With Gratitude

Tanzania and our time in Boma Ng'ombe are now memories to be treasured for a life time.

We would be remiss if we did not mention our hosts at Cross Cultural Solutions who worked hard every day to ensure the best possible experience for each of us.

We are most grateful to Baba Zik. CCS program director in Boma. In charge of developing and overseeing the entire program, his wisdom and insights were of greatest value. Ever the teacher, Baba Zik was happy to explain cultural or linguistic queries.

Mama K, the CCS program officer, was responsible for developing work opportunities for volunteers. Always concerned that CCS volunteers were happy with their placements, Mama K was at the heart of our program. In the attached photo Mama K is wearing pink.

Deo, the house manager was responsible for all the important things that made our stay comfortable. From arranging and delivering our initial orientation to maintaining supplies for the home base, Deo ensured that we had everything that we needed.

Ever-smiling driver extraordinaire, Richard became famous for saying "Everything is poa" (cool). Wither during the morning drive to our workplaces, trips to Moshi or on excursions we could count on Richard for colourful commentary and a vast knowledge of this area.

The Boma home-base was kept impeccably clean by Rose (wearing purple) and Marietha (in maroon). When not cleaning they could often be found helping in the kitchen or aiding volunteers in understanding life in Boma.

Yvetta, in charge of laundry, washed our linens daily. When asked she also offered laundry service for volunteers.

We were very well fed by Isidori and Hendrik, our cooks. With a wonderful mix of African, Western and Indian foods along with an endless supply of fresh fruit and popcorn, volunteer did not go hungry. Working from pre-dawn to late night, these two gentlemen deserve our highest praise.

Gilbert and Edward ensure our safety at the compound throughout day and night. We are grateful for their diligence.

We are very grateful to each of the Cross Cultural Solutions staff. Their dedication and commitment to the program and to the volunteers has contributed greatly to our amazing and life altering experiences.

A New Family

It is said that when an event powerful enough to change lives occurs, those people who are joined in the experience share a bond that will last a life time.
Our time in Boma was shared with twelve other volunteers who are now family.

Patrice, better known as Mama P, is a retired special education teacher who now does private tutoring in California. While in Boma she worked at the Kichijo orphanage and was instrumental in assisting a young Epifania in furthering her education by helping to bring her to boarding school.

Cindi, who we called Mama C, was the only one of us who had previous volunteer experience in Boma. Having worked last year at Good Hope School, she did double duty by working at the hospital in Boma in the mornings and at Good Hope in the afternoon. At home in Florida, Mama C teaches nursing/health care skills to high school students in Florida.

David is a grade 7 math teacher in New York. Taking advantage of this travel opportunity, David joined us following a tour of Tanzania. While in Boma he worked at Good Hope School.

Julie, is a recent university graduate. When she returns home to Windsor, Ontario, she will begin her new career but is looking for opportunities to continue her education. She was scheduled to work at Hannah Elementary School, but because the school was in transition she worked with Paula at the affiliated orphanage.

Amita, from Michigan, will enter her fourth year of studies in Sociology this fall. Her experience at Promiseland Primary School was so rewarding that Amita is hoping to return to Boma.

Brendan, lives with his family in Calgary, but is studying International Relations at the University of Western Ontario. While working at Kichijo Orphange Brendan enjoyed teaching the students and was part of the team of volunteers who brought Epifania to boarding school.

Logan, a student of Cindi's will be studying nursing when she returns to to Florida. Having graduated from the medical specialty program in high school, she is already a certified nursing assistant and phlebotomist. During her time at Kichijo Orphanage she helped to organize Epifania's opportunity to attend boarding school.

Lisa, a student from New York, will begin post secondary studies shortly after her return to the states following a very busy summer. She worked at Good Hope School.

Josh, a student in the Criminal Justice program in Minnesota is hoping for a career in law enforcement. He worked at Promiseland School.

Lacey, also from Minnesota is planning to study nursing this fall with an eye to becoming a Nurse Practioner. While in Boma she worked at Kalaomani School.

Trisha, a volunteer who spent 12 weeks with the program in Boma also taught at Kalaomani School. She took a week off from volunteer work to climb Kilimanjaro. Trisha summited in four days and walked down the mountain in one. She is a true inspiration to us all.

Paula, our special travel companion is a recent graduate of high school along with Katrina. Paula plans to study Social Work at Laurentian University in the fall in hopes of becoming a behavioural therapist. She was also scheduled to work at Hannah School, but worked instead at Teacher Mary's orphanage.

On one of our last days in Boma, Ali told us that she would miss her family...this group of people we once viewed as strangers who we will now and forever hold dear. Thank you to each an everyone for enriching our experiences and our lives.

Lost in Translation

Swahili is a difficult language for new-comers to masters. I imagine that, by the same token, English is equally difficult for people here.

Over the past few weeks, we have noted a number of signs along the way. We thought this would be a good time to share some of our giggles.


Road sign: Take Diversion (at home we would say Detour)

Sign in School at the beginning of High School semester: “If your timetable has a collision please see the administrator”


Store Names: We Sell Coffins
The Pentagon
Obama Hair Salon
Jane’s Saloon and Cosmetics
Mummy Shop
Black Money Barber Shop
Spanish Tiles and Sanitary Ware
Shabby Electronics

Our personal favorite: The Watoto Butcher (in Swahili Watoto is “children”)

Always Remember

Our time in Tanzania has come to an end. In what seems to be the blink of an eye our three weeks of adventure flew by. However the memories will last a life time.
On our final day at our placements we struggled to find ways to say good-bye wondering if we would ever see these people again.
Teacher Margaret at Uhuru School showed Peter Josef to her house saying that when he returns to Boma, if she if retired from teaching, this is where he will find her. Little David the son of one of the teachers at Bomani clung to Katrina, refusing to let her leave. The students at Bomani sang farewell to us. The children at the orphanage offered extra hugs to Ali and Elizabeth. One child kept jumping into Elizabeth's arms.
None of us knows when we will return to Boma, but "if" doesn't seem to be an option. Some fellow volunteers have already made their plans to return next year. Although we do not have any concrete plans to return, no doubt we are leaving a piece of ourselves in this community.
We have learned a great deal about the difficult lives these new friends endure daily, but the best lessons focus on their positive approach and sheer enjoyment of what little they have.

Religion Class

For one hour every Thursday, students at Hai Day High School separate themselves by religious background for one hour.
During that hour students lead each other in song and worship. The joyful refrains of celebration reverberate through the halls. Praise for "Mungu" (God) is accompanied by clapping that is intricate and uplifting. There are no teachers in the classroom; there is no need. In the true spirit of a community engaged in worship these young people happily share their love and their talents for all to hear.

Order in the Classroom

To maintain order, teachers here frequently yell or hit children with a switch. Raised with a different system of education and values these acts of violence are often difficult for us "Westerners" to handle.
Children often answer questions in hushed tones to avoid the consequences of an erroneous response.
In an effort to demonstrate that order can be maintained in a large class while encouraging learning, we set out to create positive learning environments. Initially teachers reacted with a degree of concern or perhaps even horror at our attempts to engage students in meaningful learning that was fun. We created paper airplanes and measured the distances that they flew, we played hangman to encourage spelling and used active songs to engage students in learning.
It was rewarding when, into our third week of teaching, the regular teacher came to class without her switch. Perhaps in a small way, these demonstrations will change the way the teachers that we worked with approach their students in the future. Maybe one day they will retire their switches for ever.

Nane Nane Festival

The eighth day of the eighth month is marked as Farmer's day in Tanzania (Nane Nane translates to Eight, Eight or August 8th). A large multi-day festival in Arusha, similar to the CNE or Royal Agricultural Fair in Toronto, ON, highlights current innovations and farming produce in the various areas of Tanzania.
Because only 20% of Tanzania has access to electricity, many innovations are green and/or contribute to a green society.
Once such innovation was a hand operated press for the fruit of the Jatropha tree. This hardy plant will grow in conditions where other plants fail, thus it does not compete with food crops. By working a large levered system, the hard shell of the fruit is ground away and the interior of the fruit is then pressed to produce fuel oil, that can substitute for fossil fuels or be used in the production of soap and fertilizer. The ground shell can be burned as a heat source for cooking.
Another display demonstrated how to capture gas from the decomposition of plant material and animal waste. This combustible gas is then used as a source of energy for cooking or heating.