May 25, 2010

Quote of the Day: “I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.” – The Beatles

Today we started out by having breakfast at 8:00 AM, followed by a group cementing activity. We made goals which included the topics of learning, helping, and growing. We also made characteristics such as accepting, open minded, fun, and adventurous. After the activity, we visited Shadrock’s (AKA Big Potato) office and talked more about the students schedule. We also met Herran, the Vice Headmaster of the school. Then we had tea and doughnuts (which were better than the ones in the US) with the teachers to communicate each others thoughts. The Headmistress, Spara, then took us on a tour of the school. We got to see the classrooms, computer lab, dorms, library, and kitchen. Even though there were not enough books, computers, or even electricity to run the computers, spirits were still high and all the students and teachers were very welcoming.

After the tour of the school, we got to see the clinic with Dr. Godlove. I am not sure what I expected the amenities to be, but I was in shock. There were not enough rooms to keep the sick, medicine, or helping hands. Sooner than later, it was lunch time. No surprise, it was wonderful as all the meals are. We then had Swahili lessons with driver, helper, and Professor Mohammed. We took notes and learned a lot. We then applied it when we went on a walk with leader, electrician, plumber, and fellow volunteer, Ben. We would say “Kamwene” to every person we saw and were trying to have a conversation with a group of about 10 kids, which went as well as I thought it would. We visited the local government office to sign ink, but no one was to be found. Later we learned they were enjoying themselves in Tanzanian time, having hard drinks. When we got back to the house, we got out the soccer ball and jump ropes and headed outside to eventually be greeted by many kids who came and kicked the ball around and to jump rope. I think we all soon realized that they could dominate us with both activities as we sat on the stairs and grass gasping for air (due to the altitude and jet lag).

After a long time playing with the kids, we had supper. We had beans, rice, avocado, greens, and bananas. It was referred to as the best meal since we have been here to some of us. As the day was coming to an end, Edward gave us our assignments and time schedule. Everyone is now in bed, eagerly awaiting for tea at 7:30 and to start a new day here in Pommerin.