Nipendo Tanzania! (I Love Tanzania!)-Monday So, toady we finally had orientation. After a morning of rules, customs, etc., we got a group assignment to go out into the community, and then an individual assignment. Our group assignment was to go to the home of Chief Shio, the chief of the village. We went to his home and his daughter brought out chairs for all of us. When he came out from his home, he sat in front of us and asked us our names and where we are from. He was in his late 60’s or so, and had missing teeth, a threadbare pair of brown pants and an old shirt. He is, like many people, bare footed. His home looks like any other here, and he explained to us that even though a chief is elected for five years, (and he is on his second term), they get no salary or benefits at all. Of course, by benefits, he means a cow or chicken, not health insurance and an IRA. Despite living in what we would consider extreme poverty, he is gracious and dignified. After extensive greetings all around, he took us into his yard to show us his animals. As we went back, he said, “I have been cutting up a goatâ€, and I was sure that this was not going to be good! However, there was no sign of goat, whole or otherwise, anywhere, so I felt much better! First, he took us to the pigpen to show us his eight or nine young pigs. This seemed unusual to me, because this country has a fair amount of Muslim people, so pig is not something you see much of! After the pigs, he showed us his goat shed, and his garden. I wish that I could give you an idea of what a typical home looks like here. I have not been inside of one yet, but Jessica, a young girl that works here, has invited me to her home, so I will report on that soon. However, the outside is very much like something you would see on a “Save The Children†commercial. A ramshackle collection of small sheds, some with roofs, some without, made of every feasible kind of material that you can imagine. Animal pens are connected one to another, I am assuming so as to save from having to build four walls. There are piles of rinds and peels from vegetables and fruits, and any water you might see appears very dirty. There is often a small fire for cooking, and some sort of latrine. Of course, there is rarely running water and very few people have any kind of electricity. You can imagine that it is exactly like the “Save The Children” ads. However, there is something that we cannot see on the television. The picture is very true to life, but what is not evident is the grace and dignity with which these people live. These places are home to families that work and love and laugh. They care for themselves, their children and their animals as well as possible, and there is a great, great deal of happiness. The children walk through pens in ankle deep manure and after only being here a few days, all I can see are their smiles and happiness. It is really amazing. This report is getting rather long. So I will continue it in another email. Our schedule is getting busier, so I am borrowing a laptop and writing several reports at once. I will be able to send them all every few days when I go into town. Until then, take care!!! Tonga! (Monday Part 2) After we left Chief Shio’s home, we each had our own assignment to do. I was handed a card that read: “Community Drop Off Activity: Go out of CCS gate, turn left and go straight to the main Uru Road. At the main road, turn left and go straight until you come to a small trading center called Rau Madukani. Ask for a place where a welding workshop is. Greet the welders, introduce yourself and ask them where they get their welding materials from.†Two other girls had assignments at the Madukani, so we headed off together. The trading center is a small conglomeration of storefronts, carts, ladies sitting on blankets and men carrying boards with sale items nailed to them. Understand, this market is for locals, not tourists, so most of the items were practical, everyday things. We came upon a long line of women on sheets selling fruits and vegetables, and immediately we were approached by two elders with their hands outstretched. Toothless grins stretched wide as they greeted us, introduced themselves, asked our names, and then asked for money. I smiled and asked where the welders were, and within seconds, we had a throng of local women around us talking a mile a minute! They all leaned in to read the card with my assignment written on it, and argued among themselves in Swahili. Finally, a woman in her twenties reached through the crowd, grabbed my hand and dragged me down the street to the welding workshop. I walked up to all of the men welding, (and lounging) and introduced myself. After greetings, (and realizing that not one of them spoke a word of English), I promptly began working my way through several lines of questioning. Surely one of them would work! Ten minutes later, they are smiling broadly, but still have no idea what I am asking for. I give it one final try. â€Amerikaâ€, I say pointing to myself. They all nod knowingly. “Tanzanianâ€, I say, pointing to the man nearest me, again with nods of comprehension. Then I pointed to the metal gate that they were welding and held up my hands in question. Blank looks all around. Julie and Nicola had been hanging back, and finally Julie said, “Anna, come on….they are just laughing at us!â€. I told her, “No, actually, they are laughing at ME, and I do not mind in the least!â€. I was in the process of telling them that I would not be leaving until I knew where the materials came from when a man walked up that spoke English. Damn! I am certain that with enough time, we could have broken down that language barrier! I relented and asked the man. “Tonga!â€, he said with a smile, and we headed back to the house. On the way back to the house, a Masai tribesman approached us and stopped to greet us. Over six feet tall, he was wrapped in the traditional red and blue plaid of the Masai. He was probably in his twenties and had tribal tattoos and silver-dollar-sized holes in his ear lobes. I don’t think that calling him a true Masai warrior would be very far off the mark! He shook our hands and welcomed us to Tanzania. He had the whitest teeth and the most beautiful smile, and I had to constantly remind myself that he was real. It was the highlight of my day. The rest of the day was filled with more orientation and Swahili lessons. They have brought in a Kiswahili teacher to tutor us for an hour a day so that we can be as fluent as possible. As I went to bed, words like “Hujambo, Asante, and Gina loca ni nami†cluttered up my brain. It has been a great day, but I am tired and I want to get down to the reason I am here…….the children! Tomorrow, I finally go to the orphanage. Kwaheri!
