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