My first week at Save Africa

Today was my third day at the orphanage and I am already exhausted!  The kids are adorable, little balls of energy- after I figure out a way to keep up with them, I am going to find a way to smuggle them all back to the US with me.

On Tuesday, Matt, Karina, and I were escorted to the orphanage by one of the TVE staff members.  She kindly did the commute with us so we knew where we were going.  It’s about a 20 minute walk and two dalla-dallas away from our house so leaving at 7:15am gets us to work around 8:30am….a little tardy in NY, but we are right on time in Africa time! The orphanage managers met us at the dalla-dalla stop and walked us down the dirt roads and through the small town until we were warmly welcomed by a swarm of 50 smiling faces running through the field and directly into our arms.  I have never felt more like a human jungle gym (even at all those crazy family parties at Nana’s).  “Teacher, teacher, teacher! Bebe, Bebe! (pick me up)” is what I hear all day long.

I am assuming that not much affection is given to these children at home so they are looking for it from anyone that will give it, even Wazungu they have only known for a few minutes. Most of the kids show up in the same clothes everyday with holes and stains all over. For some, their only meal of the day is the small cup of porridge they are fed at 10am but despite all of this, they seem to be very happy and willing to learn. I guess that is what really matters.

On day one, we were given a quick tour of the 5 room orphanage (2 small classrooms, 2 bedrooms, and an office) and then just played with the kids for a few hours.  There is a big field in front of the orphanage so they can run around and play/climb all over us.  I was so happy when I saw the kids kicking around soccer balls and that there was a soccer goal post set up.  It is going to be a fun 3 months! 

Yesterday, we observed the two classes so that we can hopefully start teaching next week. I do not have any teaching experience but I was already able to identify a few changes that need to be made to the structure of the class so that the teachers can be more efficient.  The kids are split into two classes- baby class and pre-unit, I was observing the baby class so the teacher was reviewing numbers and the alphabet as well as singing a few songs in English. The teachers and kids know a little bit of English but not enough for us to fully converse. The placement managers, Pascal and Francis, speak a fair amount of English so at least we can communicate with them. I have started Swahili classes for 6 hours a week for 4 weeks and I have already learned so much.  I’m sure I will be able to communicate with the kids pretty well by the end of my time here in December.

Thursdays are “farm days” so we went with Pascal to the orphanage farm about a 15 minute walk from the school.  We walked through fields of all sorts of crops and passed by all different kinds of homes, it is unbelievable how many people can live in such a small space and be so comfortable.  After scaring a few more children with the color of our skin, we crossed over the Usa River and arrived at the section of the farm that belongs to the orphanage.  They grow vegetables for the children who live at the orphanage full time so that they have food for dinner. We watered the crops and tilled the soil…barefoot (easily the highlight of my day).  After that, we walked to Pascal’s friend’s house to cut down some sugar cane; it was delicious!  The land and mountains are so beautiful in this part of Arusha!

 My first week has been very busy getting adjusted to the new schedule.  A lot of time is spent on the dalla dalla or walking from my house to the other volunteer house but these are the best ways to get to know the city. We make the best of our time, homework and studying on the dalla dalla and drinking traditional Tanzanian Tusker beers on the walk home, no time is wasted J I am happy with my placement at Save Africa so far because while it will be challenging, there is a lot to be done.  It sounds like some of the other schools are a lot more established so I am hoping we can really help make a difference at this orphanage.