Wednesday, August 22, 2012
August 15: Shoping, touring and working alongside great company
Instead of taking the weekend off, we worked through it so today is a break day. Most of the gang has headed for a day adventure to a historic town, Bagamoyo for some shopping and touring. Tracey and I have stayed back for some peace and quiet and relaxation. The project is progressing well, with the wooden tables and benches are now coming together. We did some sanding and Corie, being the trooper was nailing the screen frames into the windows while we burst into a round of “I am woman, hear me roar”. She keeps the camp staff, locals, children and all of us laughing. We had a relaxing evening at the camp and walked Corie through “The Passion Test” to get clear on her top 5 passions – a fun process. Lauren is next! Yesterday, we walked to a beautiful spot on the river – a shallow area where we are less likely to encounter crocodiles. Having said that, it is the same river we toured closer to the opening to the Indian Ocean and saw a rather large crock enter the water. We enjoyed beverages with other guests that visited Kisampa. They are working on a solar power project, so we met Fabio, the master mind and Peter, the head of Tanzania energy as well as a potential investor from New York. We then enjoyed appetizers, a fabulous lasagna dinner followed by mud pie – wonderful! We will have two more days in the village before a brief holiday in Zanzibar during their Ramadan. Many of the Muslim staff have been fasting from sunrise to sunset for a month ending on the 20th. We also had a special invitation to the home of a beautiful Masai Justine and her wonderful mother and family to celebrate a special holiday with them. The local people have been so wonderful and friendly and very gracious hosts.
Tomorrow we will bring our gifts to the school for the children. Bev gave Jeanann and Richard (DWC's host partner contacts) 300 eyeglasses which they found a wonderful home for in Dar es Salam. We have also been able to make some fabulous purchases in the village. Bev had a dress made and a mat of straw. There is also a lot of beautiful jewellery and I purchased a dress with an African bead necklace sewn into the neckline. We walk to lunch daily, often with several children at had – sometime one per finger. They serenaded us with some of their songs including their National anthem for Tanzania. The government has been particularly successful in uniting the country of many tribes and faiths. Making English the official language has been part of that success. Borie explained that they have very little crime in the village because everyone knows each other – so this transparency keeps problems to a minimum.
It has been a precious time and experience to be here….more to come…
Edye St.Hill
DWC Team Leader
Tanzania, August 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
August 11: National Park game drive, painting and the lovely children
Hi Fans, Friends, and Family of DWC – it’s Corie again!
We had a day off yesterday and went through the National Park. First off, we went to do a river cruise down the Wami river. We saw heaps of hippos – one rather aggressive Daddy hippo that I was quite content to stay clear from. We also saw a BIG crocodile on the shore and I was brave until we got close and then when he came into the water pointed in our direction, I screamed like a girl. We also saw all kinds of birds – eagles, kingfishers, and other names I cannot possibly remember. Then we headed to the village of Sadaani to pay our park fees and have a little refreshing rest break (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). Some secrets stay on the road! Then we headed to the beach for a picnic lunch and some sun and sand in the Indian Ocean. Some of the ladies went into the ocean – I got my feet wet but that’s it for me. We packed up at the beach and headed through the park on a game drive. We managed to see a few animals – monkeys and baboons, lots of reedbucks, some heartbeasts, and one incredible giraffe that the amazing Bev spotted! We got back to Kisampa at 6 pm – too late for me to teach my daily yoga class but just in time for our drink o’clock!
Today we worked with some oil based royal blue paint. We did the lower half of the outside walls to make them more weather proofed. We also painted the window frames – this was tedious, careful, slower work so we were not finished the first coat until just about lunch time. I did head over to the library to play with some children – I started a couple days ago playing an alphabet game with some of the children and today there was a few of those kids and a bunch more but they already knew the game. There is an alphabet puzzle like ‘A’ and an apple picture go together etc. and once the pieces are together in the middle of our circle, I have them hold up their magic finger. Then I say “Where is the M?” and if they need a hint, I identify the picture that goes with the letter. Then whoever finds the correct letter gets the letter/picture cards. Then at the end they have to count all the cards they have in English - simple but effective and catchy. After lunch we were again done for the day. I could get too used to this practice of being done after lunch and going home for siesta.
However, leaving town the rag-a-muffin children seem to find it entertaining to chase our vehicle out of town – as well as grabbing on to the back of the vehicle. This bothers me so my teacher voice comes out and I yell “Hapana simama!” Then a town man really stopped them by chasing them off with a stick – that works too. The kids then ran to the other side of town to wave us off as our vehicle came round. We then stopped again at the local Maasi compound. The ladies there make some lovely jewellery so we popped in for some of our ladies to pick up some trinkets they ordered from Mama Justine. Mama Justine is absolutely stunning! Her prices for jewels are a little steep but she does not have much competition!
So we seven ladies now have the camp to ourselves for the weekend. Two of our party have departed (Irene and Frank have gone to another camp for the week). As well, our host/hostess Richard and Jeanann have taken Jacqui and the children into Dar as she and the children are off to Holland for the upcoming school year. This leaves Bori in charge of us 7 ‘cheezie’ ladies (and cheezie means CRAZY here! – so how fitting!) So look out Bori – when the Rooster and Hen are away – the chicks will play!
Corie McRae
DWC Participant
Tanzania, August 2012
We had a day off yesterday and went through the National Park. First off, we went to do a river cruise down the Wami river. We saw heaps of hippos – one rather aggressive Daddy hippo that I was quite content to stay clear from. We also saw a BIG crocodile on the shore and I was brave until we got close and then when he came into the water pointed in our direction, I screamed like a girl. We also saw all kinds of birds – eagles, kingfishers, and other names I cannot possibly remember. Then we headed to the village of Sadaani to pay our park fees and have a little refreshing rest break (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). Some secrets stay on the road! Then we headed to the beach for a picnic lunch and some sun and sand in the Indian Ocean. Some of the ladies went into the ocean – I got my feet wet but that’s it for me. We packed up at the beach and headed through the park on a game drive. We managed to see a few animals – monkeys and baboons, lots of reedbucks, some heartbeasts, and one incredible giraffe that the amazing Bev spotted! We got back to Kisampa at 6 pm – too late for me to teach my daily yoga class but just in time for our drink o’clock!
Today we worked with some oil based royal blue paint. We did the lower half of the outside walls to make them more weather proofed. We also painted the window frames – this was tedious, careful, slower work so we were not finished the first coat until just about lunch time. I did head over to the library to play with some children – I started a couple days ago playing an alphabet game with some of the children and today there was a few of those kids and a bunch more but they already knew the game. There is an alphabet puzzle like ‘A’ and an apple picture go together etc. and once the pieces are together in the middle of our circle, I have them hold up their magic finger. Then I say “Where is the M?” and if they need a hint, I identify the picture that goes with the letter. Then whoever finds the correct letter gets the letter/picture cards. Then at the end they have to count all the cards they have in English - simple but effective and catchy. After lunch we were again done for the day. I could get too used to this practice of being done after lunch and going home for siesta.
However, leaving town the rag-a-muffin children seem to find it entertaining to chase our vehicle out of town – as well as grabbing on to the back of the vehicle. This bothers me so my teacher voice comes out and I yell “Hapana simama!” Then a town man really stopped them by chasing them off with a stick – that works too. The kids then ran to the other side of town to wave us off as our vehicle came round. We then stopped again at the local Maasi compound. The ladies there make some lovely jewellery so we popped in for some of our ladies to pick up some trinkets they ordered from Mama Justine. Mama Justine is absolutely stunning! Her prices for jewels are a little steep but she does not have much competition!
So we seven ladies now have the camp to ourselves for the weekend. Two of our party have departed (Irene and Frank have gone to another camp for the week). As well, our host/hostess Richard and Jeanann have taken Jacqui and the children into Dar as she and the children are off to Holland for the upcoming school year. This leaves Bori in charge of us 7 ‘cheezie’ ladies (and cheezie means CRAZY here! – so how fitting!) So look out Bori – when the Rooster and Hen are away – the chicks will play!
Corie McRae
DWC Participant
Tanzania, August 2012
August 9: Project is progressing and we are enjoying ourselves!
We are enjoying another fabulous day. The project is progressing well with most of the interior and the exterior painting complete for the resource centre. The kids are already beginning to use the laptops. Today we were visited by the Executive Officer of Matipwili and 4 other neighbouring villages. He very graciously introduced himself to each of us, welcomed and thanked us for our work and contributions.
Frankie and Irene, are friends that are helping with the accounting at Kisampa on a volunteer basis so they are staying with us too. Frankie brought 3 soccer balls and started a great game with almost 30 kids playing soccer outside the resource centre. The Executive Officer requested one of the balls for a neighboring village which we were pleased to give him. The children all gathered and sang the Tanzanian national anthem for us.
This is a particularly special trip for me, since I first visited Kisampa and Matipwilli as part of an economic development global business project with Queen’s University Executive MBA program in Sept. 2004. To be returning as a team lead for DWC is a dream come true. The village has come a long way, recently with the help of 3 previous DWC projects. I love that Nick Foster, another team lead, who has led many trips to Rwanda and recently Uganda, often takes people from his company, Softchoice to participate in these projects - what a great way to connect and build team loyalty. I met the people from DWC at a business conference called “Doing Well by doing Good”. It is an amazing way to build connections and company loyalty and I hope to be leading this type of trip in the future.
Another amazing moment was when our Corie, a special ed teacher in our group, taught a hearing and speech impaired child, Juma to speak his name. She placed his hand on her throat to feel the vibration and had him watch her lips closely and he was able to speak his name – very exciting! He is also learning sign language and connecting the dots very well. He is a lively acrobatic child who our host will be driving in for an operation to stop his ear infections.
The ladies are all so much fun. Every day we make our way into the village in a Land Rover and at times have the feeling of being on a roller coaster. Kay, Loretta and Bev, always raise their hands in the air and add a "wheeee".....this does not seem to lose it's novelty - they have such great energy! We have had wonderful authentic African meals in the village for our lunch break as well as wonderful food at Kisampa.
I was also able to meet a child I sponsored for secondary school, “Ashura” – she is quite lovely and it was emotional to finally meet her face to face. Corie is leading the team in yoga again so I will sign off for the day! Hakuna Matada (no worries)!
Edye St.Hill
DWC Team Leader
Tanzania, August 2012
Frankie and Irene, are friends that are helping with the accounting at Kisampa on a volunteer basis so they are staying with us too. Frankie brought 3 soccer balls and started a great game with almost 30 kids playing soccer outside the resource centre. The Executive Officer requested one of the balls for a neighboring village which we were pleased to give him. The children all gathered and sang the Tanzanian national anthem for us.
This is a particularly special trip for me, since I first visited Kisampa and Matipwilli as part of an economic development global business project with Queen’s University Executive MBA program in Sept. 2004. To be returning as a team lead for DWC is a dream come true. The village has come a long way, recently with the help of 3 previous DWC projects. I love that Nick Foster, another team lead, who has led many trips to Rwanda and recently Uganda, often takes people from his company, Softchoice to participate in these projects - what a great way to connect and build team loyalty. I met the people from DWC at a business conference called “Doing Well by doing Good”. It is an amazing way to build connections and company loyalty and I hope to be leading this type of trip in the future.
Another amazing moment was when our Corie, a special ed teacher in our group, taught a hearing and speech impaired child, Juma to speak his name. She placed his hand on her throat to feel the vibration and had him watch her lips closely and he was able to speak his name – very exciting! He is also learning sign language and connecting the dots very well. He is a lively acrobatic child who our host will be driving in for an operation to stop his ear infections.
The ladies are all so much fun. Every day we make our way into the village in a Land Rover and at times have the feeling of being on a roller coaster. Kay, Loretta and Bev, always raise their hands in the air and add a "wheeee".....this does not seem to lose it's novelty - they have such great energy! We have had wonderful authentic African meals in the village for our lunch break as well as wonderful food at Kisampa.
I was also able to meet a child I sponsored for secondary school, “Ashura” – she is quite lovely and it was emotional to finally meet her face to face. Corie is leading the team in yoga again so I will sign off for the day! Hakuna Matada (no worries)!
Edye St.Hill
DWC Team Leader
Tanzania, August 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
August 7, 2012: Our adventure begins!
It has been a fabulous trip so far – we are on day 3 and I’m happy to say we have an “adventurous” team! I love the saying by Tom Sawyer – “The difference between an adventure and an ordeal is attitude.” After a 2 hour flight delay before a 14 hour flight, plus a connection out of Addis Ababa, and then lost luggage the team was still in great spirits. We met our driver after obtaining visas and completing luggage claims and headed into the dusk for a trip into the Savannahs of Tanzania – through a national game park. We were the first to test the new bridge across the Wami River and a new route to Kisampa which is to be our home for 2 weeks. The bus driver and Salmini decided it was unsafe to go further by bus, so we were met up with a Land Rover trip for the rest of the way. We were then greeted with waving smiling faces at Kisampa and a beautifully set table outdoors beside a bonfire. They poured us our beverage of choice and we found ourselves in the most amazing moonlit and starlit setting imaginable with a fabulous meal and even more fabulous company.
Our hosts graciously gathered clothes since only Tracey received her luggage and Corie, who has just completed 4 weeks in Africa – 2 with DWC in Uganda and Rwanda with Nick Foster as team lead and 1 week on safari in the Serengeti and 1 week climbing successfully to the top of Kilimanjaro. We traveled to the village the next day and scoped out our project, greeted with many smiling faces and children following us. Our project is a resource centre that will allow all the village access to learn computers.
After returning and having our outdoor shower with an amazing view of the Savannah’s, Lauren and I were greeted with two dresses from Corie to wear to dinner. We also had a choice of a Sari that Kisampa provided. I will now pass it on to Corie so she can then lead the group in yoga before a beverage by the bonfire and dinner.
Hi all … I am feeling like an almost resident here in East Africa as it’s been over 4 weeks now I have been in various countries here. I have the airports and crossing the borders down to a science. So what have we done so far while here…
Well we are staying in an absolutely incredible location. The Kisampa Bush Retreat is incredible. The outdoor living spaces they have created here are simply blissful – google and check them out (Afrika Afrika Safaris then click on Kisampa Accomodations).
We have been bonding as a team – I gave away half my clothing the first/second day to members of our team as their luggage arrived much later than they did. Then on Monday we went into the village of Matipwilli to check it out. We soon had generated much interest in town and had many rag-a-muffin children following us around like we were the pied pipers. We ended up at the community resource center that is to be our work site for the week.
Edye St. Hill & Corie McRae
DWC Team Leader & Participant
Tanzania, August 2012
Our hosts graciously gathered clothes since only Tracey received her luggage and Corie, who has just completed 4 weeks in Africa – 2 with DWC in Uganda and Rwanda with Nick Foster as team lead and 1 week on safari in the Serengeti and 1 week climbing successfully to the top of Kilimanjaro. We traveled to the village the next day and scoped out our project, greeted with many smiling faces and children following us. Our project is a resource centre that will allow all the village access to learn computers.
After returning and having our outdoor shower with an amazing view of the Savannah’s, Lauren and I were greeted with two dresses from Corie to wear to dinner. We also had a choice of a Sari that Kisampa provided. I will now pass it on to Corie so she can then lead the group in yoga before a beverage by the bonfire and dinner.
Hi all … I am feeling like an almost resident here in East Africa as it’s been over 4 weeks now I have been in various countries here. I have the airports and crossing the borders down to a science. So what have we done so far while here…
Well we are staying in an absolutely incredible location. The Kisampa Bush Retreat is incredible. The outdoor living spaces they have created here are simply blissful – google and check them out (Afrika Afrika Safaris then click on Kisampa Accomodations).
We have been bonding as a team – I gave away half my clothing the first/second day to members of our team as their luggage arrived much later than they did. Then on Monday we went into the village of Matipwilli to check it out. We soon had generated much interest in town and had many rag-a-muffin children following us around like we were the pied pipers. We ended up at the community resource center that is to be our work site for the week.
Edye St. Hill & Corie McRae
DWC Team Leader & Participant
Tanzania, August 2012
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