The Littlest Angel

It was a warm and sunny day in Tarime Tanzania. All of the kids at Angel House were enjoying some time off from school; playing ball,  fetching water, just taking time to relax, when all of a sudden, a police truck pulled in the gates. Some where excited, thinking they would get to meet a role model, and some were nervous, thinking "What did I do wrong?" Turns out, nothing. The truck was carrying two women, an officer and a toddler. The women went back to speak to Teddy and Salma, chatted for a few minutes and left the toddler there.

Turns out, the little girl was found on the streets of Tarime, along with her mother who suffers from mental illness. Like so many of the kids, she has learned early on that life is not fair.  Angel House staff were told her name is Esther, and she is two years old. However, the kids couldn't figure out why she wouldn't answer to her name, until she told them, in one of the only words she knows, that her name is Melisa. Right now, she answers to either, especially if someone wants to hold her or feed her.

After a week of TLC, Esther/Melisa is a happy, smiling girl, who follows her new brothers and sisters around all day long and wants to be included. She doesn't say much, but her sharp eyes don't miss anything. She likes attention and cuddles, knows how to play chase, and loves mandazi. Like anyone could blame her for that one. She just wants to be one of the kids, and so far, is getting included very well.

Karibu Roy and Valerie!

Valarie, Benson, Roy and Joseph take a moment to celebrate new friends

Roy and Valarie, welcome to Tanzania

Monday night, Angel House and Angel Secondary School were able to welcome two new volunteers to the family, when Roy Hanson and Valarie Brown crossed the gate, and headed out into Nairobi, Kenya. Invididual Volunteers from upstate New York, they are excited to be working with the project for the next six months. The beautiful country side of Kenya and Tanzania helped to cement this affirmation.

Their first two days in Tarime have been eventful, but nothing is better than hitting the ground running in this situation  They have already met msot of the school staff, and were able to take part in new teacher interviews. They also met some of the important people in town, and are well on the way to making connections.

Today, they explored the town and met some of the vendors and businesses. They are happy to be on the ground in Tarime, and as Valarie says, once the jet-lag wears off, they are ready for all sorts of adventures, something easy to find in Africa.

A Reason to Celebrate

Tanzanians hardly need a reason to party. They love to have a good time and show their legendary hospitality. A person coming to visit is cause for a celebration, with the soda being brought out and something special for dinner. And when there is something monumental, they go all out.

Saturday, November 30th, there was cause to celebrate indeed. Chacha Yusf and Kikwete Marwa Chacha graduated from nursery school and will be moving up to primary school in January. Their teachers made remarks that these two boys are both well behaved and at the top of their class at St. Michael's.

The ceremony started right on time, with songs from the church choir and  performances from the kids. Every child danced and sang in at least one performance. They did skits in English, songs in Swahili and traditional Kurian and Luo dances. They were so proud of themselves.

Halfway through the ceremony, parents and guests were invited to tour the school and see work done by the students. The school was very nice, with toys and games, boxes of crayons and coloring pages and lots of cut outs on the wall. The students could all point to their country on a map and knew their basic colors.

All students wore school uniforms and their caps and gowns. The gowns were blue and pink, and the caps were green. Kikwete was sure the cap, not in the traditional shape, made him look like a rhino.

There were speeches done by teachers and people in the Catholic church, and many of the students had a chance to give speeches and to share what they are grateful for. Finally, parents were invited to put sashes on their child and the children were called up to receive their diplomas. They also receive small backpacks, that they may use when they go on to primary school.

When diplomas were all handed out and final prayer was said, the students all got a piece of cake and everyone was invited to a lunch of meat, rice, potatoes, fruit and soda. There were enough soda that everyone could have three, and for sure some of the kids took full advantage.

The children line up to perform

Children and teacher sing a song to the audience

Kids listen to the speeches

Chacha accepts his diploma

Kikwete accepts his diploma

Kikwete, Chacha and a friend smile for the camera. 

Chacha and Kikwete are more than ready to head out on the next adventure: primary school. Both have worked hard to get there and are ready for additional challenges.  Many of the students are able to move up a class in January, because of hard work and dedication on their part. They are people to be admired always.

The Beauty of Angel House

One of the most exciting part of Angel House and Angel Secondary School are the visitors who become ambassadors. With volunteers coming in and out, the project now has friends from Kansas, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Montana, just to name a few. That is a big part of the United States though, getting to know the kids and students, wanting them to succeed, wishing the best for them, and providing the means that they can have a better future.

Visitors come in and see the potential, either in one child or student, or in a whole group of them. That the students have a chance to attend school, with a quality of education, means a better future for Tanzania as a whole. Visitors, long term and short term, can't help but fall in love with the kind people and beautiful landscape that is home to those they support.

Tarime, and many of the towns surrounding it, can be a little rough when they are first seen. The driving can be nerve-wracking for visitors, and not just because cars drive on the British side of the road. Once they figure out the system, it is fine. Especially when they ride with someone who knows the system. The town has no Wal-Mart (obviously), and looks run down. But when they step back, it is impossible not to see the beauty. The country-side, the fruit trees, the colorfully painted buildings are all a part of life. The African sunsets that grace Tarime nightly are a sight to see and a sight to come for. As is the sky full of new stars. Perhaps no one who has visited has failed to see the beauty.

The thing that makes this place beautiful is the people. The towns' people, who go out of their way to be hospitiable. The people who work hard and long to provide for their family. The people who a simple wave and smile can make their day a little less rough. The people know that life is not fair, and have learned it well and completely, but they still smile and go about their lives.

By far, the best way to see the countryside: on the back of a pikipiki

An example of Tanzanian arcitecture

Invidiual Volunteer Rachel Tremis, along with family Becky, Sheryl and Bob Tremis, William, Grace and Bhoke, on the shore of Lake Victoria, before venturing into Serengeti National Park

One of the beautiful African sunsets.

The Angel House kids show this the best of all. Their entire day can be made good by a piece of candy or a a new pencil. They are quick to love new visitors and will give their heats completely. They fight and laugh and play and work together, and if anyone tries to hurt one of them, that child is quickly discouraged. They work hard for what they have and have a sense of pride that they helped grow the food they are eating. They  love completely and without asking anything in return. It is because of them that the visitors choose to help, to spread the word, to give. Anyone who has met them is immeasurably blessed.

October Updates

It seems that there is always something going on around Angel House and Angel Secondary. October is no exception to the rule. Even with students and teachers wanting the chance to bask in what was the success of the graduation ceremony, life has a way of moving forward and going on.

After several times plowing, we were finally able to plant the Angel Secondary Shamba, with corn, beans and sweet potatoes.  Headmaster Mwita Samson predicts the crops yielded from the shamba should cut down on food costs by 30% at the least. That is some math everyone can get on board with. In addition, students are being taught sustainable agriculture practices, so that they may know how to grow food for their own families some day. Plus, how proud they will be when they are eating things they contributed to.

Form four students were allowed a week to take it easy (relatively speaking) before their national exams. They went into town, sat through exams, and then came home. It was less time in a classroom than a typical school day, and yet they came home totally exhausted. The students from Angel House at least felt that they did well and are fairly confident.

The other students, pre-form I, form I, form II and form III have been busy preparing for exams as well. Form II from Angel Secondary scored the highest in the Tarime district, and in the top of the Mara region on their mock exams. The students have been working hard, and are almost too busy to take time out to have a little fun. Their work ethic astounds me.

Salome, Neema, Grace, Joseph and Paulo

Working in the shamba

The kids say thank you !

On a bittersweet note. Individual Volunteer Savannah Swanner said goodbye. Her time in Tanzania went by too quickly, and she promised to be back one day. On her last day, the kids danced for her and affirmed her  journey from this point in time. It was a hard day for me too, because it meant I was losing my partner. Also, it made me think of my last days here, and that is an unbearable idea. I'm going to think happy thoughts now. ON the bright side, the kids worry about me being alone, and so have invited me to spend the night at Angel House, something I enjoy so much. They are a wonderful addition to my already great family.

And yet, life goes on. The kids now know I am the one with the backpack full of bandages, and will invent any injury to get one, especially a pretty colored one. They find it hilarious that I learned about nursing from dogs and cats. We have had a really low malaria month, only one child, so that is a good thing. And Leah Wilfred got some good news. After several months of pain from ovarian cysts, she and I are traveling to Nairobi tomorrow evening to have it checked out and surgery. Prayers for her please. She is so happy to be having it taken care of!

Savannah and Salome take time out to play. 

A decision was reached in July, to ask the Form IV students at Angel House to move back home with their relatives after exams, so that they can take the skills they have learned, and contribute to family life. They have a few months to wait for exam results which will tell them which direction is best for them. Most of the students are already thinking about something they would like to do, be it driving a pikipiki, raising chickens, or learning to fix cars. No matter what, they all have higher education aspirations. They left Angel House last Thursday, and there were many tears shed, especially by the younger kids. But they know this is not goodbye. They are a family, and nothing will keep them apart for long.

The little kids hanging out

Having a moment with Neema and Grace

Dinner time

Playing in the corn field

The recent graduates

The very pregnant milk cow

The kids love when I wash their heads

I can't get enough of the African Sunsets. 

I have been thinking about family a lot lately, maybe because my parents and sister are coming to visit me soon. It just makes me think, family is great, because there is always room for more. There is the family we are born to, and the family who we choose for ourselves. Both are great, and both function as one, as the brothers and sisters in Christ who lift us up and reasure us and make life worth living. They are a gift from God. It makes me so grateful, because of the this project, to be able to add so many new people to my already wonderful family. God Bless.

Graduation Day!

It was a beautiful day for a graduation. The birds were singing, the sun was shining, and there was joy in the air. For many of the students, they are the first among their families to attend school, let alone complete it. They have accomplished so much and have so much to be proud of.

For this American, I can almost forget it is fall. No Halloween decorations in every house, no football season, and no pumpkin spice lattes in every coffee shop. That is something Tarime could use, is a good coffee shop. If I wasn't in touch with the rest of the world, I could almost for get is is fall, with a graduation in the works.

acrobatic team performs at the Graduation ceremony. Even more impressive, they perform in school uniforms. 

The ceremony started at noon. It was supposed to start at ten, but TIA or This Is Africa. There were speakers and music to keep the crowds happy, and there was visiting with friends and neighbors as well. Parents of the graduates brought gifts and flowers for their kids, and so Savannah, Anna and I made candy sashes for our seven grads from Angel House. Anna couldn't have been more proud of her kids!

The Class of 2012 performs an original song

 At my graduation ceremonies, both from high school and university, I got bored. I'm not even ashamed to admit it. The speeches are so canned, and the atmosphere is dry, considering it should be a celebration. This graduation got it right. Tanzanians like to have a good time, and they turned this into a real party.

The ceremony started with some singing and dancing from some of the students, and then we were treated to a performance by the Angel House kids. They all got new dresses and clothes, and danced the Macarena and the Cha Cha Slide. They were great, perfectly in step, and exceptionally polished. They just about stole the show. Everyone loved them, but how could they not.

We were then given an acrobatic performance to watch, some traditional dancing, a song and a rap. All of the students were allowed to participate, and so they took ownership of their ceremony. The graduates sang a song to the teachers and administration that they wrote themselves. No Pomp and Circumstance or Green Day's Time of Your Life to be heard.

The Angel House kids, performing the Cha Cha Slide

 A special shout-out and thank you to Jostens  Corporation for the donation of the caps and gowns. The grads and teachers all had one to wear and everyone looked fantastic in their matching regalia. The students also get bragging rights, because this ceremony had one of the larges groups of Wazungu to be seen at once, with Holly, Tom Jones, the Individual Volunteers, Methodist Missionaries and a bunch of Australian doctors who met the kids the week before. We all sat up front as guests of honor.

The local police were also invited and were asked to give the commencement speech. The officer who spoke gave wonderful advice about following dreams and dreaming big. At least, that is what I think he said. A lot of it was in Swahili.

A beautiful end to a great day

 Certificates were made and handed out to the students who achieved excellence in their studies or extra-curricular activities. All of the students received exit certificates as well. For our students, this isn't the end yet. They still were required to take national exams. Good new though...All of the students from Angel feel very confident about their results and are already making plans for future dreams and goals.

The Angel House kids were great in their performances

 While the ceremony commenced, every person present received a soda to drink, the ultimate sign of hospitality in Tanzania and a welcome treat in the heat of the day. We did get to sit under tents, in comfortable chairs. The sound system was great, very clear sound for all speakers.

Double rainbow, and new clothes. 

 After the ceremony, students, parents and guests were treated to a wonderful feast of meat, chicken, fried banana, rice and fruit. I know everyone got enough to eat, and many of the foods were a treat to all of us. The rain started right after the meal began, and stopped about the time the meal ended, so we were able to go outside for pictures and hugs. There was a stunning double rainbow that made for a great backdrop, as well as one of the most beautiful sunsets I have seen yet.

Missionaries Savannah Swanner and Rachel Tremis with the lovely Bhoke Magabe and Bhoke Mwita

 Altogether, it was an honor and a privilege to be a part of the graduation ceremony. I sincerely feel that God not only calls us to a place but to be there at a time as well. Big things are happening at Angel House and Angel Secondary, and I am honored to be a part of it all.

Neema and Winnie compare notes and show off their new dresses

Upcoming Head Boy and Head Girl address the audience

Head Boy Francis Joseph and Head Girl Asa Joseph address the guests of honor.

Second Master Benson and the Class of 2012

August updates

Kekwete taking medicine

Hello friends of Angel House!
It is an exciting time to be in Tanzania. The students are on their third week of census break, and while the secondary school kids are still taking classes in the morning to prepare for their upcoming exams, the younger kids are done with theirs and are now able to rest at the house, to play and to do chores and build relationships and to dream. It is a beautiful thing to see them enjoying their lives to the fullest.

Angel House recently opened their doors to a couple of new girls, Rachel and Paskalia. Rachel is seven and is settling in well. It is clear that a lot of responsibility has been placed on her shoulders, and she handles it well. She is already helpful to the younger kids and is studious and hardworking. One of the neatest things to see is how she is learning to have fun. She was a little reluctant to warm up to the staff and the missionaries at first, but she and I share a bond, a name bond. She now comes running when we walk through the gate and gives us a hug. She is a wonderful addition to Angel House.

Paskalia is five, and has so much personality. She decided almost immediately that she likes attention and play. She loves to play the copy game, and likes to be tickled and chased and to learn English. She has big, wide eyes that are alive with wonder at every new thing she sees. She bats her adoring eyelashes in our direction all of the time and can't leave us alone. She didn't know what to think of her first hug or first sheet of stickers or the way we take our time out to play with the kids. She is still learning her role among all of her new brothers and sisters, but she is coming into her own.

Savannah caring for Wambura while he had malaria

Nossi, Rachel and Bonge taking a moment to pose while walking to the river for swimming

New girl Rachel

Swim time!

New girl Paskalia

Savannah washing Paskalia's head.

We, the missionaries are teaching a computer class to the secondary school students. Right now, we are just focusing on the Angel House kids. We kind of have our work cut out for us, but we are seeing progress. We have taken the time out to de-virus all of the computers and now are teaching a typing class, using the home-row keys, along with some computer task orientation. Our next project is to write an internet safety course so that students must take and pass it before using the internet. We are also requiring them to type a certain number of words per minute with accuracy before they are allowed to use the internet. We want them to truly learn to be computer savvy before leaving school, so that they might have another option when it comes to employment.

Preparations are being made for graduation every day. The students are all chatting and talking about what they will wear to the ceremony. Anna has new clothes for all of the Angel House kids. They are going to look sharp. We have made a brochure and certificates for all of the outstanding students. They are going to wear caps and gowns that have been purchased. It is an exciting and blessed time to be at Angel House Secondary School.

Savannah is learning lots about nursing everyday, from first hand experience. She has taken care of more cases of malaria that I care to count. She has made a white board for the dispensary so that it is easy to keep track of medicines that the kids are taking, and a medical records book too. She has de-fungused all of the younger kids and has de-wormed everyone as well. I am even learning about medicine and nursing, all useful skills.  We dewormed the dogs too, something I am familiar with.

Neema and Kekwete having fun at the Mission House

As for me, I am finding out all that I can about the kids, and turning it into useful information for child sponsors. I was able to help teach a few English courses at the primary school tuition time, and I enjoyed that. I am making the certificates for the graduation ceremony and am on the commication committee in the organizational meetings. My favorite ministry though, is on Sundays after church, where we bring a couple of the younger kids home with us to spend the day as individuals. They get to eat with us and color and watch a movie and play and practice their English. The more I get to know them, the more I love everyone of them. God is good. All of the time. All of the time. God is good.

Moving Forward

It is an exciting time to be around Angel House Orphanage and Angel Secondary School. Things are happening all of the time, and both Volunteers in Mission are honored to be here for this time. School is about to be dismissed for a long break  of one month because of census in Tanzania. This is a  break the school has never encountered before because it only happens every ten years. All of the students who have asked, as well as teachers and staff are all looking forward to this  break.
However, they will still be kept busy. Savannah and Rchel are going to teach keyboarding classes and computer literacy. The hope is to teach all of the students to type well enough that they can add this to their education. There will also be opportunities for students to meet and study their subjects and to study for exams.
One exciting idea hatched by the missionaries was to host a girl's Bible study group at the Mission House on Friday nights. All of the Secondary girls were invited for dinner and a sleepover and a study on the book of Ruth. They taught one of their worship songs and were taught an American song in return. They all had a wonderful time. There will only be a sleepover every other week, but Bible study weekly.
Construction began on the Boy's hostel this week. It took fifteen loads of rock  before the foundation could even be constructed, and now the foundation is halfway finished, rooms are divided up and bricks are being made. The decision was made to make the bricks at the site, to cut down costs of damaged bricks. It also gives school administration quality control. Plus, in the future when they do construction, the furnace and materials will already be there.

The second plowing of the school shamba took place this week, and now are waiting on a third. Once the third plowing happens, they will be able to start to work and to plant it. They are going to grow corn and green vegetables that they eat for breakfast and lunch, cutting down on the cost of food. The project could have been completed before this if the tractor hadn't broken down continulously and needed repairs. You know what they say, This is Africa.