Okay so another week later... My last week at Faraja! I cant believe already a whole month has gone by! Things have been quite crazy but in a good way!

Basically my days have been spent at Faraja teaching, with Indiana and the new volunteer Alice from Switzerland. She's great and it's been a lot of fun! Then in the afternoon we just head out and about to different excursions. We've been working through a list that includes Chris' Massai village and market, Coffee plantation tours, local clubs with Bongo Flavor music (a popular local type of music), Cradle of Love a baby orphanage, etc etc.



Teaching has been going really well. I am continuously pleased with their progress, as both their English and Swahili has come such a long way! I'm just so worried about their future, as I know the teacher that taught them before we came had not been paid for six months and quit, so unless other volunteers come, they will be without a teacher, and all of their progress will be lost!

It can be very discouraging sometimes, as you want to feel like your time here is making a difference, and sometimes it's hard to see that with all of the poverty and setbacks and things that you know you just cannot change. I just try to look at it through a smaller lens, and think that even if I make a difference to one person, one child, just change something for the better, anything. That will be enough. So that's what I'm trying to do.

         Halper (our youngest student- In love with this child!)  


                                                     Me and Halper

                                                          Baby Victor :)

                                                      Alice helping some of the kids

Even though I initially opted out of the safari trip as I've been more than a few times and wanted to save my money. I ended going with Dom to join the group for a one day safari at lake Manyara! It was a lot of fun. Honestly, I get more excited about standing up in the van with my head out of the roof and the wind in my hair and seeing all of the trees then I do about seeing the animals most times. Although they're both equally amazing. I have a serious infatuation with the trees here... as well as Pundamilia (Zebra) as you already know! I got to see both, so it was perfect!

The way back was rough though, as we had to took a Dala Dala for about two hours distance to save money, and I really didn't think I'd survive. Unfortunately I picked up an Amoeba or something and was quite sick for a few days, so the ride back was really rough on my already upset stomach! I survived though, and am feeling much better!

                                                                PUNDAMILIA!!

I'm super excited for the weekend, as were taking the a bunch of the kids to a nearby hotel to swim in the pool, something most of them have never experienced. I think they'll really enjoy it. We're also heading to the cinema complex nearby to celebrate my last few days at Faraja. It's very sad, but it's bittersweet as on Monday I'm going to Nairobi to visit my host brother and school/orphanage I worked with last year, and then after that I'm headed to Zanzibar with Alice and we're meeting up with Emma and Frida. And then of course after, I head to South Africa! So much excitement!!!

Some random facts:

I brought Baby Mama, as it's my favorite movie, and we have watched it at least six times here already, as it gets dark pretty early and there's not much we can do then. So we just get some wine and watch it. It never gets old! :)

A monkey jumped on my head literally right out side the volunteer house gate as I was walking to Faraja. It stole my headband and scared me to death! Luckily it didn't attack or bite! No hospital trips yet. Fingers crossed.

I have a love affair with the food here. Like honestly, I think I could live on the fruit alone! Between Eggplant, Pilau, Chapati, Passionfruit, Mangoes, and Avocado, I've been in full glory!

                   Rice with eggplant, mangoes, and the best oranges I've ever tasted (who knew they were actually supposed to be green!)

                       Ugali, beans, and avocado!

 Until Later!

Baadaye!

Natalia<3

Wow. So it's been about a week since my last post, and although I keep thinking not a lot has happened, at the same time I'm like wow A LOT has happened. It just all really blends together.

So I've officially left Mama's and have moved into the volunteer house, and I absolutely love it. I'm staying in Sanawari, and even though it's quite a distance from my beloved free wifi coffee shop and wine and cheese haven, I love the tightness of the village and the change of scenery. We have a really nice yard with privacy, which is nice, although the neighboring kids love to hang around the gate, and some have even learned to open it and enter, something that don't mind at all :) It's a nice change from Mama's house, since we were right in the middle of the city, and couldn't do much, especially once it got dark, which is around 7pm most nights. We also have a killer view of Mt. Meru from our backyard! The village itself is absolutely beautiful, and as I said before, we are surrounded by local kids, which I can't get enough of. It's the same for them, and I live off the smiles on their faces and the flood of hugs and high fives every time I am out.

There are two other girls from Sweden who are staying with us, Frida and Emma, and they are really cool! They are both volunteering at the hospital and I am constantly fascinated and shocked with the stories they have. That is something that I know I could never possible do, as being in hospitals in the states is an adventure enough for me. Susan and her crazy self, has decided to take an excursion to Nariobi, which is fine to me, as she wasn't really doing much at the orphanage anyway. I do hope she enjoys her time here, and I don't mind her being six hours away, as i can truly only take her in doses. Although I can't say I'm not worried when I picture her crazy, careless, over-friendly self strutting around Nai-robbery. I am constantly surprised that she has survived on her own as long as she has! (I am just now posting this, and can update you with the news that Susan was indeed robbed in Nairobi! Can't say I'm surprised, but am still feeling sympathetic.)

But anyway, we are officially in the volunteer house, so I am now getting to know this side of the city and finding my way around. I only have to take one Dala Dala to work now, which is nice, as I avoid the daily drugged fighting that takes place at the stand.

I commute on my own a lot and find myself in situations that if I would have imagined myself in before I left, I probably would have second-guessed coming. As we are quite a distance from Shopright now, it's quite a trip to go there so I don't go as often. Dominic was heading out that way to see his girlfriend though, so I got a ride on his motorcycle, so I could pick up a few things and visit Mama and Gabby for a bit. The commute there was fine, although I am constantly scared for my life, as the bikes (Pike Pikes) weave in an out of traffic as they please. The other day we went to visit lake Diluti and we took the bikes as they are much cheaper than getting a taxi. They go so fast, and the driving is so crazy, so I just close my eyes and try to stop my brain from running through the constant scenarios and likely deaths that are my probable future. So, since I already experienced this a few times, driving with Dominic was a breeze. The real adventure, though, took place on the way back, as I had to take a Dala Dala by myself during the busiest time of the day. As traffic was so crazy, I had to wait like fifteen minutes for one to even come, which is something new for me, as I'm so used to countless ones fighting for me to get in. So, I was just hanging out on the side of the road, completely "blending in" as always. However, I am constantly humbled by the friendliness and helpfulness of the locals, as I was immediately surrounded by people, who asked me questions and helped me get to where I needed to be. Mz Swahili is getting really good, as well! I was able to hold a pretty decent conversation and it felt really good! The Dala Dala ride was absolutely crazy though, I have never seen so many people in one! There were literally  four people hanging out the open door, as well as sitting and laying across laps! There had to be a good forty people in this ten seater van. It was crazy! I couldn't see much either, so luckily people were helpful and told me when it was my stop!

This week at the orphanage has been great, as well. Luckily, we got a new volunteer so I am not completely on my own anymore. Her name is Indiana, and she is a local, so she knows Swahili and we make a pretty great team! I finally feel like the teaching is actually being effective, and I really feel like were getting somewhere. Dominic has much more free time now, too, since the other volunteers left, so he's been helping out a lot too, as well as Doreen. I'm really excited for the weeks to come, as I really feel like we're getting a lot done!

A big issue with NGO's and orphanages here, even though they may have good intentions, is the corruption that exists and the likelihood of people taking advantage of your help and resources. It's something that I've experienced in the past and know that cannot really be avoided, and it's a reality with this orphanage, as well. Part of our trip fee, goes to supporting the orphanage, and initially that money was given to the orphanage to use as they please, but we noticed that it was not being used as it should be, so instead we decided to use it ourselves to buy supplies for the students, as well as fund field trips and different outings. I see this, as being much more effective, as we know our money is actually going to help improve the orphanage and can be utilized by the kids.

      You know you’re in Africa when:

1) The shower consists of two buckets over a drain.

2) You are offered chai (tea) five times a day.

3) You receive celebrity like attention, hearing “Hey Mzungu” everywhere you go.

 4) 50 degrees is cold and you see children bundled up in coats and hats if it’s under 70.

5) You will see things sold on the side of the road that you would never imagine.

6) Everything runs on African time, so if you’re told to meet at 12pm, it actually means 2pm.

7) You get around by riding in a 12 seated Dala Dala crammed with 24 people.

8) At first glance you think that children are driving, as they are sitting in the front seat where the steering wheel should be.

9) You leave a switch on at night so you know when the electricity comes on, then leap up at 2AM and plug everything in to charge it.

10) Your morning alarm clock consists of roosters and the mosque next door chanting their prayers at full volume.

11) You lose all electric power during an evening meal and everyone whips out a flashlight and keeps right on eating their meal without giving it an extra thought.

12) A toilet is simply a hole in the ground with walls and a door.

13) Deodorant is not a cultural norm.

14) You see babies hanging off the back of motorcycles.

15) The people are friendly, everyone is super helpful, and the children are full of smiles!

(ON A SIDENOTE: You also know you're in Africa when you're shivering in your bed, wearing every single article of clothing you own, trying to keep warm.. and when you live in the nicest house ever with a million bathrooms with hot showers and a comfy bed and beautiful  everything! Hello Cape Town :)

What a crazy weekend! On Friday night, we got a new volunteer who is staying in our home. Her name is Gabby and she is super cool. She is originally from New York and went to university of Colorado her first year and then transferred to Cornell. She misses Boulder a lot.. I would too!

Today our plans fell through, so I went with her to meet the rest of her group at the Global Service Corps office. Most of them seem pretty cool. Some people though… I just can't understand why you come to Africa if you're just going to complain about everything!? Gabby's great though after walking around a while we went to the wine and cheese place that’s by us... It was so good and quite an adventure! We spent more money than expected. We didn't have enough and the ATMs were closed and we couldn't get any, so she literally had to run back to our homestay just as it  was getting dark, which is supposedly very dangerous. When she got there to bring the money back, her program advisor was there, too. Her and our mama both were like “No Gabby, you can’t go back, too dangerous”. Luckily, they eventually let her go, so I wasn’t stranded, and we got the driver to drive us back safely.  Unfortunately, right when we got back it was dinner time, and we were still so full! It’s always polite to eat all of the food, and in Africa they love to give you more and more. It was so hard! We felt so sick afterward and we literally laid on our beds for hours unable to move. We talked for forever about music festivals, our family lives, travels, etc. We have so much in common and I’m super glad she’s staying with us!

The next day we had plans to go visit the waterfalls and the lake, but Chris’ car broke down and he never made it. One important thing I’ve learned, is to never give your hopes up or expect anything, because in Africa plans never really work out and time is not really a shared concept. You just got to go with the flow. Hakuna matata.

We ended up going to Shopright to get some wine instead, as you can get a decemt bottle for like 7,000 shillings (only like $4:50!) After we went to go watch some of the local kids play football (soccer) by us. We ended up getting lost on the way back, and literally walked everywhere until we finally found a guy who ended up being a taxi driver and he took us to where we needed to be, literally right before it got dark.

It’s known to be super dangerous, as it is in any city I guess, especially after dark. It’s even worse here, because we attract so much attention, I’ve literally never had so many eyes on me at once, we’re literally circus attractions. Even though it can be quite dangerous, I’m am always amazed by the kindness and friendliness of the local people. They are always so helpful and the children are always so full of smiles and questions. Even though some may have bad intentions, many of them have great hearts and I love having the chance to get to know them.

Gabby and I made it back just in time for dinner, though. So far all of our outings have been crazy adventures! I’m just so glad we made it back safe!

Tomorrow starts another week at the orphanage. The teacher is for sure supposed to come, so I’m hoping she actually shows, so I can have a good idea of where the kids are at and maybe a lesson plan to go off of.

Tutuonana kesho.

Another hectic day at the orphanage. Again we arrived to the children in the classroom with no teacher at all. I taught them again for most of the morning until they were all saying “nimechoka, nimechoka” and pleaing they were tired. I’m hoping the teacher will show up soon, because I’m running low on Swahili and I have no idea as to where the kids are at in their English and what they have learned and not. I have so much fun teaching them, I just feel it would be so much more effective if the teacher could help to translate a bit or merely inform me as to what they have covered and what they haven’t. Either way it will all be fine. Hakuna Matata. Hakuna Shida.

 In other news I’ve curbed my addiction to coffee. However, I’m still fighting my other ones: wine, tea, and IcyHot.

Today was our first day going to the orphanage and taking the Dala Dala’s by ourselves!  I am surprised how well I know my way around the city after only a few days, as it is so huge! But I guess when you’re thrown into something you have no choice but to figure it out, and so far I’m learning a lot!

We even met this really nice local who pall paid for our ride!  When we arrived at the orphanage the children were all sitting in the classroom. The teacher or the director were not there. As soon as they saw me, they all ran up and hugged me! It was the sweetest thing ever. 

The teacher never did show up and I was on my own with the kids all day. (#youknowyourinafricawhen) I used the little Swahili  I did know to teach them English and we played some games and they taught me some songs. It's so crazy to think that I'm on my own with these kids.. I think it's great preparation for the future.. But oh my lord it can be exhausting! Today I brought some nail polish because the girls are always coloring their nails with markers. They  went absolutely crazy! They were so excited, so it was well worth the fighting and flooding of fingers and toes!   ( I start speaking I now because the other volunteer doing the program with me, Susan, usually reads and listens to her headphones while I take on all the kids.. It's quite odd actually, I'm not sure why she's here.)

Regardless, I'm enjoying my time here thoroughly and I love spending time with the kids, exhausting or not.

I'm super excited to start some new projects and do what I can to get this orphanage off the ground! Twende Twende! Let's go!

Today was our first full day at the orphanage. There are 40 kids who are part of the orphanage, but only 24 of them live there. The rest stay with uncles, aunts, grandparents etc. for the night and then return during the day for school and activities. There ages range from infants to early twenties. The majority of them are around ages 5-8 though. One of the oldest orphans is 21. She stays there and helps to cook and do laundry in turn for a place to sleep at night. She has a baby, Victor, who is 4 months old. The father abandoned her and she raises him by herself. He is adorable!!

Baby Victor with Diana

Bestina and Gibson- two of the sweetest kids you could ever meet!

Unlike the orphanage I worked at in Kenya, this one is much more unorganized, as it does not have as much support or resources. It is just me and one other volunteer who work with the children during the day so we stay very busy. We teach the children English and Health as well as help with the cleaning and washing. They cook beans and maize over the fire and that is what the kids (as well as us while were there) eat every day for lunch. We cook the food in a small little hut so it gets very smokey! The laundry is hand washed in buckets and then hung on the line. It is a much longer process than just throwing them in a machine, but that’s all they know so it’s nothing for them. I’m getting quite used to the routine, as well. Perhaps when I return home I will start hand-washing my clothing… yeah probably not!

Communication has not been as much as a struggle as I imagined. Even though many of the younger children don't know English, I have picked up enough Swahili (and sign language) to be able to communicate efficiently! The older school age kids return at around 2-oclock and we get a chance to play with them and talk to some of the older ones who do know English. It is really interesting to hear their perspectives and answer all their random questions.

We leave at around 4pm, and catch the Dala Dala back to Kilembero, where Mama stays. The Dala Dala (like the Matatu in Kenya) is basically a van with ten seats in the back that the locals drive around to pick up people and take them to where they need to go for about 300 shillings (20 cents). Although they have 10 seats they usually transport around 20 people, so it gets very crowded and at times uncomfortable. On top of that, as we are in Africa, the driving is absolutely crazy, so it can be quite a crazy experience. It always succeeds in waking me up! It is definitely an adventure!

The kids here have already won over my heart! I can’t wait to go back tomorrow and spend more time with them. It is definitely exhausting, but so rewarding! Nothing makes me happier than dancing and singing with them and seeing the smiles on their faces.

Kwaheri and usiku mwema!

Nakupenda Natalia<3

Today we went to the orphanage to meet the director and local teacher and learn the basics of what we will be doing and how are daily routine should be. We had the opportunity to meet some of the children and I’m really excited! We only stayed for about an hour and then we went for lunch with Dominic and Joleen. Joleen is a local Massai who is 26. She teaches us Swahili as well as shows us around Arusha so we know how to get around. 

We ate lunch at small bar by the orphanage. I had fries mayai which is basically an omelette style egg filled with French fries. It’s a local delicacy and it’s delicious! After we went to visit Dominic’s place and walked around Arusha a bit. I’ve already discovered my two favorite places, and they’re only about a block from my host home. The first is a diner called Wine & Cheese Heaven and the second is a delicious and homey coffee shop with free wifi! I have come to love Arusha and am very excited for the weeks to come!

Today is Sunday so our host mom went to church. She is Roman Catholic and they leave for church at around 6am and sometimes stay till almost 10am!

We live next door to a Muslim Mosque and every morning at 5am I wake up to their prayers and chants. It’s an alarm clock that never fails, although unfortunately that is not always my chosen wake up time.

This is our second night without power. It usually returns in the morning, but this morning we were without it, as well. Luckily it is back on now! We will see how long this lasts.

Exploring my new home..

   The other volunteer Susan came today from Beijing and she’s only 16! I find this so crazy, as I can’t  imagine making this trip at that age. She’s been away from home since she was 14, when she moved to the U.S. to attend private school and learn English. I am interested to get to know her, as she seems very unique and I’m not sure what to think.

    Today Chris and Dom took us around downtown Arusha and gave us the lowdown on where  everything is. We went to the internet café which is super close, and Susan found a Shanghai Chinese restaurant that she was super excited about.

     Later we went to the Meserani Snake Park. Like the one in Kenya, they let me hold snakes and even    alligators! It was a lot of fun. We also got to go on camel tour and visit the Massai museum which was super interesting.

Tomorrow is our first day at the orphanage yayyy!

Karibu Tanzania!

After one cancelled flight and a free night in a luxurious hotel followed by a dreadful 15 hour flight and two 3 hour ones, I'm officially in Tanzania! In perspective, the plane ride was not as awful as it seems. I had a window seat with a beautiful view, an array of good movies, my iPod, and two planemates who were super friendly and interesting. One was a grandfather from Zambia who had moved to Canada and has 4 daughters. He was so nice and wise and he talked a lot about the value of family and how to truly be happy in life. The other guy was from Ethiopia and had moved to New York for work but was returning to visit his family. I met a lot of super interesting people during my flight. I met this one Australian couple during my lay-over in Ethiopia and they were super cool. They were in their sixties and returning from 3 month holiday in Europe and were heading to Africa for a 4 week Safari! They told me that it's never too late to live life, and that they think it's really great that I'm taking all these opportunities while I'm young and truly enjoying life. I agree. They were so inspiring. I hope I'm that adventurous when I'm older!

                         
 I was picked up at the airport by Dominic and Chris. Dominic is in his twenties and is from England. He has lived here for three years and knows Arusha better than most of the locals. Chris is a local Massai who is the volunteer coordinator and helps to show us around and take us to places we need to be. There is also Doreen, another local Massai who also helps to show us around and teaches us Swahili.

This program so far is super different than ones I’ve done in the past. Of course no place or trip is ever comparable, however this program is just more underdeveloped than ones I’ve done in the past. I guess the weirdest thing for me is that I’m not surrounded by a bunch of different people, as I’m so used to traveling in a group with different people from all over. So far, it is just me and another volunteer should be coming in a few days. I kind of like it, though. It gets lonely, but it’s a good feeling. I just love the feeling of being in a completely different place that I’ve never been before, and the novelty and adventure all around me. I’m so excited to explore tomorrow. I feel so independent and at times it's scary and lonely, but I think it’s a good thing, as it will prepare me for Peace Corps which will be a similar situation!

They dropped me off at my host mama’s house who lives right in downtown Arusha. It’s a super great location, as it’s right by the Shopright (for those of you who have been to Africa, it’s like Nakumatt but smaller..and for those of you who haven’t, it’s a mini version of Walmart)

My mama is older, she introduced herself as Bibi or grandmother. She has seven kids but they are all grown and displaced all around Tanzania and Africa. She also has a housemaid named Jennifer who lives here. In Africa it is super normal to have this, especially if you are older and single. She is 25 and does not know any English, so it’s difficult for us to communicate. My mama knows great English though and she is such a character. Her favorite thing to watch on television is wrestling! She literally knows everything about it, which I find so funny. She also loves to watch MTV and Usher is her favorite. Whenever she hears a song she’s always like yeah this is old. She’s definitely up to date with the modern music!

Some of you may find it weird that I speak of televisions and cell phones. Arusha right now is in a transformation stage, where they are caught between their traditional lifestyles and the modern one of any city. Cellphone shops are literally every other store and everyone has one, just as they would in the U.S. In between these cell phone shops are locals sitting on the side of the street selling fruits and vegetables on blanket. It’s like the typical stereotypical African image you may think of, mixed in with cell phones shops and internet places. Technology is big here, just as it is everywhere else. It’s actually kind of funny, as they are so up to date on the modern technology, yet when it comes to bathrooms it’s usually just a whole in the ground or not even, and simple utilities that we wouldn’t think twice about they usually don’t have.

my bed :)

I was exhausted when I arrived, and went straight to sleep in my mosquito-netted haven. A bed feels so amazing after a million hours of flying. I have an open-mind and am so excited for tomorrow and the weeks to come. Karibu Arusha, I can’t wait to take you on!