BWB Tanzania Summer 2012

Coming home!

2012-06-27T06:37:15Z

Hi everyone! We are waiting to board our flight in Amsterdam right now. We are taking flight KL 6059 ( aka DL 0259) and will arrive at MSP at 12:25 pm.
Safari was fantastic! We saw three of the big five (only missing the rhino and leopard). And Arusha was the busiest city we've been in yet and we were surprised by how much English we heard.
More details when we get home!!!
See you soon!

-Becca

Shinyanga and House of Grace!

2012-06-22T20:18:15Z

Hi Everyone!
We have found Shinyanga to be even better than we could have imagined. Travel was easy with the help of our new friends with House of Grace.

Our time here has been busy learning how House of Grace operates and the challenges that face people who are fighting leprosy. We have seen a totally new level of poverty here. In Bukoba the poverty we saw was sad, but here it seems hopeless. The people affected by leprosy are so stigmatized, and often disabled, that there is little hope of them bringing themselves out of poverty. Because of this, many people resort to begging, then their children, who never see anything else, also become beggars.

The primary goal of the program is to educate the children in these families. Because they do not have leprosy, there is no reason that the poverty cycle should continue. It costs about $96 dollars to pay for the uniform and school fees to send one child to primary school. House of Grace is currently sponsoring as many as they can, but there are many more waiting (I think it was estimated around 200 on the house of grace website).

Another goal is to educate about what leprosy actually is. It is very hard to transmit and there is a treatment when the disease is caught early enough. However, because of a lack of understanding many people go untreated until it is too late to reverse the effects.

The people here have been so welcoming to us that we have all agreed that we would like to continue working with House of Grace in the future.

Tomorrow we finish up with HOG and then we will leave for Mwanza (a slight change in the schedule to make travel a little more convenient). We will spend the night in Christmas Tree Hotel (same hotel as last time in Mwanza) and will depart early Sunday morning for Safari!

Until an Arusha update---

-Becca

Last week in Bukoba

2012-06-19T08:05:42Z

Hello all!
This weekend was full of adventures for us. First on Friday night we spent the night in Bandas (small huts) on the shore of Lake Victoria. We played "beach games" with the children from Uyacho orphanage (where we planted the garden last year) and ended the evening with a bonfire on the beach.
The next day we traveled to Ishozi, the village where William is from. We hiked, star-gazed, enjoyed a traditional meal eaten with banana leaves instead of silverware, and attended a church service in swahili in the morning. The weekend was all that you could expect from African village life, with many of the places being so secluded that you cannot reach them by road. One of the highlights for me was the church service, the music especially was beautiful. And even though we couldn't understand most of what was being said, we were able to appreciate the enthusiasm with which it was done.
Monday we spent enjoying Bukoba, and in the afternoon went with Izaas Medical project to donate soccer balls to the masai (traditional people of Tanzania and Kenya). We attempted to play soccer against the masai, and surprisingly we were pretty equally matched. They seemed almost as unfamiliar with the sport as we are, but they made up for the deficiency of skill with an excess of physical ability that often resulted in bruises.
This morning we worked revisited the home that as repaired two years ago by BWB. We had hoped to do the repairs today, but after consulting with an expert it was realized that even trying to repair the walls could result in the entire home falling in. We decided to partner with Izaas to ensure the home is rebuilt in the near future, even if it is not by us. Tonight we have plans to eat at the Bukoba Club (considered one of the fanciest restaurants in the area). We plan to treat some of the friends we have made to a good meal to thank them for all they have done for us while we have been here.

Tommorow night we take the ferry to Mwanza, then drive to Shinyanga to visit House of Grace, an organization working with people affected by Hansen's disease, or leprosy. We will try to update the blog after we get to the hotel there, or as soon as we can find an internet cafe!

-Becca

2012-06-15T10:35:00Z

Hi hi!

Just a quick update today!

This week we dropped off a bunch of school supplies and sheets at the Tumaini Street Kids Center (200 notebooks, 200 pens, protractors, calculators, chalk, ect). It was great to be able to donate supplies for those kids and help support a really well run organization. We also visited Budap this week, which is a organization in Bukoba that empowers disabled people by teaching them how to make things like jewelry and drums so they can make a living. We bought some souvenirs and visited the Bukoba museum while we were there. Last night we went back to watch another soccer game at the same restaurant. Go Germany? We cheered for our new friend Fab. We also all learned how to make matoke last night, which are cooked plantains with a bunch of veggies. I peeled 3 plantains in the time it took Zaharan to peel 15. We were so slow that eventually our friends took over and cut up all the veggies for us--so we sort of made it ourselves?

Today we visiting a private hospital to watch some really interesting operations--it was the 5 star hotels of hospitals compared to the Bukoba Hospital! The difference was amazing. The operations were also really cool to watch. After the hospital we stopped to hike and look at some rock paintings that were done allegedly in 300 bc. The views across the plains were absolutely incredible--it made us all so excited for Safari! Tomorrow night we are staying at the Bandas on the beach and Saturday we are going to William's village!

-Carly

Mugueza and Ntoma

2012-06-12T10:30:38Z

Hello everyone! Sorry for the delay in updates but we had another busy weekend just like the last!

On saturday we went back to the albino orphanage and cleaned the dorms for them. Armed with scrun brushes, brooms, mops, bukets, and soap we bargained for in the marlet, we scrubbed the floors and walls of the 4 dorms. They don't get cleaned very often so we could only do so much but at least they are disinfected now. We also donated a few soccer balls to both them and the deaf and dumb school in Mugueza (provided by Mr. Raza and Izaas). We even got a chance to play soccer with the kids and as a soccer player back at home, I loved being able to kick a ball around again! We were very surprised how good all the kids were.

Yesterday, we saw this beautiful waterfall before going to the Ntoma baby orphanage. Took some great pics and even ventured across the current, scaled some rocks, and ended up close enough to the falls to reach out and feel the water. Easily one of the coolest things I have ever done and I think everyone feels the same! As before, we enjoyed our time at the baby orphanage and even got to help out with lunch and bath time. All of the babies sit in a circle around a big plate of rice and hand feed themselves- very interesting to learn about that.

All of us can not believe we only have 9 days left in Bukoba- we are all going to miss our "African family" here when we leave next week. All for now!

Kayla Jankins

Street Kid Project Visit

2012-06-07T09:48:26Z

The week has been great. We have continued observing at the hospital, and our computer lessons have shown progress at Bukoba Secondary school. I think many of our group members have adjusted to culture here. We are comfortable and know our way around. I think we have less eyes following us too (though children continue to yell Muzungu at us). We visited the Street Kid Project of Bukoba yesterday afternoon. It is a privately funded organization that's purpose is to shelter children who are too poverty stricken to make it. Many children run away from home to this project. When we arrived, all of the children were singing a welcome song to us while one played on a drum. They ended up dancing for us and one male even sang "Heal the World" by Michael Jackson. We tried dancing for them in return, but it was clear that we lack certain abilities. We then got a tour of the place. The buildings where the children stay are average in condition. Not all of the children use mosquito nets, and there is a need for more sheets. We inquired what the project needed most and we found out clothing and school supplies (including uniforms) were what the children needed most. We are going to try to purchase school supplies with our project money if we can. Sixty uniforms would total to around $2000, so this project is out of our range this year. We are doing well and in high spirits. The energy is at a low, but I think it is due to the cloudy skies and rain that we have been having as of late. We miss you and we miss your food. Many of us are deliberating about what foods we are going to request when we are picked up at the airport. Feel free to comment on our posts with any questions you have!

BWB visits orphanages

2012-06-05T12:02:20Z

Hey everyone!

It's been a busy weekend into Mondays so sorry for the late update- but now, I have tons to share!

On saturday, we went to an albino orphanage in Mugueza (outside of Bukoba) to visit and bring donations. With the help of our driver and the assistant headmaster, we communicated and demonstrated how to apply the sunscreen we brought as well as the importance of wearing long sleeves to prevent sunburn. We are really trying to educate the older kids so they can set an example for the younger ones and are glad to help the kids in any way we can. It was disheartening to see the conditions the kids live in (most sleep 2 to a bed in very run-down dorms) but also welcoming to see the disabled Africans and albinos playing side by side as well. Later this week, we plan on cleaning up the dorms and bringing soccer balls to play with the kids.

Saturday night, we celebrated my 21st birthday with a dance party- lots of fun!

Sunday was a relatively chill day spent at the beach and Monday, we drove out to Ntoma to visit and help out at a baby orphanage. The drive was not an easy one- the roads are so bumpy and it took over an hour each way but it was worth it. We got to hold and play with the babies all afternoon and the general consensus is that they are all so adorable! We really wanted to take them home with us.

Today, a few of us went back to the hospital and observed a bladder cyst removal as well as another c-section- the doctors were very friendly and informative.

all for now!

Kayla Jankins

More Computer Lessons

2012-05-31T10:55:06Z

This morning we continued giving the computer lessons at Bukoba Secondary School. The Form 5 girls practiced using Microsoft Office Excel. They learned how to make two different kinds of charts and how to use the program to find the sum and average of a data set. At the end of their session the girls wrote stories or poems in Word, some of which were very interesting to read. We introduced Microsoft Office Power Point to the Form 6 girls. We gave them a set of topics to include in their slide show and then showed them how to view it when they were done. Most of the girls picked it up very quickly! Tomorrow we will be giving the last computer lesson at the school.

Due to our plans for the next few days and internet availability, there's a chance that we won't be able to update the blog until Tuesday. Saturday we will be going to Mugeza, where we will be giving the clothing and sun screen donations to the albino children. Monday we're planning on going to Ntoma to help the orphanage workers take care of the babies.

-Emily

Yo yo yo from Bukoba

2012-05-30T11:27:21Z

Hello People of America-

We have now finished our Organic Chemistry times at Bukoba Secondary School. Everything was a complete success in terms of friendships and lessons taught (although the concept of resonance seemed like a stretch for the girls we taught). We now our focusing all of our teaching attention on the computers and we are teaching strictly the form 5 and form 6 girls (seniors and juniors at the high school level) how to use them. There is quite a range of previous computer experience ranging from some girls writing stories and other taking 5 minutes to find all of the keys to write their names. It is a very enjoyable experience and there is never a dull day in this classroom. We are all excited to finish up the week. Carly, Quentin, Kelly, and Kayla went to the hospital today and saw more deliveries in the motherhood ward of the hospital. Quentin and Kayla stayed to see a c-section, but Kelly and Carly needed to go to the school after witnessing the birth. It is a lot to handle apparently, I have yet to see one, so I will update when I get to that point. Anyways, tonight we will be eating Chips maiay and snacking on fruits as we relaz and prepare for our computer lessons tomorrow. I love Chips Maiay and Matti (the cook) is real cool, he delivers to our house with the best Chili sauce in the world (he doesn't make it)... Now I am hungry for chips mayai. Anyways, we love and miss our friends and family. And someone will talk to you tomorrow.

BWB (specifically Kevin)

Scondary School and Hospital

2012-05-29T08:34:06Z

Today we split up our group to go to different projects. Some people went back to hospital. They started out their day in a meeting with the nurses and doctors, then headed to the maternity ward. They got to see a women give birth to a health baby girl, as well as many newborn babies with their mothers.

Other people went to the secondary school to do another lesson on the computers. Today they focused on giving the girls a typing lesson. There was a wide range of experience in typing. Some figured it out quickly while others struggled more. The whole group will be going back in the evening to teach our second and final organic chemistry lesson. We will be teaching two computer lessons a day for the rest of the week. Other people in the group went to package and distribute food for ISAAZ. We will be going back to package and distribute more food on later Tuesdays.

-Megan

Bukoba Secondary!

2012-05-28T12:24:07Z

Hello all!
Today was our first day teaching at the secondary school. We started the day introducing the students to their new computer lab. The computers are all working and we have been able to install Microsoft office on each one (through a connection in Bukoba). It was interesting to see how a few of the students were familiar with computers and even had facebook, while the majority of the girls didn't know how to click or what the internet was. This discrepancy appears to be the result of differences in family circumstances, and it's nice to think that now more students will benefit from having a wroking knowledge of computers.

Today we focused on the very basics of computers (opening and closing programs, typing, clicking, recharging, turning it off and on, etc.). Throughout the week we will move on to more advancedsubjects in Microsoft office. We also taught organic chemistry to the form five students. Usually this is taught by the teachers here but
I think they asked us to do it to give the students more practice with their english. The students also seem to really enjoy asking us about how the US is different from Tanzania and comparing the similarities.

We also visited last year's project, the garden at Uyacho orohanage. Due to the heavy rains this year, much of the top soil has been washed away, but we hope to work with them to fix it up once he rain stops!

-Becca

Isaaz Orphanage & Mr. Raza

2012-05-26T08:55:03Z

Greetings from Bukoba!

Yesterday, Friday, we were invited to visit Mr. Raza's orphanage in Bukoba. For those that are not familiar, Mr. Raza is a very well known businessman and philanthropist in Bukoba. He has donated much of his time and money to helping those greatly in need. When we visited the orphanage the children were just finishing their prayer service. All of the children as well as Mr. Raza are Muslim. Many children were brought before us by Mr. Raza and we heard many stories of their lives up to this point. Many children had parents who were HIV positive and many of the children also are as well. While they may or may not know that they have the disease, these children are not deeply sad or unhappy. Many of them are spirited and at the top of their class. In Tanzania, secondary school, the equivalent of high school in America, is not free. Mr. Raza and Isaaz, through donations, fund education for many orphaned children. It is absolutely wonderful that Mr. Raza has provided them with the opportunity to become educated, and as he said to us, is one of the most critical components to one's upbringing.

It was a humbling experience to have the opportunity to eat a meal with the children at Isaaz. The children can eat almost more than we can, because more than often, it is probably the most they have had in days, and they do not know when they will get another meal, so subconsciously they overeat.

Mr. Raza not only gives us a glimpse into his orphanage, but is without a doubt one of the biggest resources we have in Bukoba for getting in touch with sustainable work we can do for this community.

It is the weekend now, and we are relaxing and gearing up for a busy week next week beginning shadowing and observation at the hospital as well as setting up the computer lab at the secondary school and beginning our mini-course in organic chemistry for the students.

We have only been here about a week, and the excitement is just beginning. We look forward to sharing our experiences as they unfold!

Dan

Bukoba Secondary School

2012-05-24T09:03:17Z

Hello everyone!

I'd like to say that this is my first blog post ever and I'm a little nervous because we have had our most exciting morning here so far today. Today we brought all of the computers (24 laptops in total) to Bukoba Secondary School where we will be making a computer lab for them. The school put on a ceremony for us and handing over the computers.. First we dropped the computers off and visited the water tank that the group made 2 years ago near the girls dorms. Some of the girls accompanied us and it was fun to get to have a conversation with some of the local people. They are very grateful for the water tank and it seems like it has been very beneficial for them. Its nice to hear that past projects have been so successful. Then we went back to the school where we each introduced ourselves and two of the girls gave a speech they had prepared for us. The head master of the school also spoke showing his gratitude for everything BWB has done for them in the past and for this new project. He said that the cost of 25 laptops would be 15 million shillings, which is half of their yearly income. Therefore, this computer lab is a big deal for them. Props to Becca for putting all of this together! After the ceremony, the head master gave the students half an hour before class restarted so they took advantage of having the microphones and speakers and a few of them were rapping and groups took turns dancing. Overall, it was a really fun day and it was the first time we were really a part of the community here.

After leaving the ceremony we went to the market and the girls bought fabric. We need it to wear it to cover our heads at a lunch we will be going to on Friday with Mr. Rossa and the plan is to make them into custom made skirts afterwards. We have the rest of the afternoon open so I'm not sure what we will be up to but tonight we will be going to Tinus to get chips mayai! This is my new favorite food here- breakfast-like potatoes in an omelet basically. As always we hope all is well at home and miss you all!

-Kelly and BWB

greetings from rainy bukoba!

2012-05-23T09:54:43Z

Unfortunately, we got stuck in a downpour today inbetween meetings but I don't think everyone minds the cooler temps and overcast clouds. Between yesterday and today, we've met with alot of people and organizations that we will be working with over the next few weeks and are getting our schedule set. Mr. Rutta, assistant to Mr. Raza, took us to the regional government center today and talked to a regional commisioner about our proposed projects at the albino and other orphanages and then we stopped by the hospital to talk to a chief medical doctor about observing surgeries in the near future. We will start at the secondary school tomorrow and will be bringing laptops for a computer lab there. Everyone here seems just as excited for us to start as we are! Otherwise, it's been a pretty relaxed day and we are off to the market to pick up some food for dinner!

kayla jankins

We discuss our Projects!

2012-05-22T14:03:05Z

Today, Tuesday, we woke to a good amount of rain. We had some bananas and figured out how to make toast. After the rain was subdued, we left the house for William's office to figure out how to activate our phone card. Four of us went to the bank which ended up being too long of a line. The rest of us enjoyed some fantas on the Lake Victoria beach. We checked out the bandas which are little huts that you can sleep in for a night for $10. We talked with some people. I talked with Kaisa in particular. His english was fairly good. He spoke of the island in front of us with population 300 and of fishing. It was really exciting and refreshing working through conversation with him. We headed back to the town to the secondary school where we would set up the computer lab. We talked with the headmaster and deliberated on our plans to teach Organic chemistry to the advanced secondary school students next week.They were very welcoming and even had a welcome sign on the chalkboard. We are so excited to bring the computers on Thursday and begin teaching this upcoming Monday. We got a sim card and will figure out how to call home soon. Then we headed to Mr. Raza's place to talk about projects we could be involved in. We will have lunch with him this upcoming Friday. He also suggested visiting the albino orphanage on weekends. Mr. Raza is a very respectable man with many connections in Bukoba. He talked about visiting a house for repairs. He told us we could also visit the Deft and Dumb orphanage. He said that the contributions we could give to the causes of Bukoba were very wonderful. That poor students who work overtime are able to come here to help is very appreciated. We will meet at 9am tomorrow at Mr. Raza's to get a ride to the Town council and Regional officers office to gain approval for the projects we hope to work on. The sun is shining. Our next task is dinner. Things are looking up and we are excited to have laid the groundwork for our projects here in Bukoba!

-BWB (Quentin)