Happy Halloween or is it Breakfast?

Wishing America a Happy Halloween!  Halloween is not celebrated  here, but the Saints were recognized during Sunday's Mass which is reminiscent of "All Saints' Day" celebrated in the Catholic Church on November 1st.

The Grim Reaper?  No, preparing wood for the breakfast fire.

Breakfast? Certainly not the beautiful feather fowl, but we do enjoy her eggs daily.

Neither Wind nor Rain Will Stop Us From Swimming!

Enroute to the pool sardined in a daladala with thunder claps overhead.

Her name is Lovliness, and she is truly lovely with the raindrops cascading down her beautiful face.

The dark ominous clouds lifted, and we made it successfully to the pool.

The guys!

The girls!

The sky was threatening, and the students were willing to take the chance to leave the school's compound to visit a public pool for an afternoon of swimming.  As we were walking briskly to the daladala a 1/2 mile away, the heavens opened up to a tremendous downpour.  The students, the headmaster Mr. Marcel, and I broke into a run through a heavily populated open market to the main road where we were to catch the daladala to the pool...or to the road that led to the pool that is.  No door to door service unless one utilizes a taxi.  Students in a single file ran through a frenzy of vendors protecting their wares, cars dodging people and potholes, and people laughing and screaming all in one breath.  Pure fun!

 

Going Bananas with the Weather in Mwanza

 

One of several bunches of bananas on the school's property

Laundry soaking and begging to be hung to dry!

The sun shines once again in Mwanza!  After several days of intermittent rain, I was able to hang my laundry successfully.  Thank you God for being so good! 

However, all is not work in Mwanza.  During one of our infamous blackouts, I introduced "Bananagrams" to my students under the light of a flashlight/torch.

Going bananas for "Bananagrams!"

Good Morning Teacher!

Good morning teacher!  It's Saturday at 6:00 a.m., and the students have dressed and recited their morning prayers with song.  At 6:30, they eagerly await my arrival for a long distant run or they remain at the school to run sprints.  Upon our return, they bathe, recite prayers and special intentions, enjoy breakfast, and then plan to do their  laundry.

Laundry could be tough today with the unrelenting rain.  I have my clothes soaking for two days awaiting the sun's arrival.  I, myself, am starting to pickle!

Harbari ya asubuhi (Good morning)

Wherever there's an uphill - there's a downhill!

Sprints and morning smiles!

Running shoes

Running through the neighborhood towards a small local market

Kwaheri! (Good-bye)

Holy Cross Students Have Inquiring Minds!

The following questions were designed during Mrs. Clauss’s computer classes at Holy Cross School in Rumson, New Jersey.  Special thanks to Mrs. Clauss for engaging her students and reaching out to me.  It was wonderful to hear from you, and you are welcome to visit my blog anytime!

Questions from 4A/Mrs. Bernadette Davis’s class

Are you really writing at 4 a.m. in the morning?

No, evidently my “Blog” time has maintained its American time.  I am actually 7 hours ahead of American time.  Therefore, while I am having dinner, you are probably just waking up and preparing for school.

What is a secondary student?

A secondary student is one engaged in one of the two levels of secondary education.  A students entry into secondary education is not based on age, but on academic achievement.  Secondary education ends when students pass their Form 6 National Exam and receive their diploma. Dependent of their test results; they may then be selected to enroll in a university.  Generally, the age of students are between 11 and 16 years old.

All secondary education must be taught in English (except Swahili class). For many students, English is their third language. This has made the secondary school teaching language quite controversial, with those in favor of English arguing that English is vital for preparing students to compete in a global economy, and those opposed arguing that not teaching in Swahili causes talented students to be left behind and detracts from students concentrating on the subject matter.

What do you eat?

First and foremost, I eat plenty!  My host and administrator at the school, Sister Yulitha, makes certain that I have 3 square meals each day.  My meals are very similar to what I enjoy in America.  I’ve been served a variety of meals made up of rice, cabbage, carrots, pork, chicken, potatoes, and even African style pizza.

Questions from 3A/ Mrs. Kathy McConville’s class

Do you cut your own hair?

I recently cut my own bangs, and let’s just say: I should keep to teaching!  If you were to look at me directly, you would think the room is tilting due to the unprofessional angle of my bangs.  There is very little emphasis on one's hair at the school; working on one’s inner beauty seems to cloud that concern.

Have you seen any wild animals?

To date, I've seen domesticated animals and varied birds that are scavengers.  Daily, I see a young man herding his family's cattle.  In fact, they were traveling along the same dirt road as me one day, and I had to walk against the herd with their long horns.  I was reciting the Our Father as I passed through them!  I have bats evidently that are nesting in the ceiling of my room, and they thump and roll very nosily through the night.  The other evening, I tried to coax a lizard off the ceiling and out of my room. In the process it fell on my head, and I freaked!

In order to see wild animals such as lions, tigers, etc., I will need to leave the city environment, and travel 2 hours east to the Serengeti.  Hopefully, when the school is on holiday from November 26th - January 7th, I will have that opportunity.  Yes, their school calendar is quite different than Holy Cross’s; they are actually at the end of their school year that once again ends on November 26.  The new school year begins January 7 with a month break only in June.  Honestly, not a bad schedule for America if you like to ski, but life on the Jersey shore would be affected!  I don't know about you, but I love my "Jersey Summer."

Do the children celebrate Halloween?

No, they are not familiar with Halloween, but they honor and celebrate All Saints Day with prayer and Mass attendance.  Last night during evening studies, we discussed Christmas and the Advent Wreath.  When I asked them what they would like for Christmas their responses were as follows:

- shoes and a shirt

- the chance to travel

 - prayer and to attend Mass

- time with their family

- a new notebook for their studies

Welcome back to the spirit of Christmas!

Do the students behave?

Don’t all?  Actually, the students are exceptionally well behaved.   Education is a privilege and is well respected.  During my lessons, the students are engaged and attentive.  They appear to be hanging on every word from their educators.  They thirst and desire knowledge.  They take tremendous pride in their work by making revisions and writing beautifully.

Did the power come back on?

The power is back on, however when you least expect it, it rolls right out.  Sometimes power outages can last several days, or hours or just minutes.  I’ve learned to keep a small flashlight in my pocket in the evenings in the event the lights suddenly go out.  Oh, that reminds me, I should purchase additional batteries…thanks for the question!

Questions from 1B/Miss Melissa Enna’s class

How do you take a bath?

I am extremely fortunate for I have a self-contained room with my own bathroom.  My shower has an on and off switch for hot water, but the weather is comfortable enough that a cool shower is preferred.

How do you get water?

The school is blessed with an ample water supply.  It has a well and a container that houses a reservoir of water if need be.  The water is not potable, it must be boiled if one chooses to drink from it, but it is fine to bathe in.  I have elected to drink from purchased bottle water as suggested by many.  Because I am new to the country, I am hypersensitive to the water.  In brief and in grade 1 terms – I have plenty of water!

Do the students have paper?

Yes, they have limited paper and do not waste an inch of it.  They are very cautious with their work as to avoid waste.  In fact, I administered a quiz the other day, and I elected to tear the paper in half to further conserve paper.  The students were grimacing in fear that I would be unsuccessful in tearing the paper properly.  Mission accomplished, and I have developed a renewed trust with the students due to my “paper-tearing” ability.  Trust me, I almost broke out in a sweat knowing how concern they were about the use of the paper.

Do they have their own books?

No, in brief they share.  Generally, the teacher is the only individual with a text, and subject related workbooks do not exist at all.  Could they benefit from having their own textbooks? – Most assuredly.  However, it doesn’t deter them from learning, which they most desire.

Are there police officers in town?

There are police officers circulating throughout the town. Their rifle/protective weapon is quite visible and swung over their shoulder; whereas in America, our officers generally keep their weapon in a holster and not as visible.

 If someone gets hurt - is there a hospital?

Most definitely, in fact, the organization that I am affiliated with, CMMB, has a volunteer, Jim Comes, presently at the Bugando Hospital in Mwanza.  In addition, there are varied clinics, and medical facilities that also act as medical schools in the area. 


Grade 8/ Mrs. Michelle Tomaino and Mrs. Anne McCullough's classes

You teach math?  Why didn’t you teach us math?

Really?  I was too busy with integrated language arts and history; besides my knowledge of math has a definitive line that does not venture into algebra!  No pun intended, but count your blessings for the knowledge and instruction that you receive from Miss Ciampoli, Mrs. Chadwick, and Mrs. Forsyth.  You are extremely fortunate to have them as your educators. 

What was the name of the rock in the lake?

The rock is named the Bismarck Rock. It is a weathered granite kopje and is the most photographed landmark of Mwanza.  Mwanza was the area first traveled by 18^th century explorers who were seeking the source of the Nile.

 What sports do they play at recess?

“Chores” ...yet all is not work on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 4-5 p.m. the students play a lively game of “Football” – our soccer.

Male football scrimmage

Female football scrimmage

African pizza...delicious! Cheese, egg slices, red and green peppers on a bed of sauce

You asked!   Shower and toilet in one!

Not Happening in the Classroom

After 1 hour in the classroom, the Tawawami School pre-schoolers'  interest in the days of the week, numbers 1-10, the weather, the words sun, sunny, and rain started to wane.  Decided to take the classroom outside, so they could draw the lesson instead. Ah, success and attentiveness - students that are engaged in the activity introduced can create magic!  Please take note of the need for supplies - crayons, pencils, and paper.  Anyone interested in a project?

On the Rocks

During a brief recess, Morning Star students willing assisted in the building project at the school.

Plagued With Blackouts

The other night, we experienced a tremendous wind and rain storm in the evening.  It lasted less that an hour, but it flooded the classrooms and dorms with a good two inches of water.  It was compounded with a blackout that we have been experiencing for two days now.  Sister Yulitha, my host and administer of the school,  generously put the generator on so that I may charge my computer; already at 78%! 

The students were amazing in removing the water with cleaning rags and a few brooms that were available. Several of them who had been studying prior to the storm were welled up with tears for their tablets and meticulous assignments were ruined. 

Today, the sun shone brightly, rooms were swept, papers dried, and yet we have not been blessed with electricity, but blessed in resourcefulness, cooperation, and patience.

Sweeping the classrooms after the evening's deluge of rain.

Smiles after drying and saving their studies.

Blackouts are not only an inconvenience, but they truly hurt the economy of the area. Hotels, restaurants, and varied businesses are gravely affected.  But as the demand for electricity increases, ironically due to technology, so will the blackouts continue and be longer and more frequent.  Yes, generators can be used, but they are limited and extremely costly to operate.

Pictures from Town and More!

The hustle and bustle of a city market in downtown Mwanza.

Most photographed landmark; The Bismarck Rock - a weathered granite kope.

Mwanza port/harbor

Karibu! - Welcome!

Port Market

Chickens for sale at the market.

Friends enroute to town.

From the family of flamingoes - wingspan is min. 10 feet

Local store utilizing Coca-Cola materials.

Non-residential students returning home with their father.

Teaching Mathematics at Tawawami

Exponents?

Sarafina's smile is infectious!

After-school math enrichment

Riding a Daladala

Inside a daladala/minibus

A "Tout" - collects the fare and drums up passengers.

Daladalas are the standard way of getting around large towns: fares for most journeys are just Tsh300 ($0.25). The vehicles, similar to a minibus, run along pre-determined routes. They have the advantage of being plentiful and quick; they are often amazingly crowded – 25 people in a vehicle for 12 is common. Sometimes competition to get on is intense; it should be considered an Olympic event. Generally, I walk a certain distance and then hop on a daladala to either travel back and forth to town and or between the two schools. Even though I have the opportunity to run each morning (p.s. – we are up to 12 runners to date) walking to and fro provides ample exercise in Tanzania!