Week 1

So much has already happend I guess I will just start at the beginning. My flights were long but painless, I slept most of the time. I arrived in Amsterdam at 730AM it was still dark and covered in snow. The airport was freezing but soon I was on my next flight to Kilamajaro I arrived in Africa at about 930PM, the air was heavy and warm. The airport was very small and hectic. After going through customs I was greeted at luggage claim by Susan, it was nice to see a familiar face! The hotel we stayed at was very cool and every thing seemed a bit surreal that first night. The following day we traveled to Karatu (about a 3 hour drive) and after visiting the FAME Medical Clinic I was picked up by the RVCV driver. We picked up 3 other new volunteers, it was nice to not be the only new kid in town. I think in total there are about 10 volunteers.

I live in a house with 12 kids all under the age of 10. Learning the names was a bit overwhelming but I'm happy to say I know all their names and can even tell them apart! There are 6 girls, Faraja (9) Hadija (8) Maria (7) Neema (4) Gabriella (3) and Lucia (3). And 6 Boys Baraka (9) Eriki (8) Alley (6) Ali Baraka (3) Micha (3) and Ema (1 1/2). There are two Tanzanian house mothers who only speak Swahili and seem to always be yelling and two men (student teachers), Brittney my roommate and myself all sharing a 4 bedroom house.

I am woken up every morning between 530-6AM everyone knows I am not a morning person but I do love waking up to the sounds of the kids singing and laughing. Most of my days are spent with the younger kids, its fun and at times challenging but I find myself falling more in love with these kids every day. My biggest challenging thus far has been teaching an English Confidence Class 3 times a week. Its a class for kids who want to further their education (highschool you have to test into and then pay to be accepted) the people in the class range in ages 15-21 they live in surrounding villages and some travel up to 3 hours both ways to be here. The language barrier and trying to get participation is maddening! I am not a teacher so anyone with advice on games or assignments to get these teens and young adults to speak more english would be appreciated.

Sunday is our one day off a week, unlike most of you I didn't spend this Sunday at a Super Bowl party (the game was on at 2AM monday morning here.... Congradulatioins Reggie and the rest of the Saints!!) instead we went into the town of Karatu for their monthly market. It was nice to experience a bit of their culture but definetly won't be going back, it was chaotic! Then we spent the rest of the day at a local lodge by the pool. That was nice.

My body is sore, I am a jungle gym, a chair and a way of transportation for these kids all day long. I have had no problem with the time change but at the end of the day find myself completely exhausted and in bed by 830 every night. That being said I have no complaints, I am surrounded by laughing, covered in kisses (not to mention dirt! I have never been so dirty in all my life!) and being wiped out after a day filled of playing is alright with me.