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) .  

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!

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!

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! 

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.     

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.

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.

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!

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!   

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. 

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.

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!

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! 

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.

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! 

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!     

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!