I Believe in Miracles...

MONDAY, JANUARY 18

Elizabeth and I are still plugging away on categorizing the Resource books. This afternoon I am going to town for labels so each item has its own identity. I enjoy the trips to Moshi. It is an obvious change from the country to the city. Moshi is teeming with people walking everywhere and vendors selling everything you can imagine from food to luggage. Some vendors are polishing women’s nails, others offer scales so you can weigh yourself for a fee.

The driving is insane. Bicycles, cars, daladalas and motorcycles weaving in and out of traffic. Men pulling large carts of produce trying to maneuver the traffic. Horns are always honking, not out of rudeness but to advise that a vehicle is moving through. It is constant noise. Music is blaring from stores. Tanzania has a music style called Bongo Flava which is a cross between Hip-Hop and Rock. In addition, Justin Bieber, Celine Dion & Britney Spears are the American pop favorites - quite a diverse combination.

The challenge is to be aware of your surroundings so you do not run into anyone or any vehicle; do not trip over a rock or rut in the sidewalk or road, and know your directions, while warding off the occasional “artists” who attach themselves to you persistently trying to sell their work. Like the daladala, visiting Moshi is an experience I welcome with an upbeat anticipation.

My mission this afternoon was to go to Halotel and get new internet service. Ellie accompanied me as she also had errands. Waiting in line for extended periods of time is the norm. Ellie went to the market, bought her produce and returned to Halotel before I was finished. We accomplished all our tasks and then stopped at Abbas Bakery to buy treats for the family. Abbas Bakery is written about in Trip Advisor and they never disappoint. We chose a variety of goodies that will certainly satisfy everyone.

Jovin brought his English textbook home from school today and we had an English/Swahili lesson. It was probably much more helpful for me than Jovin. He is a very good student who reads and speaks English exceptionally well.

Among the items Lynn brought were some Choose Your Own Adventure books. I was ecstatic. When I worked at the library in my kids elementary school these were among my favorites. They are especially good for motivating non-readers. Fortunately Jovin likes to read and is eager to read these books.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 19

Now that we have labels, Elizabeth and I made great progress on the books. We also took time to go over how best to use Facebook and Linked In. I am grateful for her knowledge on these topics because I realize there is much I do not know. More importantly for TAFCOM, increasing our involvement in social media allows us the capability to increase awareness and support for TAFCOM.

The internet has been working beautifully. Today, however, when I tried to get on the internet I was told that the driver was not working. I tried the other internet stick and it also failed. I learned early on from my son not to be afraid of computers so I was opening all sorts of things struggling to find anything that made sense. Jonas repairs computers with his brother so I decided to put all my confidence in him. Since he was gone most of today I also had to practice patience. That lifelong challenge was temporarily halted when Nie gave me her computer to use.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20

First thing this morning there was a friend of Nie & Jonas’ in the office who runs a retail clothing store in Arusha (one of the larger cities with a population over 700,000). The tailoring students were working on the sanitary pads and she was curious to know more. As Nie explained, she offered to display them in her store as she felt certain there would be a market for the pads. She would then give us feedback and we could talk further about a collaborative partnership with her store. If I had my daughter’s gymnastic talents I would have done backflips all over the place! This was incredible news and the wheels in my head started to spin with all the possibilities.

When Elizabeth arrived today she announced that two social work students arrived at Hostel Hof yesterday from Sweden and indicated that they were assigned to TAFCOM. As with Elizabeth, she knew in October she was volunteering with TAFCOM but Nie and Jonas were not notified until two days prior to her start date. It turns out that the Swedes are here on an internship which typically includes paperwork, placement expectations and assessments, plus communication with the University advisor. I thought Nie’s head might crack the table when she heard this news. A previous internship involving a different university was not a good experience. I put on my Positive Polly face and said we would just intend that the girls would be understanding, flexible and enthusiastic, bringing minimal paperwork! Plus we had such good news about the sanitary pads nothing was going to dampen our spirits!

I spent some time in the youngest pre-school class observing and taking notes. It is heartbreaking what they lack in supplies. I witnessed a lot of good work but so much more that could be done. The teachers are eager for help and have ample potential.

Jonas fixed my computer!!! I promised I would keep him supplied with avocado juice. It is his favorite drink.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21

Elizabeth arrived with the Swedish students, Jasmine is of Egyptian descent and Selam’s parents are from Ethiopia. They were both born and raised in Sweden and attend University there. Nie and I performed our tag team orientation. Both girls were very sympathetic to the situation of our not being aware of their arrival. A very good discussion took place and all agree that this will be a very good fit for everyone.

Meanwhile Elizabeth is entering the school registry into Excel and finishing a budget spreadsheet that was started by a previous volunteer. The current registry is a handwritten document and even though it will continue as such, Elizabeth will be able to provide Nie and Jonas with a tuition tracking system, and an easy glance at all items related to TAFCOM’s budget. I have shared with Elizabeth my appreciation for her interest in the behind-the-scenes organizing of an efficient and well-ordered bookkeeping and data collection system. This is her area of expertise and the timing of her arrival could not have been better.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22
This is Elizabeth’s day to work in town. Jasmine and Selam arrived in time for the Healthy Smiles program. Dental health has been the Science topic for the pre-schoolers this week. Healthy Smiles provides a large mouth and toothbrush for demonstration purposes and then each child is given a toothbrush and toothpaste to practice proper tooth brushing. 60 children participated, Jasmine and Selam demonstrated and I worked with one of the teachers to explain dental care.

Jasmine and Selam brought their school’s paperwork so we could review the expectations. Nie was quite relieved as it became apparent that there was a lot of flexibility and minimal paperwork. One issue that was a sore point from the last internship was the matter of a stipend which goes to the supervisory organization. This was never received and it is likely it went to the volunteer house. The girls are planning to email their advisor to clear up any misunderstanding and provide the proper contact info.

We had some time at the end of the day to observe in the classroom and sang Head & Shoulder, Knees & Toes with the kids.

I did not run this morning. I take a weekly malaria medicine on Thursday evening and it makes me a little dizzy the next day. I opted to run this afternoon around 4pm. It was in the high 80’s, hot, dry and sunny. When I got back I took a shower and proceeded to sweat profusely for about the next half hour. I drink plenty of water but had evidently overheated myself. I won’t be doing that again.

Lynn and her group came off the mountain today and we met up with them for dinner, again at Indo-Italiano. All successfully made it to the top. There were plenty of stories and lively discussion while we feasted on a variety of pizzas which would rival any in the US. They fly home tomorrow evening.

Overall, this was a week where everything fell into place with very positive results, our expectations were exceeded, and even some unexpected surprises came our way!

Friends & Food Pictures

Tailoring Students

Mchicha (Greens with Onion & Carrots)

Grated Tomato & Carrots with Curry & Coconut Milk

I was doing the grating and got a little messy!

This is what their Sweet Potatoes look like.

Ready to Eat

Mussa with Shaila & Moody

Joan & Jovin

Nie & Jonas

One Big Happy Family

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14 (Happy Birthday, Neal!)

Besides the Micro Loan I am beyond excited about the startup of a new program. Like many developing countries, Tanzania’s young girls have many obstacles to overcome in order to finish their education. One such impediment is the lack of sanitary pads. It is a complicated matter involving hygiene issues, sanitation and waste management (Click Here for Blog with Details ). Girls miss school on a monthly basis when they have their periods which puts them behind academically. At the end of Primary School all students take a National Test which they must pass in order to continue on to Secondary School (similar to high school). Many of these girls are unable to pass the test and their education ends at this point as they are not given a second chance.

Through the efforts of friends in the US - who I am so indebted to for their sewing, cutting and donations - I was able to bring 50 reusable sanitary pads plus patterns and material to make many more. Prior to leaving Tanzania in 2014, the tailoring women had made a few samples to try and the response was overwhelmingly positive. The tailoring students started sewing yesterday. (Some of them even miss tailoring classes because they cannot afford sanitary pads.) A workshop on Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) will be arranged and each participant will receive a determined number of pads. Those young women interested in sewing their own will then be trained by TAFCOM tailoring students. Nie has an appointment set for Friday to meet with UMATI, the national SRH and family planning organization. It is hard to contain my excitement as I begin to comprehend the potential for this project and the far-reaching impact it will have on young women.

Ellie is not only helping me with Swahili but also teaching me to cook some Traditional foods. Today we cooked Mchicha greens (similar to spinach) in oil with carrots, green peppers and onion. In addition, we had boiled sweet potatoes which are delicious and taste nothing like ours. Grated tomato, carrots, curry powder and coconut milk are mixed together as a sauce for many dishes. Today I put it on the potatoes. Lastly, some vegetables mixed with mayonnaise. I am not crazy about the mayo and most everything is cooked in oil. For example, the vegetables were first boiled then cooked in oil. Ellie is very accommodating so we are using a lot less oil and salt (my feet and hands swell) in my food and it is still delicious. I especially enjoy planning my meals with Ellie. The food is always fresh and I am able to eat so healthy.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15

Nie and I left this morning to pick up Elizabeth in Moshi and meet with the folks at UMATI. Nie shared that her uncle was the first doctor hired for UMATI’s northern region of Tanzania in 1959 when UMATI was first established. We met with 3 women who were very enthused about our program. A facilitator from UMATI will provide a 2-3 hour presentation covering topics related to young women aged 12-20.  A fee that approximates $40 USD will be charged and TAFCOM will also cover the copying costs of materials.  An overview of UMATI’s programs was fascinating. They have many varied and formidable programs throughout the country. We talked about future collaboration opportunities. They have a Youth Club in the 5 primary schools in Pasua which could develop into a partnership with TAFCOM. UMATI receives funding from some worldwide organizations and governments but many of its programs, like TAFCOM’s programs, are donor dependent.

The three of us ate lunch at Milan’s, my favorite Indian restaurant; and it is all vegetarian! We reviewed our work plans for next week. Nie called Joseph, who will conduct the Micro Loan workshop and he will stop by tomorrow morning. We returned home and I took a much-needed nap!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16
I have known Joseph since 2010 and find him to be one of the most fascinating men I have ever met. He is highly educated and his knowledge of history and current world events would put most people to shame. It is my hope to do a story on him.

It is impossible for politics not to come up when you tell someone that you are from the US. In past years there have been very enjoyable conversations with locals and other volunteers comparing different countries. I am very grateful that I am not living with a group of volunteers this time because I strongly desire the distance from US politics. However, I must share Joseph’s first comment to me after we greeted. He said, “So, Americans feel that they must all carry guns now. There are so many shootings. What do you make of that?” Part of me feels I should just end here…but I must say that I will always share my opinions if asked; I also express a caveat that my opinion is just one of many and others may think differently.

Joseph will only be in the Moshi area until the end of January and then is off to Dar es Salaam for a couple months. He is pleased to teach the Business Management portion of the Micro Loan workshop. He left it to us to figure logistics and let him know the date and time. Nie and I will coordinate what needs to be done on Monday and discuss prospective participants.

I tried to call Mussa several times since my arrival. He will be my guide when I climb Mt Kilimanjaro. Note to new folks: He was my daughter’s guide in 2008 and he took Lee Ann and me on a day hike in 2009. ( Click Here for a heartwarming story about Mussa. ). I was able to reach him by phone today and he was in Moshi. I quickly got ready and rode the daladala to town where we met up. I got a huge hug that lifted me off the ground! We then drove to his shop in Soweto, a part of Moshi on the west side, where his wife, Shaila, and son were waiting. Mohamed, Moody for short, is 14 month’s old and adorable.

I stayed in Soweto for 6 months in 2012. Mussa and I walked over to the volunteer house where I stayed so I could surprise Ibrah and his wife, Debra. (Ibrah runs AfriShare, a tour company, and a house for volunteers. On our way we actually ran into Ibrah who was driving to the Mosque and would return home shortly. I woke up Debra who was so surprised. They have 2 boys, Rahim & Nasri who are the spitting image of Ibrah. We had a wonderful visit and I was invited to spend a weekend soon so we could all get together and play games like we used to. There are 2 students who also have lived there for many years but they were in town. I have so many fun and fond memories from my time there and am very much looking forward to my next visit.

I walked back to town on a road that is now paved. I have noticed several newly paved roads which is the kind of progress needed. I decided this was my day for reunions so I turned to go to the Jambo Stationery store where I have done all my copying and purchasing of office supplies for many years. Before I could walk in the door I heard Alice, the owner, say “Bibi Is back!” (I acquired the nickname, “Bibi” - which means grandma in Swahili – when I lived with Ibrah & his family in 2012 and spent lots of play time with their 1 year old son.) Stella and Eunice are still employed at Jambo and we exchanged lots of hugs and kisses. 

I was so filled with joy as I left. What an amazing feeling to have been able to visit with so many of my favorite people in one day!

I stopped at a small grocery and treated myself to a jar of mustard, which is not commonly used here. I especially love mustard on eggs and mixed with greens. I continued into the main part of Moshi and was wandering around when I noticed the sky darken. Within minutes the wind increased and I could feel a sudden cooling. Abandoning my plans for an afternoon stroll I headed to the daladala. As I waited for it to leave, I watched swirls of wind picking up dust and blowing everywhere. Then the rains came. The windshield wipers were broken on the daladala and the potholes and ruts on the dirt roads filled quickly with water. As always a memorable experience! It was actually a refreshing walk from the bus stand to home as the rain had eased and I do not have far to travel.

“Hamna umeme” is commonly heard and means, “There is no electric.” Our electric has been out for 9+ hour stretches the last two days and my internet service has become hopeless. Even here, the dependency on the computer and internet is evident as it is crucial for much of what I am doing. I shared my internet concerns with Jonas. He informed me there is a new internet provider, Halotel, which he uses and is much faster than Zantel (which is what I have). He let me borrow his internet stick and I thought I died and went to heaven! It was as fast and efficient as in the states.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17

One of the things I love about where I am staying is that there is always a lot of activity. Life happens here; people coming and going. Background noises are a mix of roosters, birds, goats, laughter, and the joyful sounds of children playing.

Joel, who teaches one of the pre-school classes, was one of our visitors today. I enjoy walking in the afternoon so he accompanied me today. His English is very good and Joel is a very genuine, kind soul.  He showed me where he lives. It is in the same compound as Ellie, Josephine and Happy. (Josephine is Jonas’ younger sister who runs a small store next to TAFCOM. Happy is her daughter & Joan’s playmate). We followed a route that took us to the road I lived on in 2014. I walked this road several times a day for two months so was quite familiar with the families and vendors. I heard a woman call out “Marian” and was so pleasantly surprised to see one of the women with whom I always exchanged a daily greeting. Another woman who we bought a lot of produce from also called out my name. I was flabbergasted that they remembered my name. Joel helped me with my Swahili and I reassured them that I would be back to visit.

Joan & Happy visited my room today. I would like to say they came to visit me but they are very shy around me. I gave them a few books to look at and read to them. Mostly they chattered to each other, rolling around on the bed giggling. I always travel with Phase 10, a small dice game that is easy and challenging at the same time. I taught Jovin (Nie & Jonas" 10 year old son) how to play today. As we talked he expressed an interest in learning how to use a camera. We agreed to spend an afternoon taking photos. He would like to have his own camera someday.

What a joyous weekend for reconnection. It is at the same time uplifting and humbling to share an experience of harmony and connection that allows one to know that we really are not all that different…that we are all one family.

Minnesota Academy Pics & More

Lynn with the Kids



The 2nd Building at Minnesota Academy



Jonas, Lynn & Nie

TAFCOM Staff

 Tailoring Students

 

TAFCOM Children Singing About Tanzanian Flag

 Click on link to hear the kids' song about the Tanzania Flag.

"Green is Vegetation, Yellow is Minerals, Black is People. Blue is Ocean."

 

 The Blackboard at Minnesota Academy

 

 Lynn and Group with their Guide, Eric (who is Jonas' Nephew)

 

 Marketplace - inside area

 

The Road I Run On



An Off-Road Trail that is a loop I run

Another part of the Off-Road Loop

 The Stone I Use for My Stair-Stepping Exercise

I need strong quads for the Kili climb!

 

 A Hearty Healthy Breakfast

 

 

 

Diving In

MONDAY, JANUARY 11

There was a flurry of activity today getting ready for Lynn and her group. Although a smaller group this time, TAFCOM always rolls out the red carpet. Early afternoon their van arrived. I was the Emcee for the Welcoming Celebration. After all the introductions, Jonas gave a poignant, eloquent presentation on the history and programs of TACOM. I talked about my volunteer experiences and, as always, got choked up. My passion runs deep. The children were adorable as expected and did a great job with songs, chants and even a skit.

After a short break, we headed out to Minnesota Academy to see the progress on the 2^nd building. When completed, the Minnesota Academy, which sits on approximately 5 acres of land, will educate primary students in grades 1-7. In addition, there will be a library and dormitory. It is not uncommon for private schools to provide housing for students. Jonas envisions this housing for those who may have some special needs or need an environment that is safe and nurturing as well as for those who live farther away.

We all met up for dinner at Indo-Italiano which caters to tourists and has very good food. I enjoyed my first beer this trip. Tanzania beer is pretty decent, the Kilimanjaro brand being one of my favorites.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12

Today is the public holiday known as Zanzibar Revolution, commemorating Zanzibar’s independence in 1964. There was no school and although most stores remain open, government offices and banks do close. Nie and I went through 2 duffle bags of donations brought by Lynn. I am thrilled about the Hooked on Phonics material which will be so stimulating and exciting for the kids. Lynn has some connection to a Healthy Smiles continuing grant that provides toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss for the school children.

From healthy teeth to healthy bodies…One of my friends wanted to contribute to improve nutrition for the children. I bought some very large bags of raisins and jars of cinnamon at Costco before I left. We are adding them to the children's daily porridge and they love it, especially the raisins which they do not have here. They do have grapes, however. I will be getting some local honey since I had to watch my weight limits on the luggage and I did not relish the thought of a jar breaking in the suitcase! It is encouraging to know that the kids are grateful, love the great taste, and are receiving a dose of good nutrients.

Nie, Jonas and I had a good discussion about program and administration priorities. Nie and I then planned out the projects I would work on, setting a flexible timetable with weekly reviews. I typically am involved in a lot of organizational tasks along with e few larger projects. Elizabeth and I will be categorizing and labeling all the resource material for the teachers. Observing in the classroom is always beneficial and the teachers are eager for ideas. I am impressed with the teaching staff which is about 50/50 male and female. Updating the profiles for home-based, tailoring and the children is something I do whenever I come. As sad as the stories are, learning about the families and students keeps things in perspective and reinforces the importance and impact of TAFCOM.

Because TAFCOM is dependent on its donors, fundraising always plays a role for me. I am grateful to all those who have contributed thus far. I will offer opportunities for specific needs throughout my time here and hope that others will be moved to help out. It is amazing how far a small amount can go to make a difference.

I am convinced that Micro Loans are a powerful tool for alleviating poverty. Each time I visit we plan a program for at least 10 recipients. The Micro Loan program was started in 2010 by another volunteer. The Micro Loan allows a family to start or expand an existing business. The loans are typically $100 USD and include a Business Management workshop. Many of the parents TAFCOM works with did not attend Secondary School (HS) and desire a good education for their children. I have seen the sacrifices made by these families. Public school is “free”, according to the government, but each school charges fees and there are expenses for supplies and uniforms. These loans, although not lifting people out of poverty, do provide hope for a better future for the children. I highly recommend the book, Creating A World Without Poverty by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus who developed the concept of the Micro Loan.

The afternoon was spent in Moshi with Ellie, visiting the open market to buy fruits and vegetables and picking up supplies for Minnesota Academy. Ellie is a very good cook and graduated first in her class at Hospitality Management School. I enjoy her company and we occasionally take afternoon walks together. She pushes me to speak Swahili which I also appreciate.

We rode the daladala home. This is the “Bus” system. The daladala resembles a very old, dilapidated VW bus, similar to the ones from the 60’s and possibly as old. The doors rarely work and the money collector often hangs on the outside so they can cram even more people inside. There is no limit; people stand, sit and take many awkward positions. This mode of transportation is not for the claustrophobic as a typical ride will present the opportunity of intimate contact with 20+ people for only $.20.

 

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13

It feels good to be getting into a routine. I am not typically a very structured person nor an early riser. However, that is all different here. I am usually awake by 5:30am. I start my day with some meditation & exercises, and then go for a 30-40 minute run. Breakfast is brought to my room. (I know – how spoiled is that??) I cannot sit for a leisurely breakfast so I get ready and eat at the same time. Tea, fresh fruit, juice and an egg or biscuit with peanut butter is my usual fare. Once I am ready for the day I walk out my door, take about 5 steps and I am in the TAFCOM office!

Elizabeth and I are diving into the resource bookshelf. The books were somewhat organized from my last visit so dividing them by subject topic was the easy part. The next step is entering everything into a database and labeling. It is noteworthy that the teacher training in this country is far behind the western world. Resources are not commonly available and most classrooms may have only one textbook per subject.

We are becoming very familiar with what is available which will make it easier to help the teachers. This project is going to take several days. We will then meet with the head teacher and do an orientation with all the teachers. Not only will time be spent showing them what resources are available but also demonstrating how to creatively use the material. There are also many reading books for all levels. These will be incorporated into the curriculum and also saved for a future library.

I am feeling very grateful for so many things…the life I have that allows me these amazing opportunities and experiences, and the people I am surrounded by whose hearts are so full of love, appreciation and generosity.

 

 

 

My Arrival/Homecoming in Pics

2-50 pound bags a Carry-On & Backpack. Mostly Donations & climbing gear.

YES I am climbing Kili!!

Flowers on My Pillow from Ellie

View from my door.

Bed with Mosquito Net. I have windows on opposite walls.

Armoire on right next to bathroom door.

Note large water bottles - those are my weights!

Happy and Joan are visiting. They are cousins, Joan is Nie & Jonas' daughter.

Happy (in pink) & Joan

Bathroom Sink

Toilet & Shower.

There is a drain in far right corner for shower water.

Those weird things on the shower handles are socks drying!

The outside of my room. Better pics of outside will come soon.

There is a tent up that blocks buildings.

By contrast, on the left is housing similar to the families

 we visited. Structure on left is outhouse & bathing area.

Rehema & her family.

Nie is on far left & I am the Mzungu (white person)

As Though I Never Left

Jambo Everyone!

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7
I arrived safely via an uneventful, although long (22 hours) flight. I flew Ethiopian Airlines so we stopped in Addis Ababa, the capitol of Ethiopia. Getting off the plane and walking towards the airport, my senses awakened to the sounds, sights, and smells that could only mean I was in Africa. It was the kind of familiarity you sense when you walk into your grandparent’s house. One deep breath and I was flooded with the knowing that all is well.

While waiting for our connecting flight, I met a very nice couple from Naperville, Illinois. They were on vacation to Safari and climb Kili. They mentioned the tour company (Zara) and I remembered it as being in Pasua about a 10 minute walk from TAFCOM.  We had lots of time to chat since our flight to Tanzania was an hour late, another reminder that I was on Africa time!

Nie was waiting and she looked wonderful. Finding words to describe the feelings of a reunion is not easy - so many wonderful emotions plus the reality that I am really here again!

I am spending my first 2 nights at Umoja Hostel in Moshi. (I stayed there in 2010.) I will then move to a room that was recently built for volunteers located on the grounds of TAFCOM. We dropped all my suitcases at the Hostel and I showered and rested before dinner.

Note to those who are new to my blog: A wonderful woman, Lynn, from Minnesota has been instrumental in raising the funds to build the Minnesota Academy, TAFCOM’s primary school. She brings a group each year to safari, climb Kili and raise funds for TAFCOM. They arrive Sunday. One member of the group, Steve, came a few days early so he is staying in the TAFCOM volunteer room.

I got to see Jonas for a quick minute when he dropped Steve off at Deli Chez to join Nie and me for dinner. Deli Chez is a favorite spot among both locals and tourists with roof top seating. The food in Tanzania has a strong Indian influence and I love it. Good people, pleasant weather and a view of Moshi was a great accompaniment to a delicious dinner and a wonderful way to end my first day.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 8

I arrived at TAFCOM in the morning with one 50 pound suitcase of donations (Thanks to many of you!). I was astounded at all the changes. Nie and Jonas moved from the house they were renting in Pasua and now live in what was the Children’s Center. I learned that this building had originally been designed as their potential home. This was now possible since preschool classrooms had been built in 2013 and a new building added in 2015. The newest building houses admin and the tailoring center. Attached to it is the volunteer room.

Elizabeth, a new volunteer from Illinois, arrived today. She is staying in one of the volunteer houses in Moshi. With a background in business and a proficiency in Excel, she is going to be a great asset for the month that she is here. Steve joined us and Nie and I provided an orientation to TAFCOM, its history, vision and programs. Later in the morning we all drove out to Minnesota Academy to see the progress on the 2^nd building. While walking the grounds, Jonas gave an overview of future plans. The first building is complete with 2 classrooms. We observed a health lesson being taught to the Standard 1 class (equivalent to our 1^st grade).

The afternoon was spent in town getting my phone and internet set up plus making a trip to the bank. There are many banks in Moshi. Barclays is right in the middle of town and very convenient. However they now charge a transaction fee which they had never done before. It turned out to be $6 on a $200 withdrawal. I won’t be going there again! I returned to Umoja Hostel and ate dinner there, ready for an early night to catch up on sleep and rewind my body’s clock to Tanzania time. We are 8 hours later than EST.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2014

Home visits are a special part of my experience with TAFCOM. Nie has always said this is her favorite program because it is what has laid the foundation for all the other TAFCOM programs. Since Steve only had two days with TAFCOM, 4 home visits were arranged for today. I have known all these families since 2012 and was especially looking forward to seeing everyone. All the families greeted me with big smiles and hugs, warming my heart as usual.

 

Note: I have written about these families in past blogs but will provide a brief summary for the new folks.

Our first visit to Jasmine was by far the most emotional and heartbreaking. Jasmine is HIV+. Her husband and 4 year old son died of AIDS some years ago. Her husband’s parents blamed Jasmine and ostracized from the family and her property. Jasmine settled in Pasua with her teenage daughter and they have struggled since. Jasmine and her daughter live in one room with a dirt floor, one small window, no electricity and no plumbing. She was visibly depressed and shared that her sister died two days ago. Jasmine was also recently in the hospital 3 months for leg issues. Steve & I gave her the bus fare so she could go to her sister’s funeral.

I found myself choking up as we left Jasmine’s. It is reassuring to me that I can still feel the same emotions as if it were the first time. I never want to lose that. All the families we visited live in similar poverty. However, their lives are improving because of the services of TAFCOM.

Fatuma and her daughter have a vegetable stand and her grandson lives with them. She is concerned about school fees. TAFCOM helped the family with a Micro Loan and budgeting so they could save and send Fatuma’s other daughter to Hotel Management School. She is now working in Dar es Salaam in her field and is married with one child. Success stories like this one are the tangible ropes that pull one through this difficult work towards that goal of alleviating poverty.

Rehema has 4 school-aged children, 2 who are HIV+. School fees are always a concern. Education of children is very important to all these families and even though public school is “free”, there are school fees, supplies and uniforms that are costly.

Our last visit brought us to Mwamini who holds a special place in my heart. Mwamini tested positive for AIDS while pregnant with her last child. Sadly, Rose was also born HIV+. I met this family in 2012 when Rose was 6 months old. She was a sickly child, in and out of the hospital. Rose died during the time I was here and TAFCOM helped with hospital and funeral expenses. Mwamini now has her own business selling socks and underwear, traveling to different markets each week. Her two children are doing well in school.

Steve is meeting up with Lynn and the rest of their group and they will be coming to TAFCOM on Monday. So we dropped him at his hotel in Moshi and Nie and I returned to TAFCOM where I was excited to see my new housing.

OMG I thought I was spoiled in 2014 but this is amazing! Being a new build everything is fresh and immaculately clean. I have a double bed, desk and chair, armoire AND a refrigerator. The bathroom has a real toilet, a shower And a mirror! I spent the afternoon moving in and I am totally convinced that simple and minimal is the only way to live. I have everything I need; each item in its special place. I also have a dada (sister in Swahili) named Ellie. She will cook and clean for me.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10

Today was a restful day visiting with Nie and the family.  Jovin, their 10 year old son, and I went for a walk down the railroad track (Relini). This was a favorite walking path of mine in 2014.

The electric power goes out almost daily and for extended periods of time (4-8 hours many times). Plus there is only one electric company and the rates are very expensive. This is not something that is easy to get used to, even for Tanzanians who experience outages all the time. Today Jonas installed solar power. This along with their moving to TAFCOM will provide much needed cost savings. And the icing on the cake is that a solar TV came with the installation! I watch very little TV but occasionally flip thru the channels. There are 2 news stations, BBC and Al Jazeera, which know how to report the news and do not focus on the sensationalism that has become so prevalent in the US.

I am now completely settled in. Just like seeing an old friend after a long time and feeling like it was yesterday, I feel as though I never left. Life is Good!