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