Good US of A

Well... it is weird to think that my trip to Africa is over. I had been dreaming about going over there since I was a kid and to think that my dream has become a reality with the help of my family and friends is an amazing feeling. I am definitely a little sad it is all over, but this is really just the beginning. This experience has been one that has definitely changed my life forever and I will never forget the people or great times I had there. I have already been in contact with my friends back there and are discussing how I could help them still while being here.

Rehema, mother at the orphanage, is trying to start a Women's and Children's center in Tanzania and a few volunteers before me have been helping her with a proposal. Things are looking good soo far so I will definitely keep everyone posted on the progress.

Thank you again for all the support. I could not have done this without all of you.

Penda (love) to you all!

Goat Brains and Ugali

Now that it a catchy title! ha Yes, I had to lovely experience of eating these last Saturday night. It was quite sweet really- Rehema (mama at the orphanage) invited me and the new volunteer over for dinner last Saturday. You would usually think nothing of this except that she is trying to feed 10 mouths, three times a day and they only get meat once a week. Well they were have meat (goat) that evening and she wanted us to join her. I have never been invited before so I felt I should not pass up this opportunity.

Well I also had the lovely experience of seeing the goat before it had been cooked-- actually in the bag: head, legs, and all!!!! I was freaking out because something smelled that was sitting besides me so I opened the bag only to have a dead goat head staring at me!!! Rehema and all the kids started laughing and I obviously took out my camera for this Kodak moment- ha.

Saturday night rolled around and we brought over fruit for the kids because they rarely get that either. It was a feast and the kids were so excited. The guests ALWAYS eat first (which I explained numerous times was not necessary)- so everyone watched me try my first goat brain, tongue and cheek with a side of ugali. (please google it- as I eat this DAILY!) I actually didn't mind the tongue- kind of chewy, brain- made me gage because it was soo mushy- cheek I could not even get close to my mouth because it still had some fur on it! It was quite an experience. After my immature screams and making the kids giggle it was an evening I definitely will never forget. Picture 10 kids all huddled around this candle lantern (because they don't have electricity) with this plate filled with meat pieces all grabbing for whatever they can and eating ever last bit of it. Just totally happy and satisfied where they were and with everything they had. I totally had a "I cant believe I am leaving in a week" moment and had to hold back tears by holding onto the little girl Saumu.

This is my last week at the orphanage and it will definitely be a hard one. I just cant imagine not seeing their smiling faces everyday and hearing their contagious laughs that fill the little play room that I now call home. The kids that I have come to love almost as my own, who I will probably never see again in my lifetime. I would love to bring all of them home with me and give them the wonderful life they all deserve- but know this is not possible. It is hard to give them everything you can while being here and realizing that they need so much more. I have not really thought about my leaving until recently bc we all know that I get a little emotional and attached to people-- please say an extra prayer for me to be strong in front of the kids and that they will stay safe after my departure.

The Simple Things in Life

This week has been exhausting. I think since I have been here so long now, Rehema (mama at the orphanage) thinks she can leave me alone all day with 10 kids who don't speak English! I also think since the kids know me too they are trying to get away with more things - this is exhausting!!! Ha Try telling 3 kids not to hit each other by displaying hand movements (it definitely turned into them laughing at me!) Anyways, we made PB&J sandwiches this week which they loved- a little 4 year old girl ate 3! I was in amazement- I don't think I could even do that and we all know how much I can eat. Ha They were so happy and content with just something new.

The little boy Toshi is fairly new at the orphanage. He shares his clothes with an older boy Babu so nothing fits him. Well we decided to get him two new outfits- they were soo soo cute! I totally got him a little soccer outfit. He was so excited- we put it on him after his bath and he was just touching it and looking at the soccer ball on his belly. It was precious. I will definitely post pictures.

My appreciation for little things and details has definitely grown since I have arrived here. I went to church a week ago with some other volunteers. It was one of those Christian churches where everyone yells and dances the whole time. Yes I definitely was dancing to the beat like everyone there! Please note the service was 4 hours long! I was extra holy that day! But what caught my attention was that if you were to walk into the church and view all the people you would never guess they were poor. Everyone looked beautiful in there Sunday dresses and suites. Everyone was so happy to see each other and praise God. I found it amazing how grateful they were for everything they have. It is easy for us to sit here and thank God bc we are so lucky with everything we own. But here- everyday is a struggle yet their faith is stronger than most. I found it fascinating. When the offerings were made everyone walked up to the front of the church and put in what they could. Most were offering what is equivalent to 10 and 20 cents. But someone who touched me the most was this elderly man. He walked to the front with 2 sugar canes. He laid them next to the basket bc that was all he could give. I was almost ready to break down right there--- but I held it together.

The church was an experience to say the least. During the mass they were claiming that it was an international church and they were calling out all these different countries. Yes- you guessed it. They called out America and I had to stand up. Out of the whole congregation I was the only person from the USA. It was definitely a humbling experience. After service though I was a celebrity as everyone was shaking my hand and greeting me. I felt a little akward but it was a very nice gesture and something that would never happen in the states. I have had alot of moments like that since I have been here and I am sure there will be more to come.

It is the simple things in life that make it special- miss all of you!

Have a wonderful weekend:)

Pics from Cradle of Love

Cradle of Love

There are so many places that need volunteers around Arusha! I have been volunteering like 2 days a week, after Karim, at this baby orphanage called Cradle of Love. It is run by an American or Canadian.. I cant remember but the facility is gorgeous. Everything in there is from donations. She has 35 babies all under the age of 2! Is it 24 hour care done by volunteers and a few local staff. The children are usually left at her doorstep or if the mother dies the father brings the child here til the age of 2 when they can go back home. It is an amazing place and a wonderful place to adopt from. I definitely found like 3 children I wanted to bring home with me! I will definitely be adopting later in my life.

So is it reminds me of a pet shop. The volunteers go in and you just walk into the room and there are cradles stacked like bunk beds with kids just looking at you wanting you to pick them up. I tried not to play favorites- but definitely have found a few that I love:) So I usually get there around 3pm and stay till right after dinner. The dinner process is quite process! They line the kids up in little chairs or highchairs and you just grab a spoon and 3 kids and start feeding! I felt like I was a machine or in an assembly line! It was mad chaos with kids screaming, laughing and eating- but so much fun!

Please take a look- another great place to donate! www.cradleoflove.com

Pictures soon to come! Hope everyone had a wonderful labor day weekend. I heard it was beautiful:) Love to all<3

Info on my Orphanage

So I have gotten many questions about where and how people can help. I just wanted to give you all a little back round so you knew a little more about the place I have been spending my time in Africa.

The orphanage is called Karim. It is run by a 25 year old women named Rehema. She has a 5 year old daughter and had a son who passed away a year and a half ago. He is the reason she started the orphanage. Karim was founded in May 2007 after the death of her son who passed away from a rare disease called hydrocephalus. It is abnormal fluid in the brain. She had trouble through her pregnancy but had a healthy baby boy. After a few months she noticed that his head was getting very large and that he seems uncomfortable. She was in and out of many hospitals who told her he was fine and sent her home. One Friday night he got really sick and she took him to the hospital but since it was a weekend there were no doctors around. (I didn't know people didn't get sick on the weekends) The nurses tried to take care of him and fed him over the weekend but he stomach started getting larger and larger. Finally the Dr came in on Monday and told her to take him to another hospital that could help. Well on the way to the other hospital Karim died in her arms. She has used all her money that weekend so she had to take him home on public transportation to save money.
After this experience she decided she didn't want another other mother to go through what she did. Her dream is to open a free center for women and children to go to and not worry about money. In the stepping stones to this she opened the orphanage. She houses 9 kids and travels to 30 other homes to help out. She is an amazing women with a kind heart. You don't really hear such inspiring stories very often which is why I wanted to share this one with you. I truly feel I have been sent here for a reason and have been blessed with these children.

If you are interested in find out more or donating to this specific orphanage please check the wedsite: www.orphansfoundationfund.com

This is an umbrella org that helps 33 orphanages and 3,000 orphans. It distributes the donations in reasonable quantities because otherwise the money would either be stolen or not used properly. If you want to learn more I encourage you to check it out.

Stats on Tanzania:
36% of people live below the poverty level
40 million people live in Tanzania and 20 million of them live on less than a $1 a day
44% of that population is under the age of 15

Thank you for helping me help these children! We are all so blessed!

The pics you have been waiting for

Asante Sana!! (Thank You)

Remember how I was telling you all about the 3 beds for 10 kids. Well because of all the generous donations I was able to help purchase 3 bunk beds, sheets, and pillows for the orphanage. We bought beautiful, colorful sheets and pillow cases to brighten the room. I will also be using my mom's interior decorating skills to paint clouds and put posters around the rooms. (I could use her help though:) They received these things on Friday- which was mad chaos! I told myself TIA numerous times! They were so excited to get them though- you have all helped these children from half way around the world. I have just been lucky enough to be the messenger for all of you. I recorded them all saying thank you to you all and will post pictures of everything. It was a wonderful, rewarding experience and I am so blessed to have been able to do this for them. Next week will be helping Rehema (the mama) organize it and "pretty" it up! Thank you all again for your support and donations! Love and miss everyone!

Jordan, Obama, and Green Bay Packers

Every time I am asked where I am from I answer "Chicago" and they either say "Jordan? or Obama?" Like I know them personally or something. It is pretty funny. No worries either bc I have counted 11 sightings of Green Bay apparel while I have been walking around Arusha. I also tuned into their pre season game against the Bengals as well! We have packer fans all the way in Africa!!!

The placement is only getting better. A new volunteer from the UK started on Monday with me this week and she is perfect for the job. She just got back from volunteering in China and has some horrific stories about their orphanages there- which makes mines seem ok. Today the kids made masks out of paper plates. They were so excited to make them but some of them were afraid to put them on their faces for some reason. So I think I wore like 10 masks today bc they wanted to see what they looked like on. We are trying to get a tape player for the them bc they love to dance and sing -it would be soo good for them to actually hear music and sing along. I think it would really help their English as well. They are already improving on singing songs and learning the alphabet. I think after 4 more weeks they will be pros! Thank you for the suggestions - I will put them to use and take pictures for everyone who contributed.

Nothing too much going on here-- I will write at the end of this week as alot is going on the rest of this week!

Love you all:)

Total Eye Opener

So I thought the school I was at was a new experience! I started at the orphanage this week and I have been in total amazement since I walked into that place. First of all- their are 10 kids there which makes for a great, manageable number. But there is one lady who takes care of them who is 25 years old and has malaria. Second they have one bedroom that all 10 kids sleep in. They have one twin bed and a double bed. The 3 older girls (13,10, 9) sleep in the twin and all the other children sleep in the other bed. Then they have one small room with a mat in it to play in all day. They are not really allowed to go outside bc they get dirty and only bathe once a week. It just breaks my heart everyday I am there as they just cling to you bc we are basically there only contact, both physically and emotionally, that they really experience. Only 3 of them go to school (older kids) but come home at lunch bc they have chores to do. The entire situation is something that you see in movies or on the "sponsor this child" commerical. The older girls are soo good to the younger ones and basically act as a mother bc the woman is so sick and tired all the time to really do anything. Today for example, a little boy, Toshi, had to use the restroom (#2 mind you) and they dont have toilet paper and the older girl came over and used water to help him wipe. I dont know any 10 year old girls that would do that-- Im 24 and had a hard time with it!

After I have gotten over the initial shock of the place, I am quite happy with my placement. I feel my help and work is really appreciated by the mom and the children. We are learning colors, how to use scissors, and say objects in English. It is very frustrating but since I am hear for at least 3 weeks I am hoping to see some progress. Thank you for the game ideas-- they definitely need to be simple as it is usually the 3-6 year olds playing. We are cooking hot dogs for them tomorrow, which they have never eaten, which should be a great time. Next week I am going to get some paper to color masks for them to wear. They LOVE songs-- so any song suggestions would be great! I am having a hard time remembering songs! Cousins get your thinking caps on-- I want to know some songs! If you have a suggestion I will record them singing it so you can all hear! The children are soo sweet. Some of them definitely have problems from the malnutrition and the lack of parental contact- I am hoping to help them feel more confident and loved while I am there.

I will be looking into purchasing 3 bunk beds next week for the orphanage. Hopefully with all the donations from everyone and the help of other volunteers it ill be possible! So Thank you in advance!! I will keep you posted and hopefully post pictures of the children in the next 2 weeks!

An Elevator Goes Up!

Before Upendo School ( the school I was at for 2 1/2 weeks ) went on break last week we took the kids on a Safari. I took this to mean that we were going to a national park to see some animals- I think I was more excited that the kids because I came to find out that safari simply means trip. So much to my dismay we were taking the kids to the International Conference Center. I was a bit confused as the children are only like 6 years old... I was thinking what are they really going to teach them there. Boy was I in for a surprise.

We all piled into a bus, once again like 30 kids and 6 adults in this 3 row van. We drove to the consequence center where they brought us into a conference room and talked to the children about what went on there. I was bored so I can only imagine what they were thinking! Then everything started to make sense to me. These kids have never seen anything like this before. We all piled onto an elevator and their eyes got really big as we started moving. They all clung to me and once again I was like they have never been on an elevator before! I tried to explain to them in simple English and the little Swahili that I know what it was. Then they had a bathroom break. The bathroom was soo crowded and I was like... "what is going on in here?" Well the kids were all crowded around the toilet watching it flush! I then proceeded to show them the running water faucet and blow dryer. I think that was probably the highlight of their trip for sure!

It is so weird to think how different our lives are than other people. We definitely have alot more material objects and technology than most do... but we are not necessarily happier than any of them. The children are always running around playing with each other just happy as can be.

I start at the orphanage Monday, which I think will be more challenging as it is not organized. I might need some suggestions on activities for the kids-- so get your thinking caps on!

T I A

This Is Africa- this is my new slogan! I have had many "Well, this is africa" moments in the past month. One of them being I have not had access to the internet for like a week-- so I am sorry for my slack in postings. I now know that people actually read this blog since I received some threatening emails telling me to start writing! Ha-- thank you for keeping tabs on me!

So the schools have off for the month of August, so I took a week and traveled to Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar. It was cool to see some more of Tanzania- but it is very much the same throughout the country. I have learned a few things about Africa though...

1) I prefer toliets with no seats to squat toliets for sure!- even though it is good exercise for my thighs:)
2) ALWAYS carry toliet paper where ever you go
3) I prefer a hot bucket shower rather than a cold normal shower
4) You can never say hello too many time in Tanzania
5) You will NEVER hear me complain about the pot holes in Chicago again
6) No one can ever eat too much rice and beans.... we eat it for EVERY meal! ( I will not be coming back thinner that is for sure!)
7) There is always room for one more body on the dalla dall (bus)- 15 people in one mini van is definitely a tight squeeze
8) I feel I am camping every night- as we have to sleep in bug nets so we don't get too many bug bites

I have to constantly remind myself - This Is Africa!

This is one of the 6 lions we saw sleeping under a tree. I was a bit nervous when he woke up that I would be lunch but he didnt even seem to notice us so close to him!

The pictures of the cheetah is my favorite picture I took I thinki! She walked right infront of our safari jeep and streched right there!! It was soo cool!

This is the fam and I in Maasai Mara Game reserve in Kenya. Please note our safari hats which we wore everyday!!!

First day on the J-O-B

So I have offically moved in to my new home and have learned my way around Arusha a little bit (as we all know I am directionally challenged) My host family is seriously the best thing that could have happened! They are so sweet and one of the sisters made me a necklace the other day out of nowhere. I was so touched I got choked up and they all started laughing. I have also tried to conquer walking with a basket full of potatoes on my head without using my hands. This also turned into the whole family laughing as I could walk no faster than a snail! But besides all of this- things are going really well at home. Mama's Birthday is tomorrow and we are buying her Giness (as she calls it!)

Today was my first day as a teacher!!! It was alot more work than I thought for sure, but the kids were so cute!! I actually have a blister from sharpening all the pencils before the test bc they were all so bad:( I took the dalla dalla (bus) to the school and it is about an hour away. Even though the commute is far I think the placement should be great and well worth the trip. I helped out with Math (another one of my specialities) and then some English lessons as well. I took the bus home with the students afterwards. They all grab your hand bc they are so amazed at how white I am. They think it is funny to cover their legs in dirt to see how white they can make themselves and compare to me! They also stroke my hair bc they said it was soft-- very strange to me but I have come to be used to it a bit. I am now known as "Teacher Jacqueline"

Funny story-- I was so busy sharpened pencils today and I was on about my 30th pencil so my fingers were getting tired. Well the little manual pencil sharpener flew out of my hand- hit the little girl in front of me- opened and the shavings went all over her! The whole class started laughing and so did the teacher.... good first impression!! ha it was a good ice breaker though!:)

Still trying to find an internet place to download pictures for everyone!! Hopefully I will be successful soon!

Hope all is well! Keep in touch! (please excuse any misspellings as the spell check is not working!)

I have just made it to Arusha and this is the first internet connection I have had that actually is somewhat fast!

I have just finished the safari through Maasai Mara and Ambroseli with my family. What an experience! The Maasai Mara was gorgeous and we saw so many animals there. We actually were so close to a lion that we could hear him chewing on his dinner. We also had a cheetah walk out right in front of our jeep for a picture perfect moment! We staying in tents (very high class tents though) which was so cool. The people in Africa are very welcoming and happy to have you there which makes for a very nice, easy transition. We definitely had some laughs as mom tried to communicate in Swahili a few times! We also traveled to a Maasai tribe village and saw how these amazing people lived! They only eat blood and milk and live so simply. (I will post pictures of the village soon as this internet cafe doesn't allow that) I have officially decided though I would rather be a man in this village as they only herd and the women cook, clean, milk the cows, haul the water, build the house and take care of the children!! Way too much for me.

We then traveled in a van to Ambroseli National Park. I have learned on that journey never to complain about Chicago potholes again! Lets just saw it was a rough ride. We then had a day to safari and saw lots of elephants, which is what the park is most known for. This park at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro should it would a beautiful sight. We saw some little monkeys and baboons- I have decided I would love to bring one home. I think they are so cute!

This brings me to my current setting. I was picked up on the 14th to head to my host family house. They are sweet, sweet people. We have mama (we call her), two sisters, two brothers, and like 6 volunteers in this house! It is definitely a housefull. I am glad for all the company as their way of like is definitely different and challenging for me. I do have running hot water (that runs out fast) and electricity though! We have to bathe with a bucket and the toilet doesn't have a seat- but I hear we are lucky so I am happy.

I have a roommate from Hong Kong which is very cool but she leave in 2 weeks and I have alot more to go- so I will be hopefully getting another one after she leaves. We had orientation today and I learned I will start off teaching. I will be taking the bus to the school tomorrow to learn the ropes and meet the students.

Well all is well for me right now! Thank you again for all your support! I will hopefully post some pictures for you all to see soon.

Miss you all- hope all is well!

Karibu (Goodbye for now)

Dad getting ready for some safari action!

Departure to Africa

My departure date is July 6th! My family and I leave then to start our safari in Nairobi through Kenya to Tanzania, where I start my volunteer program on July 15th with IVHQ. Upon my arrival I will find out who my host family is, where I will be working, and who my fellow volunteers are. I am so excited!

Please keep us in your prayers as we journey to Africa.


You can check out the program I am volunteering with at:
http://www.volunteerhq.org/IVHQ-Tanzania-volunteer-program.html