Today, Thursday, we recognized that it's now 5 weeks since we left home. The weeks have been full and yet the most "intense" weeks are yet to come.
Yesterday we "finished" the last of our 12 "mentoring" sessions, with John and Salome, on English language acquisition, and felt accomplished for a moment. But immediately we all "started" again, with the focus now moving from what we have been teaching/learning to how our Mwangaza team will share it with the groups of teachers coming to seminars starting June 14. Simultaneously, Mwangaza's Management Team has included us in planning for the follow-up over the next 2.5 years, so there is always much to discuss and much to consider as the next step planned will be, hopefully, the first of many.
Through it's 14 years of existence, Mwangaza leaders and many alumni of Mwangaza's Partnership Through Education have established a solid and respected reputation for leading and supporting secondary education in Tanzania. Cooperatively facilitating summer seminars, USA & TZ teachers have developed the Mwangaza Lesson Plan Model and Resource Book, foundations on which we hope to lay a few more bricks.
Last weekend, It rained from Friday night until Sunday night, so the weekend was not good for walking, but Carol Stubbs set-up a ride for us to attend a Chamber Music concert Sunday afternoon. Our driver/escort Paivi (Pa-e-ve), a coordinator Finnish missionaries in Tanzania, called and offered a ride to church Sunday morning also, giving us the option to attend when had said "No way!" to walking/sliding down Ilboru Road. She's been in Tanzania for 2 years after quite a number of years in Ethopia -- quite an interesting, and tall (6' 2" - 6' 4") woman.
Those of you who have heard us speak at adult forums, church services, or other gatherings may remember our showing and/or mentioning an ujima, a carving from one piece of wood depicting a number of people supporting each other while they go about their daily work/lives. The carving we have is about 20 inches tall, while the one pictured here is closer to 10 feet. It is just outside the Cultural Center where Carol and Megan Stubbs shared their talents with violin and cello, respectively, with 3 other ladies in a chamber music concert Sunday afternoon. Note, if you have not checked Randy and Carol's blog lately, please do so -- guessing that you may find at least a short video of Carol and Megan being very "catty" while bringing a delightful interpretation to one of the afternoon's pieces.
It was dryer Tuesday and Wednesday, so we visited 2 of the schools whose teachers will be coming to the seminars in June. Our first stop was at Enaboishu, home of Marieth Mlay, and the school where Lamont and Jake joined in rehabbing classroom ceilings in 2005 and quite a number of books were donated in 2006-08. Always good to feel the very warm welcome we receive there. Many of the roads have small shops and houses like the ones you see here, and often the people who live there or close by are selling vegetables. Do you notice the potholes filled with mud?? That is actually part of the road, so we were bouncing up and down as took this picture. I took 5 pictures as we drove by, but this was the only one in focus.
Approaching home, Mount Meru came out from under the clouds. Since we are near the equator the trees lose a few leaves every day, but never lose all of them like ours do. The tree without leaves died for some reason, and will likely be cut down and chopped into pieces for cooking dinners soon.
Yes, Mike still enjoys coaching !! Simon is John's son and Annet is Salome's daughter. The kids had Thursday off as their primary (elementary) school was closed so the 7th graders could take tests. Sharon told me they were outside throwing a small football, so had to go out and join in the fun for a few minutes. But left quickly when they wanted to know why it's called a "football" -- tough to convince them when they are indoctrinated on futbal (soccer).
Peace & Love,
Mike & Sharon
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