that there was more I could do and more that I could leave behind.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

The One With The Final Dinner At Elizabeth’s House (5/27/2013)


Thursday Dahlia and I skipped out on pretty much the whole day at school (I know, I know, not the best role model for the students, but we had a lot of packing to do!)  But we did take some time off from packing for dinner at Elizabeth’s house.  She got all dressed up for the occasion, wearing her new shiny pink dress (a gift from her niece who lives in the city) and prepared yet another delicious meal.  Of course, in each of our bowls there was enough food for at least three people, but we did our best to eat it all.  And then we spent the rest of the night talking and laughing with her and her two daughters.  Elizabeth’s generosity with the little that she has, her willingness to drop anything and be there for a friend, and her deep desire to understand other cultures and to make me feel as at home as possible will always inspire me to live more like her.  I couldn’t be more grateful for her in my life.

Monday, May 27, 2013

The One With The Night At Enea’s (5/27/2013)


Wednesday afternoon Mom, Bob, and I hiked down the mountain to the Kagwina weekly market where I buy my food.  The women there loved seeing some new American faces and Mom and Bob were able to meet the parents of some of my students.  We then continued the walk to Isoko where I showed them around the hospital and the shops and then we went to Enea’s house for dinner.  Enea had an unexpected meeting come up so she had been on the road all day.  But some of her neighbors heard that there were some very special guests coming so they came to Enea’s house and had a feast prepared by the time we got there, which was only a few minutes after Enea arrived.  I am still so impressed with how everyone in the village really does work together in every aspect of life.
My mom described the experience of an evening with Enea like meeting up with an aunt or cousin, someone that you don’t see very often, but with whom you are able to pick up right where you left off.  Enea greeted us with huge hugs and a warm welcome and talked as if we were all old family who had grown up together.  I am so grateful for the ways that she and everyone else in the village have invited me into their homes and families and how they have now extended that to include my family. 
I had told my Mom about Tulie’s bread making skills and Tulie heard that my mom was excited to try it.  So she decided to put together a presentation for her on how the bread is prepared.  I think my mom cringed a little bit as this 8 year old maneuvered the red hot charcoals on her own, but the bread turned out delicious and no one was hurt in the process!
The night went late with goodbyes and gifts but thankfully the moon was just about full so we hardly needed flashlights for the hour hike back up the mountain.  Saying goodbye to Enea was not easy.  Enea is one of the most open and caring people I know.  She cares for over 1,500 orphans as if each one of them was her own child and she does more with her few resources than anyone I know.  She is always looking for ways to make life better for those around her and she welcomes everyone with open arms. For that and so much more I will miss her very much! 

The One With The Mbughi Night Teaser (5/27/2013)

Right now I am sitting in a hotel room in Dar, wishing I was staying at the beach bungalo that my mom and Bob are at, and getting ready for a busy conference day tomorrow.  But with the free time I now have, I though I would catch up on my blog writing.   Unfortunately I have stored a suitcase for a few days here and in that suitcase is the blog I wrote about my mom and Bob's arrival and their first day in Kafule.  So that post will have to wait.  For now I will just tell you that we spent the evening at the Mbughi's, there was an unintentional shower of soda, and Bob now has a new nickname!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

The One With The Weekend Of Preparations (5/19/2013)


It has been a busy weekend of laundry, packing, cleaning, preparing for my Mom and Bob to get here tomorrow and getting ready to leave Kafule next Saturday!  I can’t believe I am moving out already! But tomorrow I get to pick up my Mom and Bob from Mbeya and spend one more week here in the village, showing them around, and going from goodbye party to goodbye party.  I hope they are ready; I have a lot planned for us!   

Saturday, May 18, 2013

The One With The Letter From Michael (5/18/2013)

Dahlia and I recently told the students that when they get back from winter break (which starts next week) they are going to have different teachers because we will be returning to America.  Many of the students have come up to us and asked us to stay, or for an extra pen or pencil when we leave, but my favorite request came in the form of a letter hand delivered by the student to our door.  There are moments when I am struck by how lucky I am to be a teacher here and reading this letter was one of them.

Dear Madams Dahlia and Carly,
Thank you for teaching me.  God bless all madam for getting me education.  Myself am so happy because am some education that can getting for their madam.
Sorry teachers, I have need to know the English and mathematics.  I have no any money that can help me to purchase the English and mathematics books or any materials.  Please teachers, help me for any book and dictionary or any materials that can help me to improve the English and mathematics.  Myself I study at form three.  Thank you teachers.
By Michael M.S. 

The One With The Letter From Michael (5/18/2013)

Dahlia and I recently told the students that when they get back from winter break (which starts next week) they are going to have different teachers because we will be returning to America.  Many of the students have come up to us and asked us to stay, or for an extra pen or pencil when we leave, but my favorite request came in the form of a letter hand delivered by the student to our door.  There are moments when I am struck by how lucky I am to be a teacher here and reading this letter was one of them.

Dear Madams Dahlia and Carly,
Thank you for teaching me.  God bless all madam for getting me education.  Myself am so happy because am some education that can getting for their madam.
Sorry teachers, I have need to know the English and mathematics.  I have no any money that can help me to purchase the English and mathematics books or any materials.  Please teachers, help me for any book and dictionary or any materials that can help me to improve the English and mathematics.  Myself I study at form three.  Thank you teachers.
By Michael M.S. 

The One With The Letter From Michael (5/18/2013)

Dahlia and I recently told the students that when they get back from winter break (which starts next week) they are going to have different teachers because we will be returning to America.  Many of the students have come up to us and asked us to stay, or for an extra pen or pencil when we leave, but my favorite request came in the form of a letter hand delivered by the student to our door.  There are moments when I am struck by how lucky I am to be a teacher here and reading this letter was one of them.

Dear Madams Dahlia and Carly,
Thank you for teaching me.  God bless all madam for getting me education.  Myself am so happy because am some education that can getting for their madam.
Sorry teachers, I have need to know the English and mathematics.  I have no any money that can help me to purchase the English and mathematics books or any materials.  Please teachers, help me for any book and dictionary or any materials that can help me to improve the English and mathematics.  Myself I study at form three.  Thank you teachers.
By Michael M.S. 

Thursday, May 16, 2013

The One With The Night For Nurse Ngale (5/14/2013)


A few weeks ago I received an invitation to a celebration at Isoko hospital.  The invitation called it “the night for nurse ngale”.  After asking a lot of questions o figure out that exactly we were celebrating I realized that the night for nurse ngale is actually for nurse Florence Nightingale, who is very much respected and admired here for her work with the poor. 
Anyway, Sunday I headed down to Isoko hospital to celebrate.  Mr. Mbughi was, of course, the emcee of the event and I know now that it is a huge mistake to sit in the front of an event life this where the host knows your name.  I got called up for several games and to give an impromptu speech.  But, all in all, it turned out to be a really fun night.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The One With The Last Day Of Classes (5/14/2013)


I cannot believe that classes are over and we are not in the midst of finals here at Kafule.  I am officially done teaching and after filling out some record books and report cards I will finish up all of my work here at KSS.  I cant believe that I only have one more week left in the village!

Saturday, May 11, 2013

The One With The Teacher vs. Student Volleyball game (5/5/2013)


On Friday afternoon there was a volleyball game; teachers against students.  We had initially planned it to be a soccer game, but after some deliberation amongst the staff we decided that we didn’t have a shot at beating a bunch of 18 year old boys in a soccer game, but we were pretty confident in our volleyball skills.  After rescheduling the game several times we finally got a day with no rain so that we could play.  The court was all mud and staying on our feet was a challenge, but the game was awesome!  The teachers won 6 out of the 7 games but most of them were pretty close.  I really love getting to hang out with the students here outside of the classroom! 


Monday, May 6, 2013

The One With The Lesson On Approaching Girls (5/5/2013)


Dahlia recently taught a lesson on how to give directions.  She was ending a unit on skills and abilities so to finish up, she had the students get into groups and write out instructions on how to perform some skill or ability that they have.  Some of the students wrote about playing netball, others about cooking local food, and one group of boys decided that their skill is “approaching girls”.  Here are the directions that they gave to anyone who is looking for advice on the topic.  
Our names are Uwezo, Francesco, Shahidi, and Nicodem. We live in Isoko village. You can get to Isoko by motorcycle and car. The distance covered to get Isoko is two Kilometers from Kafule Secondary School. We can approach girls by following directions; firstly, take bath and wear nice clothes so as to look smart. Secondly; find her; then, tell her about your request that you love her. Also, give her the time for thinking more so as to make her decision to be an overnight process. After that, promise her that when she will give you a chance you will give her a nice gift like laptop, dress. Lastly, the next day, find her so as to get an answer you espected to be given.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

The One With Mei Mosi (5/2/2013)


Yesterday was World Workers Day, or Mei Mosi, an international holiday celebrating all workers and their triumph over exploitation.  I had known for a few weeks that we would not be having classes (I know, I was surprised that I knew something in advance too!) however it wasn’t until about 5 minutes before I left school on Tuesday that I found out that the celebration wouldn’t be starting until 1 in the afternoon, not 7:30 in the morning as I had thought… I am always at least one step behind! So yesterday I got to sleep in and enjoy a stormy morning from my home.  The Mei Mosi celebrations consisted of a few hours of speeches (which made the afternoon feel more like a meeting than a celebration), soda and peanuts, and music and dancing.  I’ll spare you the playlist, but I will say that Tanzanians cant get enough Celine Dion!  But despite all of that I couldn’t help thinking that I am really going to miss this place when I leave! 

Thursday, May 2, 2013

The One With The School Band (4/30/2013)


The district offices recently gave Kafule some money to buy a few instruments so that we can start a school band.  So the headmaster bought the instruments last week and the new bank has been practicing ever since.  Yesterday was their inaugural performance.  Every Monday at morning assembly we sing the Tanzanian national anthem and this Monday we had an accompaniment.  The whole band was there; 2 snare drum and 2 bass drum players as well as Kivega and 3 other students each playing a recorder.  It was incredible! It took the whole first half of the song for them to find the same tempo and even then there were a lot of squeaks from the recorder section.  But my favorite part was the line in the song when only the form 4 boys sing (at least an octave lower than any of them should be trying to sing); the drums cut out but the recorders continued, it took a lot for me to keep from laughing out loud.  The students loved the performance and the band players couldn’t have been prouder.  I just hope it isn’t raining next Monday so they can play again!     

Saturday, April 27, 2013

The One With Kafule’s Current Copy Machine (4/27/2013)


First of all, I want to say thank you to everyone who has already donated money towards the solar equipment for Kafule. Dahlia and I are getting really close to our goal.  I told our school second master, Mwakatoga, how much we have raised so far and he started jumping up and down and then proceeded to run out of the room saying, “I have to tell the headmaster! I have to tell the headmaster!”   
I took a picture of one of my exams that was copied on our current copy machine.  One of my biggest teaching frustrations here is that students will often get test questions wrong, not because they did not know the answer, but because their copy of the test was too hard to read.  There is always one master copy that the students can reference, but this copy is shared between 3 classrooms and 150 students and, because of the time limits on the exams, not every student is able to look over the master copy.  With the new solar equipment that we plan to buy the school will be able to power a copy machine that will provide midterm and final exams that are legible.  There is still time to donate (the deadline has been extended to May 4).  See http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/CarlySpoor-1/Tanzania2013 for more information if you are interested! 

The One With The Last Mbeya Weekend (4/27/2013)


I am currently in Mbeya, sitting in my hotel room, fully enjoying the electricity and running water, full from a delicious meal that I didn’t have to cook, doing my best to soak up all of the city comforts.  It was a long trip to get here, but it was also my last.  My last 12:30 am alarm for my last 1:00 am departure, and my last 10 hour truck ride out of the village.  Little things are starting to make me nostalgic about leaving Kafule, but Tanzanian travel is something that I don’t think I will ever miss. 
Tomorrow I head back to Kafule for my last 4 weeks there.  Prayers are appreciated for the muddy adventure back to the village! 

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

The One With The Day At The Races (4/17/2013)


Monday morning I showed up at school ready for a day of classes.  At about 7:45 I found out that there was going to be a meeting at 8 (when classes are supposed to start).  At 7:55 I found out that at the meeting we would be deciding if there would even be classes that day.  And by 8:30 all classes were canceled.  Days never go as I expect here, you would think I would have learned by now.
Evidently the district education officer (DEO) informed our headmaster that Tuesday was to be “sports and games day” at Kafule meaning that we needed to use Monday to prepare the fields.  Tanzania is holding a mini-Olympics for secondary school students.  Each district is putting together a team to compete in soccer, netball, volleyball, track, discus, javelin, and shotput.  Well, Kafule School is on top of a mountain, so making room for all of these fields was a lot of work!! We spent the day on Monday digging out parts of the mountain, moving dirt all around, and trying our best to extend the fields without causing landslides. 
But we got it done and Tuesday the games began.  We had a few other schools from our district come for tryouts and the DEO came to supervise.  Unfortunately it rained for the first half of the day.  But don’t worry, that didn’t stop the festivities, it just meant that the track winners were the ones with the best balance through the mud and not necessarily the fastest runners at the school. In the boys 400 meter race (by the way all of the distance runs were eyeballed for length of the track) 5 boys lined up.  The whistle blew and the boys took off, all except Ibrihimu, one of the form II boys here.  He lightly jogged the start, got the whole school laughing, waited for the 4 boys ahead of him to slip and fall and then took off to win the race.  On to the regional games he goes!
The games went all day and Kafule won every event except shotput.  Unfortunately the national tournament isn’t until June so I won’t be in the country for it, but I am so glad that I got to see the preliminary rounds!

Saturday, April 20, 2013

The One With The Essay Contest Winners (4/12/2013)


Dahlia and I recently chose the winners for the essay contest.  So a few days ago, at afternoon assembly, we called up all of the participants, gave each of then a pen, and then announced the winners to whom we gave additional school supplies.  Roda and Lamson tied for overall winners of the contest and were announced amidst cheers and whistles as well as boys shouting, “the professor”, which is evidently Lamson’s nickname.  I love being in a place where studying and working hard is what makes a student popular.
There are times when students will climb over each other to get in a picture.  But for some reason if you ask them to pose for a picture, especially in front of other people, you might as well have asked them to stand up in front of the school in their underwear.  Anyway, this was Dahlia and my attempt to get all of the contestants together and at least looking at the camera.  

Friday, April 19, 2013

The One With Joyas (4/11/2013)


Joyas is a boy in one of my form III classes. When I first started teaching here he consistently scored between 10% and 20% percent on all of his math assignments (lower than the average for sure, but he was not alone in these scores).  But no matter what he scored he would come and find me after class, point proudly to the parts he got correct, and ask to go over the parts he missed.  He has been coming for help after almost every class.  When midterms came around I knew he had been studying for weeks.  I had told the students that is they scored 70% or higher they would get a pen (a lofty goal and a coveted prize, keep in mind).  Joyas scored a 76%.  There have been few times in my life when I have seen a smile as big as the one he had when I handed him his exam and pen.  It is moments like that which make me realize how much I am going to miss teaching here.  

Thursday, April 18, 2013

The One With The Contest Entry: Josphat, Form IV


A doctor is a person who treats disease when the people are suffering from any disease in their bodies.  Every people needs treatments in their body when is suffer in order to serve their life.   When I will complete my studies and to pass I will prefer to be a doctor due to the following reason.
To educate the people about uses of balanced diet.  Balanced diet refer to the general nutrients which are needed in the body.  Come diseases like Beriberi, palagra and other they occur because of lacking of balanced diet.  Therefore through my education and knowledge I will educate the people about importance of balanced diet to their bodies.
To education people people about cleaning their environments because the diseases like cholera occur when the environment which people lives are very dirty.  In order to escape from these diseases I will give an advice to the people that they should be to every one to clean their environment for every day and it will difficult to occur some disease.  Apart from cleaning their environment also I will give an advice for everyone to cut the grass that surrounds them.
To educate the people about importance of good health.  Good health is the physical, mental and emotional well of an individual or whole community.  I will educate the people that people with good health can make their right and convert decision and people with good health can work effectively and efficiently.
To give an advice to the people about preventing some diseases which can occur again in their bodies.  I will give alternative ways of possible solutions to the diseases like cholera by keeping food and water supplies, to use the toilet and to wash their hands frequently especially before eating is required.
Apart from my explanations for a doctor which influence me to be a doctor.  He/she should be stable and biological, should be educated, and then should be emotional with good behavior.

The One With The Contest Entry: Adi, Form III


My name is Adi.  I am form III A. After completing form four I like to be a businessman before our results is given out.  I think my God can help me in my studies and of when I will pass the exam I like to study more because education is the key of life now.
Education help us to fight with our enemies like poverty, ignorance and disease.  For now without education there is no life.  A person who have education know how to avoid spread of disease like AIDS/HIV, while people which lack education and engage in dangerous actions like prostitution which lead to the spread of disease and it is harmful in their live.  Also lack of education led to poverty because they could not employed any where and some people decide to employ in agriculture which they get low food which used to feed in their family.
Also the food which get are of poor quality due to the use of simple tools, no fertilizer and chemical in order to control pests and diseases.  Then this is because of lack of technology about agriculture.
At the end I like all students in my class to pass in order to avoid these calamities which can occur due to lack of education.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

The One With The Contest Entry: Okolewo, Form IV


After graduation from form four I want to be a teacher.  I was to be a teacher because of the following points.
To begin with, when I graduating form four I want to be a teacher because I want to taught the students to leave in proper behavior which is acceptable to the societies.  So I want to encourage students to follow all good things.
In addition, if I will become a teacher I want to eliminate our society on their effect of bad tradition practices like food taboos, early marriage, and inheritance of widow, bad tradition like food taboos prohibit women to don’t eat nutrient foods like eggs when become pregnant.
Furthermore, if I will become a teacher I want to helps old, sick and disable people. I would like to become a teacher after graduating form four because many people in our village suffer from malaria because were living in poor climate condition.  So I would like to educate people about that disease, and old I will give money also disable people.
Then I want to be a teacher because, if I will become a teacher I would helps to remove ignorance in our society.  Educated women helps to remove ignorance in the society because women is a good advisor to their people so I want to be an example.
Also, I want to be a teacher in order to taught the students about the effect of engaging in prostitution and drunkardness.  There are some students who were engaging in prostitution and drunkardness because were don’t know the effects of doing that activities.
Then, I want to become a teacher because I want to taught the society on the importance of environmental preservation: in our societies we see many people who were destroying environment because were don’t know the effect of doing that.
All explanation above is my ambition after graduating form four. I want to be a teacher because of the explanation above.  So in any society without teachers is equal to zero, I want to be a teacher in order to implement all explanation above. 

Thursday, April 11, 2013

The One With The Contest Entry: Fai, Form IV


After completing my studies I would like to be the president due to the following reasons which influencing to be the president which as follows:
President is the head of the State and its chief executive.  The president has all the executive power.  Also the president is the member of the parliament not member of nation assembly.  According to the meaning of president the following are the importance of role of president which as follows. 
First of all he is the head of ruling party, this due president is the ruling party all party of Tanzania like C.C.M. Chadema CUF and other all are under president so the president direct and to give the member of party ideas on how to control and to improve the party.
Next is the head of country.  So the president is the head of country and receive ambassadors from other countries.
Also, is the head of the government, this due the president is the head of government and is the chairman of the cabinet also appoint members of various commission eg permanent commissions of equality electoral commission.
Furthermore, as a head of the public services, the president is a head of public services.  Also appoints the Attorney General the director of public prosecution and the judge of the high courts of law.
Last, he is the head of civil servant. So civil servant means that is the part of government which crimes out, the orders given by the ministry and the president also the top of the civil servant is the chief secretary who is chief executive official.  He is appointed by the president.  Example of civil servant are skill, experience, efficiency, honesty, secrecy and responsible.
Therefore according to the explanation above the role of president, the following are the my opinions/contribution then I would become the president which is as follows:
To begin with I would control problem of neo-colonialism.  This due out country the problem of neo-colonialism is very big problem because the country is get independence it means that they country is free from foreign domination.  But still now under foreign domination.
Next, I would control problem of corruption, simply because in our country the problem of corruption is very terrible.  Corruption it means that is the process of using public offices for person gain.  This situation I will stop or abolish if I would come a president. 
Also, I would control the problem of exploitation of Tanzania natural resources, this due to the problem of exploitation of Tanzania natural resources is very big problem because some of leasers of Tanzania they involve in exploitation for their profit.  Also they involve with foreign people to exploit natural resources like minerals, gold, ivory, diamond, copper, and other resources.
Not only, I would improving good transportation and communication.  This due when I would be the I would improve good transportation and communication in those which transportation and communication are bad like out interior Ileje the infrastructure are very bad and other parts of Tanzania.
Furthermore, I would improving and provide good social structures in the society.  In the society there are poor social services like schools, hospitals, electricity, water supply, and other services which needed by the society.
More over, I would solve the political conflict in the country.  This due in the country there are political conflicts this situation can led to occurrence of civil war example of political conflicts is like CCM and Chadema.  So when I become president I will abolish.
Another, I would know different place in the world, this due when a would come a president I will travelling in different place for instance from Tanzania to USA, also India, Kenya, China and other places.  Simply because I would travelling to discuss programme of country it can be on how to runs the country and other necessary things. 
In addition, I would increase employment to opportunity in the country, this is simply because many people they are street children.  But they studied since primary school up to the university but yet to employed due to the few of opportunity of employment but when I will be a president I will open different opportunity of employment so as to give the people who reach university and who need to employed through on that I will prevent a problem of street children and crimes. 
Last, I would improving living standard of life, through the acquire money when I would be a president I would improving living standard of people because I would get a lot of money which can enable to build a food house and all those needs which needed in the life.
Therefore according to the explanation the importance of president this work is need to be care and to tolerant.  So in order to acquire this work I would be care in the subjects like civics, geography history and English. 

Friday, April 5, 2013

The One With The Temporary Teachers (4/3/2013)


For the last few months I have been told that “any day now” Kafule would be hiring temporary teachers to help out our staff.  Here in Tanzania, once a student finishes form 6 they have to wait 6 months to a year before they can start university.  Many of them, if they are planning on going into education, take this time to get some classroom experience working as temporary teachers (similar to student teachers in the States). 
Well Kafule finally hired 4 temporary teachers, two of whom are teaching mathematics! Which means that I am only teaching form 3 (as well as helping out the temporary teachers). It’s quite different teaching 90 students instead of 500 but I am thankful for the extra time to prepare and for a more relaxed last month of teaching!  

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

The One With The Contest Entry: Ferida, Form II


My name is Ferida Mlungu. I am come from Banji village is the student of form two.  I like education of development.  The education is the importance of the like of the people.  Because education is the control problem of engorance of the people of the societies.  Education is the source of life in the family.  The people without education is not control egnorance.
After finishing my studies I like work of the nurse because nurse it help to the people is the hospital and help to control diseases of the societies.  The nurse is the important of hospital because hospital without nurse it cause problem in societies.  Nurse is the person who help sick people of the hospital.
After finishing my studies I like good of life.  It provide the problem in the life or to control egnorance the family of father and mother in Tanzania large percentage of people is not like education it cause to egnorance the societies of Tanzania.
After finishing my studies I like to control engorance in the Banji village and country.
After finishing my studies I like to control egnorance the Kafule Secondary School
Thank you teachers to cooperation with me.  

Saturday, March 30, 2013

The One With The Zoo (3/30/2013)


This week is school vacation.  So I decided to travel out of the village to the city of Mbeya to meet up with Sarah, another WorldTeach volunteer.  We have been relaxing, enjoying the running water (and it is hot!!) and electricity as well as the luxury of not having to cook for ourselves. 
I had heard that there was a zoo in Mbeya (let me remind you that, although Mbeya is the third largest city in the country, it is really no more than a large town by American standards).  A zoo… in Africa… I have been waiting for months to check it out.  So yesterday Sarah and I set out to find the zoo.  A few hours, four busses, and a few wrong stops later we made it to our destination.  But as we walked up my heart sank… the gate was closed and the only person inside was a woman mowing the grass.  So we stood at the gate looking in and looking at each other.  And then the woman mowing the grass saw us and walked over to the gate.  She welcomed us in and we asked if they were open.  She said no but that we could come in anyway.  We stood there for a minute, realized that she was serious, and started our tour around the place. 
After looking in a few of the cages we turned around and saw an Emu, right behind us, not in a cage or anything.  Then I looked around a little more and realized that about half of the cage doors were open.  So we spent the next half an hour walking around with the animals and looking at other animals before we finally decided to head back to the hotel. 
Nothing is ever what I expect that it is going to be here in Africa, but that is partly why I love it so much!
Me with the Porcupines 

Friday, March 22, 2013

The One With(out) Toilet Paper (3/22/2013)


Sometimes things that are considered essential in America are not regarded as such here in Tanzania.  For instance, I would say that most Americans would put toilet paper on the ‘household essentials’ list.   Here it is considered a ‘luxury item’.  But there are still a few shops in a couple different villages in the area that carry it.  However, recently, after a very rainy weekend, there was a landslide that took out a big chunk of one of the only two roads in the area.  This has made it much harder to get goods in and out of Kafule and the surrounding villages, meaning that the shops have been particularly poorly stocked lately.  Thus, a toilet paper shortage.  Not a problem for the locals.  Dahlia and I try very hard to live like real Tanzanians but we have decided to keep toilet paper on our ‘necessary’ list no matter how different that makes us.  And we have been running low lately.  So over the last two days I have spent a little over three hours hiking from village to village in search of toilet paper.  Don’t get me wrong, I love a good walk (especially after our 5 ½ hour meeting yesterday all in Swahili it was actually really nice to stretch my legs) but 3 hours… for toilet paper… I am once again reminded of how different life is here than in the States.  But at least for now my search has come to an end as yesterday I found a shop with a few rolls left.  

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The One With The Contest Entry: Emmy, Form III


An after finish the graduation I prefer a teacher
Education is the special place which people get the knownledge.  This place is called school.  For example of special place which people get knowledge are Kafule Secondary School, Isoko Primary School, Dar Es Salaam high levels and Mpanda girls high school and other many in the nation.  The teacher is the people which can help to teach the students or people.  Example of teach who teach the students of Kafule Sec. School are Madam Dahlia, Madam Carly, Madam Grace, Madam Asha, Sir Zairo and Sir Kabage.  The following are the importance of teacher in the society.
It give the knowledge of the students in the country.  The teacher increase the knowledge of students to teach the some problem of the students like is student who a not know to read and write the work.  The tercher that help the students to read and write.  Like Madam Dahlia and Madam Carly that help the students to understand the English and Mathematics.
It help to increase the development of student because id the country is not teacher at all people it is not to get some knowledge because it is not teach.  Therefore if is not teacher the development of education is poor.  It need the high knowledge to teach.  Id the teacher is not used knowledge to teach in the classroom it leads the student is not understand the subject.  Therefore teacher it need high knowledge to teach. 
It high profit because before the month the teacher take the salary for good work in the society because it is good employment to teach the students.  Therefore the teacher of is very important in the society to developing the education of the people.   

The One With The Bread Baking (3/17/2013)


Yesterday I spent the day in Isoko visiting with Enea.  She has her 7 year old niece, Tulie, living with her.  Tulies parents both passed away from AIDS, however thankfully, Tulie has tested negative.  Her name means quiet in Swahili and it is a very fitting name!  She is only 7 but she makes the best bread that I have ever had, and over charcoal no less.  So yesterday I asked her to teach me how she does it.  She was so excited to teach the white girl how to cook something! And she kept laughing at what Enea called my “American hands” (because I couldn’t pick up the red hot charcoals; thank goodness Tulie was there to help when something was too hot for me to touch!) And the loaf I made turned out almost as good as the one that Tulie made.