So after being home for 3 hours a had already missed Africa, now that i have been away for a few weeks i have been planning of going back to teach. I loved Africa more than i even imagined i would, or could. i was friends with everyone before we left, but over the duration of our trip, they turned into best friends, and i miss the ones who aren't home anymore to bug. Africa has changed my outlook on so many things; recycling, food portions, people, and mostly water. i wish to go back to help teach english on the compound in Dodoma, that is my ideal plan. i cant wait to make it back there :)
ill be missing Africa while im home :)
xoxo
-Nicole
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Asante Sana
Wow, where did the time go! It seems like we just left but also like we have been gone for a very long time. I would like to thank my wife Anna for sharing another wonderful experience in the CPpS Missions of Tanzania. I would also like to thank all the youth for sharing of yourselves with myself and the Tanzanian people. This experience would not have been the same without you all. When you really look at what it is all about, it is about the people of Tanzania. They are the reason we travel to Tanzania. We go there to share ourselves with them to show that we care, and that we want to help them. Yes we brought clothes, toys, school supplies, but mainly we brought ourselves. We shared with them our smiles, laughter, hugs, thousands of waves and even some tears. We brought water to the poor village of Chihikwi, but we also brought them hope that things can improve.
When you travel Tanzania and meet the people they are very welcoming, you always heard "Karibuni" (welcome everyone) and they would bring out something for you to drink and eat. Sometimes what they gave us was worth more than gold - water that is only collected during the short rainy season. When we visited the Missions of Charity in Hombolo we greeted the elders with "Shikamoo" and they blessed us with "Marahaba". We also visited the lepers there, they said it was a good day because they were blessed with visitors. Many of them were blind, some had no digits on their hands or their feet, but they all were happy and laughed as they shook everyone's hand. I think everyone in Canada should think twice before we complain about some of our problems!
When you travel through Tanzania the people really touch your heart and that doesn't just leave when you return home. I am always thinking of them, what are they doing, is there food, is there water, and how are their families. The memories will be there for ever.
I would like to thank Paul, Audrey and Paulette for making us feel at home at the compound in Dodoma, and for all they do for the water project, they sacrifice a lot in their lives to work with people of Tanzania. Fr Tim, also known as "FT", what can you say about a man who does so much every day from before dawn to well after dusk. His commitment and compassion for the people is always there, even when he is tired or sick. Like Kateri said"FT you're the Man" Of course none of this would be possible without Bro, his dedication to the Tanzanian people is unheard of. Without Bro I could not imagine what life would be like for the poor of Tanzania.
God Bless Bro!
Safari Njema
Lloyd
When you travel Tanzania and meet the people they are very welcoming, you always heard "Karibuni" (welcome everyone) and they would bring out something for you to drink and eat. Sometimes what they gave us was worth more than gold - water that is only collected during the short rainy season. When we visited the Missions of Charity in Hombolo we greeted the elders with "Shikamoo" and they blessed us with "Marahaba". We also visited the lepers there, they said it was a good day because they were blessed with visitors. Many of them were blind, some had no digits on their hands or their feet, but they all were happy and laughed as they shook everyone's hand. I think everyone in Canada should think twice before we complain about some of our problems!
When you travel through Tanzania the people really touch your heart and that doesn't just leave when you return home. I am always thinking of them, what are they doing, is there food, is there water, and how are their families. The memories will be there for ever.
I would like to thank Paul, Audrey and Paulette for making us feel at home at the compound in Dodoma, and for all they do for the water project, they sacrifice a lot in their lives to work with people of Tanzania. Fr Tim, also known as "FT", what can you say about a man who does so much every day from before dawn to well after dusk. His commitment and compassion for the people is always there, even when he is tired or sick. Like Kateri said"FT you're the Man" Of course none of this would be possible without Bro, his dedication to the Tanzanian people is unheard of. Without Bro I could not imagine what life would be like for the poor of Tanzania.
God Bless Bro!
Safari Njema
Lloyd
Youth are home!
Yes we made it home and all in one piece! I think we all have been trying to adjust to the time change. What we have suggested is that everyone who travelled to Tanzania this summer, youth and adults, could write their own post describing some of their own experiences. It would be a great way to wrap up this blog.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
...and evening came and morning came - the 6th day
...and the earth poured forth water.
Yes, it's Wednesday morning, and we have water!!!!!!! The children from the school came to help us give thanks and to sing for us. It is an amazing sight and a wonderful feeling of accomplishment to see the clean, clear water coming from the pipe. We've pictured ourselves into posterity. We'll try to add some of them to the blog. Rejoice with us! Praise the Lord!
Love from
All of us here at Miyuji.
Yes, it's Wednesday morning, and we have water!!!!!!! The children from the school came to help us give thanks and to sing for us. It is an amazing sight and a wonderful feeling of accomplishment to see the clean, clear water coming from the pipe. We've pictured ourselves into posterity. We'll try to add some of them to the blog. Rejoice with us! Praise the Lord!
Love from
All of us here at Miyuji.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Counting down the days
Habari to all-
The kids are leaving Dar es Salaam tonight for home, and we're still here in Miyuji, hopefully to finish our windmill today. It is the first totally Tanzania-built windmill, and we're very excited and honoured to be putting it up. It will water a new garden here to grow vegetables to feed the school children.
Since the kids left last Wednesday, we've been touring every afternoon, visiting missions that serve lepers, mentally handicapped children, Aids/HIV orphans, and the poorest of the poor's homes.
The poverty is indescribable. And yet the hospitality of the people is incredible. On Sunday, we went to the local parish church. It was all in Swahili, and the choir danced and sang, and they had an auction after Mass to raise money for the Diocese and the parish. It was 'Thanksgiving Sunday'. We had some quiet time, and were able to just hang around the neighbourhood, and paint the fins for the windmill. Our usual de-briefing followed.
Yesterday, Monday, was the most exciting day since we arrived, because the container of food that we shipped finally arrived here!!!!! We unloaded it with much happiness and lots of pictures. Unfortunately, we are not as computer-literate as the kids, so don't know if we can upload a picture. We'll try.
Tonight is African night. We're having roasted goat, and wearing our African clothes--no shoes or socks allowed. Should be fun.
Love you and miss you all.
Pat, Julian, Casey, Josh, Fr. Wladek, Anita, Rob, Aileen, and Wilf
The kids are leaving Dar es Salaam tonight for home, and we're still here in Miyuji, hopefully to finish our windmill today. It is the first totally Tanzania-built windmill, and we're very excited and honoured to be putting it up. It will water a new garden here to grow vegetables to feed the school children.
Since the kids left last Wednesday, we've been touring every afternoon, visiting missions that serve lepers, mentally handicapped children, Aids/HIV orphans, and the poorest of the poor's homes.
The poverty is indescribable. And yet the hospitality of the people is incredible. On Sunday, we went to the local parish church. It was all in Swahili, and the choir danced and sang, and they had an auction after Mass to raise money for the Diocese and the parish. It was 'Thanksgiving Sunday'. We had some quiet time, and were able to just hang around the neighbourhood, and paint the fins for the windmill. Our usual de-briefing followed.
Yesterday, Monday, was the most exciting day since we arrived, because the container of food that we shipped finally arrived here!!!!! We unloaded it with much happiness and lots of pictures. Unfortunately, we are not as computer-literate as the kids, so don't know if we can upload a picture. We'll try.
Tonight is African night. We're having roasted goat, and wearing our African clothes--no shoes or socks allowed. Should be fun.
Love you and miss you all.
Pat, Julian, Casey, Josh, Fr. Wladek, Anita, Rob, Aileen, and Wilf
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Desolate Country...Beautiful People
All kidding about our exploits to get here aside, the adults have had an opportunity to experience a minor taste of life here. We had the opportunity to work on the water project at Chihikwi and all of us came to an understanding quickly how hard and relentless life could be for anyone living here. Trying to trench through concrete like soil, with picks and hoes, centimeter by centimeter, in the sun. The youth group and the villagers have done a great job trenching 400 to 500 metres from the tower to the waterstorage tanks and a further 200 to 300 metres from the tanks to an animal trough. We only had to work at it for 2 days, the villagers have to live with this for life. Any semblance of moisture in the soil is quickly dried by the constant wind and the soil again hardens.
We saw the water hole that the villagers had used. This was shared with the animals. They do draw from another well that does go dry in the winter months (now) and when it has water they should boil it, but may not. They might get water this week from the new well if they can finish the trench.
We had a chance to tour the CPPS compound with Fr. Tim. The compound serves as living quarters, workspace and workshop, small farm, school grounds and worship space. The compound is clean, green and alive. It stands as a living testimony to the power of water in a harsh environment. The compound and all workers are self sufficient. They grow and raise everything they need to survive here. They re-cycle everything including sewage and manure, which is turned into bio-gas that runs some lamps and the kitchen stoves. Shipping containers are turned into storage and office space, all steel is kept and reused, nothing is thrown away. They manufacture their own concrete blocks for building projects, they make their own wood furniture, they manufacture all their windmills and repair all mechanical equipment on site. They grow their own fruit, coffee, vegetables, grapes, they also raise all their meat on site. The school grounds is well kept and large. The classrooms are limited to 30 students each to control the quality of education. This is in keeping with the concept of helping people help themselves. All the workers are very well treated and the site apparently employs over 100 local people.
The local people are truly amazing. While we North Americans typically fret over some insignificant detail like we have not had our morning coffee, these people are a true testament to their abilityto survive and keep coming back for more. The smiles and the waves, the friendly greetings, the constant welcome (karibu) even under the conditions they live in, is uplifting. Most of us were frankly shocked to see the living conditions of typical Tanzanians. Mud brick huts, some with metal roofs, all vulnerable to the elements. Most have no water, no power. Some have no windows, no doors. They all have a common thread, the people.
We had the privilege of attending Mass this morning in Chihikwi. The church is very small, mud brick, with mud brick benches. There were probably 100 people crammed inside and more on the outside. These people have faith. The voices were beautiful, accompanied by traditional drummers. The mass was conducted in Swahili, Fr. Tim interpreted for us as required. The atmosphere was prayerful and respectful and was a joy to participate in.
Prior to Mass we had a chance to walk to the Chihikwi school. Some of the youth played with the village children and managed to teach them the Hokey-Pokey. The children laughed and laughed at the shakin' it all about part.
This afternoon we separated all the wonderful donations, so that we can distribute them over the next few days. Another chance to meet some more wonderful people.
The Adult Group
We saw the water hole that the villagers had used. This was shared with the animals. They do draw from another well that does go dry in the winter months (now) and when it has water they should boil it, but may not. They might get water this week from the new well if they can finish the trench.
We had a chance to tour the CPPS compound with Fr. Tim. The compound serves as living quarters, workspace and workshop, small farm, school grounds and worship space. The compound is clean, green and alive. It stands as a living testimony to the power of water in a harsh environment. The compound and all workers are self sufficient. They grow and raise everything they need to survive here. They re-cycle everything including sewage and manure, which is turned into bio-gas that runs some lamps and the kitchen stoves. Shipping containers are turned into storage and office space, all steel is kept and reused, nothing is thrown away. They manufacture their own concrete blocks for building projects, they make their own wood furniture, they manufacture all their windmills and repair all mechanical equipment on site. They grow their own fruit, coffee, vegetables, grapes, they also raise all their meat on site. The school grounds is well kept and large. The classrooms are limited to 30 students each to control the quality of education. This is in keeping with the concept of helping people help themselves. All the workers are very well treated and the site apparently employs over 100 local people.
The local people are truly amazing. While we North Americans typically fret over some insignificant detail like we have not had our morning coffee, these people are a true testament to their abilityto survive and keep coming back for more. The smiles and the waves, the friendly greetings, the constant welcome (karibu) even under the conditions they live in, is uplifting. Most of us were frankly shocked to see the living conditions of typical Tanzanians. Mud brick huts, some with metal roofs, all vulnerable to the elements. Most have no water, no power. Some have no windows, no doors. They all have a common thread, the people.
We had the privilege of attending Mass this morning in Chihikwi. The church is very small, mud brick, with mud brick benches. There were probably 100 people crammed inside and more on the outside. These people have faith. The voices were beautiful, accompanied by traditional drummers. The mass was conducted in Swahili, Fr. Tim interpreted for us as required. The atmosphere was prayerful and respectful and was a joy to participate in.
Prior to Mass we had a chance to walk to the Chihikwi school. Some of the youth played with the village children and managed to teach them the Hokey-Pokey. The children laughed and laughed at the shakin' it all about part.
This afternoon we separated all the wonderful donations, so that we can distribute them over the next few days. Another chance to meet some more wonderful people.
The Adult Group
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Re-cycled Youth are Now here
Although we didn’t break the 4-day record for getting here, we came close with our 46-hour trip. Our Amsterdam experiences included getting thrown off the train for having invalid tickets and Fr. Wladek extolling Holland as a Catholic nation after seeing 6 bike-riding nuns in full habits, who upon closer inspection were sporting red garters and had strayed from a Gay Pride parade.
Anita, Rob, Wilf & Aileen decided to stay at the airport, not wanting to miss the next flight, and not only missed out on all the excitement but were further rewarded by a 4-hour extension on our Amsterdam layover—12 hours in all.
In Nairobi, we were introduced to the True African Experience—lineups—while they cleared the runways and transfer desks from the Kenya Airlines strike. So we were able to enjoy Nairobi Airport an extra 4 hours too, bringing us to Dar es Salaam late Monday night, even later because “Mother” Anita couldn’t get her act together to get us into the right lineup to get us through immigration.
The adventure continued…..while touring Dar es Salaam, we passed the American Embassy, and were pulled over by armed guards. Aileen was hauled away for espionage pictures of roadside barbeques. Casey’s Negotiating 101 at the market, had vendors chasing us as we drove away in the Big Yellow Taxi. Encounters with barking dogs, caused Julian and Pat to miss Mass ( particularly embarrassing after he was assured to be the first one up, being an ‘Alberta farm boy’). Rob is still learning how to deal with mosquito netting while getting out of bed without falling. Josh and Wilf will not continue to avoid trouble—we’ll see to that!!!
We are now arrived at the CPPS Mission “All-inclusive” Resort in Dodoma, enjoying the all-day trip in our luxury seats on the Yellow Submarine.
More to follow……..
Love, Pat, Julian, Casey, Fr. Wladek, Josh, Anita, Rob, Wilf, and Anita
Anita, Rob, Wilf & Aileen decided to stay at the airport, not wanting to miss the next flight, and not only missed out on all the excitement but were further rewarded by a 4-hour extension on our Amsterdam layover—12 hours in all.
In Nairobi, we were introduced to the True African Experience—lineups—while they cleared the runways and transfer desks from the Kenya Airlines strike. So we were able to enjoy Nairobi Airport an extra 4 hours too, bringing us to Dar es Salaam late Monday night, even later because “Mother” Anita couldn’t get her act together to get us into the right lineup to get us through immigration.
The adventure continued…..while touring Dar es Salaam, we passed the American Embassy, and were pulled over by armed guards. Aileen was hauled away for espionage pictures of roadside barbeques. Casey’s Negotiating 101 at the market, had vendors chasing us as we drove away in the Big Yellow Taxi. Encounters with barking dogs, caused Julian and Pat to miss Mass ( particularly embarrassing after he was assured to be the first one up, being an ‘Alberta farm boy’). Rob is still learning how to deal with mosquito netting while getting out of bed without falling. Josh and Wilf will not continue to avoid trouble—we’ll see to that!!!
We are now arrived at the CPPS Mission “All-inclusive” Resort in Dodoma, enjoying the all-day trip in our luxury seats on the Yellow Submarine.
More to follow……..
Love, Pat, Julian, Casey, Fr. Wladek, Josh, Anita, Rob, Wilf, and Anita
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