Day 30 – 28th March 2009
Last night I had one of the best night’s sleep I’ve had since I’ve been here. The air con was lovely and it was nice to be on such a comfy bed (with no mosquito net to get tangled up in!)
Since I’m the guinea-pig of the Guest House I woke up at 9 and got breakfast (included), I had toast (marmite =]), cereal and a banana so all was good! I then left the Guest House just before 10 to walk down to Holpac (the school) since Karen Graham had invited me to a fun day they were having for the Quarry kids. Now these are the kids who live in the Quarry just behind the school and Karen and her husband Shaun run a kids club so once a week the children have an opportunity to just be kids! Today was a special day though and there was a football tournament organised, skipping ropes, hoops and lots of crafts so you could make bracelets out of the beads supplied. I helped out with the crafts making things which was really fun and I’m proud that I can at least communicate on a basic level with people in Swahili.
I spent until about three at the school (had a nice lunch of chicken and curried potatoes!) and then I headed back to the Guest House. Now it’s a good thing I was the guinea-pig! The handle on my door is faulty, so you can’t open it from the inside unless you have the key – which I didn’t! So I had to phone Jackie to come and let me out! But the afternoon was a good one, I spent some more time on the Jangwani profiles and I had a LOVELY dinner of steak and chips so I was happy.
Day 31 – 29th March 2009
I woke up at around nine today after another night’s great sleep. Today I was planning to do much, have a nice day off where I could do the profiles. The Restaurant in the compound also does a Sunday Lunch so I was going to go to that as well.
When it came round to about 2 I made my way down to the restaurant for lunch. It was quite busy with around ten people there and it was nice to talk to lots of people. I also met someone who does Safari’s so dad and I are going to keep him in mind for next week. The food was great (I really have missed roast dinners) and I had a chocolate brownie for pudding which was equally as good. After lunch everyone milled around the bar for a few hours then I headed back to the Guest House to do some work.
At lunch I’d made a promise to one of the guests to fix his iPod/iTunes so he came round at 5 and I sorted that out for him. I spent the evening watching some TV and then I had an early night seeing as I would be waking up before 6.30 tomorrow (Ah!)
Day 32 – 30th March 2009
I love how even at 6.30 it feels like the middle of the day here – hot and bright. I woke up nice and early, had my breakfast and made myself a pack lunch =]
The place I’m staying at is really near to HOPAC (spelling check there, not Holpac) which means ‘Haven of Peace’. It’s about ten minutes to walk there so that’s nice. I get there in time for school to start which is great. The school day is 7.15-2 with two breaks inbetween. The school only has one class per year so it’s quite small – it’s also quite a heavily Christian school (Something which a lot of you will find shocking for me =]). The kids are very sweet though, as always! The class is predominately boys though so it’s a bit wild – especially since it’s the last week of term! Karen also took me on a mini tour of the school, it’s a tight knit community so all the buildings are fairly close and the primary and secondary sections aren’t very far apart at all. Karen also showed me the Staff Room (What a view!! – You can see the ocean, pretty spectacular.)
The day was spent doing some maths, English and they also got given some colouring in. At 2 I went along with Karen and Shaun to watch the swimming Gala because Megan was swimming and I was going back to their house that night. It was quite sweet to watch some of the smaller ones swim and sometimes they surprised you with abnormal speed. Megan did really well but she was piped at the post for 3rd. During the gala Karen and I went across to the guest house to pick up my stuff and then go get some chips for tonight’s dinner of chip butty’s. Once the gala was over we all headed back to their house and spent the evening with dinner and top trumps.
Day 33 – 31st March 3009
I slept all lovely and great last night (Memory foam =D) but unfortunately I seem to have picked up a cold. A cold?! Surely it’s kind of impossible to get a cold in this heat?? So my throats a bit sore but that’s okay. Early rise at 6.30 again and we all bundle in the car at 7 to go to school.
The day had a similar theme to yesterday, however, it’s Easter week so a lot of time is spent remembering the Easter story and we also have an assembly where installations of the ‘Easter Puppet Show’ was performed because on Friday they’re going to run the whole thing for the big Easter end of term Assembly with the whole school and parents. Along with the usual maths and English work they do they also have Swahili classes, which are a lot of fun to sit in on. Again I’m finding myself remembering lots of names which is great, oh I forgot to mention Louis (Karen’s youngest daughter) is also in the class so that’s also quite nice.
Once school is finished we all go back to their house since I’m there for one more night. I’m shattered already by this point so the evening goes pretty quickly. We have homemade curry for dinner which was lovely and spend the afternoon with TV and the small Talent show Louis and Jacob put on for us. I think I’m asleep before nine tonight since I feel so grotty still and I’m so tired!
- Love, Emma xxx
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Sorry!
Right! Glad that's sorted! I'm sorry it's taken me well over a week to update but I've only JUST managed to get on to the internet. (Even then it's borrowed!)
But there you go =]
One more week left before my dad comes out. The plan is to work at Holpac (an international school) in the Kindergarten with Karen Graham which I'm really looking forward to! Then it'll be on to the exploring once dad gets here.
The rain is really here now, very heavy rain for a few hours a day, I've been lucky and I've not been caught in it yet! Once again, hope you're all in good order! Sorry I haven't replied in so long it's because I've been desperately trying to get hold of internet!
- Love, Emma xxx
But there you go =]
One more week left before my dad comes out. The plan is to work at Holpac (an international school) in the Kindergarten with Karen Graham which I'm really looking forward to! Then it'll be on to the exploring once dad gets here.
The rain is really here now, very heavy rain for a few hours a day, I've been lucky and I've not been caught in it yet! Once again, hope you're all in good order! Sorry I haven't replied in so long it's because I've been desperately trying to get hold of internet!
- Love, Emma xxx
My week at the Orphanage
Day 23 – 21st March 2009
Today I woke up the latest I have this trip – at 10.20! Amazing. You have no idea what a nice feeling a well over due lie-in is worth. I had a bit of a rough morning – being in another new place is taking a little bit of a toll on me and the prospect of doing nothing over the next two days scares me a little. I feel I need to keep busy to distract myself from missing people and being in a new environment. No power and no running water certainly didn’t help!
However, Karen texted me in the afternoon, whilst I was writing up the Jangwani profiles, to ask if I wanted to go see a film. I jumped at the chance. I went with Karen, her son Josh and Sophie to see the film Marley & Me – air conditioned theatre!!! It was an okay film – very sad ending and it dragged a bit, however, there were some hilarious moments in the film. The cinema is within an American style mall which is another one of those bizarre things about Dar, unexpected things in unexpected places. There were some clothes shops which we had a look in and one even took a card! I should mention here that card machines just don’t exist here; it’s all cash so I would be scuppered without ATM’s. It’s such a weird concept to me now I guess because we live in such a plastic society, I mean I used to pay for my tea in London with a card.
Once we had finished Karen drove me back to Mary’s and I spent the afternoon on the phone to Dad and Mum as well as finishing another book. That’s 15 now!
Day 24 – 22nd March 2009
The power was back thankfully last night! And we had running water so I have the much desired bath since the shower isn’t very good in my room. Last night dad got a hold of another Karen in Dar because I was feeling quite low yesterday and perhaps needed something to do today.
Now – the connection I’m not quite too sure of but I’ll try my best! One of dad’s clients is married to someone who has a sister in Dar es Salaam so we managed to get in contact with her. Funny thing is that she teaches Kindergarten at the school Mary’s kids go to but knows Karen Stanley (the family I have been staying with) because some children from Karen’s nursery, Tiger Tots, go in to her class. Small world, eh? Well anyway she invited me round for lunch today which was very sweet.
They have three dogs and three children. Megan who is 10, Jacob who is 8 and Louis who is 5 I think – all very sweet children and I found some common ground with Jacob over Star Wars. They also have the most adorable puppy, Tails, who is just a little ball of scruffy fluff. They commented on his likeness to ‘Hairy Mclairy’ – I have to agree! After lunch I played scrabble with them, losing narrowly to Karen. We then watched School of Rock before they eventually brought me back home. I had a lovely time there.
At 5 I started a new book then spent an hour on the phone with mum. I’ve also gone on to their internet since I think mine has run out of credit which is a bit of a shame. So my blog might be running....well no. It IS running late! I’ll talk to the usual people tonight and then bed to get a good night sleep in before the Orphanage in Bagamoya tomorrow.
Day 25 – 23rd March 2009
Today was my second time down at the Orphanage. Me and Robert went in Lugendo’s car (he’s been my driver quite a few times) however, I sat in the back this time – no seatbelts and just a bar to hang on to. Quite scary I’ll admit especially since the main road to the Orphanage is being resurfaced so it’s got almighty mounds of sand on it so we had to go the back way. Roads don’t seem to be built with cars in mind here! It was a rather scenic route though and I got to see this spectacular orangey-red bird, beautiful colour but I have no idea what its name is!
Once we got the Orphanage the plan was to stay a few hours while rob prepared some of the walls for painting. It was quite difficult with the children since I don’t speak very good Swahili and they know very little English. However, by the end of the session we’ve started to count to twenty in English which is really excellent. We then went back to the house (Mary’s) and I spent the afternoon reading and doing some more of the Jangwani profiles before an early bed for an early rise tomorrow!
Day 26 – 24th March 2009
I woke up early today and we set off around 10.30. We got to the Orphanage just after 11. Work begins on the painting of the Orphanage now since they’ve got a BBC camera crew filming on Saturday to do with Earth Hour. The idea is that everyone in the world at 8.30pm switches off their lights for an hour to promote energy efficiency. The idea is that the Orphanage will switch off all it’s lights but then turn them on using their solar panel energy – to show the use of renewable energy. Anyway, Darren (from Ireland) is staying at the Orphanage all week to get the painting done.
I stay for almost two hours before Mary and Rob drive me to Bagamoya. I’ve learnt something new today, “Gotchola” (that may well be spelt VERY wrong) means to draw so I spent the hours we had together drawing various things and trying to sing the Alphabet and counting.
Yesterday two of the main hotels in Bagamoya burnt down – which was a bit worrying but thankfully the one I was about to book in to was okay. The place is called ‘Travellers Lodge” and is very picturesque. It’s not a traditional hotel as such; all the rooms are little huts with two double beds and a rather big bathroom. They all come with a veranda and they look out over the Indian Ocean which is nice. It was a bit nerve racking being completely on my own but I manage to get through the afternoon by keeping myself busy and then having dinner. The huts are air conditioned which is also rather lovely – it’s nice to be not so hot, nasty and sweaty all the time!
Day 27 – 25th March 2009
I had a bit of a bad sleep, I couldn’t get to sleep because the air con was really loud and when I turned it off it was too hot! However, I did get some sleep and got ready and had breakfast ready for the taxi to pick me up at 9.30.
Now... The taxi was a bit of an ordeal, I must admit I dislike them more here. The guy didn’t speak a word of English for a start! Because the road is still not finished we had to go down the back road, he went right instead of left and then got stuck in the sand. Had to dig himself out. Turned around and went to the beginning of the road and refused to go back in so I had to phone Mary to talk to him in Swahili. Finally he yielded and went back down the road again.
FINALLY got there and I spent a few hours with the little ones. We counted and “sang” the alphabet as well as some colouring. Today I started something I had picked up from Karen’s nursery – I drew a cartoon letter, ‘A’ for example, which they had to colour in and then write it ten times underneath. They all seemed to get on well with the concept so we got up to E which is good.
I left around 1 because they were about to have their lunch and it looked as if it was about to rain and the taxi would never had made it back down that road if was wet. Once I got back to the hotel I was feeling really ill, I tried to get my mind off it by doing the Jangwani profiles and finishing another book. I’m out of fiction now so I’ve started on my philosophy books. Still annoyed that my internet won’t work but I can’t really do anything about it till the weekend.
I then attempted some dinner since I was feeling really bad by this point and spent the evening watching BBC Lifestyle because I’m really cool – Masterchef goes Large and The Great British Menu. I then got ready for bed, phoned my family and Sam before eventually drifting off with the air con on low so it didn’t make so much noise.
Day 28 – 26th March 2009
I had a nice lie in this morning since I was still feeling really rough. The taxi (thankfully a different one!) picked me up after lunch and took me to the Orphanage. I spent the afternoon with the four kids learning numbers, attempting to write out the alphabet and singing baa baa black sheep! Also because I stayed till around 6 I met some of the elder children when they got back from school. I also spent some time talking to Darren who’s from Ireland. He’s been staying at the Orphanage so he can paint the place but it was nice to speak to someone my age (ish) about our experience which was lovely.
About six I left the Orphanage before it got dark and back to the hotel for some dinner and sleep. I spent the evening watching The Great British menu again and had a lovely dinner of chips and a chicken sandwich. When I was back at my room I did some more of the Jangwani profiles before settling down to sleep.
Day 29 – 27th March 2009
I didn’t get to sleep till very late last night so when I had to get up at 7 it was quite painful! However, I got showered, dressed and checked out of my room before getting the taxi to the Orphanage. It was a nice drive down since it wasn’t so overcast today. I was there at the Orphanage up until 6 so it was quite a long day!
I again did similar things with the kids that I had been doing all week to keep continuity and they’ve become much more confident with their counting which is lovely to see. I also sat and played with them and spoke to some of the older children when they got back. All things are go because everyone was trying to get everything ready for the Earth Hour TV segment they were planning for Saturday evening. Darren had his job cut out for him trying to get all the painting done! Also it now looks good and something the children can be proud of. Once it came to going I didn’t say goodbye since I will go back with Dad and not ready to say bye just yet!
Once I got back to Mary’s I put some more clothes in my case and we drove to Gwyneth’s Guest House since I would be staying there over the weekend. (I met Gwyneth on the second day I was here). I’m the first ever guest so that’s rather exciting! It’s a wonderful place with proper air conditioning. It’s called ‘Haven Guest House’.
Okay I’ll start from the beginning. It’s a compound of five houses. The first house is the one I’m staying in, the Guest house. Three will be rented out as houses and the fifth house is a restaurant/pub which is wonderfully English meets Africa and it’s just a really nice atmosphere. So now since I’ve had such a long day I’m going to snuggle up in my duvet (!!! You have no idea how lovely that feels after sleeping under sheets for so long) and sleep till tomorrow morning!
- Love, Emma xxx
Today I woke up the latest I have this trip – at 10.20! Amazing. You have no idea what a nice feeling a well over due lie-in is worth. I had a bit of a rough morning – being in another new place is taking a little bit of a toll on me and the prospect of doing nothing over the next two days scares me a little. I feel I need to keep busy to distract myself from missing people and being in a new environment. No power and no running water certainly didn’t help!
However, Karen texted me in the afternoon, whilst I was writing up the Jangwani profiles, to ask if I wanted to go see a film. I jumped at the chance. I went with Karen, her son Josh and Sophie to see the film Marley & Me – air conditioned theatre!!! It was an okay film – very sad ending and it dragged a bit, however, there were some hilarious moments in the film. The cinema is within an American style mall which is another one of those bizarre things about Dar, unexpected things in unexpected places. There were some clothes shops which we had a look in and one even took a card! I should mention here that card machines just don’t exist here; it’s all cash so I would be scuppered without ATM’s. It’s such a weird concept to me now I guess because we live in such a plastic society, I mean I used to pay for my tea in London with a card.
Once we had finished Karen drove me back to Mary’s and I spent the afternoon on the phone to Dad and Mum as well as finishing another book. That’s 15 now!
Day 24 – 22nd March 2009
The power was back thankfully last night! And we had running water so I have the much desired bath since the shower isn’t very good in my room. Last night dad got a hold of another Karen in Dar because I was feeling quite low yesterday and perhaps needed something to do today.
Now – the connection I’m not quite too sure of but I’ll try my best! One of dad’s clients is married to someone who has a sister in Dar es Salaam so we managed to get in contact with her. Funny thing is that she teaches Kindergarten at the school Mary’s kids go to but knows Karen Stanley (the family I have been staying with) because some children from Karen’s nursery, Tiger Tots, go in to her class. Small world, eh? Well anyway she invited me round for lunch today which was very sweet.
They have three dogs and three children. Megan who is 10, Jacob who is 8 and Louis who is 5 I think – all very sweet children and I found some common ground with Jacob over Star Wars. They also have the most adorable puppy, Tails, who is just a little ball of scruffy fluff. They commented on his likeness to ‘Hairy Mclairy’ – I have to agree! After lunch I played scrabble with them, losing narrowly to Karen. We then watched School of Rock before they eventually brought me back home. I had a lovely time there.
At 5 I started a new book then spent an hour on the phone with mum. I’ve also gone on to their internet since I think mine has run out of credit which is a bit of a shame. So my blog might be running....well no. It IS running late! I’ll talk to the usual people tonight and then bed to get a good night sleep in before the Orphanage in Bagamoya tomorrow.
Day 25 – 23rd March 2009
Today was my second time down at the Orphanage. Me and Robert went in Lugendo’s car (he’s been my driver quite a few times) however, I sat in the back this time – no seatbelts and just a bar to hang on to. Quite scary I’ll admit especially since the main road to the Orphanage is being resurfaced so it’s got almighty mounds of sand on it so we had to go the back way. Roads don’t seem to be built with cars in mind here! It was a rather scenic route though and I got to see this spectacular orangey-red bird, beautiful colour but I have no idea what its name is!
Once we got the Orphanage the plan was to stay a few hours while rob prepared some of the walls for painting. It was quite difficult with the children since I don’t speak very good Swahili and they know very little English. However, by the end of the session we’ve started to count to twenty in English which is really excellent. We then went back to the house (Mary’s) and I spent the afternoon reading and doing some more of the Jangwani profiles before an early bed for an early rise tomorrow!
Day 26 – 24th March 2009
I woke up early today and we set off around 10.30. We got to the Orphanage just after 11. Work begins on the painting of the Orphanage now since they’ve got a BBC camera crew filming on Saturday to do with Earth Hour. The idea is that everyone in the world at 8.30pm switches off their lights for an hour to promote energy efficiency. The idea is that the Orphanage will switch off all it’s lights but then turn them on using their solar panel energy – to show the use of renewable energy. Anyway, Darren (from Ireland) is staying at the Orphanage all week to get the painting done.
I stay for almost two hours before Mary and Rob drive me to Bagamoya. I’ve learnt something new today, “Gotchola” (that may well be spelt VERY wrong) means to draw so I spent the hours we had together drawing various things and trying to sing the Alphabet and counting.
Yesterday two of the main hotels in Bagamoya burnt down – which was a bit worrying but thankfully the one I was about to book in to was okay. The place is called ‘Travellers Lodge” and is very picturesque. It’s not a traditional hotel as such; all the rooms are little huts with two double beds and a rather big bathroom. They all come with a veranda and they look out over the Indian Ocean which is nice. It was a bit nerve racking being completely on my own but I manage to get through the afternoon by keeping myself busy and then having dinner. The huts are air conditioned which is also rather lovely – it’s nice to be not so hot, nasty and sweaty all the time!
Day 27 – 25th March 2009
I had a bit of a bad sleep, I couldn’t get to sleep because the air con was really loud and when I turned it off it was too hot! However, I did get some sleep and got ready and had breakfast ready for the taxi to pick me up at 9.30.
Now... The taxi was a bit of an ordeal, I must admit I dislike them more here. The guy didn’t speak a word of English for a start! Because the road is still not finished we had to go down the back road, he went right instead of left and then got stuck in the sand. Had to dig himself out. Turned around and went to the beginning of the road and refused to go back in so I had to phone Mary to talk to him in Swahili. Finally he yielded and went back down the road again.
FINALLY got there and I spent a few hours with the little ones. We counted and “sang” the alphabet as well as some colouring. Today I started something I had picked up from Karen’s nursery – I drew a cartoon letter, ‘A’ for example, which they had to colour in and then write it ten times underneath. They all seemed to get on well with the concept so we got up to E which is good.
I left around 1 because they were about to have their lunch and it looked as if it was about to rain and the taxi would never had made it back down that road if was wet. Once I got back to the hotel I was feeling really ill, I tried to get my mind off it by doing the Jangwani profiles and finishing another book. I’m out of fiction now so I’ve started on my philosophy books. Still annoyed that my internet won’t work but I can’t really do anything about it till the weekend.
I then attempted some dinner since I was feeling really bad by this point and spent the evening watching BBC Lifestyle because I’m really cool – Masterchef goes Large and The Great British Menu. I then got ready for bed, phoned my family and Sam before eventually drifting off with the air con on low so it didn’t make so much noise.
Day 28 – 26th March 2009
I had a nice lie in this morning since I was still feeling really rough. The taxi (thankfully a different one!) picked me up after lunch and took me to the Orphanage. I spent the afternoon with the four kids learning numbers, attempting to write out the alphabet and singing baa baa black sheep! Also because I stayed till around 6 I met some of the elder children when they got back from school. I also spent some time talking to Darren who’s from Ireland. He’s been staying at the Orphanage so he can paint the place but it was nice to speak to someone my age (ish) about our experience which was lovely.
About six I left the Orphanage before it got dark and back to the hotel for some dinner and sleep. I spent the evening watching The Great British menu again and had a lovely dinner of chips and a chicken sandwich. When I was back at my room I did some more of the Jangwani profiles before settling down to sleep.
Day 29 – 27th March 2009
I didn’t get to sleep till very late last night so when I had to get up at 7 it was quite painful! However, I got showered, dressed and checked out of my room before getting the taxi to the Orphanage. It was a nice drive down since it wasn’t so overcast today. I was there at the Orphanage up until 6 so it was quite a long day!
I again did similar things with the kids that I had been doing all week to keep continuity and they’ve become much more confident with their counting which is lovely to see. I also sat and played with them and spoke to some of the older children when they got back. All things are go because everyone was trying to get everything ready for the Earth Hour TV segment they were planning for Saturday evening. Darren had his job cut out for him trying to get all the painting done! Also it now looks good and something the children can be proud of. Once it came to going I didn’t say goodbye since I will go back with Dad and not ready to say bye just yet!
Once I got back to Mary’s I put some more clothes in my case and we drove to Gwyneth’s Guest House since I would be staying there over the weekend. (I met Gwyneth on the second day I was here). I’m the first ever guest so that’s rather exciting! It’s a wonderful place with proper air conditioning. It’s called ‘Haven Guest House’.
Okay I’ll start from the beginning. It’s a compound of five houses. The first house is the one I’m staying in, the Guest house. Three will be rented out as houses and the fifth house is a restaurant/pub which is wonderfully English meets Africa and it’s just a really nice atmosphere. So now since I’ve had such a long day I’m going to snuggle up in my duvet (!!! You have no idea how lovely that feels after sleeping under sheets for so long) and sleep till tomorrow morning!
- Love, Emma xxx
Change of Direction
Day 18 – 16th March
This morning Mary came to talk to me about what I would be doing after this week. The profiling of the Jangwani girls is almost done and Karen and Richards boys will be back for Easter so the plan is now for the next two weeks to stay in Bagamoya and work in the Orphanage (Monday to Friday).
After I had spoken to Mary about the next two weeks I went to Jangwani to do some more of the profiling. I’ve done just over half now and my plan is to go there Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week to get them all finished (as finished as I possibly can!) Today was a nice one since most of the girls were around so I had a chance to talk to lots of them and get lots of profiles done. What strikes me is that all the girls are incredibly ambitious for themselves and many have dreams of being Doctors, Teachers, Lawyers and surprisingly Accountants! It’s lovely to hear that they’re all very passionate about education and are still squeezing every piece of knowledge I have on everything out of me!
Once I got back home I read some more of my books and did some of my blog before dinner and then bed.
Day 19 – 17th March
Today was pretty similar to yesterday bar one thing. I still went to Jangwani during the day and relaxed during the evening but this time Sophie decided to come with me. We sat at the same table – she was talking about science whilst I carried on with the profiling so least the girls could choose between learning or helping me translate. Some of the girls like Zena, Moesha, Monica and Beatrice are very good at helping me relay the questions to the other girls (which hopefully will slightly improve their communication skills in English!)
This lunch, instead of a packed marmite sandwich, me and Sophie went to the schools Dukka (shop) and had some chips (600tsh – 30p). I also had a bottle of Pepsi for 400tsh – that’s about 20p!! It’s quite astounding how some things seem to be the same price (if not more) and others seems so unbelievably cheap! In the afternoon we carried on doing much the same and thankfully I’ve done almost 40 profiles now!
The similarities continued now for the evening which was spent eating popcorn and watching “Definitely, Maybe”.
Day 20 – 18th March
Jangwani again today (my second to last day) and there was a little confusion about drivers so I ended up getting a taxi to Jangwani. This was an experience in itself – Tanzanian cars don’t have MOT’s. The left wing mirror was nowhere to be found and the left side of the interior looked to have disintegrated but somehow the electric windows still managed to work???
It was a nice and quiet day with the girls, doing what profiles I had left and playing Sudoku which they have taught me now. Once back at Karen and Richards I went for a swim in the afternoon before watching yet more desperate housewives in the evening with Sophie!
Day 21 – 19th March
Today was quite a complicated day with lots of tooing and froing back and forth from places. I went to Jangwani at 10 for my last official visit there. I’d saved the best things for last. (Everyday I would bring in books, educational helpers, atlases, dictionaries to make sure it didn’t get boring!) Today I had chosen the box full of art and craft staff (Thank you Yasmine – they love it even more now that they know it’s for them to keep!), a blackboard globe and I also bought a bead kit where you could make bracelets and necklaces with all the different types of beads.
We spent the morning and afternoon making these bracelets and such – talking about the previous times I had come and drawing pictures. They also gave me a braided bracelet in the Tanzanian colours “So you won’t forget us” which was incredibly touching. The last half hour was taken up with pictures being taken and loose goodbyes since I hope to go back there when dad comes out.
At about 2 the driver picked me up and took me back to the house and then at 2.45 Karen took me and Sophie to the Oyster Bay shops where we all got pedicures (well – there’s a first time for everything?). Once that was over I went back to the house in a taxi, Karen and Sophie stayed on to do Karen’s step class. Then me and Nicola went to collect Sophie at 6.30 and headed to the Yacht club for Pizzas. However, they weren’t quite as nice tonight as they usually are!
Once we got back home Nicola and everyone had a flip through my family pictures – commenting that Dad and Michael looked nothing like they thought they would, however, Granny and Susan looked recognisable. After American Idol it was finally time for bed!
Day 22 – 20th March
Woke up early this morning for the nursery and I helped them with their colouring and other things since they had to get their books finished for them to take home today. Amelia is still very sweet and sits on my lap without question each time. It was Fruity Friday today where all the children bring in a piece of fruit and a big fruit salad is made for everyone (extremely yummy.) It’s been lovely working with the little LITTLE ones and I’ve discovered I’m a lot more patient with small children than I originally thought when it comes to work =]
After the nursery it was time to pack – which thankfully didn’t take too long. I’ve still filled two suitcases though not as tightly and they’re not nearly as heavy as they were to begin with which is reassuring! I then met Josh (Karen and Richards eldest son) before lunch of Roast chicken. At three I was picked up to be taken to Mary’s.
I’ve been here since 4 and have spent the afternoon reading and talking to Nathan on Skype – which has been lovely since I wasn’t too tied for time and could just talk nonsense for a while =]
So it’s nearly 9.30 here so I think I’ll call home and Sam and then it’s off to bed!
- Love, Emma xxx
This morning Mary came to talk to me about what I would be doing after this week. The profiling of the Jangwani girls is almost done and Karen and Richards boys will be back for Easter so the plan is now for the next two weeks to stay in Bagamoya and work in the Orphanage (Monday to Friday).
After I had spoken to Mary about the next two weeks I went to Jangwani to do some more of the profiling. I’ve done just over half now and my plan is to go there Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week to get them all finished (as finished as I possibly can!) Today was a nice one since most of the girls were around so I had a chance to talk to lots of them and get lots of profiles done. What strikes me is that all the girls are incredibly ambitious for themselves and many have dreams of being Doctors, Teachers, Lawyers and surprisingly Accountants! It’s lovely to hear that they’re all very passionate about education and are still squeezing every piece of knowledge I have on everything out of me!
Once I got back home I read some more of my books and did some of my blog before dinner and then bed.
Day 19 – 17th March
Today was pretty similar to yesterday bar one thing. I still went to Jangwani during the day and relaxed during the evening but this time Sophie decided to come with me. We sat at the same table – she was talking about science whilst I carried on with the profiling so least the girls could choose between learning or helping me translate. Some of the girls like Zena, Moesha, Monica and Beatrice are very good at helping me relay the questions to the other girls (which hopefully will slightly improve their communication skills in English!)
This lunch, instead of a packed marmite sandwich, me and Sophie went to the schools Dukka (shop) and had some chips (600tsh – 30p). I also had a bottle of Pepsi for 400tsh – that’s about 20p!! It’s quite astounding how some things seem to be the same price (if not more) and others seems so unbelievably cheap! In the afternoon we carried on doing much the same and thankfully I’ve done almost 40 profiles now!
The similarities continued now for the evening which was spent eating popcorn and watching “Definitely, Maybe”.
Day 20 – 18th March
Jangwani again today (my second to last day) and there was a little confusion about drivers so I ended up getting a taxi to Jangwani. This was an experience in itself – Tanzanian cars don’t have MOT’s. The left wing mirror was nowhere to be found and the left side of the interior looked to have disintegrated but somehow the electric windows still managed to work???
It was a nice and quiet day with the girls, doing what profiles I had left and playing Sudoku which they have taught me now. Once back at Karen and Richards I went for a swim in the afternoon before watching yet more desperate housewives in the evening with Sophie!
Day 21 – 19th March
Today was quite a complicated day with lots of tooing and froing back and forth from places. I went to Jangwani at 10 for my last official visit there. I’d saved the best things for last. (Everyday I would bring in books, educational helpers, atlases, dictionaries to make sure it didn’t get boring!) Today I had chosen the box full of art and craft staff (Thank you Yasmine – they love it even more now that they know it’s for them to keep!), a blackboard globe and I also bought a bead kit where you could make bracelets and necklaces with all the different types of beads.
We spent the morning and afternoon making these bracelets and such – talking about the previous times I had come and drawing pictures. They also gave me a braided bracelet in the Tanzanian colours “So you won’t forget us” which was incredibly touching. The last half hour was taken up with pictures being taken and loose goodbyes since I hope to go back there when dad comes out.
At about 2 the driver picked me up and took me back to the house and then at 2.45 Karen took me and Sophie to the Oyster Bay shops where we all got pedicures (well – there’s a first time for everything?). Once that was over I went back to the house in a taxi, Karen and Sophie stayed on to do Karen’s step class. Then me and Nicola went to collect Sophie at 6.30 and headed to the Yacht club for Pizzas. However, they weren’t quite as nice tonight as they usually are!
Once we got back home Nicola and everyone had a flip through my family pictures – commenting that Dad and Michael looked nothing like they thought they would, however, Granny and Susan looked recognisable. After American Idol it was finally time for bed!
Day 22 – 20th March
Woke up early this morning for the nursery and I helped them with their colouring and other things since they had to get their books finished for them to take home today. Amelia is still very sweet and sits on my lap without question each time. It was Fruity Friday today where all the children bring in a piece of fruit and a big fruit salad is made for everyone (extremely yummy.) It’s been lovely working with the little LITTLE ones and I’ve discovered I’m a lot more patient with small children than I originally thought when it comes to work =]
After the nursery it was time to pack – which thankfully didn’t take too long. I’ve still filled two suitcases though not as tightly and they’re not nearly as heavy as they were to begin with which is reassuring! I then met Josh (Karen and Richards eldest son) before lunch of Roast chicken. At three I was picked up to be taken to Mary’s.
I’ve been here since 4 and have spent the afternoon reading and talking to Nathan on Skype – which has been lovely since I wasn’t too tied for time and could just talk nonsense for a while =]
So it’s nearly 9.30 here so I think I’ll call home and Sam and then it’s off to bed!
- Love, Emma xxx
Thursday, 19 March 2009
The Rains - Change of weather (and plans!)
Slight change of plans in the dates now.
Because of the “Rains” Dar es Salaam (and the whole of Tanzania for that matter) are expecting it’s been suggested that perhaps I went home a few weeks earlier because that way I could do a Safari with my dad rather than just sitting inside waiting for the rain to stop! So instead of coming home of the 5th of may as originally planned my dad is going to fly out on the 4th April and we’ll got back together on the 14th of April.
Conclusion being I’ll be home two and a bit weeks earlier and be back home for David’s birthday, see my friends during Easter and have more time to find a job! It’s a little disappointing, however this way I do get to go on a proper Safari with more chance of seeing something and hopefully the weather will be much nicer for when dad comes out.
Hope you’re all well – I am REALLY trying to email/text/phone people back as quick as possible but it’s hard sometimes (Unfortunately!)
- Love, Emma xxx
Because of the “Rains” Dar es Salaam (and the whole of Tanzania for that matter) are expecting it’s been suggested that perhaps I went home a few weeks earlier because that way I could do a Safari with my dad rather than just sitting inside waiting for the rain to stop! So instead of coming home of the 5th of may as originally planned my dad is going to fly out on the 4th April and we’ll got back together on the 14th of April.
Conclusion being I’ll be home two and a bit weeks earlier and be back home for David’s birthday, see my friends during Easter and have more time to find a job! It’s a little disappointing, however this way I do get to go on a proper Safari with more chance of seeing something and hopefully the weather will be much nicer for when dad comes out.
Hope you’re all well – I am REALLY trying to email/text/phone people back as quick as possible but it’s hard sometimes (Unfortunately!)
- Love, Emma xxx
Monday, 16 March 2009
Middle of March
Day 13 – 11th March 2009
Today I woke up nice and early for nursery. It was nice to see the little ones again. Spent the morning helping them with their writing, colouring and numbers. When it came to story time I was bombarded with requests to read books, I’ve now learnt you don’t offer to read one book because as soon as you do they all start pushing them under your nose. I’m still shocked at how quickly I’ve learnt all their names!
I met Sophie and Nicola for the first time this afternoon, they had a quick swim in the pool and the Karen took me and Sophie to the Slipway. We went for a walk around the shops and then had some of the nicest ice-cream I’ve ever had which was lovely. After a few hours there Karen brought us back to hers and we all had dinner. It’s been decided that Sophie will stay at Richard and Karen’s as well now.
Day 14 – 12th March 2009
Again it was an early start for nursery at 8. We were talking about Safari today and I have to admit the best quote was from Mai (who is five) when Karen asked why Elephants have such big ears she replied: “So they can fly!” Another lovely morning with the little ones.
In the afternoon Nicola, Jill and Sophie went off to the Orphanage in Bagamoya while I went to do “chores” with Karen. The main aim was to see if I could use the ATM to get some money out – which thankfully proved successful! After the dance to try and find petrol Karen dropped me off at the slip way again while she went to her step class. I again went shopping, still trying to get bits and bobs for people – it’s incredibly hard! I also spent a lot of time in the book shop – looking for books for the Jangwani girls and for me since I am quickly running out of books!
Once Karen had picked me up we went down to the Yacht club – see? Didn’t I tell you it was a second home for them! We then waited for Richard and Sophie to arrive so we could order pizza. I had the pollo (chicken) again which was lovely.
Day 15 – 13th March 2009
My day didn’t really begin till about 11.30 – Nicola picked me up and dropped me off at Jangwani. Today I had taken in some of the old IST science books which they said they found useful. I continued with the profiling, also adding on the extra questions I was meant to be asking the girls. This may take longer than I thought! Though I am roughly half way through which is a good sign and I started to type some of them up this afternoon so least there is some progress! I was picked up around 3 and taken back to Richard and Karen’s with the promise of seeing them tomorrow.
When I got home the power was out so the house felt very hot. After everyone had showered we made our way down to the Yacht club. Friday night is Happy Hour – so drinks are half price till 8 in the evening so it was very busy. This place still seems an odd concept to me – beyond the realms of reality. But the view is still spectacular and I’ve now tried some Tanzanian cider, it wasn’t bad actually. So I now have something to drink other than water (the wines are pretty terrible.) I had a nice meal of chicken and chips. It was a late night tonight – past 10.30 (!!!!)
Still no power by the time we got back. We found out later that a crow had flown into something which had short circuited our zone.
Day 16 – 14th March 2009
Got a BIT of a lie in today, though it didn’t seem much since I hadn’t slept very well. There was still no power so we hadn’t had any all night – no fan which meant it was a really hot and sticky night. Gas cooker still worked though so I had some pancakes for breakfast – constellation.
Ridiculously hot day today, made even hotter by the lack of power and no fans. Spent the morning and some of the afternoon reading and trying to find the cooler parts of the house, me and Sophie played pool also. The Jangwani girls got here about 3 in the afternoon and we spoke about science mostly till Nicola arrived.
The plan was to take the five girls in to the pool for the afternoon. They seemed to thoroughly enjoy it though which is great. They were a lot more confident with themselves after a few hours which was lovely to see. After everyone had dried off they went back to school – looking forward to the next time they’d be able to go in the pool. Still no power!!
The power was finally fixed at about 8 so thankfully we had power for the evening. Spent the rest of the evening relaxing and watching Desperate Housewives with Sophie before going to bed.
Day 17 – 15th March 2009
So nice to have the power back, you don’t realise how hot it is without the fans. Today nothing much was planned so I’ve spent the morning on my computer and finishing yet another book.
The afternoon was planned for a sailing trip to Bongoyo on Richard’s boat so I went along with Richard, Sophie, Nicola and Jill. It was really interesting for the first half; I sat at the front where the sea would splash you which definitely cooled you down. Then when we anchored Nicola and Sophie went snorkelling for twenty minutes while I swam around in the sea which was an awful lot of fun. However! On the way back I don’t think I have ever in my life felt so sea sick. So for the journey back I clung to the side of the boat, desperately trying not to be sick. I was so so so very glad to be back on dry, non moving land!
We then all had dinner at the Yacht club on the fish deck which was nice. You could watch all the fisherman bring in their fish and get them weighed. One guy had caught a sailfish (22kg) and it was apparently a small one!!! A pretty impressive creature though.
- Love, Emma xxx
Today I woke up nice and early for nursery. It was nice to see the little ones again. Spent the morning helping them with their writing, colouring and numbers. When it came to story time I was bombarded with requests to read books, I’ve now learnt you don’t offer to read one book because as soon as you do they all start pushing them under your nose. I’m still shocked at how quickly I’ve learnt all their names!
I met Sophie and Nicola for the first time this afternoon, they had a quick swim in the pool and the Karen took me and Sophie to the Slipway. We went for a walk around the shops and then had some of the nicest ice-cream I’ve ever had which was lovely. After a few hours there Karen brought us back to hers and we all had dinner. It’s been decided that Sophie will stay at Richard and Karen’s as well now.
Day 14 – 12th March 2009
Again it was an early start for nursery at 8. We were talking about Safari today and I have to admit the best quote was from Mai (who is five) when Karen asked why Elephants have such big ears she replied: “So they can fly!” Another lovely morning with the little ones.
In the afternoon Nicola, Jill and Sophie went off to the Orphanage in Bagamoya while I went to do “chores” with Karen. The main aim was to see if I could use the ATM to get some money out – which thankfully proved successful! After the dance to try and find petrol Karen dropped me off at the slip way again while she went to her step class. I again went shopping, still trying to get bits and bobs for people – it’s incredibly hard! I also spent a lot of time in the book shop – looking for books for the Jangwani girls and for me since I am quickly running out of books!
Once Karen had picked me up we went down to the Yacht club – see? Didn’t I tell you it was a second home for them! We then waited for Richard and Sophie to arrive so we could order pizza. I had the pollo (chicken) again which was lovely.
Day 15 – 13th March 2009
My day didn’t really begin till about 11.30 – Nicola picked me up and dropped me off at Jangwani. Today I had taken in some of the old IST science books which they said they found useful. I continued with the profiling, also adding on the extra questions I was meant to be asking the girls. This may take longer than I thought! Though I am roughly half way through which is a good sign and I started to type some of them up this afternoon so least there is some progress! I was picked up around 3 and taken back to Richard and Karen’s with the promise of seeing them tomorrow.
When I got home the power was out so the house felt very hot. After everyone had showered we made our way down to the Yacht club. Friday night is Happy Hour – so drinks are half price till 8 in the evening so it was very busy. This place still seems an odd concept to me – beyond the realms of reality. But the view is still spectacular and I’ve now tried some Tanzanian cider, it wasn’t bad actually. So I now have something to drink other than water (the wines are pretty terrible.) I had a nice meal of chicken and chips. It was a late night tonight – past 10.30 (!!!!)
Still no power by the time we got back. We found out later that a crow had flown into something which had short circuited our zone.
Day 16 – 14th March 2009
Got a BIT of a lie in today, though it didn’t seem much since I hadn’t slept very well. There was still no power so we hadn’t had any all night – no fan which meant it was a really hot and sticky night. Gas cooker still worked though so I had some pancakes for breakfast – constellation.
Ridiculously hot day today, made even hotter by the lack of power and no fans. Spent the morning and some of the afternoon reading and trying to find the cooler parts of the house, me and Sophie played pool also. The Jangwani girls got here about 3 in the afternoon and we spoke about science mostly till Nicola arrived.
The plan was to take the five girls in to the pool for the afternoon. They seemed to thoroughly enjoy it though which is great. They were a lot more confident with themselves after a few hours which was lovely to see. After everyone had dried off they went back to school – looking forward to the next time they’d be able to go in the pool. Still no power!!
The power was finally fixed at about 8 so thankfully we had power for the evening. Spent the rest of the evening relaxing and watching Desperate Housewives with Sophie before going to bed.
Day 17 – 15th March 2009
So nice to have the power back, you don’t realise how hot it is without the fans. Today nothing much was planned so I’ve spent the morning on my computer and finishing yet another book.
The afternoon was planned for a sailing trip to Bongoyo on Richard’s boat so I went along with Richard, Sophie, Nicola and Jill. It was really interesting for the first half; I sat at the front where the sea would splash you which definitely cooled you down. Then when we anchored Nicola and Sophie went snorkelling for twenty minutes while I swam around in the sea which was an awful lot of fun. However! On the way back I don’t think I have ever in my life felt so sea sick. So for the journey back I clung to the side of the boat, desperately trying not to be sick. I was so so so very glad to be back on dry, non moving land!
We then all had dinner at the Yacht club on the fish deck which was nice. You could watch all the fisherman bring in their fish and get them weighed. One guy had caught a sailfish (22kg) and it was apparently a small one!!! A pretty impressive creature though.
- Love, Emma xxx
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
Week 2 - Almost?
Not quite a week but I thought it would be a good time to update this nonetheless. Hope you’re all well – it’s quite hot today (Wednesday, 32˚C) and I’m about to go to the supermarket so that’s riveting good fun =]
Day 9 – 7th March 2009
Today I was planning to have a lie in (no such luck!) Sukie, who is one of Richard and Karen’s dog doesn’t believe in knocking and just plummets in to my room at 9 in the morning. Excellent start! They’ve also got a Doberman (Sukie) and what I think is a Jack Russell called Mutley.
Richard and Karen have gone sailing for the weekend so I’m alone for the better part of Saturday and Sunday. Make myself breakfast and I spent a long LONG time writing up my blog and testing out my new internet USB – which works, thankfully.
The Jangwani girls arrived here about half three and it was lovely to see them all. They had a look at my pictures (of family and friends) and still won’t stop giggling every time I mention Sam. But we spent most of the time in discussion about various things. They’re very bright and one of Beatrice’s arguments you couldn’t really stand up against. What is better – Money or Education? We decided that one could not exist without the other, that they run alongside each other which I must say was very profound of them. We drank tea and Monica decided to plait my hair – Zena who I have found to be the most cheeky yet lovable girl said I looked like a farmer....”But a very pretty one!!”
So I’m about to go cook myself some pasta and have an early night because of my rude awakening.
Day 10 – 8th March 2009
Woke up at 10 today so it was a bit of a lie in! Not planning to do much today so I sat down and wrote out a layout for these profiles I’m going to do for the Jangwani girls. Had my breakfast and lunch and at 2 I went swimming for a hour which is nice. No need for a heated pool, the water was pretty much baking! After my swim I went and read (and consequently) finished another book – I’m fast running out... Karen and Richard got back home around 6 and we then had dinner, watched some TV and then bed. So as you can see, a pretty uneventful day, though it was nice to have a bit of a recharge day.
Day 11 – 9th March 2009
Back to the routine! I went to Jangwani in the morning but this time it was decided I’d stay till around 3. So I worked with the form 1 & 3 girls doing their profiles in the morning and I worked with the form 2 & 4 girls in the afternoon. In all I completed around 20 profiles which is pretty good. However, I couldn’t take many pictures since the card had been previously filled up with David’s German trip photos (I hadn’t a clue!) So I’ll be able to take more once I’ve taken off what’s on the camera.
It was nice to work with the other forms today though and I think I’ve started to figure out what the girls really think would benefit them – books, books and books! I think it would be nice for them to set up a proper library as I think they would really appreciate the constant knowledge base.
After I was finished at the school I was taken to the Oyster Bay shops (Karen teaches aerobics there) and had some time (and money) to kill. There were some lovely shops so I’ve really started with the souvenir buying for people now, which is great. I also made my first purchase FOR ME which again is great! (I also managed to buy a card reader for the camera so I can download those pictures now.)
After that we made our way down to the Yacht club, it seems to be a second home for most people here – which is nice because it gives the place a real community vibe. It was pizza night that night and although we had a long wait, (something to do with a stapler????) it was a very very very nice pizza!
Day 12 – 10th March 2009
Today the plan is to visit the Orphanage in Bagamoya so I know what to expect. It’s a national holiday today (the start of Ramadan for the Muslims) so the orphanage has a planned picnic. The idea was to get picked up at 12.30 for a 2’o’clock lunch.
The rains have apparently now come – at about 11 the sky opened and it was pretty spectacular to watch! I’ve taken some pictures, hopefully they will have come alright okay and I’ll be able to show you what torrential actually means!
This scuppered some of our timing since the roads, when it’s wet, become miniature rivers and the reason for driving big 4x4’s because evidently clear once again. Once we got a Bagamoya the weather was much better and it apparently hadn’t rained there very much at all which was lovely. The kids are very sweet there and the orphanage (yet to be properly built) looks as if it’s going to be a lovely place for those children. Plans for a kitchen to be put in, a place where volunteers can stay and also extra rooms like a medical room. Oh! And two cows!
Once back at Karen and Richards we have dinner and then at around 10 Richard goes to pick up Nicola and Sophie from the airport and takes them to Jill’s. I’ll be seeing them tomorrow. But for now – bed.
- Love, Emma xxx
Day 9 – 7th March 2009
Today I was planning to have a lie in (no such luck!) Sukie, who is one of Richard and Karen’s dog doesn’t believe in knocking and just plummets in to my room at 9 in the morning. Excellent start! They’ve also got a Doberman (Sukie) and what I think is a Jack Russell called Mutley.
Richard and Karen have gone sailing for the weekend so I’m alone for the better part of Saturday and Sunday. Make myself breakfast and I spent a long LONG time writing up my blog and testing out my new internet USB – which works, thankfully.
The Jangwani girls arrived here about half three and it was lovely to see them all. They had a look at my pictures (of family and friends) and still won’t stop giggling every time I mention Sam. But we spent most of the time in discussion about various things. They’re very bright and one of Beatrice’s arguments you couldn’t really stand up against. What is better – Money or Education? We decided that one could not exist without the other, that they run alongside each other which I must say was very profound of them. We drank tea and Monica decided to plait my hair – Zena who I have found to be the most cheeky yet lovable girl said I looked like a farmer....”But a very pretty one!!”
So I’m about to go cook myself some pasta and have an early night because of my rude awakening.
Day 10 – 8th March 2009
Woke up at 10 today so it was a bit of a lie in! Not planning to do much today so I sat down and wrote out a layout for these profiles I’m going to do for the Jangwani girls. Had my breakfast and lunch and at 2 I went swimming for a hour which is nice. No need for a heated pool, the water was pretty much baking! After my swim I went and read (and consequently) finished another book – I’m fast running out... Karen and Richard got back home around 6 and we then had dinner, watched some TV and then bed. So as you can see, a pretty uneventful day, though it was nice to have a bit of a recharge day.
Day 11 – 9th March 2009
Back to the routine! I went to Jangwani in the morning but this time it was decided I’d stay till around 3. So I worked with the form 1 & 3 girls doing their profiles in the morning and I worked with the form 2 & 4 girls in the afternoon. In all I completed around 20 profiles which is pretty good. However, I couldn’t take many pictures since the card had been previously filled up with David’s German trip photos (I hadn’t a clue!) So I’ll be able to take more once I’ve taken off what’s on the camera.
It was nice to work with the other forms today though and I think I’ve started to figure out what the girls really think would benefit them – books, books and books! I think it would be nice for them to set up a proper library as I think they would really appreciate the constant knowledge base.
After I was finished at the school I was taken to the Oyster Bay shops (Karen teaches aerobics there) and had some time (and money) to kill. There were some lovely shops so I’ve really started with the souvenir buying for people now, which is great. I also made my first purchase FOR ME which again is great! (I also managed to buy a card reader for the camera so I can download those pictures now.)
After that we made our way down to the Yacht club, it seems to be a second home for most people here – which is nice because it gives the place a real community vibe. It was pizza night that night and although we had a long wait, (something to do with a stapler????) it was a very very very nice pizza!
Day 12 – 10th March 2009
Today the plan is to visit the Orphanage in Bagamoya so I know what to expect. It’s a national holiday today (the start of Ramadan for the Muslims) so the orphanage has a planned picnic. The idea was to get picked up at 12.30 for a 2’o’clock lunch.
The rains have apparently now come – at about 11 the sky opened and it was pretty spectacular to watch! I’ve taken some pictures, hopefully they will have come alright okay and I’ll be able to show you what torrential actually means!
This scuppered some of our timing since the roads, when it’s wet, become miniature rivers and the reason for driving big 4x4’s because evidently clear once again. Once we got a Bagamoya the weather was much better and it apparently hadn’t rained there very much at all which was lovely. The kids are very sweet there and the orphanage (yet to be properly built) looks as if it’s going to be a lovely place for those children. Plans for a kitchen to be put in, a place where volunteers can stay and also extra rooms like a medical room. Oh! And two cows!
Once back at Karen and Richards we have dinner and then at around 10 Richard goes to pick up Nicola and Sophie from the airport and takes them to Jill’s. I’ll be seeing them tomorrow. But for now – bed.
- Love, Emma xxx
Saturday, 7 March 2009
My First Week
Right! This is going to be a long entry since I have a week to cover...sorry about that! It’s just a rundown of my first week – minus pictures as I can’t work out how to put them on my computer yet, but I will find a way =]
And a side note, I haven’t really spoken about the weather since it’s been over 30 degrees everyday and it would get boring =] But let’s just say it’s very very hot during the day and it’s still around 25 degrees at night!
Hope you’re all well, I miss you lots.
The Flight – 26th February 2009
We got to Heathrow around 3 in the afternoon, checked in and for the most part it went smoothly! After I said goodbye to Granny, Mum and Dad I made my way (slowly) through security and found myself in the terminal 5 shops. So I bought myself 5 books (4 of them have been read already...) and some pens since I couldn’t find any nice ones at home. Didn’t get much else except some perfume and by that time I had to go wait at the gate. Thankfully no terminal train was needed, just a five minute walk! Once boarded I was surprised to see that the plane wasn’t really busy, in fact the section I was flying in only had 4 people so I had about 6 seats to myself!
I watched High School Musical 3, because I’m super cool and then it was time for dinner. I think it was chicken. But you can never be too sure about these things. I spent the rest of the flight trying to sleep (and failing miserably) but I think I managed to watch the beginning of 6 different films – none worth perusing till the end.
Day 1 – 27th February 2009
Well we were early by 40 minutes which was a surprise but I made it quickly through security as I’d already got my visa. The only problem were my cases, which decided to take forever but I suppose that’s a good thing as it meant then I wasn’t too early. I meant Jill at the airport and we got my cases in to her car and she started to drive to her house.
First impressions: My god it is hot, as soon as you got off the plane the heat slaps you in the face. And their driving is just petrifying! You think it’s bad in the UK, just you wait – there is no concept of right of way, it’s just who has the biggest cars. More often than not that’s the Dalla Dalla’s (mini-bus) which honestly believe it’s their road. Everyone drives big 4x4’s and there’s people running across roads, bikes, mini taxis – it’s just so different. Wonderfully green.
We get to Jill’s and I have a little sleep before we go to Richards for lunch (Richard is Jill’s son) and that seems to sum up my first day since I was so exhausted I probably couldn’t have handled much more than that! Jill has two dogs, a Doberman (Rusty) and a...well I think it’s a Jack Russell and her name is Milly. Jill lives on the beach front; her house is quite nice but a very unfamiliar style to home. Eventually I go to bed at 9 and sleep straight through the night.
Day 2 – 28th February 2009
I wake reasonably early (8-ish) and spent some of the morning reading until about 11 and Jill is taking me to meet some people. I met Gwyneth – her house is pretty astounding, swimming pool and a really lush beautiful garden. I should probably mention here one thing that’s really thrown me out here – Everyone has staff??!? So for those who thought I would be slumming it (including me) I’m not, it’s bizarre to not make your own lunch – they all think I’m weird because I always insist on making my own drink, it’s just so different.
After Gwyneth’s we visited Mary - she was one of the people organising this trip for me. I should probably take this time to say the thing that had happened two days before. Mary had fallen over at the American Embassy and managed to crush her shoulder and break her elbow so she’s stepped back a little bit with the organising of my trip (which is fair) so my first couple of days were quite a lot of confusion down to this. BUT, Mary was lovely and a very high spirited person considering the state she was in! However, she very kindly said I could borrow her driver with getting to and from where I needed to go.
That afternoon I meet some of the Para Girls for the first time. The para girls are the disabled girls (12-19 in age) who go to the school Jangwani. I met five out of the 52 when Jill brought them round to her house. Beatrice, Rema, Stella, Anna and Monica. We sat on the beach and drank tea...which reminds me, I need to get some tea bags; I can’t cope with tea leaves floating around in my tea. After that we sat in the living room and talked about lots of things, mainly about the atlases I had brought them, it’s odd to think that the knowledge we take for granted is something, well they’d never even heard of. For example, I was shocked to find myself explaining who Hitler was and that there had been a second world war. It was lovely to talk to them and they all seem very sweet girls, Beatrice seems to have become my right arm though, her English is pretty good and a lot of the girls still rarely speak anything other than Swahili to me. I’m hoping that will change, I’ve learnt some Swahili so in turn I hope they become more confident with English.
Day 3 – 1st March 2009
Unfortunately today Jill has become ill and feels that she may not be able to cope with looking after me, something which I understand and I agree that staying with Richard, her son, would be the best course of action. I move there in the afternoon and meet his wife Karen who is also equally nice. So this is where I will be staying from now on. My room is pretty big, wonderfully African as there is wood everywhere! I also have an en-suite with a pretty basic shower, but I don’t mind, just nice to be able to unpack and put things in cupboards. I’m still missing people wildly though. The house is bigger than Jill’s – it even has a swimming pool! And a TV that is big for the UK let only in Tanzania – it’s a lovely place though.
In the evening I get taken down to the Yacht Club, a place where my father “grew” up, Richard even use to Cadet Race against my dad and my uncle Michael. It’s a lovely place but very different from the real world. Think country club by the sea?
Day 4 – 2nd March 2009
Right. Monday. First day in a proper routine as it were. We’ve decided that I’ll spend Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the school Jangwani with the Para girls and then Thursday and Friday helping out at Karen’s nursery school. Another thing about where I’m staying now. It has a nursery school attached?!
I get picked up around 9 by Mary’s driver, Lugendo, who takes me to Jangwani. I meet up with Beatrice and she takes me through to the dining hall where the Form 1 and 3 girls are working. There are 4 forms in the school, 1, 2, 3 and 4. Form 3 and 4 are equivalent to GCSE’s. Form 2 and 4 have their lessons in the morning and Form 1 and 3 have their lessons in the afternoon so I’ll be mostly dealing with Form 1 and 3 since I’m only there for the mornings.
The dining room is very basic, rows of benches and tables with no air conditioning or even fans so it’s very hot and I do have to remember to keep drinking. I spent the first morning handing out some books Jill had given me, plus a few of my own. We spend the morning talking about Geography and they asked about my country, family, how I grew up, schools and cultural traditions. They find it odd that I have a boyfriend and we’re not engaged and it’s very difficult to explain the concept to them! And they think that I’m very odd since I don’t have a belief in God – another think which was awkward to explain. Other than that they are just girls, teenage girls with great senses of humour – Zena even asked if I knew Ronaldino because she thinks he’s “LOVELY”. However, they have a thirst for knowledge which is so nice to see.
I leave around half twelve and go back to Richard and Karen’s – I spend the afternoon reading and I get to check my emails for the first time since being here and that’s really great. I’m still missing a lot of people but it is starting to get easier now I have things to distract me.
Day 5 – 3rd March 2009
I start the day off the same as yesterday – Pancakes for breakfast!? Make my way down to Jangwani and the set up is basically the same. Only now they’ve started to ask me questions – which is great! I don’t want to feel like I’m just talking at them; it’s nice that I can help them with what they think THEY need. I also get a tour of the school grounds today – still basic and hard to comprehend how schools can run without supplies of exercise books and a properly maintained canteen. The 52 Para girls board at the school and the other girls live locally so it’s just one out building for the Para girls. They sleep on bunk beds, sometimes more than two to a bed and no mosquito nets. They seem so happy though, so welcoming and I’m glad I can help here – the girls are just wonderful. Great sense of humour and very cheeky:
Beatrice: “You know the school’s name don’t you?”
Me: “Jangwani?”
Beatrice: “Means desert.”
In the afternoon I go to my very first Tanzanian supermarket, an odd concept I know. All the same, it’s very interesting and I’m astounded every time I see something I recognise – There is Cadburys out here!! I’m still thrown by the “staff” business because once you’ve finished your shopping someone from the supermarket helps you carry you bags to the car. The evening is spent watching TV with the family and again...reading! Now it’s no wonder I’ve gotten through so many books in the space of a week.
Day 6 – 4th March 2009
I went to Jangwani in the morning, though a bit later than usual since there was a lot of traffic. Today I spent the day talking about science and I have found it is very difficult to describe what a skeleton is without a picture! So I’ve promised the girls I will investigate before Monday to see if I can find something with a picture of one.
Karen teaches aerobics classes in the afternoons and since we were planning to go to the Yacht club tonight she takes me with her and drops me off at a place called the Slip Way which is a...well it’s like a shopping mall but instead of shops it’s full of boutiques. I must admit I did rather enjoy the first experience of shopping – I’ve started getting souvenirs for people now – which is great! I also ventured in to the book shop and I managed to find a book on skeletons and biology which is fantastic!
The Yacht club was still nice; I had a burger and chips – best chips ever. I guess I could say the food is not much different here, but it is. A lot more rice (which is not great for me but I try my hardest to eat a little bit each time) and it’s whatever the cook decides to prepare – it’s often a type of curry, though it’s never really spicy? I’ve also had a lot of sausage and mash =]
Day 7 – 5th March 2009
Today was my first morning in the nursery so I was really excited about that. It starts at 8 so I do have to wake up a bit earlier though it’s not as if I have to go far! The kids are really sweet; Amelia seems to have formed an attachment with me and won’t let me out of her sight. I’m surprised at myself with my ability to have learnt their names. In the two days I’ve spent there, I’ve mastered 75% of the names which is weird for me! I spend the morning doing individual work with a lot of the children – it’s amazing how a difference of six months age can determine your ability to write/read and comprehend. The ages of the children there are 3-5.
The afternoon is something new for me. There’s something called the international school in Dar es Salaam where the overseas residents send their kids. The school has decided to link itself with Jangwani girls so the ITS sent a bus to pick up the girls and I went along. It was great to see them so welcomed. They spent the afternoon playing games and decorating bags which Monica (the Head Girl at Jangwani) says everyone really enjoyed so I’m really pleased. Also, since it was quite a success they will try and makes it a more reoccurring thing! The ITS school also gave me some old school books which will come in handy.
Side Note: Brenda who was the organiser has told me that there is a possibility of Canadian sponsorship for the girls. She would like me to put together a profile of each of the girls, a picture, name, likes, dislikes, their condition, how much an operation might cost and general information about the girls. This will hopefully make the campaign more personal and generate bigger donations which I think will be fantastic for the girls.
Day 8 – 6th March 2009
I spent the morning in the nursery again and it’s still very fun helping out the children, some of them need special attention since some of the Tanzanian children are still finding English very difficult. They spend the morning playing, colouring, writing, reading, swimming and playing – makes you wish you could be that age again! Carefree!
The afternoon is spent reading again and then it’s another trip to the Yacht Club, Richard is very keen on sailing. In fact most of the people there are, you just have to smile and nod. But it’s a wonderful setting, cool breeze and a fantastic view looking out in to the bay with all the boats.
End of the Week and Plans
Well overall I’ve enjoyed my first week, there have been a few hiccups and I have been missing people a great deal though I feel that it might be getting easier.
Richard and Karen are away sailing for the weekend so I have the house to myself – the Jangwani girls are coming round this afternoon which will be nice. Tomorrow I think I’m going to have a day off, maybe go for a swim since I haven’t yet. But my plan for next week is Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Jangwani and then Thursday at the nursery since Tuesday is a national holiday.
Jill’s daughter (Nicola) and granddaughter (Sophie) are arriving here on Tuesday to help Jill move out of her house and in to a flat above the school here at Richard and Karen’s house. But I should be going to an Orphanage in Bagamoya not this week but the week after and the plan is that maybe Sophie comes with me which will be nice. Then it will be back to interchanging between the nursery and the Jangwani girls.
- Love, Emma xxx
And a side note, I haven’t really spoken about the weather since it’s been over 30 degrees everyday and it would get boring =] But let’s just say it’s very very hot during the day and it’s still around 25 degrees at night!
Hope you’re all well, I miss you lots.
The Flight – 26th February 2009
We got to Heathrow around 3 in the afternoon, checked in and for the most part it went smoothly! After I said goodbye to Granny, Mum and Dad I made my way (slowly) through security and found myself in the terminal 5 shops. So I bought myself 5 books (4 of them have been read already...) and some pens since I couldn’t find any nice ones at home. Didn’t get much else except some perfume and by that time I had to go wait at the gate. Thankfully no terminal train was needed, just a five minute walk! Once boarded I was surprised to see that the plane wasn’t really busy, in fact the section I was flying in only had 4 people so I had about 6 seats to myself!
I watched High School Musical 3, because I’m super cool and then it was time for dinner. I think it was chicken. But you can never be too sure about these things. I spent the rest of the flight trying to sleep (and failing miserably) but I think I managed to watch the beginning of 6 different films – none worth perusing till the end.
Day 1 – 27th February 2009
Well we were early by 40 minutes which was a surprise but I made it quickly through security as I’d already got my visa. The only problem were my cases, which decided to take forever but I suppose that’s a good thing as it meant then I wasn’t too early. I meant Jill at the airport and we got my cases in to her car and she started to drive to her house.
First impressions: My god it is hot, as soon as you got off the plane the heat slaps you in the face. And their driving is just petrifying! You think it’s bad in the UK, just you wait – there is no concept of right of way, it’s just who has the biggest cars. More often than not that’s the Dalla Dalla’s (mini-bus) which honestly believe it’s their road. Everyone drives big 4x4’s and there’s people running across roads, bikes, mini taxis – it’s just so different. Wonderfully green.
We get to Jill’s and I have a little sleep before we go to Richards for lunch (Richard is Jill’s son) and that seems to sum up my first day since I was so exhausted I probably couldn’t have handled much more than that! Jill has two dogs, a Doberman (Rusty) and a...well I think it’s a Jack Russell and her name is Milly. Jill lives on the beach front; her house is quite nice but a very unfamiliar style to home. Eventually I go to bed at 9 and sleep straight through the night.
Day 2 – 28th February 2009
I wake reasonably early (8-ish) and spent some of the morning reading until about 11 and Jill is taking me to meet some people. I met Gwyneth – her house is pretty astounding, swimming pool and a really lush beautiful garden. I should probably mention here one thing that’s really thrown me out here – Everyone has staff??!? So for those who thought I would be slumming it (including me) I’m not, it’s bizarre to not make your own lunch – they all think I’m weird because I always insist on making my own drink, it’s just so different.
After Gwyneth’s we visited Mary - she was one of the people organising this trip for me. I should probably take this time to say the thing that had happened two days before. Mary had fallen over at the American Embassy and managed to crush her shoulder and break her elbow so she’s stepped back a little bit with the organising of my trip (which is fair) so my first couple of days were quite a lot of confusion down to this. BUT, Mary was lovely and a very high spirited person considering the state she was in! However, she very kindly said I could borrow her driver with getting to and from where I needed to go.
That afternoon I meet some of the Para Girls for the first time. The para girls are the disabled girls (12-19 in age) who go to the school Jangwani. I met five out of the 52 when Jill brought them round to her house. Beatrice, Rema, Stella, Anna and Monica. We sat on the beach and drank tea...which reminds me, I need to get some tea bags; I can’t cope with tea leaves floating around in my tea. After that we sat in the living room and talked about lots of things, mainly about the atlases I had brought them, it’s odd to think that the knowledge we take for granted is something, well they’d never even heard of. For example, I was shocked to find myself explaining who Hitler was and that there had been a second world war. It was lovely to talk to them and they all seem very sweet girls, Beatrice seems to have become my right arm though, her English is pretty good and a lot of the girls still rarely speak anything other than Swahili to me. I’m hoping that will change, I’ve learnt some Swahili so in turn I hope they become more confident with English.
Day 3 – 1st March 2009
Unfortunately today Jill has become ill and feels that she may not be able to cope with looking after me, something which I understand and I agree that staying with Richard, her son, would be the best course of action. I move there in the afternoon and meet his wife Karen who is also equally nice. So this is where I will be staying from now on. My room is pretty big, wonderfully African as there is wood everywhere! I also have an en-suite with a pretty basic shower, but I don’t mind, just nice to be able to unpack and put things in cupboards. I’m still missing people wildly though. The house is bigger than Jill’s – it even has a swimming pool! And a TV that is big for the UK let only in Tanzania – it’s a lovely place though.
In the evening I get taken down to the Yacht Club, a place where my father “grew” up, Richard even use to Cadet Race against my dad and my uncle Michael. It’s a lovely place but very different from the real world. Think country club by the sea?
Day 4 – 2nd March 2009
Right. Monday. First day in a proper routine as it were. We’ve decided that I’ll spend Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the school Jangwani with the Para girls and then Thursday and Friday helping out at Karen’s nursery school. Another thing about where I’m staying now. It has a nursery school attached?!
I get picked up around 9 by Mary’s driver, Lugendo, who takes me to Jangwani. I meet up with Beatrice and she takes me through to the dining hall where the Form 1 and 3 girls are working. There are 4 forms in the school, 1, 2, 3 and 4. Form 3 and 4 are equivalent to GCSE’s. Form 2 and 4 have their lessons in the morning and Form 1 and 3 have their lessons in the afternoon so I’ll be mostly dealing with Form 1 and 3 since I’m only there for the mornings.
The dining room is very basic, rows of benches and tables with no air conditioning or even fans so it’s very hot and I do have to remember to keep drinking. I spent the first morning handing out some books Jill had given me, plus a few of my own. We spend the morning talking about Geography and they asked about my country, family, how I grew up, schools and cultural traditions. They find it odd that I have a boyfriend and we’re not engaged and it’s very difficult to explain the concept to them! And they think that I’m very odd since I don’t have a belief in God – another think which was awkward to explain. Other than that they are just girls, teenage girls with great senses of humour – Zena even asked if I knew Ronaldino because she thinks he’s “LOVELY”. However, they have a thirst for knowledge which is so nice to see.
I leave around half twelve and go back to Richard and Karen’s – I spend the afternoon reading and I get to check my emails for the first time since being here and that’s really great. I’m still missing a lot of people but it is starting to get easier now I have things to distract me.
Day 5 – 3rd March 2009
I start the day off the same as yesterday – Pancakes for breakfast!? Make my way down to Jangwani and the set up is basically the same. Only now they’ve started to ask me questions – which is great! I don’t want to feel like I’m just talking at them; it’s nice that I can help them with what they think THEY need. I also get a tour of the school grounds today – still basic and hard to comprehend how schools can run without supplies of exercise books and a properly maintained canteen. The 52 Para girls board at the school and the other girls live locally so it’s just one out building for the Para girls. They sleep on bunk beds, sometimes more than two to a bed and no mosquito nets. They seem so happy though, so welcoming and I’m glad I can help here – the girls are just wonderful. Great sense of humour and very cheeky:
Beatrice: “You know the school’s name don’t you?”
Me: “Jangwani?”
Beatrice: “Means desert.”
In the afternoon I go to my very first Tanzanian supermarket, an odd concept I know. All the same, it’s very interesting and I’m astounded every time I see something I recognise – There is Cadburys out here!! I’m still thrown by the “staff” business because once you’ve finished your shopping someone from the supermarket helps you carry you bags to the car. The evening is spent watching TV with the family and again...reading! Now it’s no wonder I’ve gotten through so many books in the space of a week.
Day 6 – 4th March 2009
I went to Jangwani in the morning, though a bit later than usual since there was a lot of traffic. Today I spent the day talking about science and I have found it is very difficult to describe what a skeleton is without a picture! So I’ve promised the girls I will investigate before Monday to see if I can find something with a picture of one.
Karen teaches aerobics classes in the afternoons and since we were planning to go to the Yacht club tonight she takes me with her and drops me off at a place called the Slip Way which is a...well it’s like a shopping mall but instead of shops it’s full of boutiques. I must admit I did rather enjoy the first experience of shopping – I’ve started getting souvenirs for people now – which is great! I also ventured in to the book shop and I managed to find a book on skeletons and biology which is fantastic!
The Yacht club was still nice; I had a burger and chips – best chips ever. I guess I could say the food is not much different here, but it is. A lot more rice (which is not great for me but I try my hardest to eat a little bit each time) and it’s whatever the cook decides to prepare – it’s often a type of curry, though it’s never really spicy? I’ve also had a lot of sausage and mash =]
Day 7 – 5th March 2009
Today was my first morning in the nursery so I was really excited about that. It starts at 8 so I do have to wake up a bit earlier though it’s not as if I have to go far! The kids are really sweet; Amelia seems to have formed an attachment with me and won’t let me out of her sight. I’m surprised at myself with my ability to have learnt their names. In the two days I’ve spent there, I’ve mastered 75% of the names which is weird for me! I spend the morning doing individual work with a lot of the children – it’s amazing how a difference of six months age can determine your ability to write/read and comprehend. The ages of the children there are 3-5.
The afternoon is something new for me. There’s something called the international school in Dar es Salaam where the overseas residents send their kids. The school has decided to link itself with Jangwani girls so the ITS sent a bus to pick up the girls and I went along. It was great to see them so welcomed. They spent the afternoon playing games and decorating bags which Monica (the Head Girl at Jangwani) says everyone really enjoyed so I’m really pleased. Also, since it was quite a success they will try and makes it a more reoccurring thing! The ITS school also gave me some old school books which will come in handy.
Side Note: Brenda who was the organiser has told me that there is a possibility of Canadian sponsorship for the girls. She would like me to put together a profile of each of the girls, a picture, name, likes, dislikes, their condition, how much an operation might cost and general information about the girls. This will hopefully make the campaign more personal and generate bigger donations which I think will be fantastic for the girls.
Day 8 – 6th March 2009
I spent the morning in the nursery again and it’s still very fun helping out the children, some of them need special attention since some of the Tanzanian children are still finding English very difficult. They spend the morning playing, colouring, writing, reading, swimming and playing – makes you wish you could be that age again! Carefree!
The afternoon is spent reading again and then it’s another trip to the Yacht Club, Richard is very keen on sailing. In fact most of the people there are, you just have to smile and nod. But it’s a wonderful setting, cool breeze and a fantastic view looking out in to the bay with all the boats.
End of the Week and Plans
Well overall I’ve enjoyed my first week, there have been a few hiccups and I have been missing people a great deal though I feel that it might be getting easier.
Richard and Karen are away sailing for the weekend so I have the house to myself – the Jangwani girls are coming round this afternoon which will be nice. Tomorrow I think I’m going to have a day off, maybe go for a swim since I haven’t yet. But my plan for next week is Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Jangwani and then Thursday at the nursery since Tuesday is a national holiday.
Jill’s daughter (Nicola) and granddaughter (Sophie) are arriving here on Tuesday to help Jill move out of her house and in to a flat above the school here at Richard and Karen’s house. But I should be going to an Orphanage in Bagamoya not this week but the week after and the plan is that maybe Sophie comes with me which will be nice. Then it will be back to interchanging between the nursery and the Jangwani girls.
- Love, Emma xxx
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