Hello all,
We have safely returned from safari and are now at the airport, about to fly to Dar es Salaam, then to Dubai, then to JFK as scheduled.
The safari was exceptional. It began with a stay in the bushlands south of Arusha, in Maasai territory. Before arriving to camp on the first day, we saw a giraffe and several elands. We set up in tents and enjoyed well prepared camp food at each meal.
On our second day we did a hike up a nearby small mountain for a breathtaking view. In the afternoon we headed on a nature walk to examine the tracks of big game in the area. We saw lion, hyena, and elephant tracks along a dried river bed that we crossed. In the evening we enjoyed the warmth of the campfire on the cold Tanzanian steppe.
The next day we embarked on a 28 kilometer walk across the Maasai land, where we spotted countless huge termite mounds, bush pigs, and arrived at the site of a lion kill 10 minutes after they had taken down a full size ostrich. This was an extraordinarily rare sight to see. Our students snapped photos to document the moment. We arrived at our destination of a Masai Boma at about 5:30pm after over 8 hours of walking.
That night the head of the Boma (homestead) offered up a goat for sacrifice in our honor. The Masai warrior guides in our group performed the traditional and time honored sacrifice and allowed interested students to skin the animal and drink its blood straight from the body, a true honor.
The next day we talked with the Masai in the boma and made out for Tarangire National Park on an extraordinary game drive where we saw elephant herds, giraffe, countless birds species, gazelle, lions, ostrich, and more.
We stayed in the shade of an enormous Baobab tree at night and broke camp early to head for our camp on the rim of Ngorongoro crater (actually a caldera). This was an amazing place to camp before our final day of safari. The next morning we left early to head down into the crater and view more extraordinary sights of game in their natural habitat. Baboons and cheetah were big highlights.
Our plane is now boarding, so we are off to New York!
See you all soon.
-Freeman and Jo
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
On Safari!
Hello family and friends,
Our last few days in Muungano were bittersweet as we completed work on our projects and prepared to say goodbye to many new friends. On our final day in town, the town held an exit ceremony for our group and our students prepared a special lunch as a way to thank the community.
Next we headed out on safari. We first spent time with the Maasai-- they were incredibly welcoming to us and we learned much about their way of life. In the days since we have since seen much wildlife-- elephants, giraffe, zebra, and more.
All is well here!
-Freeman and Jo
Our last few days in Muungano were bittersweet as we completed work on our projects and prepared to say goodbye to many new friends. On our final day in town, the town held an exit ceremony for our group and our students prepared a special lunch as a way to thank the community.
Next we headed out on safari. We first spent time with the Maasai-- they were incredibly welcoming to us and we learned much about their way of life. In the days since we have since seen much wildlife-- elephants, giraffe, zebra, and more.
All is well here!
-Freeman and Jo
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Lushoto, Moshi, and Muungano
Last Thursday students embarked on an overnight homestay in pairs. Each pair of students lived with a local family in Muungano for 24 hours. Students returned with stories of new foods, being taught dances, being put to work, having good tea, or just sitting and watching a relaxed day go by.
On Friday we started a three day excursion to Lushoto, a mountain town about 6 hours away from Muungano. The drive took us by some classic Baobab trees and through a very arid part of the Northern Tanzanian savannah. The drive was punctuated by a stop for lunch in Moshi at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro. In Lushoto we took part in a cultural tour through the village and to an amazing overlook some 1000 feet above the savannah floor. It was like standing at the bow of a ship and looking out over an ocean before us. It just so happened that our "ocean" was full of dry land, sparse villages, and sisal plantations.
We then drove on to a waterfall by a creek outside of Lushoto for a quick break and a nature walk through the forest. Though our guide said that the occasional monkey can be found in the trees there, we weren't so fortunate as to see one.
We stayed at a local hotel there for two nights and made the drive back on Sunday. Students enjoyed dancing to music at the hotel on Saturday night.
This work week we've been busy putting up the rafters for the classrooms. Students have been so enthusiastic about the construction work that they have decided to also begin the plastering of the walls with a fine cement compound to provide a more finished look than the exposed cinder blocks and mortar. This work was initially going to be done by the town after we left, as part of our partnership, but with the student's added motivation, we will be able to start on this step and give the town a headstart on the finishing touches for the building.
On Tuesday students also took part in an evening beading workshop provided by two local women. Each student made a necklace or bracelet to bring home.
Yesterday, Wednesday, the group visited the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. The court is located in nearby Arusha and has been prosecuting those detained on charges of organizing the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Students learned through a documentary film and interview with a public affairs representative about the history of the court and its important role in bringing justice and reconciliation to the Rwandan people.
We will work hard on the classrooms this week, then head to the O'Neal's for a weekend excursion. After that we return for a couple of days to finish our part of the work on the classrooms and hand the finishing touches off to the town, have our departure ceremony, clean up our house, and depart for the Safari!
Your kids are doing well! More news later.
-Jo and Freeman
On Friday we started a three day excursion to Lushoto, a mountain town about 6 hours away from Muungano. The drive took us by some classic Baobab trees and through a very arid part of the Northern Tanzanian savannah. The drive was punctuated by a stop for lunch in Moshi at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro. In Lushoto we took part in a cultural tour through the village and to an amazing overlook some 1000 feet above the savannah floor. It was like standing at the bow of a ship and looking out over an ocean before us. It just so happened that our "ocean" was full of dry land, sparse villages, and sisal plantations.
We then drove on to a waterfall by a creek outside of Lushoto for a quick break and a nature walk through the forest. Though our guide said that the occasional monkey can be found in the trees there, we weren't so fortunate as to see one.
We stayed at a local hotel there for two nights and made the drive back on Sunday. Students enjoyed dancing to music at the hotel on Saturday night.
This work week we've been busy putting up the rafters for the classrooms. Students have been so enthusiastic about the construction work that they have decided to also begin the plastering of the walls with a fine cement compound to provide a more finished look than the exposed cinder blocks and mortar. This work was initially going to be done by the town after we left, as part of our partnership, but with the student's added motivation, we will be able to start on this step and give the town a headstart on the finishing touches for the building.
On Tuesday students also took part in an evening beading workshop provided by two local women. Each student made a necklace or bracelet to bring home.
Yesterday, Wednesday, the group visited the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. The court is located in nearby Arusha and has been prosecuting those detained on charges of organizing the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Students learned through a documentary film and interview with a public affairs representative about the history of the court and its important role in bringing justice and reconciliation to the Rwandan people.
We will work hard on the classrooms this week, then head to the O'Neal's for a weekend excursion. After that we return for a couple of days to finish our part of the work on the classrooms and hand the finishing touches off to the town, have our departure ceremony, clean up our house, and depart for the Safari!
Your kids are doing well! More news later.
-Jo and Freeman
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Cement, Bricks, and Mt. Meru
We have been making steady progress on our main project-- building the school classrooms. Our days spent on the work site have been great. The wafundi, or "builders" in English, have taught students how to mix cement and lay brick. They have also taught us a traditional song from their boyhood days. Next week we are going to put on the roof and add an entry porch for the doorway. This will polish off the main structural work on the rooms before we leave for safari the week after next. The school and village intend to plaster the walls and add a finish layer of cement on top of our foundation layer for the floor after we leave. These will be the final touches on the classroom and they are very grateful for our work thus far.
On Saturday we explored Arusha, stocked up on basic supplies, and explored the local craft market. Students selected wood figurines, fabrics, and other crafts to bring home and truly honed their bargaining skills! We also visited the local Lutheran church for an hour on Sunday to observe the local church customs. The students found the church energetic and full of song. Students were able to draw contrasts and comparisons to religious services in the states and appreciated the chance to have seen our village's service.
Later on Sunday, we went on a hike on the slopes of Mt. Meru to a beautiful waterfall. Our guide was a joy and was very helpful along the way, introducing us to his friends and the villagers we passed. We hope you enjoy the photo from the hike, below!
This coming weekend we will take an excursion to Moshi and Lushoto to take in the town and visit their market. We will also go on a hike to a beautiful overlook point before returning home Sunday night to Muungano.
More news later!
-Jo and Freeman
This home is similar to many we have seen in our own village, though we
passed this one along our hike. Our living quarters are a cement brick building
with a metal roof, but most villagers live in these types of homes.
Shaquille shows some children we passed along the way a video of
themselves. They were timid at first, but increasingly amused and
animated.
The entire group made it to the waterfall. The hike out of the
gorge after this photo was steep and challenging, but we all made it!
On Saturday we explored Arusha, stocked up on basic supplies, and explored the local craft market. Students selected wood figurines, fabrics, and other crafts to bring home and truly honed their bargaining skills! We also visited the local Lutheran church for an hour on Sunday to observe the local church customs. The students found the church energetic and full of song. Students were able to draw contrasts and comparisons to religious services in the states and appreciated the chance to have seen our village's service.
Later on Sunday, we went on a hike on the slopes of Mt. Meru to a beautiful waterfall. Our guide was a joy and was very helpful along the way, introducing us to his friends and the villagers we passed. We hope you enjoy the photo from the hike, below!
This coming weekend we will take an excursion to Moshi and Lushoto to take in the town and visit their market. We will also go on a hike to a beautiful overlook point before returning home Sunday night to Muungano.
More news later!
-Jo and Freeman
This home is similar to many we have seen in our own village, though wepassed this one along our hike. Our living quarters are a cement brick building
with a metal roof, but most villagers live in these types of homes.
Shaquille shows some children we passed along the way a video ofthemselves. They were timid at first, but increasingly amused and
animated.
The entire group made it to the waterfall. The hike out of thegorge after this photo was steep and challenging, but we all made it!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Life in Muungano
After arriving and getting acquainted with our village, Muungano, the students have begun to dedicate themselves to the work at hand. On Wednesday, the village elders held a welcoming ceremony for us. Some of the speeches were in English, while others were translated for the group by Joanna. The students rehearsed and sang "Lean On Me'" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" as an offering to the village for the ceremony. The songs were received well and the students from the school also sang a few songs, including the school's anthem, which gave our students goosebumps with its force and purity. Many students remarked on the power the singing had on them during Wednesday's evening meeting.
We are staying in teachers' quarters close to the school we are working on. There are three rooms for the 12 girls and one room for the 4 boys, along with a spacious kitchen, and dining area and our main meeting room. We have a long meal table where we all congregate for each meal. The students have been excellent in preparing the Morning and afternoon meals and the wamama or "Mamas" as they are affectionately called by all, have been preparing 5 and 6 dish dinners for our group each night. These meals have included mashed potatoes, fish, rice, and lentils, and we even had some popcorn and icecream yesterday in part to celebrate Joanna's birthday. For Danielle's upcoming birthday, we'll bring the whole group into Arusha and spend the afternoon at a nice hotel's swimming pool and have dinner at a restaurant in town.
Already, students have begun work on their individual projects. Projects range from comparing American Football to International Football (Soccer), to researching women's and girls cultural dress and fashions, to studying the Tanzanian Catholic church, to dance and drumming, to researching rural Tanzanian healthcare at the local health dispensary (clinic). We are impressed!
This weekend we'll spend Saturday in Arusha at the market and have a group scavenger hunt about town. On Sunday, we will observe a local church service as a cultural observation and go for a hike to a local waterfall.
All in all the weather has been clear and dry. This has allowed us to go for walks and runs in the afternoon following the work day. Students have grown comfortable with each other and are making good friends with bunkmates and as a group.
More news later!
-Freeman and Jo
We are staying in teachers' quarters close to the school we are working on. There are three rooms for the 12 girls and one room for the 4 boys, along with a spacious kitchen, and dining area and our main meeting room. We have a long meal table where we all congregate for each meal. The students have been excellent in preparing the Morning and afternoon meals and the wamama or "Mamas" as they are affectionately called by all, have been preparing 5 and 6 dish dinners for our group each night. These meals have included mashed potatoes, fish, rice, and lentils, and we even had some popcorn and icecream yesterday in part to celebrate Joanna's birthday. For Danielle's upcoming birthday, we'll bring the whole group into Arusha and spend the afternoon at a nice hotel's swimming pool and have dinner at a restaurant in town.
Already, students have begun work on their individual projects. Projects range from comparing American Football to International Football (Soccer), to researching women's and girls cultural dress and fashions, to studying the Tanzanian Catholic church, to dance and drumming, to researching rural Tanzanian healthcare at the local health dispensary (clinic). We are impressed!
This weekend we'll spend Saturday in Arusha at the market and have a group scavenger hunt about town. On Sunday, we will observe a local church service as a cultural observation and go for a hike to a local waterfall.
All in all the weather has been clear and dry. This has allowed us to go for walks and runs in the afternoon following the work day. Students have grown comfortable with each other and are making good friends with bunkmates and as a group.
More news later!
-Freeman and Jo
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Hamjambo!
Hello friends and family!
The group has had a wonderful first few days in our project village, Muungano. When we arrived to the village, we were received with open arms and a warm welcome from locals.
Yesterday, on our first full day in Muungano, students headed off on a scavenger hunt where they interacted with many locals, found landmarks around town, and learned about life in the village. Later, with friends from town, we paid a special visit to magic caves to help pray for rain (currently, there is a drought in this region).
This morning we awoke early to begin work at the school where we are completing a classroom started by last year's Putney group. Students cleared stones and began leveling the ground to prepare for the foundation. By the time our work is done here, we will have built a cement floor and completed the roof.
The weather in Muungano has been beautiful with blue skies (and no mosquitoes due to the drought). Mornings are chilly, but the sun quickly warms the day into the 70s and 80s.
The Mamas are taking excellent care of our group and are nourishing us with traditional (and delicious!) dishes. All is well here and our group is happy, healthy, and getting along quite well.
Until next time!
Baadaye,
Jo and Freeman
Monday, July 6, 2009
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