Thursday October 30th

Thursday, October 30th

Today was our day to help with breakfast - that means up at 6. Breakfast is served at Tarangire at 6:30. Thursdays it's Ugi (the porridge) and a banana so I could come around 6:25. But alas all was already served by then.

Then all the kids get ready for school and do all their chores. You should see them clean - they sweep, do dishes, wipe down the table, clean the bathroom from top to bottom and even mop the floors. And yes, all their beds have already been made. There are 12 children in Tarangire and they are all amazing helpers and cleaners. No one is complaining!

Off to school - those who go all meet at the entrance of the village and everyone walks together. It's really very nice - they have such a sense of family and community. Vicente walked with me - so we were a little slower. All the kids arrive at school at 7:15 and then have jobs - cleaning, sweeping out the classrooms, watering the plants etc. Everyone knows just to do. And school starts at 8:00.

Jack was up by the time I got back and we sat down for breakfast - hard boiled eggs, toast, juice and coffee. We had a little bit of time before we had the preschoolers. We are teaching them - itís from 9-10:30 and there are 8 of them and they are out of control! They are also at such different levels that it's definitely challenging. A couple of them just aren't listening to us. Perhaps testing the newbies on the block? Jack and I decided we needed a better lesson plan for tomorrow.  So after breakfast we'll start organizing.

After this mornings Ugi, we all went out to play some soccer - even a couple of the older boys who have finished their school here and who will go to secondary school in Arusha next year. This is very informal soccer and they all just love playing with Jack!

After lunch each day we get a break - a much needed break! We are exhausted. But still have to play with the kids again from 2:30-4:15, then help with the bath time and egg & toast snack time. Then a small break - long enough for us to take showers - and back to help with dinner and getting into bed.

This is a well run ship. There is a schedule that everyone knows and keeps to. Everyone has their jobs and knows what is expected of them. Tables are properly set, manners expected by all. Pleases and thank you's, no elbows on the table and no chewing with your mouth open.

Each house (there are 4 including India's) follow the same routine. And it shows! There is meaning and direction yet also lots of happiness and laughter.

Wednesday October 29, 2008

Wednesday October 29

Only woke up three times - once at 2 when a big noisy car or truck pulled in, again at 4 when someone came into the volunteer house and made quite a lot of noise and then once when I heard one lone rat shuffling about above for a quick minute.

Breakfast was at 7:30 - but at 7, there was no way I could peel myself out of bed And I could tell Jack was fast asleep as well. The next thing I knew it was 8:50 and we were on the schedule for Preschool from 9-10. We had to scramble!

We colored, played with the building blocks, made floor puzzles and tried to get them to sit down and write a bit. There was a lot of energy in there - especially Rehema and Vinente! We are trying our best to get all the names straight - but itís hard and there are so many of them.

At 10:30 they went for Ugi - a porridge snack - and back outside to play with us at 11. We played a bit of baseball with Joshua and  Yusufu using a broom stick as a bat. Lots of laughs and more stealing of bases than Jack and I had seen in a long time!

After baseball we headed over to play some soccer. Jack brought a soccer ball and a pump so we were all set. They would take turns being the goal keeper as a way to take a break from running around in the heat.

12:30 was lunch - Elias cooks us all our meals and today we had breakfast for lunch - pancakes, sausages, pineapple, papaya and maple syrup! Yes!

We are taking a small break before we have to go play again with the kids. This time we went for a walk, which with little ones means that you donít get very far. We only got as far as the soccer fields. School was just getting out and the kids were all heading out to play a game of soccer. They asked Jack and of course he said YES!

Wait until you see the photosÖ.just a field of dust with at least 80 kids watching on the sidelines. I took some great shots as well as a video clip. But canít upload photos - may try to do at least one, because the charge for internet is in part based on how much you upload/download. And I am not allowed to go online with my mini pc laptop - but Jack can with his Mac.

Jack scored the only goal for his team - you should have seen the kids all yelling and jumping up and down! He was a hero. 

He did end of getting a nasty cut just below his knee - self induced as he did a slide tackle! 

We went back to our house, he took a shower and we headed over to the nurses office so that we could clean it out properly. A little hydrogen peroxide and Neosporin and a big bandaid did the trick.

Then back to Neregire, the childrenís house that we are primarily helping in. It was bath time - the kids all take a bath, have a piece of bread, a hard boiled egg and then itís movie time! Yesterday was ìHidalgoî.

Back again at 6:15 to help with dinner, getting in pajamas, brushing teeth and then story time. I was so tired I was practically falling asleep during story time - and I was reading!!!

Said our good - nights and then headed back to our house for dinner - rice, beans, broccoli and guacamole - all made by our chef, Elias.. He makes everything from scratch and feeds us very well!

By this time itís pitch black. We have kerosene lamps in our room, the bathroom and in the living room/kitchen area so you can see a little. But it takes some time to get used to the darkness - you just can't see anything very well.

Photos of the Village

Tuesday October 28

Tuesday Oct 28

We got up at 8, showered, packed, had breakfast at the hotel which was pretty good - eggs on toast and some fruit. Machek came and picked us up and took us to the Shop Rite. We headed out of town and on the left we saw the parking lot full of safari jeeps and plenty of foreigners packing up for their safaris. I used the bank (it only took MC) and then we shopped. It was a big store - even a bit bigger than the IGA. We got some apples, a bunch of juices, water, a coke, some fanta, a bottle of red wine, some candy bars, some cookies - basically some snack foods. Next stop was the the Phon Shack. Not the Love Shack but the Phon Shack. I bought a cell phone for about $40 and loaded on about $10 worth of minutes onto the SIM card. This way I can receive calls for free and make any Tamzanian calls for very cheap. Itís even cheaper to call the US from that then calling from my Blackberry.

Back into the van and off we went.

Driving out of Arusha the streets were very busy - everyone was on the way somewhere. Lots of hussle and bussle. There is a mark4t there everyday and you could see many people pushing wheelbarrows or pushing carts full of things to sell. It was all just amazing to see, to soak inÖ.

As we drove out of town we were entering Masai lands. You could see them all on the sides of the roads - walking, walking, walking. Many were herding their cattle. Cattle everywhere. All sizes. Even young boys were herding as well.

We could also see small Massai villages - small round mud huts with thatch roofs and a center circular area that had a fence made out of all sorts of branches - for the animals at night.

The land is very dry right now - no water anywhere. The (short) rainy season starts sometime in November -  and I think they canít wait! 

We passed through a couple small villages and then one just near the Rift valley that apparently has a huge malaria problem. The Rift valley is just beautiful and we learned it runs 8,000 km through lots of different countries. The rift is almost like a cliff - we had to drive up that and then about 30 more minutes until we reached Karatu. The directions seemed easy enough on paper - but provided us a little bit of difficulty. We took a wrong turn here or there and went through some pretty rough roads with the van. A jeep with a higher suspension would have been much better. It was also a single track so there was no way we could pass another car. Oh and the dust - the dirt all around Karatu is a reddish orange and it was flying everywhere!

As we drove and drove, we really realized we were going to the middle of nowhere. Finally we entered the coffee plantation, passed through a small village, the GÖ.. primary school, another small village and then we came to the Rift Valley Childrenís Village.

Just beautiful - flowers everywhere. Really nice buildings - clean and well kept. And when we arrived, no children! Jessie gave us a tour around - going into the Volunteer house where we are staying, the main office, the library, and a couple of the childrenís houses. All very clean, neat and extremely well organized! Slowly we began to meet the children - there are so many smiling VERY happy children and to me, right now, they all look the same. Which is ok with them because by the end of the afternoon, they were already teasing me and re-introducing themselves with all different names. Not fair!

Back at the volunteer house, we got a chance to have a bite to eat - peanut butter and pineapple jam on fresh bread. Hit the spot! And we got a chance to look over our schedule and some other paperwork we need to fill out - most importantly for our Class C residence permit which is on top of the visa that we already got just to enter the country.

So much to see, so much to learnÖÖ

Was able to log on to Jackís mac and write a couple emails and then headed out to watch time. We are on for bath time everyday for the rest of the week starting tomorrow so we figured we had better see what we have to do. We then walked out of the village to watch Andrew do a little bit of soccer training - took some photos of some local children and then headed back for the childrenís dinner time. They are all so happy! And they all have their own jobs - cleaning the floor, the chairs, the table etc.

Finally dinner for us - by this time Jack was starving. Meatballs, French fries, cauliflower and fresh bread. All very good. We ate with the other volunteers ; Molly, Andrew, Andy, Mike and Jessie - the latter three are here are the longer volunteer plan. They are all a wealth of information and I find it amazing and inspiring that they have chosen to come here and stay for the length of times that they have.

When going to bed, they told us the hyenas are out so weíll hear them and we might here bats and rats above our head in the roofÖ. OK I can deal with bats, but RATS! I am definitely not a rat fan.

Monday October 27

Monday October 27

we arrived in Amsterdam at 5:40 am - just too early. So we both slept a couple hours at the gate.

Our next flight left at 10:10 am NL time (5:10 am VT time) and was a direct flight to Kilimanjaro. Over 8.5 hours. We slept a lot for the first 4 hours, then watched a movie, dozed some more and woke up for food.

Since we left Burlington, the only non airline food we have had was a bagel, a banana and a bag of smart food. The rest has all been served on a tray at out seat. And I think we have also missed a couple meals along the way (todayís breakfast and dinner).

We sat next to a young German woman, Stephanie, who was on her way to do a 6 day trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro, then a 7 day safari and then 10 days on Zanzibar. Sounded just amazing. As we got talking turns out sheís actually leaving on the very same flight as we are. So we made a deal to meet at the airport and learn of each others trips.

We got off the plane, down the stairs, the old fashioned way to warm breezy Tanzanian air. As we walked down the stairs, we passed the jets under the wings - they were HUGE! It was an enormous plane!

While standing in line at immigration, the electricity went off twice. The airport was pitch black - all but the computer screens the immigration officers had in front of them. So there was this blue glow on their faces.

Once through immigration, we went to collect our bagsÖwhich took a whileÖjust long enough for me to ponder, what would we do if our bags didnít come!

All four arrived safely.

Then we walked out through customs to about 30 men all holding up signs of the names of the parties they were picking up. At first glance, neither one of us saw our names. So I parked Jack on the side and then just walked in front of them all. Nothing. Then I saw Stephanie who was having the same problem. I went back over to Jack to get out the number that I could call, when I think she saw our name.

And over came Machek from Leopard Tours.

We got into the van and off we drove into the night for the hour drive.

The road was fairly straight - I think itís called the Northern Route and as we drove along you could see people here and there walking along the side of the road. 

Jack was just exhausted so was fairly quiet, while Machek and I chatted away. We drove through one town - he said is was called USA. At first I thought he meant something else so I repeated it. He corrected me and said it was USA as in United State of Arusha!

He was also quite fascinated with our election. We talked a lot of politics. And thatís something that didnít surprise me. No matter where you go in the world, people pay close attention to and have their own ideas and opinions to American politics. We also talked about their economy.

It was dark, he drove fairly fast and we passed a lot of other tour operators! But we both felt safe. Machek assured us that Tanzania is very safe!

We finally arrived in Arusha, checked into the hotel and made a plan with Machek that he would pick us up at 9:30 tomorrow morning.

I want to go to change some money, buy some drinks to take up to the village with us and he thought I should see the mineral Tanzanium (?) that is mined here. Itís a blue gem, he tells me.

In Amsterdam

flight went well. we arrived here in Amsterdam at 5:40 am - ugh - that means not much sleep on the flight.

our next flight leaves at 10:10. Jack is asleep lying across the seats here at the gate.

I sent an email the other day letting the US Embassy in Tanzania know we were going to be there. They just emailed back and let me know that I need to do a formal registration.

Going to do that right now and then maybe try to sleep a bit myself.

It's pitch black outside and we are tired!!

Left Burlington

I got all teary eyed so we had to make it quick!

Bought the rest of the Pajamas!

Today I went to Marshalls to get the rest - there are about 10 pairs of boys PJ bottoms (I had to buy t-shirts for tops), 4 really nice nightgowns and a couple girls pj's. I also bought all the christmas wrapping paper, tape ans ribbon for all the pj's! There was some left ovver money (not as much as I had hoped so I bought several card games and flashcards.

Thank you so much to all you who made this possible!!!!

Started buying Pajamas!

I went the the outlets to start buying all the Pj's!




A huge thanks to Patricia at Carter's - she helped me get 10 pairs up to size 6 for $95.96. If I had paid full outlet price it would have been an additional $34. And if I had bought them full price it would have been double. Everything was 50% off!


I then went across the street to OshKosh. And Jen hooked me up! I got 25 pairs of the nicest coziest pajamas and nightgowns! I paid $345. Had I paid the original ticketed price I would have paid $750!

Still have sizes 12 and up to buy - which is another 15 pairs.

I also packed our first duffle bag. I put in all the OshKosh Pj's, about 10 tuna in foil packs and about 12 pairs of cleats. That was just about exactly 40 lbs!

I hope we'll be able to fit it all! Whatever we can't fit, we'll send to Maine and another volunteer will bring it over.

3 Days to go...

Today I got my new mini asus - it’s the cutest thing I have ever seen but I just might go blind using it!!

My plan is to use it for my photos and blog writing, then save on a flash drive and then upload quickly when I get a chance to be online - be it on the volunteer computer or at an internet cafe.

Sounds like a good plan, but all good plans can go awry!

Just about to head out to get the following:
the 50 pj's
an adapter
2 duffle bags
2 soccer balls
a couple games (card games and memory)
christmas wrapping paper

Things we're bringing!

Here's the list of things we are bringing:

1. that blue sticky stuff you hang up posters with
2. lots of tuna fish in water in foil packs
3. printer cartridges - 2 back/2 color
4. cannon photo paper
5. 50+ pajamas
6. christmas wrapping paper
7. 50+ of my christmas mitten gift tags
8. roll of red ribbon
9. all the cleats that will fit
10. all the shoes that will fit
11. at least two soccer balls
12. at least soccer ball pumps
13. as many donated clothes that will fit
14. a couple bags of chocolate chips
15. some cooking chocolate
16. vick's vapor rub
17. cough drops
18. card games
19. memory games
20. pen pal letters from Anna's class with photos & maple leaf photos

Our Packing List

Here's the MASTER LIST!!

Documents:
1.) Passport
2.) Passport photos (we will need 5 to submit with your Class C Residence Permit
application and you should have a few extra in case of lost passport, etc.)
3.) 3 copies of your passport
4.) 3 copies of your tourist visa
5.) 3 copies of your insurance cards
6.) 2 copies of your resume


Clothing:

1. 7 pairs of underwear


2. 7 pairs of socks


3. 4 pairs of pants (2 pairs of light-weight pants, 1 pair of heavy-weight pants, 1 pair ofjeans)


4. 2-3 pairs of shorts (not short-shorts)


5. 3 long skirts (especially needed if you are teaching at Gyetighi Primary School)


6. 2-3 long-sleeved shirts 6 t-shirts (can be short-sleeved or sleeveless; quick-dry shirts are also nice, especiallyin the rainy season)


7. 1 “nicer” outfit (for girls: a skirt and dress top; for boys: slacks and a button down) if you want to go out on the town in Arusha


8. Fleece jacket Fleece vest (optional, but many volunteers appreciate having this type of layer)


9. 1-2 sweaters/sweatshirts (depending on the season you are staying for)


10. 1 pair sweatpants, or lounging type pants


11. Running apparel (shorts, shirts, sports bras), if you like to run or walk-(no short shorts or sleeveless tops)


12. Rain jacket (breathable fabric is best)


13. Rain pants (optional, but nice to have in rainy season)


14. Flip flops or H2O friendly sandals (Croc-like shoes are easily washable and wear well)


15. Sneakers (mud-friendly if you come in the rainy season)


16. Rain boots (can be bought and/or borrowed here)


17. Hiking boots Hat (baseball cap and winter hat)


18. Bathing suit (optional-there is a local safari lodge that has a pool)

Other things:

1. A head lamp and extra batteries (essential, these are available at camping stores suchas LL Bean/ REI)


2. Travel alarm clock or a watch with an alarm


3. Sunglasses


4. Nalgene water bottle


5. Sunscreen (minimum SPF 30)-Tanzania is located very close to the equator so the sun is very strong even when the temperature is not hot.


6. Bug repellant (with DEET)


7. Powdered Gatorade (we live at a high altitude and it is very easy to get dehydrated. Gatorade can help with hydration as you adjust)


8. Wash Cloth


9. Nail Brush (many volunteers arrive without this and regret it – your feet will get dirty!)


10. Towel (there are extras available here to use when yours is in the wash)


11. Earplugs (most volunteers live in the children’s houses and these can be a helpful sleeping tool)


12. Swahili-English dictionary, instructional book, and/or Swahili phrase book


13. Day-pack, such as a small backpack or messenger bag

Entertainment:

1. Books to read


2. Games that we may want to play


3. Binoculars


4. Camera with chargers


5. Extra batteries (Due to the altitude, batteries do not last long)


6. I-pod/headphones with chargers


7. Journal


8. Stationary items and pens


9. Computer with chargers (note: should you choose to bring a computer pleasenote that you can only connect to the internet via Macs due to the possibilities ofviruses. If you bring a PC computer we will ask that you not connect to the Internet,and do provide a computer in the Volunteer House for such use).


10. Cellphone with charger

Medicine:

1. Personal prescriptions
2. Additional “just in case” prescriptions - Over the counter medicines usually do the trick for stomach issues and colds. However, it is recommended you also get a prescriptionfor a series or two of antibiotics (such as Cipro and Azythromiacin-Z-pack), just incase.
3. Pepto-Bismol (chewable tablets are handy for traveling)
4. TUMS
5. Antibiotics – cyproxin, amoxicillin
6. Malaria prophylactics
7. Saline nose spray (if you are coming in the dry season)
8. Vitamins
9. Tylenol or Advil
10. Multi-symptom cold/flu medicine (with all these kids you can count on at least one cold)
11. Decongestant
12. Hand sanitizers (Purel and/or handi-wipes)
13. Saline solution for contact lens users

Toiletries:

1. Shampoo/Conditioner
2. Hairbrush
3. Cream
4. Face cream
5. Nail clippers
6. contacts
7. Face scrub
8. makeup?? will I really need it?
9. deoderant

Thoughts - What am I doing?

The enormity of what lies ahead is really starting to hit me. And there are so many layers...

We are going half way around the world, leaving the rest of our family behind. Will they be okay? I think a piece of my heart will be missing the entire time we are gone. What will 28 days be like without seeing Mark, Anna and Scott? And how will they feel? What will Scott and Anna feel? How will they think of me as a mother - to leave them for so long?

We have talked a lot about it and my head says they will be fine. But my heart.....

They are looking at this as a challenge. They have their jobs/extra jobs and are ready. Maybe they will be more independent when I get back? Maybe in their own way, they will grow as we will grow while we are away.

And Mark - I know it will be tough on him. I am so thankful that he's willing and able to let me go and do these kind of trips. Really - it's a lot to ask of him. But on the other hand, it's a good thing for him to see the home front without me. But a week or 10 days is one thing....4 is an entirely different ballgame!

I am so fortunate. Not every husband would be so understanding and supportive.

But then I aslo think about us being so far away. Sometimes I have these fleeting moments that I must be really crazy! I have a knack for coming up with crazy ideas and making them happen....and along the way....questioning myself. Am I doing the right thing? In the grand scheme of life, I know I am. But sorting all the nitty gritty in life and in my thoughts sometimes makes me wonder.

I want to see the world. I want to experience the world. And most importantly I want my children to see and experience the world. Just not the way that one would think......

Being a tourist in a country is one thing - but living there and being a part of a community is entirely different.

In the summer of 1987 before my senior year in High School I went to Cyrpus with an organization called Earthwatch. When I left I was 17.

I flew to Athens, spent a couple nights there and then took a plane to Larnaca. When I was in line checking in in Athens, I saw two of my friends from NYC that I had known for years. They were on their way to Cyprus to be volunteer archaeologists.

So was I.

The rest is history!

We were on a dig from the Bronze Age and the artifacts that we excavated can be found today in the National Museum in Nicosia. And the site, near a small town called Kalavasos, no longer exists. Today, there is a huge highway that runs right through it. We lived in the town schoolhouse because it was summer break and were treated like celebrities in the town - even guests of honor at a wedding. When I think back, I was 17 - what we did - imagine if I hadn't met up with Frances and Melissa? I spent my 18th birthday there. We met three young (but older than us) Cypriots who made us dinner at their parents' apartment and then we went out to the discos....when I think of what I did - I just can't imagine that happening in today's world...and all without email or cell phones.

And then in the summer of 1987 I went to Zimbabwe. Again, I was a volunteer. But this time I was working with Dr. Prisca Nemapare, a Zimbabwean who was educated in the US. She was amazing. I will never forget her (note to self: google Prisca & see if she's on facebook). She was conducting a study on health and nutrition for women and young children. We went around to health care centers around the country meeting and assessing women - those who were of child bearing age - who had a child 2 or under or were pregnant.

My job was to interview the women, with the help of my interpreter, Tendai. The questionnaire was about 15 pages and asked all sorts of questions - about their husbands, their food, if they had an extra $ (equivalent) what would they spend it on - (A coke was the overwhelming response) etc. We traveled around to some pretty remote places. At one point there was a huge sign on the side of the road near the South African border that said we were entering Malaria Country. In some of the areas there was no iodine in the soil and many women suffered from huge goiters. In other areas, the soil lacked vitamin A and their eyes were so damaged. I remember Prisca calling it Bitot's disease - but perhaps my memory is flawed. At one health center a woman didn't quite make it into the health center and gave birth right in the 'courtyard'.

That was an eye opener.

But as I look back - after having 3 children - she gave birth so gracefully. During all my months of being pregnant, I thought of her often.

Anyway, I am way off topic here.... (typical!).

Back to my thoughts on what lies ahead. I am sure our trip will be amazing, life changing and I hope one that will inspire not only Jack and myself but also all those we reach through our family, school, town and beyond.

And yes, I am a little nervous too....especially about getting there. But as we get closer to our departure, for some reason I am actually feeling better and better about it.

Who knows? Maybe tomorrow will bring a whole new host of thoughts and feelings!

p.s. I just googled Prisca and this is what I found - and then this link - pretty cool - I'm going to get in touch with her!

Malaria Pills

I thought we were taking the type of malaria pills that you take once a week. Last night I checked and we're actually taking the ones that you take DAILY (I hope we remember to take them everyday).

It's Malerone and there are some side effects. We start next Sunday, the day before we enter Tanzania.

Fingers crossed we'll have no side effects. I didn't have any with Larium and they say that one has more side effects.

Absentee Ballot - I voted today!

As I will be away on Election Day - I went to the Town Hall and VOTED! I can check that off the list!

Thank You Letter to School Community!

Today I submitted Jack's thank you letter for inclusion in the newsletter:

Thank you everyone for your all your donations! You have donated the following:

• Almost 30 pairs of cleats
• About 20 pairs of shoes including merrills, boots and tevas!
• About 10 pairs of PJ’s
• Lots of other clothes – T shirts, undies, pants etc!

Some of the items were NEW! Thank you so much! I know the kids at the Orphanage are really going to like all your donations.

Thanks again for all your donations. We leave this Sunday!

Jack
p.s. if you want to learn more you can go to www.tanzanianchildrensfund.org and make sure you watch the “A Day in the Life video”. And my Mom is going to keep a blog: http://trip2tanzania.blogspot.com if you want to keep up with us.

Our Visas and Documentation Came Today

Today we got the biggest box I've ever seen travel documents come in before!

Protravel gave us a great duffle bag, as a book on Africa as well as several copies of our itinerary so that we can leave our family members with copies.

Very organized.

After reading through all the information - I am feeling like we are in good hands!

Oh - and our passports with visas were returned as well.

Pen Pals in Tanzania

Today I went into Anna's class and shared with them more information about where we are going.

I also brought in the names of children in the Standard 2 class and each of the children in Anna's class are writing letters to those children. I took a photo of each child that I will print and attach to the photo. The children also drew pictures of maple leaves all in full color.

Here are the prompts that I gave them:

· First introduce yourself – your name, how old you are, what you look like
· Where you live – a little bit about Charlotte – the mountains & the lake
· What are your hobbies?
· What are your favorite sports?
· What is your favorite subject in school?
· What are your favorite foods?
· Anything else you want to tell him/her

So my idea is that Jack and I will hand deliver the letters with photos and drawings and each child will write a letter back to the students in Anna's class. And I'll take photos of the Tanzanian children as well.....

I can't wait to see their letters!

Where are we going exactly?

We fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport and will spend the first night in Arusha.
The next morning we will be picked up and taken west to Oldeani.

If you double click on the maps you will see them really close up!

Inventory of Donated Items

Today, Jack took an inventory of what has been donated so far:

• over 15 pairs of cleats
• over 14 pairs of shoes
• pajamas, t-shirts, pants, boxers

And some of the items are BRAND NEW! We live in the most amazing town!!!

Travel Insurance

I got a note from Peggy advising me to get travel insurance. The 2 options she gave were:
www.medjetassist.com and www.travelexinsurance.com.

I took a look at pricing and coverage etc and went with the MedJetAssist. This means that if anything should happen and if either one of us end up in the hospital, they will fly us back home in one of their jets.

Phew. Glad that's done!

Our Resumes

Yup. We need resumes! So today I worked on them. I haven't had to do one for me since 1990. As I run my website - there has been no need! And one for Jack? Well I just put where he goes to school, what clubs he belongs to and what he likes to do.

We need them for the Residence permits that we apply for once we get there.

Application Questions

We were asked to fill out a new application questionaire. We had to answer questions like:

1. What is your experience in working with children? Please include any volunteer work you have done.
2. Why are you interested in volunteering with us?
3. Please indicate by numbering 1-6 with 1 being the most desirable, which of these roles you would feel most comfortable/most interested in filling:
   
   ( 5 ) Assisting our on site pre-school teacher
   
   ( 6 ) Assisting our English, computer and confidence class teacher-this class is
   taught to Tanzanian students ranging in age from 15-20
   
   ( 3 ) Tutoring our children in math and English
   
   ( 2 ) Assisting in kindergarten at the local primary school
   
   ( 1 ) Assisting in our athletics program at the local primary school
   
   ( 4 ) Assisting in our English program at the local primary school

And some basic health information questions.

Jack and I both filled it out and I emailed them back. Next is to work on our resume's for the residence permits.

Pajamas - $10 Pledge for PJ's

Still no answer from Pajamagram regarding any donations for the children. I am wondering if 40 of my friends would donate $10 and I could go buy 41 pairs at the outlet store in Waterbury. I think I'll look into this.

Just after I posted the above, I decided to just email out as many people as I could - asking them if they would donate $10 for a pair of pajamas if Pajamagram doesn't pull through.

And look! So far these amazing people have donated! - THANK YOU ALL!!!!:

• Sarah S.
• Patrice
• Lynn A.
• Carolyn H.
• Lori & Tom
• Jen R.
• Jill G.
• Jen W.
• Karla T.
• Felicia F.
• Alex M.
• Tricia S.
• Maria F.
• Michelle J.
• Chris L.
• Linda
• Krissi
• Lynne
• Kris O.
• Mia
• Michelin
• Tracy
• Theresa
• Liz D.
• Katherine
• Nancy
• Nicki G.
• Andrea
• Meghan
• Licia
• Susan V.
• Courtney L.
• Gretchen
• Jessica
• Paige
• Liz F.
• Natalie H.
• Jill L.
• Betsi O.
• Jan S.

Have I forgotten anyone?

THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

School Projects

Yesterday I wrote an email to all Jack's teachers letting them know about our trip. And slowly, some amazing things are in the works!

• skyping with the 6th graders
• doing a Tanzanian Teen profile
• possible fundraiser after the trip
• incorporating the trip into LA with Moodle

I did write to Sara (the Vol Coordinator at the Village) regarding skype and this is what she said: "We do have Skype here. The challenge is always the time change and internet availability. Since we run on solar power, our internet connection is solar powered as well, and so depending on the day, will depend on when Skype would be available. Most likely it would be early morning time in the U.S. If we tried once or twice during your time here would that be enough? "

Flights - Oct 26 - Nov 21

OK - so we are leaving on October 26th and will be returning at 6:49 pm on Friday November 21st.

Jack is planning on going straight to the dance!