Jambo Mambo

So I've been here for three days now and I've done and learned so much. I've almost learned my way around everywhere, but we'll see tomorrow if I don't get lost at all. I've begun to learn a bit of swahili and I cannot wait to learn a bit more because it is so helpful to have some key phrases. Jambo Mambo is basically hello how's it going?

Anyway, I've only been here 3 days but it already feels like I've been here so much longer. Yesterday we started our volunteering with the little children and today I got to go to my project in ngoro village to teach women aged 14 to 55 (and one young man) english. I walk an hour and 10 minutes to my project in engemba (i'll check on the spelling of that), which is a pretty poor village, and as soon as you reach the primary schools the kids run out after you and say "teacher teacher" and all try to hold your hands or walk with you. The children in the nursery school are just as sweet and they are learning so much more than many of us in America learned in our preschools. Although their supplies are not great and there teaching style is very different from the U.S. some of the children are so smart. Unfortunately, there are several that are left behind and no one really notices--learning is much more driven by the individual student. But so many in Africa have such a passion for learning and just want to improve their lives. Yesterday I went to teach men from the Masai tribe nearby but other adults came to take part in the class as well. Then today I went to the Ngoro village just outside Moshi to teach a women's group, another group of adults that desperately wants to learn English so that they can do more. It amazes me to see how many different groups there are like this that are willing to take an hour everyday to practice English. I love both my projects and will be watching over the next few weeks to begin buying supplies and other things to help them better both their schooling and their lives. I wish I could say more but I do not have too much time left, must get home before dark. Hope to update you soon.

xoxo