Feb 7-Balancing Sadness & Joy with Pictures

Chausiku outside the room where she and Hadija were staying

This is the foam piece that Chausiku and Hadija slept on.

Inside of the room

Current living space for Chausiku and Hadija.
(Neighbor boy visited us during our visit.)

Our Group at Chemka(L to R) Dennis, Happy, Asha, Joan, Nie, Sabato

Typical Scenery on Our Drive

On the drive we saw where this RR track had been uprooted due to flooding. Wow!

Chemka Hot Springs - see the guy on the swing?
My grand  entry is next!!

Camel having a drink poolside at Weruweru!

Munching on the trees at Weruweru

Joan & Happy

Feb 7-11 Raising a 9-year old Granddaughter at age 71

Wednesday, Feb 7
Home visits this morning.
Our first visit was to Chausiku, a 71-year-old woman raising her 9-year-old granddaughter, Hadija. Her daughter (the child’s mother) died of AIDS in 2017 at the age of 26. Both Chausiku and her granddaughter are HIV+. Chausiku became infected as a result of caring for her sick daughter.
We passed an open part of the building with the roof caving in. Inside were some bags and a piece of foam. Nie explained that when she first met Chausiku about 3 months ago, she and her granddaughter were living in this space and sleeping on the piece of foam. Chausiku was ill with a heart problem and Hadija was crying because she had not eaten for 3 days.
TAFCOM took Chausiku to the doctor and a volunteer paid for Chausiku’s first 3 months of medicine (approx. $40), She was diagnosed with an irregular heart beat and enlarged heart. She is to take the meds for 6 months and then be retested. She will run out of medication later in February.
Chausiku was able to move into her neighbor’s room and is now paying rent there. The neighbor is no longer living there and left her furniture for Chausiku.
Before becoming ill, Chausiku had a food business. She is feeling better and wants to start her business again as she has no other source of income. Hadija is in school, Primary-5. She has no uniform and until her lunch fees are paid, Hadija will be unable to eat lunch.
My emotions took a toll with this visit. I felt again like I did after the very first home visit I made in 2009. That memory and the emotions that arose within me are still very fresh. I know this woman and her story will occupy the same space. Chausiku’s biggest fear is leaving Hadija alone in this world.
I wish there were words that could bring to life the reality of this kind of poverty. I want others to truly, deeply understand. Even for me, seeing it first hand, it is so hard to imagine this day-to-day existence. It gives me pause and I question so much about life and the way we treat each other.
No one we visited has electricity or water. They must carry buckets to the closest spigot. This is impossible for many who are in ill health. Fortunately, the sense of community is strong in these areas and people look out for each other, sometimes doing without in order to help another.
As Nie explains it, “This is the life of poverty.”
I knew it would be uplifting to visit Mwamini and Jasmine. I met both of them in 2014 and feel a special bond with both, especially Mwamini. When I first met Jasmine, she defined depression. After giving her a Micro Loan, we observed her slowly lifting out of her depression (Blog reference). Jasmine has moved and although her housing is dreadful, it is an improvement from where she lived (and Francisca now lives). We had given her a micro loan several years ago so she could sell charcoal. She had to stop because the charcoal dust was causing lung problems. She is doing another business now but the income is very meager.
Mwamini’s youngest died of AIDS complications when she was 1 year old. I was here through her illness and death and it was heart-wrenching. (SEE BLOG) Mwamini is also very small and I leave my clothes for her at the end of each visit.
Her smile when she saw me could have lit up the world. My heart melted and I got choked up! One of her daughters is a student in our tailoring class. Another daughter has a baby who is HIV+. This, undoubtedly, causes Mwamini a lot of stress.

Thursday, February 8
My morning walk/runs are becoming more therapeutic than physically exerting. It is a good time to clear my head and set my agenda and attitude for the day.
I have my breakfast in my room each morning so I can eat while getting ready. Elly brings me a tray with a thermos of hot water for my coffee along with fruit. This feels very awkward as no one has ever “served” me food, cooked my meals, cleaned my room or done my laundry for me. 
The phrase “white privilege” smacked me in the face this morning as I walked into the kitchen to return the thermos.  Five 5 students were sitting on the kitchen floor eating bread and having tea. (They are waiting for the bus to take them to Minnesota Academy and don’t have breakfast at home.)
Office work today took my mind off the emotions of yesterday. I do love the feeling of accomplishment! Today I finished cataloging the large bookshelf in the office. Next, I will tackle organizing and cataloging multiple decks of flash cards. 

Friday, February 9
Off to Minnesota Academy to observe the P-3 class today. They were a more restless class than P-4. It fascinates me how classes take on their own personalities. Occasionally my mind would wander and I could see the clouds slowly rising to cover Kili like a blanket. I was most likely that child in school who didn’t pay attention and was absorbed in other thoughts. I realized I am not smarter than a 3rd grader! OR I can blame it on age. I would not have been able to answer the following science questions:
Heat travels through solids by way of what process? conduction.
Heat travels through liquids by way of what process?  convection.
Heat travels through air by way of what process?  radiation.
Are you smarter than a 3rd grader??
More accomplishments today as I finished the larger of the bookcases in the library. Also, Lillian and Jennifer stopped by. They were preschool teachers when I was here in 2016. Deciding that the walk to pick up the daladala was as far as I was going to travel in the heat, the three of us went together and had a nice time catching up. Both Lillian and Jennifer have returned to school to advance their early childhood education.

Saturday, February 10
Trying to get my blog out this morning and having it blocked was so frustrating. I ended up having to make 6 smaller email groups which took way too much time. I decided to “block” my frustration and went for a long walk/run.
All my frustration washed away at Chemka Hot Springs. I have been there in years past. It is tucked away off dirt roads that I would not have defined as a path. One of nature’s most beautiful places, indeed. It was crowded today but nonetheless a wonderful experience. I was the only one in our group to swim but I did get Joan to come in the water with me. I am hoping to give her swim lessons in the future. This is the place that has little fish that peck at your skin. Check out the video of my graceful entry in the water!

Sunday, February 11
Another fun afternoon for Joan and Happy at Weruweru River Lodge. This time the camels were roaming in the area near the trampoline, and where people were sitting. They were not shy about eating the leaves from the tree or taking a drink from the swimming pool. The proof is in the photos.

Jan 31-Feb 6 Baby Steps

Wednesday, Jan 31
Last night during dinner, Jovis (one of Jonas’ sons) stopped by and asked if I was running in the Kilimanjaro Marathon. He remembered that I had run the half in 2012. Regrettably, I told him I was not in shape nor prepared to do a half. He said he would be running and I could do the 5k Fun Run. Now this I can do! Elly seemed interested and we agreed to go on a walk/run each morning before breakfast.
The road I have run on in the past is bumpy and rutted, plus busy with motorcycles, daladalas and trucks whipping by, throwing clouds of dust. There is, however, a side dirt road that belongs to a company that grows sugar cane. There is a barricade and guards at the road entrance. I successfully used my Swahili (with a little help from Elly) to explain that I always exchanged greetings with the guards when I ran 2 years ago. It turns out the same guards still work there and it was fine for us to run on their road. And what a difference! There is only one pot-holed short stretch where we have to walk. There is also the occasional irrigation sprinkler that gives us a brief respite from the heat with its shower. The guard told us that it is 4K to the end and back. I love it. It is quiet and Kili is often out in the morning in all her majesty.
I squeezed in a 20-minute English lesson for the tailoring students. I am also revising and adding to my Swahilli guide. It has been interesting how some Swahili words just pop into my head when I need them. Not always, but it has happened enough times that it encourages me to keep studying a little each day.
Elly And I took an afternoon walk. We stopped by Bisura’s house but she was not home so we left a message with her neighbor. Bisura worked with TAFCOM for years and is currently in secretary school. As I was getting ready for dinner, Bisura knocked on my door. She is doing well in school and enjoys learning typing, accounting, internet, email, etc. She looked great and I am sure we will spend more time together.

Thursday, February 1
In 2014 I wrote an Orientation Manual for Volunteers. I will be updating some of the statistics and making welcome changes. I know statistics bore some people but when they show improvement and progress, I am filled with hope.
A total of 1.4 million Tanzanians (of 53 million) are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS and 54,000 new infections and 36,000 AIDS-related deaths occur in Tanzania annually. Although these numbers seem mind-numbing, the number of new infections and deaths continues to drop.
Maternal and Child health numbers are also improving. The mother-to-child HIV transmission rate has dropped to 3.6% at 6 weeks-after birth, and 6% at the end of breastfeeding. Infant mortality decreased from 68 to 43 per 1,000 live births between 2005 and 2015.
Medical technology is so advanced in the western world. It is shameful that more is not done to improve the lives of these people, many who die senselessly from preventable illnesses.
Improving the education is a priority of the new President (2015) and the Ministry of Education. More schools, especially secondary (high school) are being built. The Primary school student-to-teacher ratio was 43:1 in 2013.
The President has stated that no child is to stay home from school due to lack of funds or space in a classroom. In the past, students were sent home if they could not pay the “shared costs” charged by the schools. These costs might include the costs of desks and building maintenance. Currently there is a fee for lunches. If not paid, the student stays in school but goes without food.
Families are responsible for textbooks, exercise books, pencils, backpacks, uniforms. Many families cannot afford textbooks. I have observed classrooms where there are not enough textbooks to share with all the students.
Corporal punishment is against the law but not enforced until recently. There are certain acts where only the Head Teacher is allowed to use corporal punishment. It must be documented and officially recorded. The laws are also specific to what objects can be used to punish a student.
I visited the 2 preschool classrooms. I observed in the older class but when I went to see the younger kids I totally disrupted the class. The kids swarmed and each had to have a hug! After feeling all the love, I promptly left so the teacher could resume her teaching.

Friday, February 2
I rode the school bus out to Minnesota Academy. I divided my day between observing in P-4 and cataloging the contents of the cabinet in the Head Teacher’s office. I had decided to walk back to TAFCOM as I had been told it was 5K one way. I began to question the accuracy of this distance on the bus ride which took a lot longer than I would have expected for a 3-mile trip. I brought 2 liters of water and my running shoes so I laced up and headed back to TAFCOM in the middle of the afternoon with temperatures well into the 80’s. The dust adhered to my sunscreen for extra protection!  It took over an hour to get home; a cold shower was divine!

Saturday, February 3
Elly and I headed to Moshi for the day as we both had many errands. Our first stop was the Moshi Library. I wanted to see how their library was organized, how they check out books and if they had a children’s section. I met Kweka at the front desk and he was most helpful. He showed me the library cards, how books are checked out and how they track due dates. I was reminded of when I first worked at Fairbanks Elementary school library and they still used a card catalog. The Moshi Library’s system is very similar. I got a tour of the children’s room and an explanation of how the books are arranged. We also talked about furniture and the best shelving. There are only 3 small bookcases in the library area at Minnesota Academy.
I inquired about used furniture and Kweka explained that if someone is getting rid of a piece of furniture it is because it is no longer useful or not able to be repaired. My western mind had clicked in and I forgot that unlike folks in the US and elsewhere who discard items when they want something new, people here do not have that luxury.
I felt both elated and overwhelmed. I was thrilled that a simple system could be implemented at the primary school but overwhelmed at the daunting tasks that lie ahead. I want so much to have this done before I leave.
I had made arrangements to meet up with Mussa (my Kili Guide) at his new shop. When I called to let him know our arrival time he explained that he had to go to Arusha but his wife and children would be there. We had a nice visit and I got to meet his new daughter plus see his new and expanded stores.
I lived in this area the first few times I came to Tanzania. I loved going to the local fitness center and had become friends with two of the instructors. Since it was around the corner, we stopped in. I was sad to learn that both had returned to Kenya (their original home).
Across from the Fitness Center is an entrance to Memorial 2nd Hand Market. We found some running pants for Elly before heading back into Moshi.
We were too close not to stop at the best bakery in Moshi. It has been redecorated in red and black and looks awesome. I bought some cookies to share with the family.
I love mustard on everything I can’t put peanut butter on! No one here uses it but I found it at the supermarket and am wearing a big smile!!! Out last stop was at the open market for fresh fruits and veggies.
Our day was not complete without riding the daladala. Being the first ones on in the morning, we got the front seat which never has more than the driver and 2 passengers; unlike the rest of the bus which crams people in like sardines. The ride home we were squished in the back seat and the window was stuck shut. We had been walking around Moshi for 6 hours. Taking another cold shower and putting my feet up never felt so good.

Sunday, Feb 4
I enjoy the slowness of Sundays and typically try to catch up on things and play with Joan and Happy when they are around. Coloring is their favorite pastime. I have introduced Joan to Bob the Train, which is one of my favorite YouTube learning videos for kids. (Johanna, I hope your mom and dad read this to you!)

Monday, Feb 5
I woke up with zero motivation. I took 2 naps and was in bed by 8:30pm. I think it was heat exhaustion from all the walking and the heat on Friday and Saturday. OOPS! I think if I would look at my passport, I would see that I am not 20 anymore!
Before my first nap, Jonas, Nie and I talked about priorities, goals and visions for TAFCOM.  I love the progressive thinking of these two. Things move very slowly here and I admire their persistence and patience. Nie and I set Feb 14 as the date for our Micro Loan Workshop. We will be helping 10 new people start up a business. Between my first and 2nd nap I spent some time researching potential grants.

Tuesday, Feb 6
I felt much better today and my motivation and energy have returned. I can go back to pretending I am 20 again!

Jan 31 - This weeks pictures

P-4 Classroom. The windows need to be purchased and installed.
 It can get pretty dusty.



Teaching fractions by cutting a tomato in half.
Check out the size of the knife!!

Someday this will be a vibrant, colorful and fun library for students
to come and explore other worlds and nourish their imaginations.

On my walk from the Primary School to TAFCOM I passed this.
I remember first seeing it probably 6 years ago when there was nothing in this area.
There is a lot more housing now. It is a special place to me.
Bibi means grandma which I am often called and find quite endearing.
Mzungu refers to a white person. It is never used derogatorily.
I feel like I should buy this place as my 2nd home!

The Baobab Tree is referred to as Africa's Tree of Life. It can reach 82 feet high and 46 feet in diameter!
They can live 1700 years and the fruit is known in the Western world as a Superfruit.

Moshi Library - Adult Section

Moshi Library - Children's Section

Mbuyuni Open Air Market for fresh fruits, vegetables, meat & fish

Elly standing next to a Termite Hill. They can have a diameter of up to 98 feet!
This is in Moshi where we were walking on Saturday.

This is new and built by the Rotary of Moshi. Each side is in a different language.
What's not to love about this place???

Jan 26-30 Pics

Just so you know a bit of my frustration with the internet and my slowness in getting these blogs out...it took over an hour to upload 5 of these 9 pictures! BUT I am grateful that I have internet in my room and don't have to depend on the internet cafes in town.

This is how I start most of my days.
Fresh Mango, Pineapple, Watermelon, & Banana for fruit.
A Rice Muffin and Lemon Grass Tea.
Is your mouth watering yet???

Just One of Many Rows of Vendors at the Memorial 2nd Hand Market

Fabric, Bedding, Rugs - Something for Everyone

Meet Iddy - He is often our driver and has one of the most contagious laughs.
 I enjoy watching him scold other drivers and pedestrians.
And, yes, cell phone usage is almost as out of control here as in the US.

Upendo Orphanage - Run by Missionary Nuns of the Catholic Curch

2 of the orphaned children trying to wear the crocheted baby hats!
Blankets, shirts and other hats are displayed

Another View of the Grounds of the Orphanage
The landscaping here is beautiful.

Mt Kilimanjaro in the morning. Takes my breath away every time I see it.




And let's end your day with a delicious dinner.
A Recipe Book is coming home with me!

Jan 26-30 Back in the Thick of Things

Friday, Jan 26
Friends Together was founded in 1999 as the vision of Cathy Robinson Pickett and Steve Pickett of Florida. Within 10 years, Friends Together became internationally known for its work providing education, support, and a plan for living to families, particularly those with children infected and affected by HIV/AIDs. (https://friendstogether.org/)
Cathy was in Tanzania the summer of 2016 with a group from Friends Together. Their work brought them to Moshi and Arusha. Zara Tours has a charity it works with and Friends Together has been supporting some of their projects. Zara is located less than a 10-minute walk from TAFCOM. During her visit in 2016, Cathy asked about other organizations that might be working with people affected by HIV/AIDS.  A friend of Nie & Jonas recommended TAFCOM and a partnership was born.
When Cathy came to TAFCOM she learned of the sanitary pad project and immediately saw the positive impact for young girls and women. TAFCOM’s tailoring center sews reusable sanitary pads for distribution, especially to school girls. There is a huge problem of girls missing school when on their period. (Read more details in past Blog: http://connectingcontinents.blogspot.com/2016/01/one-big-happy-family.html )
Cathy is bringing a group again this summer. She is raising money for a classroom for the tailoring women which would move them out of their cramped space. In addition, her goal is to provide 1,250 girls and young women with sanitary pad kits not only in Pasua but other areas of Tanzania! The tailoring women are hard at work and although I cannot sew, I will help them attach the snaps. I see the potential for a new Guinness World Record of some sort!
Friends Together is sending funds for the purchase of material for the pads. Catherine, the tailoring teacher goes to Memorial, the 2nd hand market, and typically purchases flannel sheets which are the most absorbent.
Today, Nie and I went with Catherine, spending several hours and ending our shopping spree with 3 huge and heavy bags of material. Any local market is always an adventure and the Memorial is no exception. It is very similar to the market in Rwanda – large, colorful, crowded and loud!

Weekend of  Jan 27 & 28
It was a restful weekend spent catching up on emails, taking walks with Elly, and napping - which is one of my new favorite pastimes!

Monday, Jan 29
I will not bore you with details but I will be developing an inventory of all the books, reports and supplies at TAFCOM and Minnesota Academy. Everything will then be organized and distributed so that each school has adequate supplies and grade appropriate books. I cataloged many of the books last time I was here. Some of them are now at Minnesota Academy since there is now a designated space for a library. Suffice it to say this is going to be a monumental task. I am probably in the minority of those who enjoy this kind of work. Those who know me well are probably chuckling as you know this totally appeals to my sense of order and organization!
Nie was going into Moshi so I tagged along to go to the ATM. For a 2nd time, my card was blocked! "Nime tulia" means “I am calm”, and is fast becoming my mantra. I emailed the credit union as soon as I got home; they resolved the issue within 30 minutes – woohoo!
We are visiting an orphanage tomorrow and taking a number of items. I brought 2 adorable pieces of fleece with children’s patterns donated by a friend. (Thanks, Kim) I was able to cut 4 blankets out of each piece and spent the rest of the afternoon fringing the bottoms. I found this to be quite therapeutic in alleviating my heightened frustration over the blocked credit card.

Tuesday, Jan 30
Home-based care is an integral part of TAFCOM’s work and the foundation of the organization. Today we visited 4 families. I love the home visits even though they are emotionally difficult. Each visit presents a reality check of how much I have to be grateful for, as well as a reminder of the significance of humility and compassion.
TAFCOM maintains a profile on the families and individuals receiving home-based care. It includes family and health history plus how TAFCOM can be involved. For me, the most poignant question is about their personal wishes. There is not a family on the entire caseload that does not express a desire for a good education and better life for their children.
Our first two home visits were in the same divided house. I have been here many times before. It looks ready to collapse. The floors are dirt and each rental has one room with a small window, dirt floors, no electricity and no running water. There is no ceiling and the sun shines thru the holes in the exposed metal roof. The rooms are very small, usually able to fit one double bed, a few chairs or small couch, and minimal storage space.
Mariam is a new client to TAFCOM. She has 2 daughters from her first husband who died of AIDS in 2015. She remarried and they had a son. When Mariam discovered she was HIV+, her 2nd husband left and has had no further involvement with the family. Her young son is also HIV+. Sadly, this is very typical and a story I have heard far too many times.
I noticed some crocheted and embroidered pieces and asked if these were her work. When she answered that she had made these I commented that I had some donated craft kits that I would be happy to give her. We suggested that she could sell them as extra income. (Of course, Nie translated. My Swahili is nowhere near this level.) Mariam is Muslim and cooks and cleans at the local Madras which is a center/pre-school for young children.
Our next stop was to visit another new client who lives in the same building. She rents the space where Jasmine used to live. (We will visit Jasmine next week.)
Francisca’s husband passed away in 2016. She has 3 sons. Both Francisca and her youngest son are HIV+. Her husband’s family is unable and unwilling to help her and she is requesting a Micro Loan from TAFCOM as she currently has no income. She would like to set up as a local food vendor and has already secured a spot.
We also stopped in to see Rehema and Fatuma. I have known these two families for close to 10 years. I met them on my first visit in 2009! They have both received Micro Loans in the past. They definitely struggle and their housing is only a minor improvement over the first housing we visited. Both women are single moms and have worked hard over the years to make ends meet, ensuring that their children will finish school and have a trade. Rehema recently took in her oldest child’s grandmother (on her father’s side). She is 92 and very frail.
The stigma around HIV/AIDS is slowly improving but is still a very heavy burden, especially for the women who are single mothers.
It does not matter how many times I come here but every home visit impacts me emotionally. The feelings of unfairness that people in this world have to live like this never leaves me. I am a strong believer in paying forward. Those of us who live with so many of life's comforts have a responsibility to give in whatever way we can. Nie and Jonas are dedicated and passionate, working tirelessly to empower families and children to know their worth and to inspire them to move forward in spite of all their challenges.I am so grateful to be a part of their mission.
On our way to the orphanage in the afternoon we stopped at an ATM. With fingers and toes crossed I inserted my card and Voila, Tanzania shillings appeared!
Upendo Orphanage (https://upendo-childrens-home-cps.jimdo.com/) provides a home for up to 60 children. From age 3 onwards the children go to the nursery school, then to the kindergarten located on the premises. The children get a head start on reading, writing, math and English skills before entering a primary school.
I visited Upendo several times when I was here in 2012 with Amanda, another volunteer. I have never forgotten one young girl who was severely handicapped.  She was unable to walk or speak and had minimal movement. She had to be hand fed and required constant care and attention.
Meeting first with an administrator, we delivered crocheted baby hats (Thanks Barbie), blankets (Thanks, Kim) and some children’s clothing (Thanks, Chris).     
We were then escorted in to the play area where the children were enjoying themselves on a merry-go-round. The young girl was still there. It felt good seeing her and knowing that she was still alive but it is heartbreaking to see someone so handicapped. She is being well cared for and is now 15 years old.
There were a number of adults in the play area. Some were staff and others were interns studying Social Work at a university. The children swarmed us, climbing on us, clinging and yearning to be held, not wanting to share us with the other children who were also trying to scramble for a spot on our lap or some physical contact. I am sure the children here are loved but there could never be enough staff to offer the 1-on-1 love and contact that is so nourishing for young ones.

An emotional yet very fulfilling day.