Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Hello!
I can't believe another 2 weeks have passed so quickly. One week of farmer-pleasing torrential rain, one week of Linsey-freckling baking sunshine, one fun filled weekend when the Mili girls came to visit us in Yamba and of course the trials and tribulations of teaching. Generally just 14 more days absorbing the realities, oddities and hilarities of living in rural Tanzania!
I must be getting good, I got given an egg!
Another rollercoaster 2 weeks at school for me! My Standard 5 students are brilliant and always work really hard and now they know me quite well they've realized I'm not like the local teachers and that we can have a bit of fun. We're currently learning to write letters to a school in England (whose teacher used to be a volunteer) and so I'm finding out lots about the kids and their families. One kid has 10 siblings...so fitting a drawing of his family onto A5 paper proved difficult! Between doing drawings and playing games of Indian chief (which they get very excited about) they do actually do some proper work and I can see them improving which is really good. I know I must be doing something right because one of my Standard 5 boys gave me an egg this week! I didn't know what to make of it at first and thought it was quite comical, but I'm told it's to show respect and appreciation and when families have so little to give, it really means a lot. Also, it made a great omlette!
Standard 2 have been a whirlwind as ever! We've been revising the alphabet so that I can go on to the topic of spelling and we've been having lots of fun playing various games. Getting them to sit at peace is still a challenge but they're definitely improving. My biggest accomplishment has been teaching them the format of bingo…and now I think I might use it for everything! We were playing alphabet bingo and they were so into it I had their undivided attention (very rare)…before each letter, I would ask 'Are you ready?' and they answered 'YES!' with so much excitement that it sounded as if they were on a rollercoaster! A few local teachers stood at the windows to see what was going on. And what's more, it's not only fun but they're beginning to remember which letter is which…which for me is very exciting. Once again, it's great to see them making progress. Slow, but progress. With a class so big, teaching is often halted to stop someone climbing on a desk or drawing on the person next to them…this week, I had a girl in tears because her neighbour had bit a chunk out of her arm. It's all in a day's work as they say, and even though they're challenging, they're great fun.
Who knows what they'll have in store for me these next 2 weeks?!?!
Starch Based Delights
I've realized that I've often mentioned food in my blog and my carving for meat but that I've never told you anything more. I must come across as a die-hard carnivore! It simply seems that way because while in Yamba, there is not meat in my diet! In fact, my diet mostly consists of ' Starch Based Delights' or SBD's as Efi and I call them now. It begins at breakfast when I'm confronted with a bread roll the size of my face…dropped from a height it'd definitely do some damage. The alternatives are donuts or teacakes of equivalent size. I'm currently experimenting with various spreads to liven things up…nutella is winning. There's usually also some type of egg and fruit at breakfast too. Actually, we have fruit with every meal, and good fruit too like mango, watermelon and pineapple. I'm pretty sure I'm ace-ing my 5-a-day. For lunch and dinner, more starchiness…pasta, rice or potatoes in various forms and they're usually served with beans or lentils, or most often with cabbage. We've also been served the local favourite 'ugali' a couple of times..can't say I'm a huge fan. It's like really thick, white goop that doesn't taste of much…add a sauce and it's edible. Fortunately, I think our housegirl has realised we don't like it much. Considering our location and circumstances, the foods actually really good so I don't want to sound ungrateful… it's only the lack of variety that gets me so excited for Tanga meals! In Yamba, it is our housegirl (Esther-reeday) who does all the cooking (and looks after us in general) and she's brilliant. She knows chips is a favourite and she likes to tease us about if it's a 'chipsy day' or not. We rave about them (and chapattis too) and so they're being served quite often (It hadn't occurred to me that I might return from Africa having gained weight!). Occasionally we have very in depth chats about food….recently my craving has been for macaroni cheese. Apparently it's not uncommon for volunteers to return home with a food list….at the moment mine involves lots of breakfast cereal, a Sunday roast and definitely no cabbage! (Mum, I hope you've made note of that!)
Why can't I carry a pineapple on my head?
I knew beforehand that Africans carry things on their heads but seeing it right in front of me amazes me on a daily basis for a few reasons. Firstly, it's a skill which they must be taught from an early age because I often see teeny-tiny kids with all sorts casually balanced on top of their heads. And I really mean tiny kids-as in, if they have a bottle of water atop their noggin then they've doubled in height. It's madness! And it seems that as they grow up the things which they can carry become more and more impressive…reason two. When I first arrived in Yamba with my huuuge rucksack, a local man volunteered to carry it (tradtion when welcoming volunteers). I felt so guilty when I saw him hoist it onto his head and then began to head up the mountain. To emphasize my point ,you should know that my rucksack was 20kg! For them it is such a normal thing to do, people pass by the house transporting everything…piles of logs, pales of water…and I'm impressed everytime. Most impressive is the women who have various bits and bobs balanced on their head and then have a baby (or 2) tied onto their backs. The skill involved in undeniable and enviable. The best thing I have seen by far is the sight of a little boy plodding along, quite the thing, with a pineapple sitting on his head, Oh to be able to do that while shopping in Tesco…..a girl can dream.
Reality Check
In spite of the daily bucket showers or evenings lit by lanterns, I often forget I'm in rural Africa because I'm busy having a good time. Every so often, something reminds me that actually living here, being a local is tough. Usually it's little things like a shoeless child playing in a puddle but last Thursday, it was because I had to attend a funeral. The funeral was for a young woman who had died during a complicated childbirth, leaving behind her newborn baby and other children. It was an incredibly sad day; within minutes of seeing the body (a mark of respect here), I was holding newborn baby Joycee and trying my best not to cry. She was just so little and cute and already her life is difficult. The community here is phenomenal…for instance whilst we were at the house, a young woman who had her own baby, came by to breast-feed little Joycee. I'm told she'll be taken to a nursing orphanage for her first 2 years and then return to Yamba where I know she'll be well looked after. As I'm sure you can imagine, the whole day was very emotional and was definitely a reality check reminding me of how lucky we are in the UK, the stark contrasts between home and here, and just how important it is that we do what we can to support small charities like Village Africa who are working so hard to improve the quality of life here. Sorry for this sounding preachy…if little Joycee had gripped your finger, I know you'd be saying the same! I guess things like this are all part and parcel of the volunteering experience…just as well the rest of the experience is proving to be so much fun so as to stop me from becoming an emotional basketcase!
So it's been a busy couple couple of weeks in all and I haven't even mentioned that a local man told me he 'wants me for his wife!' or that I've now learned to tell the time in Kiswahili or that some exciting post-project travel plans are afoot! Each day brings something new so I'm looking forward to these next 2 weeks, I'm especially excited for going to a traditional Tanzanian wedding.
Thanks for reading! As ever, I hope you are all well at home and that winter is being kind.
Sending warm and sunny thoughts,
All my love,
Lins x
- comments
Alan McGregor Hi Linz, thought I'd check to see if you had added your blog so that I could print a copy to take to gran and grandpa who I'm popping over to see this afternoon. What a great blog - all those highs and lows and various experiences for you. I can sense you are having a really good time and that Tanzania will probably never leave you now. It was great to talk with you yesterday. You are doing us all proud. Dad xx
Susan King Hi Linsey, I love reading your blogs because you write so well. It must be something to do with the English teaching you had! Here am I getting into a state about our luxurious five weeks travelling round the world; you put me to shame. I doubt if I'll be in touch until I get back, so continue to enjoy yourself and make the most of this wonderful experience. Take care and all the very best.
Leah Linzi! I miss you loads and love you even more! Its great to read all about ur adventure, when i read it its like i hear you actulay saying these words! Sounds like ur having the best experience. I bet the kids love you, u must be the most fun but educational teacher ever, im sure you have a firm schedule wouldnt be linz other wise! Your doing a great job hun! cant wait to see you! Keep up the good work u'l b making a world of diference, even more than you know! Hugs! xxx
roy mcgregor Hey Linsey, Things sound really exciting and busy and I bet you sleep soundly at night after getting worn out by all your kids. Reading your blog is the next best thing to being there with you and your descriptions of daily life are brilliant. Got your postcard today and Alex was happy to hear from you and can't wait to see you. Keep well! xxx. Love,. Roy
Joanna McGregor Hi Linsey . absolutely loved reading your latest blog you describe everything so well , some of it took me back years to Stuart and my travels to Nepal , whilst doing a bit of trekking we would see the locals carrying all sorts on their heads! Take good care of yourself Lots of Love Jo Stuart & Amy xxx
Stuart McGregor Hi Linsey, great blog. Very proud of you and I'm sure you're pupils love you. Looking forward to seeing you and equally you displaying your pineapple balancing act or should we get you something more scottish like a haggis?
Ciaran byrne Well done Linsey, what a great thing you're doing! Great blog too, your Dad sent me the link and I will follow your adventure with interest. Informative, witty and moving. Keep up the good work