Hope is like a road in the country; there wasn't ever a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence.

Hello Everyone,
It is 5:45 pm here in Tengeru. Things have been going really well, and CCS keeps us quite busy with Swahili lessons and many other educational sessions every night. We just came back from the Rwandan Tribunals. They were in "closed court" today, but we were invited to watch a movie and return Monday. The set-up for the tribunals is amazing (for Arusha). I was very surprised to see hand dryers and real toilets there as well.

Yesterday, we had a full day in Moshi, a town at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. We began by trecking down a very steep mountain to the Nzoro waterfall. At times, I must admit being quite nervous, as one wrong step could have led to serious trouble... good thing we had those walking sticks:) The hike was well worthwhile, and the waterfall was incredibly beautiful.

It was so funny to see my entire group do the treck together. Pamela thought she might have to be the first person ever airlifted out. She made it though... and we were all very proud of her.


Later, one of our instructors/program leaders Zik took us through a traditional Chagga house. Zik is an amazing man for whom I have developed a lot of respect. He has really brought a lot to this experience with his explanations on Tanzanian politics, Swahili lessons and all of his answers to my many questions about why things are the way they are here in Arusha. Zik also reminds me a lot of my Papa, so I always seem to feel secure in his presence.

Ok back to the Chagga house. It looks a lot like a furry teepee from the outside, and we came to find out that this was actually a house that is currently inhabited - amazing that in the 21st century people are still living in these types of houses. Zik explained that although the house was quite small, every room had a very specific function. Women and men live in separate houses after the age of 7. There is a fire pit right in the house for cooking even though the walls are made of wood. Cattle sleep in the house at night. I was very impressed at how functional every small space was in the small house, and hope to adapt that same philosophy to 1110 Michigan Ave:) It was also interesting to learn that women breast feed all children until the age of 4. Zik himself had grown up in one of these houses, and in the Chagga tribe, it is essential for boys to become self sufficient by the age of 10. I was also amazed to learn that Zik's grandmother lived until the age of 130... what are we doing wrong back home??

He brought us outside to a small clearing amid the trees. This was where all ceremonial traditions were held. Zik explained that when someone in the tribe was experiencing bad luck, they would call on the spirits and then pull a leaf out of the tree to determine who was the cause of the problem. Later they would sacrifice a goat, cut up the organs to ensure that the appropriate organs were given to either their mother, father, or other family member - everyone received a specific organ. After this procedure, they would tie up the leaf and ask for forgiveness.... AMAZING... I was so happy to learn about how Zik had been raised and it was obvious that he was very happy to share his tales with us.

On the way home from Moshi - about an hour drive, I was surprised to see some of my girls (students) walking home. What surprised me most was that they were still walking at 7:00 when school was let out at 5:00. I just assumed that they were going to a friend's house... at least that is what I hoped. Today, the director told me that in fact they were walking home from school, and that some of the girls live at least a 1 1/2 hour walk away. That means that they walk in total 3 hours to and from school every single day. I again was left with tears in my eyes, as I am more "fueled" than ever to do the most I can to plant the seed for sustainable education for these girls. I began today by purchasing writing books, pens and pencils for the 20 girls I teach. Thanks to all of your donations and OSSTF, I hope also to do a lot more. Our coffee bags have been made and I have a schedued meeting with the director Monday to discuss the sustainability of this initiative. I will let you know then if it will be possible to order coffee from Canada. If so I can assure you that the quality will be amazing.

Thank you for your continued support, and I feel that I am walking among many angels here in Tanzania.


I am tutoring this young lady, Elly, in the evenings. She works for CCS.


Until next time...