Reflections on Tanzania, 2005:

Planting the seed:
December 25, 2001: Our 3 sons and our son-in-law each found a safari hat in his stocking, accompanied by invitation to join Mike for his next trip to Tanzania. The focus of the journey would be to repair classrooms at Enaboishu Lutheran Secondary School, the school of Marieth Mlay, English teacher who partnered with Sharon and Mike in 2001. Three years later, we began discussions for traveling in June, 2005.

Branching of the sprout:
GME in Milwaukee, 2004: Sharon and Mike shared lunch with Dr. Shoonie Hartwig, Director of Mwangaza Center in 2001, when we were teacher-exchange partners. Dr. Shoonie continues with Mwangaza as a consultant. A few words to the wise: Sharing any idea with Dr. Shoonie for using ones gifts and skills in Tanzania will surely become 2 or 3 ideas before lunch is finished. “As long as you are there, why not consider ...?!” Her idea of facilitating during the Math & Physics teachers seminar was exciting and would extend Mike’s stay into early July. The students would then return from break, so why not stay another week and team-teach? Good thing there was no dessert!

Enriching the soil:
Our idea was warmly received by Mama Mlay and Headmaster Sakinoy of Enaboishu and encouraged by Bishops Gary Wollersheim, NIS, and Thomas O. Laiser, Arusha Diocese. Headmaster Sakinoy assisted greatly in our fundraising by sending a list of repairs, materials, and costs. We included his information in a letter to family, friends, congregation members, and our colleagues at work, offering an opportunity to share in the mission. The original goal of $4400 seemed daunting, but soon became attainable and then surpassed. Change dropped into a milk jug on Mike’s desk + $12 cash given with the comment “This will buy a box of nails”+ school clubs giving from their fund-raising + individuals writing checks from $10 to $500 = $7000 !!! The funds would not only cover the costs of the planned repairs but allow for more rooms and some paint and windows.

Walking the field:
As our oldest son could not make the trip and our son-in-law chose to stay in France to await the birth of their first child, Jacob and Lamont joined Mike at the Mwangaza Center near Arusha, Tanzania, on June 10. Walking the 3 kilometers of local paths to Enaboishu each morning and evening, we “Wazungu - white people” became well known and frequently greeted. Lamont named one turn “How are you?” corner, as we were met each time by 10 - 20 children singing out the greeting. It was good to be wide awake at the bottom of the next hill, as the “bridge” across the ditch consisted of 2 water pipes and 2 logs, the latter having been significantly chewed upon by termites.

Cultivating the field of classrooms:
Our repair project was focused on the installation of rafters and ceiling panels where none had existed or replacing both of the above when had suffered from termites or water damage. With a carpentry crew and Enaboishu staff members, we broke into teams: removing old ceilings, replacing old or building new rafters and ceiling frameworks, and nailing the new ceiling tiles into place. This included a building whose cinder block walls had been built 22 years ago but only recently covered with a metal sheeting roof. By the end of our 6 days, we had completely finished the new building and 4 other tear out and replacements. When I returned to team teach 4 weeks later, 17 classrooms had been finished. It was my great pleasure to team with Mama Mlay in the “newest” classroom, working with 77 students in one class.

Another field: cultivating and enriching in teacher seminars:
I was given a new opportunity to share the Mwangaza “Light” this year. Simon Panga, of Moringe Sokoine Lutheran Secondary School, and I shared in the writing of lesson plans for the Mwangaza's 2005 Math & Physics seminar. This seminar was scheduled for the last week in June, following the 2 weeks focused on Biology & Chemistry and on English & Geography. Simon and I developed our lessons by exchanging ideas through e-mails, working with Valerie Goodmanson (2004 Mwangaza teacher-exchange partner) as our coordinator. Given 4 topics which were requested by the 2004 Mwangaza seminar participants, we wrote and shared drafts of plans for each. Finally, our discussions led us to select "Logarithms" as the topic through which the Mwangaza Lesson Plan format would be modeled on Day 2 of our week. After my sons returned home, I was able to join the Mwangaza staff, Simon and other facilitators. Of the 42 teacher participants for our week, 75% had less than 5 years experience teaching math &/or physics and were attending a seminar for the first time. After one lesson plan in each of math and physics was modeled by the facilitators, the teachers were paired to develop and present new lesson plans for 1 of the 4 topics in their subject area. For the next 1 1/2 days, my role was to support these teachers as they selected and researched a topic, wrote and discussed lesson plans, developed the visual aids and planned for student participation. Our discussions added to my understanding of the challenges they face in meeting the National Curriculum requirements. As the participants presented their lessons on Thursday and Friday, all present were reinforced by their growth in understanding and methodology. Initially a Mwangaza education partner in 2001, I now have even more appreciation for this vocation we share and for Mwangaza's leadership in bringing teachers together. The use of e-mail has multiplied our opportunities to share ideas and skills for teaching the youth of the world. (FYI: There is a link to subject areas and topics for the 2006 seminars on Mwangaza's web site. Would YOU be interested in growing and sharing in the Mwangaza “Light”?)

My last fields: Harvesting and tasting the fruit:
My last week was filled with joyful flavors. With Simon Panga in his Moringe Sokoine Lutheran Secondary School math classes for 2 days, we picked up where we had left off during his visit to DeKalb High School last year. His students welcomed my questions and suggestions as they worked in groups to answer the challenging problems assigned. The administrators and teachers of MSLSS set a high standard in working as a team to best serve their students and community. For example, Headmaster Dr. Seth Msinjili chooses to teach freshmen English, showing incoming students how much they are valued and the high expectations for students and staff. Wednesday - Friday allowed me to return to Enaboishu and join Marieth Mlay and other staff in their classrooms. (FYI: All secondary school subjects are taught in English, which is the 3rd language for all teachers and students!!) In those 3 days, Mama Mlay led her students on a journey: scouting for facts, mapping out possible routes if following those facts, and finally writing the detailed guide book to the conclusions. Students were challenged with describing the conflicts and consequences when the main character of Black Hermit, with new values and perspectives, returned to the society of his parents and grandparents. Mama encouraged them to project themselves into this position and expand by putting feelings with the facts. The students literally broke into smiles (as did Mama & I) when they saw the results. They had found so many different English words and phrases to describe the same people, circumstances, and feelings.

Filled with grace:
We thought we knew the gift of hospitality, but we had much to learn from the experts. In Tanzanian culture, a persons relationship with God is most important, followed very closely by a persons relationships with family and with community. These values were exemplified by so many who gave of their time and opened their homes, making us feel like family when so far from our own.
Perhaps the message best remembered was given when the Enaboishu staff gathered on the evening of our last workday. While the work was important and the accomplishments to be celebrated, the message that had tears running down the faces of we 3 Wazungu was the “Honor” of which they spoke. First, we and they honoring God’s will by using our gifts and skills for others, and secondly, the honor they could see between Father and Sons, committed to each other and to sharing in this work.

Hello Again to my Family, Friends, and Colleagues,      Wednesday, July 27 re: Friday, July 8,2005

Perhaps this is overkill, but you do have a "Delete" key, so don't be afraid to use it! There are two time periods and experiences during my weeks in TZ about which I had made ongoing notes but never found the time/energy when the computers were open and had (electrical) energy.
Since I discovered while writing the TZgrams that they are both my journaling to be shared with you and would be my "complete" memories (now that am at the age when memory is seldom complete), I NEED to write these -- you can decide if you NEED to read them.

My apologies for the delay in TZgrams, but there was literally no time during the seminar week and spent much of the next week wrapping up 2005's work, planning ahead for 2006's and beyond, then resting some and catching up with laundry, communications and connections. So now will reflect on last week's happenings, sharing with 42 math and
physics teachers -- do I detect some groaning out there?! Also, my
apologies for going in and out of "real time", end of actual day, and reflecting from a week past -- parts of the following were written under each of those timelines, and will leave them as such. Even though grammatically incorrect, such may more accurately reflect perspectives and feelings.

As had indicated in the last "gram", my e-mail partner, Simon Panga, had not yet arrived late Sunday afternoon.  However, about 8 PM I was crossing the courtyard and smiled even before turning when I heard "MIKE!" called out.  What a great feeling to share warm greetings with Simon, who has become a good friend even though we have spent only a few days together in DeKalb High School and our home.  After some time of sharing the greetings of others and updating each other with the latest news from home, we also spoke of our roles as facilitators and reviewed the schedule for Monday. 

With much of the first day's schedule focused on orientation for those teachers who would be attending their first or second Mwangaza seminar, Simon and I would have time in the afternoon and evening to finalize our lesson plans for modeling the Mwangaza approach to teaching. However, we talked for some time to narrow our topic choices to one so could review the ideas we had discussed through e-mails for presenting this topic: logarithms.

There is much to tell about the school systems and curriculum in Tanzania and I will attempt to do so in another letter, but will also include some necessary information here.  At this time, it is important to know that the number of teachers has fallen in recent years for several reasons, at the same time as a movement to encourage more youth to continue through secondary school.  Therefore, it is now possible to be hired to teach school after successfully completing Form 6 (Equivalent to 2 years of community college), Diploma (Form 6 plus two years of teacher training) or University Degreed, similar to our Bachelors degree.  One can only teach according to the level of education, so only the University Degreed can teach Form 5 & 6, then goes down as does level of certification, to the point where "community college students" are teaching freshmen and sophomores in high school.
 Primary school is compulsory and "free", but not everyone goes and there are certainly costs (clothing, books, etc.)  After 7th grade, students must sit for national exams and cannot continue unless they earn passing scores.  Our high school years are called Form 1 - Form 4, and are not compulsory nor free -- in fact, less than 20% of youth complete Form 4 at this time, largely because the $350 - 500 annual fees are more than the average family can pay. There are again national exams after From 4; if passed, then the students have the option to continue to Form 5 & 6, choosing a school which offers a combination of related topics (eg: Economics; Geography; Commerce).

It's also helpful for your understanding to be aware that there are
100+ tribal groups in Tanzania, each with it's own local language.  The
children are also taught Kiswahili (think "Lion King"), the national language, before and in primary school, where all lessons are taught in Kiswahili. Also, in primary school, the children have a class in English. When they reach Form 1(9th grade), ALL classes are taught in English. Yes, teachers are teaching in their 3rd language to students who are learning in their 3rd language. Picture yourself in your high school days, learning science in German, Spanish, French, ...

Of the 42 teachers who would participate in our week, every level of certification was represented, but 33 had less that 5 years of teaching and 37 were at their first teaching seminar, Mwangaza or anywhere else.  Most of these teachers had gone through Form 1 - Form 6 having few, if any, textbooks for their classes.  Many of them had only one idea of how to teach a topic, and that, of course, was the way it had made sense to them.  Interestingly, that understanding wasn't always correct in facts or concepts, I was about to discover.  Our group, then, was made up of 2 teachers each (one math & one physics) from 21 different secondary schools representing all geographical regions of Tanzania.

Monday was a day of orientation, selecting the chair & other positions; setting the daily & week's schedule; etc. I particularly enjoyed the selection of Chairperson and Secretary, as the chosen were both older gentlemen who had experience in other careers, so brought other perspectives to our gathering. The Secretary was about my size, but had a deep, booming voice and a great sense of humor, so everyone looked forward to his detailed, daily reports of the proceedings. The participants were led through the Mwangaza Resource Book, a compilation of methodologies, including some from the team with which Sharon & I participated in 2001. Mwangaza directors set the goals and objectives, emphasizing that lesson plans MUST show resources beyond the government-standardized texts, thereby requiring participants to use the resources of Mwangaza's library and computers. Aha! Computers! For 75% of the participants, this would be the first time on a computer, and for 90%, the first time connected to the internet. (Now you know why there were few opportunities for me to find an empty chair/computer last week!) Later in the day, Mary Jo Huelle and Ron Henning, both having been partners with TZ teachers in previous years, presented lessons in writing cautionary tales (stories with a moral) and cause and effect, respectively. Wrapped up Day 1 with teams sharing their cautionary tales, which fit very well into the Tanzanian oral tradition and their folk tales -- would it surprise you to know our "Boy Who Cried Wolf" has an East African version, "Shepherd Who Cried Lion"?

One of the highlights of today was Shoonie Hartwig's adaptation of the
3 Rs of education: Old = Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic >>> Shoonie's = Responsibilities, Relationships, and Rigor. During Tuesday morning's Sala (hymns with everyone finding their part in the harmony, readings, and message led by a different teacher each day), the young man reflected on Paul's letters, choosing several readings where Paul had pointed out our Responsibilities of doing God's work, always doing such in Relationships with others, and realizing that it is a lifetime of Rigorous work. Was obvious that he had listened on Monday!

Simon and I met AFTER Monday's lunch & evening meal -- there is no way to translate "working lunch/dinner" here, as that concept conflicts with the cultural practice of actually enjoying and sharing socially during mealtime. We did get the specifics in order and organized the presentation to fit the timeline. Since we would be demonstrating methods which are not familiar, ours would be an "extended" class period, giving us time to stop periodically to explain what would be coming next.

Tuesday morning was a bit tense, with Simon presenting and me as his partner, back-up, time-keeper, etc.  He threw me a major curve by starting the lesson with something which was not even in the lesson plan, and then faltered -- took me several minutes to figure out where he was so could help guide him from there to solid ground, but then things went much better.  He was a trooper, trying an approach to logarithms that he had never seen before -- I think someone got to him last night at the hostel, convincing him that you couldn't teach logarithms without the additional piece. He told me later at lunch that some people would have been very disappointed if he had not included that information.  Trouble was, he then couldn't find a path to the introduction and other parts of the process which we had planned and which are requirements of the Mwangaza process.  Was also challenging to have math/science folks, as they/we(?) have a tendency to need exactness -- so stepped in twice and reminded the participants thay they were STUDENTS, for this lesson,  and not math/physics teachers who think they already know how logarithms should be taught.  Had them all stand and figuratively take their teacher faces and place them into their pocket, leaving only a student's face to wear. Once he had the "students" in groups, folding papers and graphing the results of folds, areas, and number of rectangles, he HAD them!! It was great seeing some doubling checking to see if this could really be true. And, for the big finish, Simon brought forth using logs for length and width to find the area of a rectangle -- I know many of you will be disappointed that I am not writing all the details!!

After a discussion and evaluation of our lesson, Mr. Mushi of Enaboishu presented a lesson in physics re: water pressure. After, I requested the opportunity to visit one of his classes my last week -- will be
good to see him in action with real students. During the afternoon,
the focus changed to organizing the participants into teams/pairs, assisting them in choosing their lesson plan topic, and acquainting them first hand with the resources available. Simon and I spent time identifying texts for each topic, moving the books to the seminar room for Wednesday's researching activities. Turned out to be good timing, as electricity failed in the evening and Wednesday morning, but the openness of the seminar hall allowed people to read when not possible in the library.

Much different focus in many ways today (Wednesday), as my specific support of Simon as he presented yesterday became an umbrella of support as we worked with the math teachers all day, helping them find sources and direction for their lesson plans.  Tomorrow 3 pairs will make 40 minutes presentatations and the rest of the pairs will do only
5 minutes each, showing the outline of their plans and the use of visual aids, manipulatives, and grouping of students in the teaching/learning process.  Those teaching for 40 minutes will present a complete lesson, as this is the usual length of period in their school.  Simon and I selected the presenters, but did not tell them or the others until the end of the day, so that everyone would make a full effort -- in fact, we didn't decide on any of them until the last 1/2 hour, as there were several that looked good and wanted those who were behind to feel the pressure.  Good to see that two of our presenters are quite young, but willing to try new things.  Hopefully, all will follow through tomorrow and not change things at the last minute.

Thursday was the 1st of 2 days of presentations by the participants, with math today and physics Friday.  Only 3 groups in each subject area
gave full period presentations. Simon was wise to give them 50 minutes, versus the 40 scheduled, so that they could work through the rough spots and still finish. Expectations for visual aids and/or manipulatives and grouping students add to the time and they are unfamiliar with involving one or more of these in a lesson plan.  Also, they were directed by Shoonie to be able to show and tell what they had learned at this seminar and/or from the Mwangaza Resource Book and/or the library that they had not used before.  The sum of all these and working with a partner to prepare and present made for serious challenges to one and all.  Good presentations, though, with folks responding to the challenges.

Yesterday we facilitators worked our fannies off trying to stretch their minds and courage by encouraging them to take chances.  Simon made the final choices of those to present the total period and those who would just summarize, but we talked long and often as the afternoon wore on.  Some of the pairs were very slow to change and others, having made the commitment, worked in very small steps to digest the newness of what they were trying -- hard to have confidence in what you are trying when have never seen the results before.  Since Shoonie and others would be evaluating our support and choices as well as the plans of all, felt some pressure even though wouldn't be up front.

Then, of course, found that would be up front, as Simon and I were to follow each presentation, long or short, with leading the others in an evaluation.  Simon was great, being able to indirectly give direction to discussions and cut off questions/comments that were not helpful or were off task -- math and science folks have a reputation for trying to show off their own talents even when not in the spotlight.  Also gave me the chance to address one area of the topics -- absolute value. Interestingly, these topic areas were selected by teachers from all over TZ, literally asking for assistance in finding new and improved way to teach the material.  Yet, like many of us humans, they then resist changing from the way they are comfortable with their understanding, and therefore, teaching it, even though they know the students are not learning nor passing the national exams on these subjects.  A little during the first presentation, and much after it, several of the audience were picking at the definition and methods the young pair had used for absolute value while we were leading the evaluation.  Simon and I both tried at first to redirect to the plan and not the specifics, but finally I asked Simon quietly, and then Shoonie openly, if I might address their questions.  I confronted them, asking first if this was not one of the topics on which they had requested assistance, and then telling them that I would now show again what the presenters had showed them but to which they seemed to have closed their eyes, ears and minds.  After, I apologized for being so much a mathematician, and American, that I went directly from problem to solution in a "straight line", without considering the politeness of my hosts.  However, my straight arrow should not have hurt more than the poisonous darts they were shooting at the presenters -- got a chuckle and the 3 claps of applause.  Was interesting later that 3 other short presentations worked hard to emphasize "distance" in their absolute value summaries, and each was asked to show one thing or another using this new method.  They performed like princes and were very proud to be showing their peers something they had learned and others wanted to know.

Special "award" to the gentleman to the right, who built the visual aid
below to exemplify the relationships of angles within prisms. Was
reinforcing that he had found a diagram within Mwangaza's reference materials -- beyond that, he definitely impressed the participants and facilitators with by bringing the 2-dimensional to 3-dimensional life, conveying the concepts to students.
 

Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues,                     Saturday, July 16: 9 PM
>  
> Although there was actually somewhat of a schedule for today, the
> original has been destroyed from the beginning and a new one created
> hour by hour.  The tickle in my throat returned early this morning,
> bringing with it the cough that teases, but does not allow returning
> to sleep.  Just before the time I had planned to awaken, I returned to
> sleep and was surprised when next looked at my watch.  It was obvious
> that I would be arriving at Mlay's home later than I had promised.
>  
> It's good to receive welcoming hugs while apologizing for being late
> -- and nice to be handed the excuse that I am now becoming African,
> moving on African time (always a little, or a lot, late).  Chai time
> produced offerings of tea, chai, or coffee, boiled eggs and bites of
> pork, bread and butter -- good thing I had only eaten a banana as I
> hurried on my way out Mwangaza's gate.
>  
> The sun poked through resisting clouds until they surrendered and we
> actually moved into the shade.  The girls and Deo came and went, with
> several classmates of Bahati dropping by and being introduced to this
> "family friend".  I had one DeKalb hat left and adjusted it to fit
> Deo, but found it in "hip hop" position on Prisca's head later.  Was
> OK to share, it seemed, but Deo claimed in when came time for
> pictures.  Actually, he missed the "family photo", even after his name
> was sung across the nearby properties.  Very reminiscent of the days
> of old when young 'uns ranged far and wide from the house, coming back
> in time for meals and chores (sometimes).
>  
> We shared family histories, specifically about the original villages
> where we were born, and talked of parents, grandparents, and siblings. 
> Seemed to be much in common in family values and sharing, although
> specific differences in customs.  For instance, I don't ever remember
> my grandmother pulling a sweet away because I was reaching with my
> left hand, but we all remembered parents and teachers trying to change
> the child who began writing with his/her left hand.
>  
> Soon it was 1:30, extending an extra 1/2 hour to make up for the
> tardiness of my arrival.  Enter the cell phone, as Festo thought we
> should check in with Simon.  Sure enough, he would not arrive at
> Mwangaza until 4 PM, allowing me to stay another hour until Marieth
> and Festo were due at a Christian community meeting.  It is a newly
> organized group in their congregation, and today's meeting was to
> bring representatives together from different congregations in the
> Enaboishu area.  Is it necessary to tell you that, with extended
> "Goodbye"s with the children and walking and talking until the "How
> Are You?" corner, they had no chance of being on time -- but were sure
> that no one else would be either!
>  
> Mama & Baba offered "See You Later"s, not "Goodbye"s, for they hope to
> be at Mwangaza for 1/2 hour before my taxi is due tomorrow afternoon.
> Whether they make it here or not, it certainly doesn't feel as if
> today was our last time together.
>  
> Arriving here, I checked e-mail ASAP, as  Sharon's Aunt Rita passed
> away yesterday morning after a battle with cancer.  Please keep
> Sharon, her Uncle Bill and his children and all her family in your
> prayers.  Although my travels here are ending, we are awaiting funeral
> arrangements to find if we will begin travelling soon after my return.
>  
> As I left the computer and looked out the front window, I saw Simon
> Panga walking away from the gate. With the front door locked for the
> weekend, it took a few minutes to catch him as he looked in nearby
> areas.  He brought many messages from his family and from the staff of
> Moringe Sokoine and we spoke of our adventures in the classrooms these
> last 3 days.  After some time he asked if I would like to join him for
> a visit to a party nearby, where visitors from Oregon were gathered,
> and then we could return to have more time to talk alone.  He had been
> in Oregon about 10 years ago and stayed with some of these people.  I
> declined, telling him to enjoy this special reunion, but I would love
> to continue our conversation later.
>  
> Only 15 minutes after he left, the watchman alerted me that someone
> was outside.  I hurried there, assuming Simon had returned.  My
> disappointment from last week's lack of contact with companion
> congregations was largely washed away when the gentleman introduced
> himself as Pastor Daniel Kambaine, the pastor of First Lutheran's
> companion congregation in Ketumbeine.  Not only had he just walked up
> Ilboru Road to meet with me, but this was his second trip of the day,
> having been here about 1:00 also.  (Now I'm feeling like I need a cell
> phone!!!)  Although he could stay only 1/2 hour, 50 minutes later we
> are continuing to share and ask the watchman to take our picture.
> Just guessing from the angle of the lens that the first photo had more
> of our feet than our faces, we asked for another and I took one more
> on the way to the gate.  Pastor Kambaine conveys a gentle strength,
> and certainly persistence, telling me of his conversations with Bishop
> Laiser to find me.  He had even returned to the Diocese office after
> the earlier visit and written letters to Pastor Hanson and others, but
> after leaving them there, decided to try one more time to meet me
> personally.  Isn't there a saying such as: If you cannot go to the
> mountain, perhaps the mountain will come to you?
>  
> Of course, with "coincidence" (you do remember that Sharon doesn't
> believe in them, don't you?) being the rule of the day, Simon arrived
> just then and I had the honor of introducing him before Pastor made
> his second trek down Ilboru.  Simon and I mutually fell into talking
> through our short history, from his meeting Sharon and Ron in 2003,
> time together in DeKalb last year, and our sharing in these last few
> weeks.  Just as one allows a great ice cream to melt in your mouth, we
> savored the taste of our time together.  I wanted him to stay and join
> me for a meal, but he had to be on his way down the hill to catch the
> last of the dala dalas which would go as far as Monduli tonight.
>  
> You didn't really think it would end there, did you?  As we shook
> hands and hugged, a horn sounded, announcing the arrival of a VW
> Beetle piloted by Albert Megiroo and navigated by Elizabeth.  Are
> y'all beginning to get the idea of Tanzanian Hospitality?!!  Of
> course, they also know Simon, so his chances of catching
> transportation lessened by the time "Greetings" and "Goodbye"s were
> shared.  The Megiroos were on their way to returning Elizabeth to her
> last week of school before exams, including a "pre-exam" in Statistics
> tomorrow -- she asks for prayers from one and all that she might
> finish that course successfully.  They could not even come inside, but
> it was wonderful to see them again.  Some of you know Elizabeth and
> she sends many "Thank You"s for your friendship and prayers.
>  
> Even I may have to re-read my notes to remember everyone who gave of
> their time and energies today, thanking me for coming to their
> country, schools, and homes.  Each and all also represented their
> communities and made me promise to extend their great appreciation for
> your thinking of and praying for them, even though they are so far
> away and most have never met you.  As you honored and humbled me by
> sending your support here, your brothers and sisters here are sending
> me back with a different basket of blesssings, their deep appreciation
> and gratitude for your support.  Yes, they all accepted my gratitude
> for their acceptance, support, and hospitality, but they truly made me
> feel like I had been some of the precious rain they sorely need.
>  
> Please know that I'm not now taking on an attitude of "holier than
> thou" in this paragraph, but I must share the contrasting hour that
> followed.   I walked the short distance to the Safari Lodge for my
> evening meal and found a seat in the snack bar.  Shortly after I
> ordered, a group of 20 British and U.S folks and their guide gathered
> to review the itinerary of their 2 week safari, visits to several
> national parks and climbing Kilimanjaro.  I've now been on 2 safaris
> and enjoyed both immensely, especially sharing the experiences with my
> family.  It just seemed light years away from today.
>  
> I anticipate being up early enough tomorrow to finish at least one
> more TZgram which is in the draft box at present, as certainly want to
> share about my days at Moringe Sokoine with Simon and the math/physics
> seminar.  Undoubtedly one of those and my final notes will come after
> reaching DeKalb.  I have appreciated your feedback and comments which
> Sharon has forwarded.
>  
> Thank you so very much for your trust in allowing me to be the conduit
> of your generosity and caring -- YOU have made a difference in many
> lives now and for years to come.
>  
> Peace & Love,
> Mike
 

Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues,                      Friday, July 15: 9:40 PM
 
Much of today seemed out of sync, but OK when reviewing the time.   Classes start at 8 AM and I have a 35 minute walk, so decided to leave here to arrive there on time.  Doing so, I knew that I would have to leave school early to return to Mwangaza and tie up some loose ends, as the staff will not be present on the weekend.  Little things like paying my bill and making sure that a taxi, then shuttle would be present on Sunday seemed important to me and others.
 
This schedule allowed me to join Marieth with one of the classes in which I have participated each day.  Today they were moving into a new focus of writing but were to bring the concepts and skills of Mon-Thur with them.  In particular, the question addressed was again from the spring exam.  While specifically it was: "With reference to two works of literary art you have done under this section, discuss the reaction of the main characters when they found that their ideas were different fro those of their societies."  This section contained 10 novels and short stories, 6 plays, and 5 books of poetry, all of which were set first in a matching mode for title and author.  These "works" have all been required reading, but spanning their 4 years in secondary school.  Mama narrowed the span some today, choosing one work, "Black Hermit", to teach what is expected and how to fulfill lthose expectations, then set them to work on taking any one character from each of the 3 types of writings.  She did a great job of leading them to "discover and define" the process, identifying the society's ideas/values/standards, then the character's, then the reaction of both to the conflict.  Working in the 3rd language was a problem again, as students did much of their discussion in Kiswahili, then "translated" into English.  What was lost, of course, was the "expanding": whys, feelings, specifics re: customs or traditions, etc.  I'm certain these were in the Kiswahili discussions, but were not making it to the paper in English.  Yet any questioning, pursuing on my part was met by one or another telling me in English what I'm guessing s/he told the others in Kiswahili.  The wonderful part of the lesson occurred when they did expand in English and saw many different words and phrases describing the same people and circumstances. 
 
Mama definitely made a break-through today, and would guess the message will stick with them.  She wrapped up by reminding them, though they had spent 3 days proving "Tanzania is a peaceful country", Enaboishu staff and students had declared war on these exams, and today was a big step toward victory in the fall.  Good decision, Mike, to be there on time today!
 
On to a couple of math classes, one at Form 5 focused on circular trigonometry -- well done presentation and 35 students working well together.  Teacher and students had shared lower Form(s), I think, and both respected the other(s).  Made me feel good about the prospects for success. 
 
I forgot the class/room number for the second of the 2 classes.  Resulted in not being where I had been invited to be, so begged forgiveness later.  The students have responded positively to my being there this week, so not a good thing to have a teacher introducing a "No Show" to his class.  At the same time, once I'd been led into the wrong room and introduced, there really wasn't much of an option for saying "Goodbye".  However, you may know that Mama Sharon believes there is no such thing as a "coincidence" and today would reinforce her perspective.  My second teacher was reviewing the spring exams, but was in over his head both in material and in helping students understand either "Why?" or "How?".  Found out later that he has only a Form 6 education, but they have no one else available to begin this half of the year.  He did have methods that must have worked well enough for him as a student, but that didn't transfer to "teaching".  Once again, the vocabulary and phrasing of the questions would have kept me guessing as to the expectations of processes and answers.  Both he and I worked with individuals and small groups, and it was very reinforcing to hear the change from "Mr. Mike" to "Sir" to "Teacher" as the students called for me to get them started or check their work.
 
Chai time, and had intended to leave after saying a general "Thanks and Goodbye", but there was quite a discussion going on in the staff room.  While mostly in Kiswahili, there was enough English flying about, and Marieth interpreting quietly (when not "unquietly" making some point to the group) to catch the issue.  Later, as Marieth walked me to the gate, she clarified and answered my questions.  Parents, Board members (local, like ours, but apply and are appointed, not elected), administration, and staff had been discussing for weeks the need for teacher assistance (tutoring) to be available after classes/lunch.  1 1/2 hours time periods, with teachers from each subject area, and even the classrooms to be used were in place.  So why the strong debate?  It seems that everyone but the teachers thought that the "compensation" for this extra time should be the increase in test scores and resulting national ranking of their secondary school.  For some reason, the teachers thought that they should have financial compensation also,  especially since the Board had told parents fees would be increased.  Today's specific topic was the offer made to the teachers;  are you ready for a math problem?   700 Tz Shillings for 1.5 hours, when $1.00 = 1,120 Tz sh; 700/1120 = 5/8= $0.63 or $0.42 per hour. 
 
The sun was visible again today, so enjoyed the warm walk home.  Struck me again that 2 streams we crossed regularly in 2001, watching women wash clothing and animals drinking, are both dry and have shown no evidence of running water even on the days when it has rained.  
 
All business items were quickly conducted at Mwangaza, so decided to walk to Arusha and change money for the last time (I hope).  Must still pay for the taxi Sunday and have the 10,000 TzSh to pay the airport fee -- starting July 1, it now costs to leave.  Actually, seems to be security requirements which were too late to pass on to the airlines this year.
 
Maybe being a little tired, but walked back at a pace where could absorb and digest the amazing amount of stimuli.  Traffic of every nature, sound, and color filled the streets and sidewalks.  Think of something to buy: fruits or vegetables, roasted corn, varieties of drinks, clothing, bikes, ... -- someone will be selling it in the next few blocks.  Of special interest is an 8 story building, which in 2001 was 4 stories, and in 1999 (Andrew told me) was 2 stories.  Adding stories to a building is hardly noteworthy, but not one of the stories is completely walled.  Each new story, and 2 are currently in process at this time, are supported/leveled by limbs/trunks of trees.  Walking up Ilboru Road, one finds it much longer than in the other direction.  It actually has a history of being used by those training for marathons, continuing past Mwangaza as the road winds up the incline.  I hope to take a few photos as I cannot paint the picture well enough, but immediately puts a different face on me to those who have been sharing greetings.
 
A different environment here last evening and tonight, as it's me and the night watchman once the day staff head home.  Was nice this afternoon and evening to share e-mail addresses and talk about the possibility of crossing paths again. 
 
William Kuvuyo, the Ass't Director in charge of secondary education, had a surprise in store.  He rides a "picki-pick" (90 cc motorcycle) between home (way up the local mountain) and Mwangaza Center and I've been teasing him about letting this old "biker" take a short ride.  He put that together with our talking about his view of Mount Meru from his home, and offered to:
1) let me take the cycle for a short ride and
2) giving me a lift to view/shoot M. Meru, then returning me to Mwangaza.
As the cycle had been shorting out a bit on his way to work today, he would first take it to the local repair shop and be back for our riding.  Alas, much later, he returned with many apologies because the electrical system was still acting up and he was figuring it wouldn't get him up the mountain tonight, let alone both of us.  He told me that Maassai men do not break promises, so it was a heavy burden to lift from him.
 
The social calendar for the weekend includes a visit tomorrow to share with Mama Mlay and  family, then time with Simon when he accompanies his son, Obi, back to Ilboru School.  Have finished most of the packing so will be ready to travel when return from lunch with Mary E. Laiser Sunday afternoon.  I'm certainly ready to return to Sharon and our home, but leaving friends here will be difficult -- Tanzanian hospitality, and dust, stays with one long after flying across the border.
 
Peace & Love,
Mike
 

Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues,               Thursday, July 14:
> 5PM
>  
> Home earlier today, as decided to take pictures of the finished
> classrooms after lunch, and then walk home.  Marieth and Festo walked
> with me 1/2 way, which was nice.  Very warm today, so walking in
> shirtsleeves for the first time in several days.  After I was walking
> on alone, a small child (2 - 3) came from a house as I walked by,
> offering me "Mzungu, how are you?" so stopped and shared words and a
> handshake.  However,  when I went on he followed, chatting up a storm
> and reaching to hold my hand.  After 30 yards or so, decided that he
> might go on forever, so turned and walked him back.  Mom came running
> out of the gate when we were still several steps away and broke into a
> big smile as he told her all about our "safari" (I think?!) while we
> walked hand in hand to her.  Would have been a great video, but can
> only paint a bit of a picture for you.
>  
> Slept better last night (and so did Andrew, as I moved into the other
> attic room so he wouldn't have to put up with my coughing all night
> -- seemed to help both of us!)  Even with less coughing last night, 
> still have a tickle today and some congestion building, so will
> probably be a couple more days/nights of fighting the cold.
> Hopefully, will clear up before taking off Sunday.
>
> Day 2 was very busy, as left earlier this morning so would be there in
> time for the beginning of the first period, 8 AM.  This was Form
> 4-Group B, one of the groups with which I had shared yesterday.
> Yesterday they had addressed a topic from the spring exam: "Argue
> convincingly and persuasively for the motion: Tanzania is a peaceful
> country."  Many of the students had received few, if any points for
> their answers because they were to have understood that the answer was
> required to be in the form of a debate, ie, the words which would come
> out of your mouth if given the "pro" position for that statement for
> the debate portion of a speech contest.  (I'm betting some of us for
> whom English is our ONLY language would not have interpreted
> correctly.)  However, many of them had "listed" good points, just
> received little/no credit because of format.  Yesterday, then, the
> format was emphasized and points were discussed.  Marieth (and I)
> helped them with expanding a few points in their groups, producing
> some "convincing and persuasive" examples.  After classes/lunch
> yesterday, the groups were to meet and develop their arguments on 5
> points.  Today the groups took turns presenting one expanded point
> each, answering challenges or suggestions from the rest of the class
> on the written and spoken versions. I became an "honorary" group
> member of Ruth's group when they were reinforced for changing 2 very
> long sentences into a number of more manageable statements.  Some of
> the other students noted that it sounded more "persuasive and
> convincing" than the others.  I know, you can't tell by my writing
> that I know sentences should be short and concise.
>
> Addresses and e-mails were exchanged, so will be sending them some
> pictures soon after getting home.  Mama Mlay even took a couple of
> shots with my camera, so maybe I'll have evidence of having been
> there.
>
> On to Physics class with Mr. Mushi, who also facilitated with Simon
> and I at the Mwangaza seminar. Form 1(freshmen), 44 of them, and the
> backgrounds and language differences were obvious.  He did a nice job
> of following the lesson plan format which Mwangaza teaches, but hit
> resistance in forming groups.  First time for these students, so no
> decisions without his moving from group to group, encouraging someone
> to choose chairperson, secretary, and presenter from 5 bashful
> young'uns who really don't know each other yet.  I asked if this was
> where I could participate and he graciously told the class to follow
> my directions.   Was fun to demonstrate tearing 5 equal strips of
> paper, writing the positions, one each, on 3 of the 5, folding and
> shaking the papers to be dealt to group members -- your card defined
> your role for this day.  Of course, could see a couple of the students
> trading papers after being terrified by what they had opened, but
> will let him work that out another day.  His lesson was about
> displacement of water by objects that float or sink -- most
> interesting was a bottle cap, as some had it defined as floating and
> for others, of course, it went to the bottom.  He's in great shape for
> the next objective, figuring out "Why?!".
>
> After chai, joined Mr. Chami (supervisor of repairing week) in his
> "Commerce" class, where the topic was "Insurance".  Very well done,
> taking apart a topic that we need students to understand before they
> begin driving a car -- not usually the key issue here for those who
> are  16.  Students really got into it, first expanding the definitions
> with examples for and against, then wanting answers to real or
> imagined claims.
>
> Leaving his class, I thought would sit back a bit and read some of
> the essays/debates from Marieth's classes, but literally ran into a
> group of folks from Washington/Oregon who had returned to Enaboishu
> after having visited in 2003.  Represented 2 congregations, one whose
> pastor was present, had lived here with his family as a child, and
> been back several times.  Several were educators, some retired,  and a
> couple of community leaders/officials.  In 2003, they had been shocked
> at the lack of water and came back with a solution, $12,000 for piping
> in water to the school facilities and surrounding community.  Marieth
> is always included to represent Enaboishu in such gatherings and she
> brought me along to the lunch.  Sons will recognize that Mr. Lema was
> again the MC, "Checkbo" prepared the feast, and there were many
> introductions and short speeches.  At the assembly which followed in
> the school courtyard, the students first sang the National Anthem.
> 840 students, with one girl stepping forward to lead, creating 
> harmony, including of course, many Form 1 students who just got here
> this week --- WOW!!!  The visiting pastor stepped forward at the
> assembly after the headmaster and city official had spoken, and had
> the kids laughing and participating with his Kiswahili.  Turns out
> that a good friend of his son had lived in the "volunteer's" house
> next to Mlay's in 1990, so he and Marieth also exchanged (e-mail)
> addresses.
>
> Students were then off to a delayed lunch (big parent meeting going on
> in the dining hall) so I took some photos of the rooms we had
> finished, then met Mlays at the school gate for the leisurely walk
> home.
>
> Tomorrow I'm scheduled for a double period with Marieth, then a
> couple of math classes and probably a last goodbye with Headmaster and
> a few others.  Will join the Mlay family Saturday morning and early
> afternoon, then back here as Simon may be coming by for a couple of
> hours.  His son returns then to Ilboru Secondary School, next door to
> Mwangaza, for the final 3 months before his fall exams in October.
>
> Sunday lunch date confirmed with Mary E. Laiser, coming home from
> Nairobi.  At 4 I begin my trek with a taxi, shuttle, and airplane(s), 
> arriving home Monday, mid-afternoon.  That seems to indicate I must
> finish: 1) a couple of TZgrams which are currently in the "draft" box
> and 2) packing for the return trip.  Somehow, seems that I have a few
> things to bring home that did not bring with me.
>
> Peace and Love,
>
> Mike
 

Dear Family Friends, and Colleagues, Wed; July 13: 9PM
>  
> I apologize for the delay in writing  -- hopefully will keep up and
> catch up in these last few days/nights.
>  
> Off to Enaboishu at 8 AM today, with Andrew and I walking the path
> where recently I walked with Jake and Lamont.  Many of the same faces
> there to greet us at "How Are You?" corner and elsewhere.  Andrew had
> offered and been invited to work there for a day to assist in bringing
> computers up to standard, even though there is no internet connection
> possible at this time.
>  
> Checked into the Headmaster's office and folks scurried to give the
> message of our arrival, with the receptionist heading out the door to
> notify Mama Mlay and Headmaster Sakinoy opening his door before the
> secretary could get there -- "Ah, Mr. Mike, I heard your voice..."
> Mr. Lema was waiting at the computer room door and took Andrew by the
> hand to lead him inside after telling me he had e-mailed sons and
> received a response.  H-master called down the path to tell Marieth to
> remain there (she was in route), he was bringing me to her classroom.
>  
> Fittingly, Sons, her room for the period was our first project, and
> you would smile and stand proud.  Ceiling and walls freshly painted,
> with working lights in place, desks and chairs, and filled with
> smiling students, it hardly resembles the empty shell we walked into
> on the first morning.  H-mstr introduced me, telling them of our
> donations and work, and WE received a rousing round of applause, so
> hope you could hear the echo where you are.  As he left, Marieth came
> forward and I gave her a hug, which certainly raised the curiousity of
> the students, so she proceeded to tell them of her trip to DeKalb,
> etc.  Some of the students were amazed that she had been in a plane
> and had actually flown across an ocean.
>  
> Later, during chai in the staff office, she introduced me to the total 
> staff , including giving the information about our contributions and
> work in the classrooms, then gave me the opportunity to say something. 
> Got a good laugh when I told them that I was a little disappointed to
> have returned, excited to see the finished classrooms, and found that
> Mama Mlay had ONLY 71 students in that classroom first period --
> however, I was relieved to find that there would be more, as
> 6 students were absent!!
>  
> Did sit with groups in the 3 periods which I shared with her (all were
> double periods, 2 X 40 minutes), walked about to share with other
> groups, and took pictures, of course.  Actually had those 3 classes,
> one each, in the first 3 classrooms in which we worked, so was doubly
> reinforcing -- will try to get to other classrooms, where we finished
> our week, tomorrow after lunch.  After beginning tomorrow with
> Marieth, am scheduled to be with Mr. Mushi, the physics teacher who
> facilitated with Simon and I at Mwangaza, and Mr. Chemi, with whom we
> worked on the classrooms.  Not sure about Friday, but hopefully will
> continue with Marieth to see this lesson through and get one or two
> other periods with math teachers.
>
> Marieth had a break which led into the chai break, so we took the
> extra time to stop by her house and have a cup of coffee with Mr.
> Mlay.  They were coordinating a rest stop after classes and wanted to
> alert me early and assure Andrew that he was included in the
> invitation.  Crosses paths with 3 of the daughters as they were
> leaving or returning from classes also.
>
> Had opportunity to see the perspective from where Marieth was
> teaching, as she shared with me both the "official test" and Devota's
> results for the mid-term for Form 4 English.  Hopefully, will get
> copies of the other tests tomorrow, but this was enough to try to
> digest for today.  Am copying for Mwangaza and will also bring home
> and share, but general impressions were anything but positive.
> Several questions have more than one answer, but only one was counted
> correct. Several questions or directions had mistakes in grammar,
> capitalization and punctuation and asked students to do what was
> "literally" impossible, in both senses of the word.  For instance:
> "Write an open letter in one of the local English dialects ...".
> "Local English dialects" has no meaning here, and if meaning
> elsewhere, do you know what it is?  Why would anyone want them to
> write their 3RD language in an unspecified "dialect"?   So, the
> teachers have written to the test-writing organization, from which
> they expect little/no response, and are trying to help the students
> prepare better for interpreting directions.  Since none of you are
> directly involved in teaching in Illinois recently, you might be
> surprised to hear that we having much the same response to some of the
> writing questions -- to the point that the writing questions will not
> be a part of the 05-06 Prairie State exam next spring, we're told.
>
> Marieth organized the lesson to allow for approximately 10 minutes at
> the end of each period for students to ask questions.  Many were
> regarding the educational systems, requirements (including language),
> and opportunities.  Something that became obvious to me, but have to
> ask more to find out the facts and reasons, is that her Form 4
> students are 3:1 for girls to boys, but the Form 5 & 6 students are
> 3:1 for guys to girls.  Looks as if change is happening to a point,
> but slows rapidly for higher education.
>
> Lunch was rice and beans (met Checkbo [the cook], Sons, as walked into
> the schoolgrounds this morning -- he sends his Greetings) but held
> back a bit because Marieth had indicated that Festo was hoping to find
> some goat ribs for our stop after school.  Once we had finished, she
> led Andrew, Mr. Lema and I away from the lunch crowd and cross country
> to a pub near the tarmac where one turns to go to downtown Arusha.  In
> route, of course, she and Mr. Mlay phoned each other a couple of
> times, Mr. Lema gets a call from his wife and shops for meat, which he
> sends home with a student who is, after classes, at work in the family
> shop, and both get calls from Mr. Chemi who was invited but will be
> running a couple of errands and joining us there.  I offered to begin
> a pool for the time of arrival of Mr. Chemi, and wanted at least one
> hour late for my choice, but there were no takers (inside joke, as he
> was very late in arriving to be our ride home from the Mlay's on the
> first Sunday).
>
> Mr. Mlay was ready and waiting, so were soon chewing on rib bones and
> telling stories.  Was great to watch and appreciate the interaction of
> Festo and Marieth as talked about responsibilities of men and women in
> TZ homes.  Mr. Lema also is more involved with family than the average
> TZ male, so there were many stories of customs and traditions, and
> changes.  For instance, having 4 daughters was once a guarantee of
> wealth, knowing you would receive many cattle and goats for dowries
> when they were given for marriage.  But now 4 daughters is a guarantee
> of bankruptcy, as trading daughters for dowries is no longer "usual"  
> AND the daughters are expecting education, clothing, etc. A girl
> brings much more cost than a boy!!  Every time one of the men would
> venture to say what he did to help around the house/family, Marieth
> would challenge the validity and "tell the real story".  We left after
> a 2nd plate of ribs and some chicken wings, with Marieth and Festo
> arguing about his role at the birth of Prisca and Mr. Lema & Chemi (he
> had arrived, 65 minutes late) warning about the danger of being near a
> woman during labor pains -- if she gets her hands on a knife, she will
> make you sorry you "did this to her".  While Andrew and I later agreed
> that it is unlikely any of them had ever heard Bill Cosby's routine on
> that general topic, the four of them were just as entertaining.
>
> Day 2 will likely be very interesting throughout the class periods
> and less interesting after, but am looking forward to the experience.
>
> Peace & Love, Mike
 

Mike is in the middle of the Seminars for Math and Science Teachers this week. This was his last weekend report. He will probably let us know about the seminars later.
Thank you for the kind words about his sharing. Sharon

>
> Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues,                   Sunday, 2:30
> PM; 6-26-05
>  
> There have been many gifts in these days in TZ, but without a doubt
> the option for sharing the experiences with all of you by e-mail is
> high on the list. 
>  
> Saturday was a nice day weather wise, with some sun but not hot.  We
> "wazungu" made a drive to a new hotel in downtown Arusha for a nice
> brunch.  Not unlike what we found as the buffet style with option to
> order your personal omelet on safari.  Didn't go until 9 AM, but the
> sleep-in option was somewhat disrupted by a couple of seminar teachers
> who had to wait until this morning to catch their bus, so they  (and
> we) were awake about 5:30 and set the dog to barking at 6:15.  Using
> my best discipline, however, I closed my eyes for another hour before
> rising.
>  
> I had planned to walk about after brunch today, changing some money,
> checking with KLM for confirmation of and seating on my return
> flights, and looking into a couple of purchases I had in mind.  It so
> happened that all of us needed to see KLM and lucked into a very
> efficient young man who seemed to satisfy everyone.  Even with much
> still remaining in time and activities, was a good feeling to solidify
> returning home.  Changing money was just next door, and then visited 2
> shopkeepers that the Mwangaza folks and others frequent and have
> recommended.   Our ladies were also aware that the "alley" of arts and
> crafts had now become an organized area of small shops just past the
> Arusha Resort Hotel where we had stayed in 2001. (Note: the word
> "resort" has seldom been less appropriate in a name.)   We worked to
> look at crafts without getting so far into shops that it became hard
> to work ones way out.  Actually, was very nice, and had fun bartering
> a bit, finding better stuff farther from the front gate, and much
> better prices once had been seen looking and bargaining with several
> shop keepers.  Spoke for several moments with an older man who was
> carving 2 elephants fighting from a thigh sized piece of ebony.  His
> work was impressive and he was very proud of a picture hanging over
> his head, Bill Clinton watching him work.  First time I've really been
> tempted to buy something of significant size and expense (the
> carvings, not the picture), but couldn't think of what I'd be willing
> to move out of the house if I brought it home -- especially since it
> might be ME.
>  
>  There is a nice  circular gazebo between the buildings here at
> Mwangaza, with a waist high brick wall and steep corrugated metal
> roof, housing a circular table.  We gathered there and shared a cold
> drink after returning from town.  Was interesting to hear a summary of
> the beginnings of travel for each of us.  All midwesterners, so some
> roots in common but otherwise a lot of variety.  We also heard plans
> to go to Khan's Barbeque in Arusha.  It was described as an auto parts
> and repair shop during the day, then an Indian restaurant on weekend
> evenings.  Haven't heard of that combination before, so sounded
> intriguing for the evening. 
>  
> By  3:30 PM had done the week's laundry, so there were shirts and
> slacks, socks and underwear hanging outside on what little line is
> available with the week's sheets and towels from the seminar
> participants, and our left-overs on plastic chairs and bushes. 
> Thought the safari pants and shorts might dry as the kangas do --
> we'll see.  Laundry was challenging, as used buckets,  trying to avoid
> the Tarangire dust from the shirts changing the color of sox and
> underwear, but spread out to different tubs and sinks for rinsing so
> most things look somewhat the same color as before.  It reinforced
> what Lamont verbalized, that it's amazing how clean, pressed, and well
> dressed everyone is under the circumstances of laundering.  I did ask
> about leaving things out to dry overnight and Shoonie said is not
> really a problem here, but can be in some areas near lakes and the
> coast (apparently parasites can get into the wet clothing and are
> still there after they are dry).  I feel that can come close to making
> it through now with one more laundry session, depending of course, on
> the weather and how much travelling I do with Bishop and/or staff.
>  
> Still haven't heard from my partner for next week's seminar, Simon
> Panga, so making myself available for later this afternoon and
> evening.  Have been through my materials a couple of times, and
> perused the Form 1 - 4 math books shared with me here, so I feel
> prepared to be supportive of whatever he has planned.
>  
> Thursday through Saturday have been refreshing, as accomplished
> several things on my list without having to respond so often to a
> clock.  I sat in on some seminar sessions Thursday and Friday, helping
> me to become better prepared for next week.   I teased William Kuvoyo
> (Director of Secondary Curriculum) at lunch Friday, as heard him tell
> the participants in the morning that they were behind schedule, and
> with "Time" being their enemy, lunch would be shortened a bit.  I
> remember that feeling on our Friday in 2001, but was hard to
> communicate our concerns to any of our partners or participants, and
> the idea of a "working lunch" absolutely did not translate.
>  
> I don't recall if have yet introduced Shoonie Hartwig (Mama Shoonie)
> of the Mwangaza Center.  She is a remarkable woman who was a professor
> at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN., and the first director of
> Mwangaza.  The story is too long to tell here, but she is the best
> I've known at listening to concerns, questions, and ideas, then coming
> up with possibilities and bringing people together at the grassroots
> level who can/will make things happen.  Once moving, she moves people
> at every level, it seems, who recognize that they need to lead,
> follow, or get out of the way.  She now continues in an advisory role
> here and her former assistant, Seelah Kisioki, is Mwangaza'a Director.
>  
> Last night we did go with her to Khan's Barbeque, aka. Khan's Auto
> Parts and Repair during weekday hours, and had a great time.  Firstly
> it's on Mosque Street, named for the obvious reason, but the street is
> like most others.  If anything, a bit more challenging to navigate, as
> the gutters (ditches) cut into the street at differing angles and
> lengths and Khan's is both a sidewalk cafe and popular drive-by
> service.  So, gutters on the cafe side of the street are where the
> long grills are located and traffic includes those on route to another
> destination, those stopping to call out an order or for pick-up, and
> those of us parking to actually eat there.  Add in the 4 X 6 delivery
> carts (wooden wheelbarrows with half-tires across the front to use as
> brakes when out of control, ie often!!) and it's quite the scene. 
> Mama Shoonie, having taken others there before, was welcome and given
> an honored parking position -- at least it was until someone came out
> or a door with a large bag of ??? and knocked over one of the grills,
> spilling red/white hot charcoal onto the running board, next to the
> tires, and under the gas tank.  Quickly brushing off as many of the
> coals as we could with shoes, we discovered they had "valet parking",
> as the owner's son grabbed the keys, cranked the tires to avoid as
> many coals as possible, and found a cooler place to park in the
> owner's reserved space nearby.  The rest of the evening was less
> eventful, but we were joined by Mama Shoonie's son and family and
> Heather, a young lady who is teaching at the Maassai Lutheran Girls
> School.  Salads and sides of varying degrees of "spicey", beef and
> mutton ka-bobs, BBQed chicken, and French Fries.  And toothpicks,
> always available and almost always necessary.  Shoonie's son is
> currently serving with the national health services, working with each
> diocese for the development and improvement of hospice services.   
>  
> This morning I attended the 7:30 service at the Lutheran Church just
> up Ilburo Road from Mwangaza.  This is the church attended by most of
> the staff here, and the singing is frequent and to be savored.  No
> organ, piano, or any other instruments.  Gathering hymns sung because
> someone begins singing one s/he likes.  Harmony at all times, not
> because of training,  but because everyone learns to "find his/her
> voice".  The choir,  looking to consist of ages from 8 to 80, did a
> fabulous rendition of "Let Us Gather by the River", in Kiswahili, of
> course.  The minister/evangelist even included 3 hymns DURING his
> sermon to make the point that God HAS gifted us, IS sending us,
> and WILL give us the grace needed to share His word and works with
> others.  No, my Kiswahili has not progressed to the point where I got
> those specifics -- Mama Shoonie interpreted. 
>  
> Peace,
> Mike
 

Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues, Friday, June 24: 12:30 PM
continued Sunday, June 26
Yesterday afternoon and this morning, I spent several hours observing and learning from facilitators and participants of this week's Geography & English teachers' seminar here at Mwangaza Center. Next week I will be a facilitator in the Math & Physics seminar and will send you my perspectives of the process, of Mwangaza, and of the issues of education in Tanzania.

But for today, I remember fondly the wonderful hospitality of our first week in Tanzania. Since I cannot find a copy of TZgram #1 for reference, I apologize again for any repetitive information.

I read somewhere that Tanzanians see guests as gifts from God, as rain, which puts guests in categories of both welcome and necessary, but not always on our time-line. "Karibu" (pronounced "ca-ree-boo" with a rolled "r" and emphasis on the second syllable), meaning "You are Welcome), is a word of greeting at every doorstep, entry, meal, and is the response to Asante (a-san-tae), meaning "Thank You". So, a guest hears "Karibu", responds "Asante", and hears "Karibu" again. "Karibu Enaboishu"; "Karibu chai"; "Karibu my home", etc. For emphasis, add "sana" (very much)" to Karibu or Asante. Karibu, both the first and last word in many conversations.

We were received first as guests by a greeting party from Enaboishu Secondary School meeting us at the airport. Our 2001 partner, Marieth Mlay, our e-mail contact, Allen Lema, and Headmaster Sakinoy made the 40 minute drive to meet us at 8 PM even though all had to work the next day. At that time we also coordinated schedules to join them and other staff at the school Saturday afternoon.

Saturday's gathering time, with soft drinks, tea & coffee, was divided between introductions and renewing acquaintances and voicing appreciation for gifts given and for the opportunities in the days to come, sharing in repairing the classrooms. We toured the campus, looked at improvements made since 2001, and met many of the staff who were busy completing the grading of exams taken by students who were now on summer break. Finishing the tour with a look at the classrooms which would be improved by the donations, we gathered again for a snack and drinks. Many handshakes were shared as we left, having set the schedule for the coming week.

Sunday's invitation to attend services and spend the day with Marieth and Festo Mlay and family had been extended and accepted by e-mail weeks before. Festo met us at 6:15 AM, directing us to their church. Marieth had suffered an asthma attack during the night, so was not feeling well. However, as one does not turn away the rain because of illness, neither would they hear of our putting off our visit until she felt better. With 4 daughters and the son and daughter of Festo's youngest brother (brother and wife have both died from AIDS), the parents have many responsibilities but 6 good helpers. The oldest 3 were especially busy throughout the day, cooking, serving and cleaning up. We were served a brunch of goat ribs and knuckles, toast, fruits, coffee, tea/chai. We sat outside (being careful to listen for the small "cracking" sound which indicated a ripe avacado was earthbound) and shared recent pictures and stories, catching up with events in both families. We guests shared a few gifts including Lamont's from Okinawa, Jacob's IOWA baseball cap, which Festo immediately donned with pride, and several that Sharon had organized for Marieth and the kids. The rest of the goat and many bowls/varieties of food were served for dinner, shared also with several guests who stopped by to welcome us. Late in the evening, saying our "Goodbyes", we were thanked repeatedly for giving our whole day to their family.

I have spoken about our workdays, the welcome breaks for tea and lunch, at which times we know we were served the best they had to offer, probably seeing as many pieces of meat in our servings as would the sum of several students also eating from that same day's menu.

Early in the workweek, Mr. Chemi invited us to his home. What began as a "stop by after work" became scheduled as a dinner gathering Wednesday night, including Headmaster Sakinoy, Allen Lema and Marieth & Festo Mlay. They sent transportation for us so that we would arrive at 7 PM, after everyone else was already there. We were welcomed profusely, seated prominently near the TV, and served drinks. Mr. Chemi introduced his wife, who welcomed us (we had met her at the Mlay's on Sunday). Mr. Lema, acting as the Master of Ceremonies, then formally welcomed us to the Chemi's home and introduced Headmaster Sakinoy, who welcomed us to TZ, Enaboishu, and thanked the Chemi's for providing this gathering. He also spoke of the excitement of staff and students to see the work already done the first 3 days. The Chemi's then called their children to be introduced, with the children using their best manners and English to welcome us to Tanzania and their home. While under-estimating the formalities, we had wisely thought to bring a few gifts for the lady of the house and I picked up on Mr. Lema's hints that would be appropriate to say a few words of Thanks.

Quite the feast followed, with goat, pork, beef, and chicken for meats and rice, ugali, and several vegetable dishes also. Seconds were required, for good manners of course, and fruits for dessert. With the faces of world leaders and the discussions of debt relief in the background (on TV), we touched on many topics and compared perspectives.

At some apparently agreed upon time, Mr. Lema stood and called upon Headmaster Sakinoy, who stood and thanked the Chemi's for their hospitality, etc. In case it wasn't obvious enough when he finished, Mr. Lema called on me for a few words, and it was truly my pleasure to express our gratitude for their generosity and hospitality. We were escorted to our ride home with lots of handshakes, Asante sanas and Karibu sanas.

On Thursday, we were told there would be a gathering Friday night, and that we would have to leave work a little early in order to clean up and be returned in time. With the teamwork and success in meeting the challenges of those last 2 days, everyone was in good spirits as we gathered Friday evening. Although the night prohibited us from seeing the finished product of the fifth ceiling, we were assured it had been finished and would be seen as a gift by the Form 4 students due to return the following Monday.

Our core team was there, but so also were another dozen teachers and "Checkbo", the cook. We three were directed to the head table where I was seated in the middle white chair, while the older son, Lamont, was seated on my right and Jacob, on my left, both in red chairs. Allen Lema was again the Master of Ceremonies, and directed the activities/agenda of the evening. Headmaster Sakinoy lead with a welcome, followed by drinks and time for introductions. A few minutes were provided for questions from/to staff members, which allowed for asking their Discipline Chairperson for examples of issues with which he must deal. Not surprisingly, many of them were similar to DeKalb and other schools, with the added issues occurring in a boarding school setting (600 of the 850 students are from other parts of the country, too far to commute daily). There were also a few political questions raised, as one member of the faculty is well known for his knowledge and appreciation of one of our political parties.

As always, food followed, with the Maassai cook having outdone himself. He had listened to our responses and watched our plates all week, then prepared all our favorites. Mealtime brought more opportunity for discussions and sharing. Later, Mr. Lema called on several individuals to speak, with some receiving a time limit (evidently they had established reputations for extending when given the floor), culminating with Headmaster Sakinoy summing up the cooperation from our first contact in 2001 to the completion of the 17 ceilings to be done before July 1st.

We were then gifted, called one a time to the center of the floor and presented with gifts of companionship and respect: a candle and carved stand of inter-twined arms, reflecting God's light and our shared efforts to do His work; a Maassai "shuka" (blanket) tied upon me by Chekbo in the way a warrior should wear it; a whisk made from a wildabeast tail, signifying wisdom and leadership; gifts for the boys who had given of themselves to do this work and honor their father; and gifts for their wives who had supported them in this endeavor.

We then had the opportunity to share our last gifts, having brought some family funds to give specifically to the math and languages departments in appreciation for the guidance and support of Marieth, Allen Lema, and Mr. Chemi, who work in these departments. We also left an American football which I hope to have the opportunity to use one day during my last week, to show how to play flag football. (We did break it out one workday at lunch, sparking some interest in young men who shared in throwing it with us.)

Each of us tried to express how we had received much more than we had given and our sincere appreciation for the relationships which have resulted. Mr. Lema may have lost control then, as handshakes and hugs were given all around and took much more, I'm sure, than the time allotted on his agenda.

What a wonderful ending to a great week of sharing, developing relationships, and growing in awareness and appreciation for the similarities and differences of new friends in Tanzania. The three of us went home with moisture on our faces, but not because of rain.

Dear Friends, since I left for VA Friday at 6:00 a.m. this is late. I will have one for the next three days in a row as came while I was away. Love in Christ, Sharon

Begin forwarded message:


From: Michael Wadle <mzeewadle@yahoo.com>
Date: June 23, 2005 8:30:44 AM CDT
To: mswadle@earthlink.net
Subject: TZgram#5

Habari, Friends, Family, and Colleagues, Thursday afternoon, June 23

Most unexpectedly, electricity and time are both available, and the server is currently accessible, so will begin again. The unusual June rain, versus the usual occasional showers, have ceased after a day and a half here. Not only is there water setting and the footing most challenging when walking any roads or trails, the damp added to the lower temperatures even has me shivering at times. Last night as Mama Mlay said "Goodbye" to Lamont, she was wearing a coat over her kanga over her dress over her stockings -- the natives are freezing!!

As I had shared before, the carpentry crew was ready to go each day when we arrived. There were five the first day, and 2 others were added as we expanded to working on more classrooms. Mr. Chemi, from the math department (whom Sharon and I had met in 2001), apparently oversees projects because of a background in building trades. Mr. Lema, from the languages department (Kiswahili) and my e-mail connection to Enaboishu, also served as our host and coordinator. The two of them worked to coordinate everyones abilities, efforts and time, while handling saws and hammers also.

The decision had been made to begin our work by putting a ceiling into what was to become the biology laboratory, a cement block building with a corrugated steel roof and a cement floor, windows currently without glass. This 20 X 40 foot building had been empty for 22 years. In the USA, patience is a virtue; almost an unknown virtue for some folks in our "I want it NOW" society, I think. Here, patience is a way of life. The rafters for the roof were obviously in place. Our job was to put a ceiling framework in place and then attach sheets of masonite as the "ceiling tiles". Ceilings here provide some protection from leaking roofs, blowing dust, and changes in temperature accentuated by a metal roof.

In the months of pre-planning, I had advised Headmaster Sakinoy that each of us had done some carpentry work, but we were not bringing engineering or designing skills - they were getting 3 willing laborers. In the first hour, as we were being shown how to mark and saw a board and which end of the nail goes into the wood, we made some clarifications to what I had not communicated well enough. Soon the boys were piling up the sawdust, providing 2 foot boards to connect horizontal ceiling beams to reinforcing beams which were attached to the existing trusses. It was extremely helpful that Mr. Chemi and Mr. Lema are fluent in English as well as Kiswahili and their local village languages, as we 3 are limited. Even so, it wasn't long before we picked up on "sawa" (OK) and "abo" (about right) when holding boards. Soon, they were giving measurements in English, though had to clarify whether we were hearing centimeters or inches at times -- could have been important. Jake and Lamont were both excellent at seeing what needed to be done and finding something to be done when their current assignment ended.

The plan which we began to comprehend was to build a checkerboard of wood, with full length crossbeams and spacers between those beams for the length of the room. Since the tiles were in 4 X 8 feet dimensions, we were in effect building 2 feet square boxes to which the tiles would be attached. To those of you who have worked or examined suspended ceilings in basements, the principle is much the same. The large pile of wood and nails which you purchased grew smaller by the hour as the machine gun sound of the hammers and the buzzing of the hand saws filled the air. Being a "measure three times before cutting once" carpenter, I was impressed with their use of a grid of string to provide both the lines and the leveling of the horizontal beams and the spacers between the beams. Lest I forget, the final leveling before nailing was provided by one of us on the floor using a board to push/pull the board as needed.

The wood was locally grown pine and often very wet, which made for tired arms when sawing 120 pieces for vertical connectors and horizontal spacers. We also played with calculating the weight of this ceiling ... hope those strusses are solid. We 3 were most impressed with the hammering skills of the "foreman" and his two best carpenters, as the accepted practice was to toe-nail most boards and that takes skill. Especially since they were often starting the nail while the board set on their shoulder, then nailed while holding the board over their head, pounding in a 16 penny nail. One of the two (nicknamed "Applebee's" by Lamont because of the workshirt he wore each day) never missed all week. The other, who wore flipflops as his workshoes, could stand on one leg on an unstable chair on an old student desk, almost never missed the nail.

Speaking of safety: there was one ladder, homemade of this same wood and several feet longer than the height of the ceiling, which was seldom used -- first, because of the weight and second, because the angle was more dangerous than the table/chair combination. Needless to say, neither Yvan, our son-in-law safety engineer nor OSHA officials in the USA would have been happy with the arrangements, but they reminded me often of the circumstances encountered when repairing sheds and barns as I grew up in Iowa.

By lunchtime we were becoming trusted members of the crew, and by late afternoon the ceiling framework was taking shape. By midday of day 2, the one room was too crowded as the framework was in place and final adjustments were being made. Besides, it quickly became obvious that 5' 6" Dad was not the asset his taller sons would be, holding the sheets of masonite in place above their heads and nailing them to the framework. Along with a couple of other laborers, I was moved to a second classroom in which we were to remove old tiles which had been damaged but leave those which were in good shape. The only talent needed was to figure out how to pull down the tiles without pouring the dust, leaves and dried flower petals over oneself. The way I looked after the first hour showed that I was slow in solving that problem. Later, one of the younger fellows asked for a boost into the rafters and used his feet to loosen one end of the tiles to be removed. That made for easier positioning for the rest of us and much less dust breathed and eaten. However, after a shower that evening, Lamont suggested that I could plant a banana tree in my ears. To finish the teardown, we also had to remove all the nails used for the original tiles.

We went home that second evening with many good thoughts, 2 rooms in progress and knowing that were now seen as members of the crew. All arms were tired from working above our heads all day. We spoke of having individually always enjoyed physical labor, especially when can see what is being accomplished. We also shared memories of those projects we had done as a family when rehabbing the one-room school house and work on our homes. Plans had been made for Wednesday evening and for Jake & Lamont to head out a bit early on Thursday for some time to discover Arusha. We wouldn't be here for the complete job, as they had planned for 3 weeks and 17 rooms, 16 for repairs as needed and the biology lab. Friday would arrive quickly.

Wednesday morning we gained great favor, as had brought a carpenter's pouch and gave it to the foreman. Once he discovered the belt loop, place for the hammer, Jake had filled the pockets with two different kind of nails, and the spot for his "foot-foot" (tape measure) was indicated, he was all smiles. Later that afternoon, also noted that one of the others had fashioned a nail bag out of plastic bags. Wished we would have brought more of the pouches.

Now we were in 3 classrooms, as the first was being completed -- cutting the sheets needed to fill the remaining space at one end, then putting trim on for the finished look. Meanwhile, part of the crew was into the second classroom, reinforcing the spaces where we had removed old tile and adding the new tile. My guys and I were on to the 3rd classroom, again tearing out some of the tiles. By afternoon, the crew in the finished biology lab came to room 3 and we were off to room 4 for the same routine. With fewer tiles needing replacement there, we were finished at quitting time, about the same time as those in Room 2. Rooms 2 through 4 will be filled with Form 4 students Monday, June 27, as they will be returning from summer break. There now was also consideration that we take on one more room, with more tiles to replace and some additional support needed for the existing ceiling framework. But we were to gather at Mr. Chemi's home that evening, so they sent us a bit early so would be cleaned and presentable when the car arrived for us later.

Thursday morning was the damper, as we spent the first couple of hours trying to save the existing ceiling in the fifth room. Finally there was a gathering of the decision makers, resulting in a change of plans. The old ceiling would be removed and a new one, just like that in the biology lab, would be built. This would be a challenge, especially with a few hours missing Lamont and Jake that afternoon and quitting time set earlier for Friday afternoon, again so we could return home, become presentable, and return for the "fete" to celebrate the fete. It wouldn't be the same celebration if we had unfinished projects, we thought. So now a couple more hammers were brought in, there were often several saws going at once, and frameworks were both being assembled and torn apart. I became, for the final hour or so of this day, the same as when I was the 9 year old helping uncles and neighbors. I took on the job of removing and straightening used nails, cutting off the split ends of used boards and marking the remaining lengths -- circle of life.

Day 5, Friday, and you could see it in everyones eyes; we were going to reach our goal. It was truly like an orchestra, as Mr. Chemi and the foreman moved between the 3rd and fifth rooms, coordinating, nailing, calling out directions and measurements. Lamont and Jake carried and sawed many boards, and the limited number of "foot-foots" were sailing through the air as were first used for finding the length of the next board and returned to those sawing for an accurate response. Mr. Chemi made a quick run for more ceiling tiles as had not planned on needing to cover the complete ceiling of room 5. Lamont and I marked the tile when arrived, drawing a grid to make the nail placement more accurate and quick. Jake showed his ability to nail backhanded over his head with someone swinging another hammer inches from his head. Rooms 3 and 4 had been finished, and those crews came as our appointed hour arrived -- we hated to leave, but were assured that the last tiles would be in place before the crew left that day. With many handshakes all around, we left short-time friends with long term respect in both directions. Later that evening, we saw many smiles and heard many reports at the gathering. They spoke of the surprise and happiness of the Form 4 students who would soon be returning to their "new" classrooms.

Of course, with no electricity available in that room that evening, we had to take their word for it. I will take pictures July 11 so I can show Jake, Lamont, and all of you that the fifth room was finished that day. Hopefully, the other 12 will also be completed by then also.

Footnotes: Lamont had purchased many packages of gum and shared them freely among the crew -- much appreciated by the chewers. Mike found that his lozenges were much appreciated for clearing the dust from throats.

I will be back tomorrow (?) with the next installation. Not time to proof this one as class arriving and I'm displaced.

Thank you so very much for your trust, prayers, and support,

God's Peace,

Mike & Sons

After a week without hearing from my loved ones, harboring many questions this is very enlightening. I remember.....

I was thinking the word for whites in TZ is Wazungu not Nzungu as he has written. I couldn't find the Kiswahili dictionary to confirm one or the other. Mama Sharon
Begin forwarded message:


From: Michael Wadle <mzeewadle@yahoo.com>
Date: June 23, 2005 5:22:22 AM CDT
To: mswadle@earthlink.net
Subject: TZgram#4

Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues, Thursday, June 23

It is mid-morning and I am enjoying my first unscheduled time in Tanzania. So, of course, I must get busy getting caught up on the long list of things to be done: primarily, in communications and preparations for next week's seminar in mathematics and physics.

It feels very good to be back in touch with yourselves, especially having bid farewell to Jacob last night and Lamont early this morning. I asked my sons to spend time during their long flights composing a summary of their perspectives, feelings, and memories, then send them on to Mama Sharon, who will forward them to you. Figured that both would be whelmed with re-entry once arriving in Iowa and Okinawa.

Having had little opportunity to access e-mail, I am blessed with electricity and server access this morning, and some time before the seminar classes need this station. It is my plan to reflect on our "day", the actual work done, the wonderful hospitality, and a summary of the safari. I know that Sharon forwarded the first two summaries, so please pardon some repetition. For now, I will share an overview of our workdays.

Our days began in the midst of much activity, as some 50 Tanzanian teachers were here at Mwangaza Center for a weeks seminar, led by a team of 2 American teachers and 2 Tanzanian teachers, each who had participated in earlier exchange partnerships and seminars. We 3 were privileged to have a bathroom to ourselves with the added gifts of a flushing stool and intermittent hot (make that sometimes warm) water for "Navy" showers: turn on & get wet; turn off & soap & shampoo; turn on and rinse off. After one day of carpentry, we chose to take the daily shower after returning from work, as we were quite dirty.

Breakfast was shared with the group of teachers, standing around the walkways and small gazebo. Toast and a boiled egg, banana, great coffee, tea, or chai (tea w/ milk) and all were off to their agendas of seminar or classroom repairs.

The walk to Enaboishu, approximately 2 miles, included both well-worn trails and very rough road ways. We literally walked a short distance on a road, turned onto a trail which connected with a parallel road, and repeated until reached the school. We "Nzungu" (white people) were easily noticed, greeted with "Nzungu! Nzungu! How Are You?!" by every small child and a greeting was returned by almost all adults to whom we offered "Good Morning", "Good Afternoon", or "Habari" (How are you?). One young man introduced himself and offered advice and guidance if we ever visited Arusha. He later found and spoke with Lamont and Jacob when they were in the city; even asked them about their father. Another day we were carrying an American football and stopped to teach a group of boys how to pass this strangely shaped ball.

Our walks gave us the opportunity to absorb sights, sounds and smells that we missed when provided a ride for the first meeting Saturday afternoon. Burning wood to heat the morning water for chai and boiling eggs. Children brushing their teeth while standing near the road to greet us. Girls bending to sweep the dust from the dirt in front of the family shop or stoop. 2 men working with few tools, making attractive headboards and frames for beds. A half dozen men and teenagers making bricks, pouring the mixture of soils and water into forms, heating them in a crude kiln, then hardening them in the sun. The very busy market at the intersection of 2 small roads, where folks were selling and buying wood branches or small bags of charcoal for cooking, and every kind of local fruit and vegetable was on display. Ears of field corn, not yet hardened, being roasted over a small fire. A small meat shop with goat and chicken for sale up front, while a look into window behind the fabric gave access to the butchering in process. Everywhere people: women in multi-colored kangas or western style dresses, skirts and blouses; men and boys in T-shirts and sweatshirts from every shop and university in the USA; children in shorts and T-shirts; everyone in jackets or coats while we were in shirtsleeves and the boys sometimes in shorts. A few students in uniforms on their way to "A" level classes, Forms 5 & 6, which are equivalent to our junior colleges. FEW vehicles, as almost everyone walks at least to the "tarmac", then continues to walk or catches a "fast bus", the grossly overloaded mini vans which patrol the paved streets.

Walking, we could see the small plots for farming/gardening. Walking and stopping, we could see the beans, potatoes, squash, and tomatoes planted among the corn -- from a Land Rover, such had looked like a weed-filled field. This year both the early rains and spring rains were less than needed, so much of the corn will not produce grain for humans or cattle. What does a parent feel when in June s/he knows the family will not have enough to eat in November/December?

At one of the final junctions, we daily crossed the extremes of water issues. A small but rapidly running stream runs down a steep slope and across the road. Everytime we stepped across the stream, we were stepping around people who were filling water jugs or buckets and others who were washing clothing. Other times we had to wait a few minutes as young boys herded the cattle or goats for a drink before going on to grazing or returning home. 50 meters from this stream, there is a pumping station for water being moved from the nearby hills to the city of Arusha. One literally must be careful in stepping over the raised area of the road covering the pipe.

I believe it was Dr. Mark Jacobson of Selian Hospital who said that the best solution to many health problems in Tanzania would be a piped source of "cleaner" water located close to each village and enough time in each mother's day to boil the water used in the home. We have heard similar comments and committment from Bishop Laiser of the Arusha Diocese, which has invested funds to provide such water to local communities in the last few years.

Upon arrival at Enaboishu each day, we always found the "carpentry technicians" there and ready to begin. Everyone was very active until approximately 11 AM, at which time we broke for chai. Without a doubt we were treated above and beyond everyone else, as tradition would have tea or coffee, bread and butter, perhaps another egg -- we usually had a choice of drink, a pancake or french toast, and fruit. The school cook, a Maassai who had been there for 18 years, always provided a bowl and pitcher of water for the "washing of hands", one of many great traditions shared here.

Back to work until lunch, which came after the students had finished class for the day and had their lunch, approximately 2:30 PM. By then we 3 were always very hungry and were well fed, with rice and ugali (stiff porridge, resembling mashed potatoes, made from corn flour and water) with some type of stew, a cooked vegetable (often spinach and/or carrots) or slaw, and fruit. We always had time to digest lunch before returning to work, which gave us the opportunity to ask questions of our Enaboishu hosts, Mr. Chemi and Mr. Lema. The 6 of us, including "Checkbo" (the students' nickname for the cook) compared many cultural practices and circumstances of our countries. Sometimes the extra time also gave us time to look about the grounds, including an opportunity to admire the plants and landscaping resulting from the green thumb of the Headmistress of the girls' dormitory. What we in the USA buy for house plants can be found in abundance in Tanzania -- a hedge of poinsettia, for instance.

Afternoon tea was taken on Monday, but we were also expected for the evening meal at Mwangaza Center, and could not handle all the food. Besides, we had much to accomplish and limited hours/days, so an agreement was made to forego this break.

We were always encouraged to leave while the daylight was plentiful for our walk home, approximately 5:45, as the walk took about 30-35 minutes. Apparently the roads are relatively safe through the evening, but it's not a good idea to wander off onto trails where there are few people and absolutely no lighting. When we have traveled by car or taxi after dark, there certainly are many people walking the local roads, but lighting is provided only by that escaping from windows or doors of shops/homes. Darkness also comes quickly in this region, seemingly less than 20 minutes from dusk to "I cannot see my hand in front of my face". By 7 PM, Nzungu could not see.

Home brought opportunity to wash off the day's dirt and share a meal with the seminar participants. For me, also a chance to renew acquaintances with a few teachers with whom I had shared in 2001. Sharing our thoughts of the day, writing a few notes (e-mail was usually not an option), a couple of games of euchre, reading a few pages, and found that sleep was very welcome after the Monday's and Tuesday's labor. We were invited to gatherings Wednesday and Friday night, of which I will write later.

I'll draw to a close now, looking for more time this afternoon to share the actual action in the classrooms. At another time, will write of the hospitality and appreciation we have received and a summary of the safari. For now, thank you for your support -- we are humbled to be the conduit of God's grace and your dollars and prayers.

Asante Sana,
Peace & Love,
Mike, Lamont, & Jacob

Jun 16, 2005 12:07 PM

Dear Mission Supporters,

This is only our second chance at the computers at Mwangaza where we are staying and not certain of the time frame this evening. Last time, we each had to take turns at one computer and Jake had just sent his message to Ally when the electricity went off. Back on for a few minutes later, then down for most of the evening. Not to be stopped, we old-time campers played euchre by candlelight for a while!

Mr. Allen Lema, my e-mail contact for Enaboishu, met us at Mwangaza Monday morning and reminded us of the route cross country, including the infamous bridge. Actually has less crossbranches now, so more of an adventure. Marieth advised to go around, but the boys must be boys -- so far the termites have not eaten through enough for the boys, crossing one at a time, to fall through. Me, I've just crossed once for old times sake.

After the one guided trip, we have walked the approximately 3 kilometers each morning and evening. We are getting to be well known by the folks who live and walk the local paths and roads. Lamont named one of our turns as "How Are You?!" corner, as we are met each time by 10-20 young'uns calling out that phrase repeatedly. We have already increased their vocabulary to include "Good Morning", "Good Afternoon", "Good Evening", and "Fine, Thank You". Meanwhile, we practice our "Habari", "Jambo", "Nzuri, sana", etc.

We have worked with Mr. Lema and Mr. Chemi (whom we know as "C cubed") and the carpenter crew for these 4 days, with the focus being the installation of rafters and ceiling panels where none existed or replacing both of the above when are no longer solid or have serious water damage. Our first building was the biology lab, built some 22 years ago and standing empty until now. We started Monday with carrying the 5 - 6 meter boards, cut approximately in 3 by 4'sor 4 by 4's, from the large pile purchased and delivered after the funds completed the electronic trip from First Lutheran to Enaboishu. I will bring pictures of the methods used and the resulting framework, plus now even the finished product, with trim in place. Still needs the paint and of course, the lab tables, etc., but looks like a classroom.

Meanwhile, once there were more people than work in that building, some of us moved to the next ones and began to tear down the old ceilings. We definitely went home dirty these last 3 nights.

Just got notice that the computers will be shut down in 2 minutes, so wrapping up.
If life goes according to schedule, and of course it seldom does in Tanzania, we will work through the day tomorrow (Friday), come "home" for a clean-up (which we will definitely need) and return to Enaboishu Secondary School for a farewell gathering.

Saturday morning will be on our way for safari, returning in time for shuttling Jake on to Kilimanjaro Airport. He and Lamont left Enaboishu a couple of hours early today to walk into Arusha, confirm flights, and check out the shops and local flavor.

Sharon sent me copies of greetings from those of you she individually sent yesterday's email. It means a great deal to have your thoughts and prayers. The journey continues....


Michael

June16

Dear Sharon, Friends, and Family,
It's Tuesday evening and the internet is available for a few minutes for each of the three of us. Since I stole weeks of sons from their wife/fiance, must make certain that I leave time for them.

Mama Wadle, you have many reasons to be very proud of your sons, as they have listened and watched, shared and interacted, and, last but not at all least, worked very hard in the classroom repairs of Monday and today. We are working to put the ceiling in the biology lab, a building that has set empty for nearly 20 years, waiting for the finances to finish the interior. Tomorrow we will finish the ceiling and wait to be told what will come next.

At the same time, we are removing bad pieces from the ceilings of other classrooms, some of which are water damaged from leaking a leaking roof. Much Tanzanian dirt fell upon us today as the tiles were pulled down.

We are working with a couple of teachers (remember "C cubed", Dear?)and Allen Lema, who has been my e-mail contact person for this project. Each day the Headmaster also shares tea with us, but otherwise has been in many meetings. We did have the opportunity to meet with him and several other staff on Saturday, including a walk of the campus to show off the new boys' dorm and other additions since 2001.

Sunday was a day of rest, with a greeting at Mwangaza at 6:15 AM by Mr. Mlay, then on to church with the family. After, we joined them at their home and spent the day visiting, sharing pictures and stories of past times together and news from the times apart. Sitting outside was interesting, as had to dodge the falling avacodos and listen to the banter of the monkeys.

I don't know when I will have the next opportunity to write, as we have been invited to visit with Mr.
Chemi's family after work tomorrow and will have a final gathering with school staff Friday evening. I am making many notes, so will share then as can. We are also here (at Mwangaza Center) in the middle of 3 weeks of seminars, so the computer lab is quite busy throughout the day/evening -- that is, when it is working.

Believe me, the donations have been very much appreciated and the sharing in the construction has shown that the money has been well spent. We will have pictures to share following my return.

Asante Sana, Go with God,

Mike

June 10

 A phone call last night at 6:00 p.m. from Festo marked Marieth's arrival home having met Mike and Jake at Kilimanjaro Airport. It was 2:00 a.m. there Sat. Soooo, they are 8 hr. ahead. God bless your weekend.

> Dear Sharon, Family, Friends, and Colleagues,
>
> Just a short message to let you know that we arrived safely and on
> time, short a bag or two of luggage but welcomed by Mwangaza driver
> Allan, Marieth Mlay and Headmaster Sakinoy of Enaboishu Secondary
> School, accompanied by staff member Alan Lema also.
>
> Mary Jo Huelle and Ron Henning, Mwangaza teacher partners from U.S.,
> helped us settle into
> our room at Mwangaza Center. Slept under mosquito netting, a first
> for the boys. We are currently
> trying to get our systems adjusted to the change in time and the many
> hours of sitting on the planes.
>
> This morning we will walk into Arusha to gather some groceries and
> check on possible arrival of missing luggage, change some dollars to
> Tanzania Shillings and practice saying "Hapana, Asante" (ie, No, Thank
> You) to the many street vendors who notice the new Nzungu (white men)
> in town.
>
> This afternoon we will visit Enaboishu to meet other staff and look at
> the work situations we will be doing next week. We will also stop for
> a short visit with Marieth and Festo Mlay and family. It is my
> understanding that Festo made a phone call to Sharon to let her know
> we had arrived safely last night.
> Good to have friends around the world.
>
> Computers here are currently being networked in preparation for the
> seminars next week, so we may be out of touch for a few days.
> However, we will take notes and recount these missing days.
>
> It is wonderful and humbling to know that we are here representing the
> prayers and generosity of so many of you. Thank you for your
> suppport.
>
> We must be off for now. Peace to All, Mike

From: Michael Wadle <mswadle@earthlink.net>
Date: June 9, 2005 11:04:19 PM CDT
Subject: TanzaniaGram - Fwd: You are Welcome

Dear Partners in Ministry to Tanzania,

We are starting the journey...... Jake and Mike left O'Hare at 5:00 today and will arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport tomorrow night at 8:05. Tanzania is 8-9 hours ahead of us in time. (I'm not sure with our being on daylight savings time!) Please read the sincere thanks from Enaboishu Secondary School's Head Master, Mr. Sakinoy, forwarded here. It sounds from the email they will have an unexpected greeting committee. IF you knew the problem of transportation you would further appreciate this gesture of welcome. Lamont arrives at noon and we are hopeful the Enaboishu group will pick him up at the Mwangaza Center and take him to meet the guys also.

May I add my gratefulness for your prayers and support of three important men in my life.

Nenda na Mungu/Go with God,

Sharon

 

Dear Mike And Sharon,
Greetings in The Name of Our lord Jesus Christ. May I say thank you so much for the continuous communication and cooperetion as days for your Safari to Tanzania are approaching.

I'm now glad to inform you that I received the money on 7thJune. Thank you so much and we are sorry for the confusion that has occured. May the Almight God bless all those who contributed towards Enaboishu classroom repair.

Currently, as I Allan wrote earlier to you the Ordinary level students are on vacation but the Advanced level students are continuing with their studies.

Again Im saying KARIBUNI SANA TANZANIA and particularly ENABOISHU. We will be seeing you at Kilimanjaro International Airport while landing to our beloved country. I the Headmaster, Mr. Sakinoy, Mrs Marieth Mlay and other few staff members.

Untill friday Evening, STAY and TRAVEL with JESUS CHRIST.

KARIBUNI SANA.

Yours,

Sakinoy