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May 4 - Finally finding time to post our Leaving Tanzania (Part 2) update. Read Part 1 first!
In April, our friends, the Fesers, returned to Pamoja and it wasn’t quiet anymore! All pretense of doing any formal homeschooling went out the window. However, there was LOTS of informal learning happening. These kids are absolute fountains of energy and creativity. Paul and Toby spent lots of time at the workshop, taking stuff apart. Vangie and Natasha put together a carnival, complete with games, a “candy” guess jar (with bottle caps in it), posters and prizes. Jacob and Zeke started writing and recording songs which turned into a whole album. They all spent several days playing “border crossing”, where they tried to smuggle banned items past a border guard. There were epic pizza nights and even more epic sleepovers. We spent lots of time with our off base friends as well.
The Pamoja Kids together again: L to R - Zeke, Ben, Jacob, James, Vangie, Natasha, Paul and Toby (missing Volen).
Pamoja swim party!
Harry, Zeke and Jacob playing Mouseguard.
Vangie and Ben celebrating their birthdays together.
The border patrol
Contraband
These boys are two peas in a pod!
Toby spent a lot of time this month with his friend, David Mosley. They are also two peas in a pod. Unfortunately, I don't have good pictures, but click here for the Mosley's blog with some great pics of Toby and David fishing and catching chameleons.
One of several epic sleepovers!
We had come to Tanzania thinking that our friends, the Feser family, would be there to keep our kids company throughout our time there. We had planned to have lots of fun and learning experiences together. This was all thrown for a loop in October, when they had to leave Pamoja and move to Kenya, due to a health concern and a lot of other complicated factors. Although we missed their company, a silver lining for us was that we had to go out looking for community elsewhere. We were invited to join a small group through Arusha Community Church, that really became a family for us. This was a group of people that we were able to build a strong sense of community with. People who supported us and who we were able to support. Our kids connected so closely with these kids and we really cherished the friendship of these couples and families.
Another thing that we occupied our time with was the Umoja Kids Club. Most Saturdays, the kids and I would go down to the Kids Club, which is run out of a building that is rented by one of the Pamoja staff members and which Pamoja Ministries helps to provide financial support for. It’s like a community centre for the kids in the impoverished neighbourhood surrounding our base. Martina opens the doors almost every evening for the kids to come and draw, sing, colour, and be LOVED and appreciated. I so admire her love for kids. On Saturdays, we had a more formal program where Niki and Sami would tell a Bible story and then I would often run some games. Something I struggled with was with trying to be authentically helpful and generous without just handing out material possessions. A new soccer ball, a parachute, craft supplies - all things that are so inconsequential for me to just buy for them - are they just perceived as further demonstration of our privilege/ superiority? We really appreciated the Kids Club, though, as a chance to serve together as a family and interact with Tanzanian kids on a regular basis.
We were so rewarded for our service with a big going away party, planned by Martina with Sami and Niki’s help, on our second last Saturday. It was a typical Tanzanian party. We had seats at a decorated table, as the guests of honour. There were speeches. The kids performed several dances and songs for us. There were a few honoured guests from the community. Pilau was served and banana stew and we were presented with cards and a kanga as a gift.
The kids running up the hill to welcome us to the party!
One of Vangie's little buddies.
Another of Vangie's little buddies. Such a cutie!
Speeches
More speeches
These kids sure can dance! I could watch them all day.
James is their dance teacher.
Martina and Sami presenting our gift.
We were so honoured and blessed.
The last couple of weeks before our departure passed in a whirlwind! Plans were starting to come together for our trip to Europe and I spent hours in front of the computer trying to work out where we’ll be staying and what we’ll be doing. We spent as much time as we could with our friends and Eli was working hard trying to wrap up some projects around the base. We also took a day to go on one last safari - a day trip to Arusha National Park with our small group friends. We did a walking safari - a hike - past fields of African Buffalo, a few zebras, baboons and giraffes. It was an absolutely gorgeous day and we enjoyed having one last visit with the beauty of wild Tanzania and Mount Meru.
Zeke, Harry and Oren posing with an elephant.
Approaching a herd of African Buffalo. These are big animals. Glad we have protection!
Watched these guys for quite a while.
We climbed *this scale model of* Mount Meru!
This guy was hanging out in the parking lot.
The giant fig tree - large enough to drive your car through.
Flamingo party!
We will miss you Pamoja!
We will miss you Pamoja!
On the Thursday before Easter, Pamoja had an Easter/ going away party. It was sad to say good-bye to all of the staff. We've really come to appreciate these people - their hard work, dedication and contentment.
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