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
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Latest Update
Well we have put on few miles since the last post. We travelled up country to Itigi, Mkiwa and Sukamahela. The first 120 km was on black top, then it took about 2 hours to travel 40 km. We must have swallowed 10 kg of dust each, and I am suprised no one broke their back!! We stayed over night in Itigi. It has a modern hospital that serves a very large area. People even come from neighbouring countries to get medical attention. Then the next day we went to Mkiwa and visited the Ursilin Sisters formation house. From there we went to Sukamahela, a village that has over 60 people with leprosy living there. The Ursilin Sister care for them. Even though many of them are blind and missing fingers and toes they are very happy, maybe we could all learn something from them!
Friday we were back in the village. Still digging(chiselling) our trench to the livestock trough and making one of the water storage tanks. Karen and Kateri got right in the termite dung to mix it with water. The villagers are getting closer to finishing their 500m ditch, hopefully when we go back there next Friday it will be done.
Friday night was PIZZA night and we also celebrated Cale's birthday. We gave it a good shot but we could not break the pizza eating record. Everyone had a good time, Fr Tim was the pizza cook and mmmmmm it was good.
Today we visited Hombolo and the Missions of Charity, Mother Teresa's order. They look after orphaned children, senoir men and women and lepers. They perform a huge service to the people there. The small children grabbed onto us and would not let go as we left the orphanage. The older ladies played the drums and sang for us, they happy people from Canada were there to visit with them.
Keep us all in your prayers
Lloyd
Friday we were back in the village. Still digging(chiselling) our trench to the livestock trough and making one of the water storage tanks. Karen and Kateri got right in the termite dung to mix it with water. The villagers are getting closer to finishing their 500m ditch, hopefully when we go back there next Friday it will be done.
Friday night was PIZZA night and we also celebrated Cale's birthday. We gave it a good shot but we could not break the pizza eating record. Everyone had a good time, Fr Tim was the pizza cook and mmmmmm it was good.
Today we visited Hombolo and the Missions of Charity, Mother Teresa's order. They look after orphaned children, senoir men and women and lepers. They perform a huge service to the people there. The small children grabbed onto us and would not let go as we left the orphanage. The older ladies played the drums and sang for us, they happy people from Canada were there to visit with them.
Keep us all in your prayers
Lloyd
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
MAMBO VIPI!!!
Over the last two work days we've got the foundation for the storage tanks finished and most of the 100 meter trench to the trough done. Work is good, we're all getting tougher and stronger day by day. Today me Steph, Claire, Steve, Cale, Kateri and Chris witnessed a live goat get slaughtered for lunch in front of our eyes. Claire insisted that we name it before it dies... but none of us could bring ourselves to do that. In the Muslim faith, here in Tanzania the slaughtering of a goat is a spiritual thing. They pray over the goat and have to kill it facing East (something like that I think). It was a gorey incounter but I'm glad I got to see it. Tomorrow we're heading down to Itigi to visit a missionary hospital and the following day; Sukamahala, where we are going to visit an institution for people with leprasy and other disablilties. Time flies pretty fast here, but looking back I can't believe it's almost been a month.
Anyways, it's getting pretty late and we have a long day of travel tomorrow
SOOO BYE
- Karen and Steph
Anyways, it's getting pretty late and we have a long day of travel tomorrow
SOOO BYE
- Karen and Steph
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Tunza maji!!
Hey hey hey! So Thursday and Firday we finished the windmill, and we finally have clean water! yeah, it was pretty exciting! :) It was so crazy to watch the guys finish the windmill. They just climbed up to the top (12 meters) and screwed in all the fins and the motor and stuff with just a little piece of chain holding them on. The days get pretty hot obviously, so Nickey, Claire, Kat and I had a water war with three of the workers. That's right, not just a fight but a war. :) We might have got owned, but they were wet too by the end of it. It was super exciting to see the water finally come out, but we're still working on that 500 m. trench. Nickey and Claire paced it out and we've done 228 paces, and we have 332 left to go. Plus we have to make sure it's deep enough the whole way. The people are really nice everywhere. We had to move some rocks and sand from one area to another, and they walked faithfully back and forth with us everytime. Nickey, Katherine and I went in the truck with Gabriel a few times, and he decided that Katherine is Tanzanian becasue she has dark hair, I'm half Canadian half Tanzanian becasue of my freckles, and Nickey is just Canadian with her blonde hair and white (tanned at most) skin. Then today we got to go to our first orphanage! We went to the House of Hope which is run by the Ursline Sisters, and of course, the kids were beyond cute. They had these drums made from oil drums that they played for us; it was pretty cool. This afternoon we have some ladies coming in to measure us so that they can sew us whatever we want from the material we bought. :) We've also taken to having dance parties in the back of the truck and singing Taylor Swift. Well, some of us have at least. Miss everyone tons! xoxo
Meaghan =)
Meaghan =)
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Busy, busy,busy....
We have been doing all kinds of things the last few days. After resting on Sunday, Monday morning we took down what we had put up for the celebration on Saturday. Tuesday morning we loaded up the truck with everything we need to finish the windmill on Thursday.Then we went to town and did some shopping at the material shops. We all spent some money to help the economy of Tanzania. On Wednesday we went to Manyoni. The President was unveiling a plaque at the new water project that supplies water to the town of Manyoni. Eight wells with electric pumps supply a large tank which then is pumped to Manyoni. Some of us got to shake the hand of the President. His speach to the people was very good and the people responded well, even thogh none of us understood. On the wayhome we stopped at Kintiku and visited with some Sisters. One of the sisters has been here since 1962!!! We had a tour of the village by Fr. Tim. We were followed by 30-40 children, laughing and playing with all of us. On the way home we had a beautiful sunset, yes we took pictures. We got home after 8:00, had dinner and went to bed. Tomorrow we are back to Chihikwi, there should be water flowing!!!!!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Preperation of Windmill factory dedication ceremony
Well, today we spent on the compound getting everything ready for the Big Party tomorrow for the dedication of the windmill factory here on the compound. Moving tables, chairs and decorating the area for mass at 9am and then the ceremonies. The decorations are very Tanzanian and look great. We finished with blowing up balloons to be hung & hopefully they don't all pop during the night. We should be done by about 3ish but that's Tanzanian time so who knows!
The kids at the school have some plays planned for all the guests and some of the compound workers have a choir so there will be singing. they have beautiful voices.
Ana, Peter and girls arrived safely yesterday and they are all doing great. I'm sure they'll be surprized tomorrow. They get to stay in the new rooms above the factory.
Fr. Tim pointed out to us the other day that our windmill is the first one produced in the new factory!! We feel honoured to be apart of the dedication ceremony tomorrow. There are 350 people expected to be there. It's just a small Tanzanian celebration!!
Everyone here is still doing great and feeling great also.
Keep praying that God's work will be completed.
Blessings,
Anna
The kids at the school have some plays planned for all the guests and some of the compound workers have a choir so there will be singing. they have beautiful voices.
Ana, Peter and girls arrived safely yesterday and they are all doing great. I'm sure they'll be surprized tomorrow. They get to stay in the new rooms above the factory.
Fr. Tim pointed out to us the other day that our windmill is the first one produced in the new factory!! We feel honoured to be apart of the dedication ceremony tomorrow. There are 350 people expected to be there. It's just a small Tanzanian celebration!!
Everyone here is still doing great and feeling great also.
Keep praying that God's work will be completed.
Blessings,
Anna
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The windmill tower is up!!
Today we got the windmill tower standing, the motor and fins are not on yet. We have been working with the windmill team of Ralphiel, Lenord, Moses, Doto, and Gabriel. We go back next Tuesday and we will have the windmill pumping clean water!!! I know other people have said the ground is hard, and it is very hard work digging/chiselling the ditch. We have met some of the villagers and are starting to learn their names and ages. We still have a long way to dig to get the water from the windmill to where the tanks will be. Hopefully the villagers will continue digging the ditch. Everyone is working hard and spirits are good, even though we complain about the hard ground. The final goal is worth every blister, sunburn and bruise we get. We are trying to post a picture of the well, but the internet is not allowing us at this time, but we will keep trying.
Kwa Herini
Lloyd
Kwa Herini
Lloyd
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Long day in the dirt!
So today was the first of our hard working, dusty, blistering days :) We started out with an early breakfast and a tight schedual before hitting the extremely dusty trail to Chihikwi. When we arrived we began digging 4 large holes around where the well has been dug. the holes had to be a meter wide and 2 meters deep. Back home on Canadian soil this may have taken about a half hour. . . but here the ground is actually as hard as rock or cement. i was expecting hard, but not like this. There were 5 guys on the windmill crew and about 20 other men from around the area helping dig the holes. Our group tried to dig the holes but we sucked so bad that the men would come up and actually take the pick axes and shovels right from our hands and start laughing. haha they seemed to get a kick out of our weakness. while those were being dug our group moved over to where we needed to start digging the trough for the water tanks. it has to be about a meter deep and a half a kilometer long. . . we made it about 1/4 of the lenght and maybe a 1/2 a meter down. it is absolutely exhausting work! all the villagers were so excited that even the women with babies wrapped onto their backs were picking up pick axes and helping. it is so remarkable to see the community help like that. something we would most deffinatly not find back home. there were about 30 little kids all dispersed about the area and they were terrified of us! everytime we would take a step closer to them they would scream and run away. hahah i guess to them WE are the boogie man. for lunch, the women cooked for us. it was really good actually. we had rice and a meat stew. but the meat was really fresh, and we knew this because we watched it get slaughtered in the feild beside us while we worked...i didnt know goat could taste that good, but when lucnch is 3 hours late on a day like today that none of us are really use to, everything tastes good, even if we did see it before it died haha... after lunch for us, the windmill crew ate and we headed back to the compound. we were so exhausted and most of the kids showered, then slept. But for Meaghan, Katherine and myself we decided to go out to the pool. It was pretty cold but still alot of fun. we were later joined by Steve and Cale. we tried to maked human towers but ended up super unsuccessful :( but anyways, i am super tired and need to rest up before another long day.
P.s. Mom i cant upload any pictures....the comp is much to slow :( sorry <3
-Nickey
P.s. Mom i cant upload any pictures....the comp is much to slow :( sorry <3
-Nickey
Monday, July 27, 2009
A day of relaxation
So Nickey, Claire and I are currently sitting at the slow computer desk right before lunch time. The last couple of days have been pretty chill because it was the weekend and Father Tim had to catch up on some work in his office. This morning we had a morning of reflection with Father Tim and Father Joseph (who is a new priest ordained only in May here in Dodoma). It was really cool having silent time to just think about why we have all come here at this point in our lives. After lunch we will be packing the truck full of tools for our first day of work tomorrow in the little village of Chihiki (or however it's spelt). Anyways lunch is on the table, and we must run! Later.
-Katherine
-Katherine
Sunday, July 26, 2009
A Week Already Passed...
SOOOO todays the one week mark and so much has happened already. I can hardly remember what we've done. It's all been such a blur. Here I am at this luxurious compound in Dodoma. The food is great and the building is beautiful. The showers are WARM.. not like the last place we stayed. Yesterday Father Tim gave us a tour of the compound. We got to see all the classrooms the kids study in. This morning we went to mass in the village. The music was great and the choir was lively and dancing and singing. The people here are very friendly and warm. After mass everyone was outside socializing... not like at home were we all run along to do our things. ANYWAYS I'm gonna go play crazy eight countdown with Kateri and Steph now. I hope I didn't bore you with my rant.
Peace
Karen
Peace
Karen
Friday, July 24, 2009
We have arrived in Dodoma!!
It was a very long flight from Vancouver to Dar Es Salaam.The first few days were spent touring around in Dar Es Salaam. Seeing some sights and trying to get our bodies on the correct time. We visited Bwagamoyo, a historic site of the slave trade. We also went to the cathedral in Dar. We even got to try some bartering at the markets, that was an experience!
Today we travelled from Dar to Morogoro and visited the St Gaspers Seminarian College. From there we were back in the "blue Limo" (big blue truck) to finish the trip to Dodoma. It was a long day of bumping up and down. Our arms are tired from waving at everyone in the villages as we passed by, there were a lot of villages.
We are all doing great. More to come.
Kwa Herini
Today we travelled from Dar to Morogoro and visited the St Gaspers Seminarian College. From there we were back in the "blue Limo" (big blue truck) to finish the trip to Dodoma. It was a long day of bumping up and down. Our arms are tired from waving at everyone in the villages as we passed by, there were a lot of villages.
We are all doing great. More to come.
Kwa Herini
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Get ready, get set, go!
Well we are down to our last day before flying out on Sunday! Everyone is making their way to Vancouver today and then meeting at the airport by 5:00am Sunday. I don't think many of us will be getting any sleep tonight. We will meeting Fr. Tim in Amsterdam. We will be in Dar Es Salaam for the first few days and I don't think we will have access to a computer, so it may be awhile before our first post from Tanzania. Keep us in your prayers as we "Help others help themselves"
Lloyd
Lloyd
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Welcome, Karibu
Our waiting is almost over, in a few weeks we will be in Tanzania. We have been working hard getting everything in order for our Mission trip to help the people of Tanzania help themselves. We are a group of 9 youth and 2 adults from Kamloops and 2 youth from Airdrie. Three of us have been to Tanzania before but for the rest it will be their first visit to the mission fields. We leave July 19th and return to Canada on September 2nd. While in Tanzania we will be working from the compound in Dodoma. We will be helping erect a windmill in the village of Chihikwi. This will pump clean water out of the ground and be stored in tanks that the group will be making at the work site.
This summer there is also a group of 5 adults from Kamloops and 4 adults from Airdrie going to Tanzania, two of which have been before. They will be leaving August 15th and staying for 3 weeks.
Both groups will be working together while in Dodoma. They have shipped a container with 16 tons of rice, beans, corn meal and peas that will be in Tanzania when they arrive. This will be distributed amongst the needy. It should be quite an experience for everyone!
We are going to try to keep the post updated as we travel through Tanzania. Feel free to post your own comments, we would like to hear from everyone.
This summer there is also a group of 5 adults from Kamloops and 4 adults from Airdrie going to Tanzania, two of which have been before. They will be leaving August 15th and staying for 3 weeks.
Both groups will be working together while in Dodoma. They have shipped a container with 16 tons of rice, beans, corn meal and peas that will be in Tanzania when they arrive. This will be distributed amongst the needy. It should be quite an experience for everyone!
We are going to try to keep the post updated as we travel through Tanzania. Feel free to post your own comments, we would like to hear from everyone.
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