HAMJAMBO FROM TANZANIA!

hey all! glad to say i was finally able to get on and make a post! I don't even know where to begin...but just to let everyone know, i have arrived safely! It was a LOONNNNGGGG flight, especially from JFK to Dubai...but my upgrade on the Emirates flight definitely helped me with my sleep deprivation! We finally made it after 3 long flights, a long wait at the airport, and an even longer and bumpier drive to Bagamoyo down a dirt road in a packed van of about 20 people and a million pieces of luggage! The drive here was amazing! We came thru around 8pm TFT (Tanzanian FLEXIBLE time) and being a saturday night in Africa, everyone was out on the streets, bands playing, and everyone with their candles (due to the lack of street lighting). Everyone on the streets that would see us pass by would either give us a thumbs up or shout out MZUNGU (white person) at the top of their lungs! It was almost like a dream (especially considering all of us could barely keep our eyes open after the long day of travelling)! We finally arrived at the Home Base and had our first meal! I don't think anyone needs to worry about me or any of the other volunteers starving to death, because we have more than enough amazing food to eat thanks to the great staff! After dinner and a meeting with the volunteers who have already been here a few weeks, we made our way to the "Summer House"...its overflow housing for extra volunteers BUT with the luxury of air conditioning that most volunteers never have! After extremely quick unpacking and showering, all of us were asleep within what seemed like seconds! We sleep 2 to a room on bunk beds and each room has its own bathroom! We woke up this morning at 7am and made our way to another great meal for breakfast with AMAZING pineapple! We spent the rest of our morning exploring Bagamoyo and all of the historical sites. The town is very historic and his one of the main portals for past ivory and slave trades. After one day of siteseeing (kaole ruins, the beach, markets, etc.) I believe I have already taken over 100 pictures, all to be on facebook very soon with any luck! This afternoon we have been doing some paperwork, meet and greets, and learning a little more of our swahili! It's really cool how fast the language comes to you and how appreciative all of the people are that you make the effort to speak Swahili (because they definitely try very hard to speak English)! I am in a really tiny internet cafe right now...pretty much just a 5 by 10 foot room with 8 large computers for use! and its CHEAP (only 1000 shillings...or about a dollar every 30 minutes!!!). BUT ive got to meet back for dinner soon and a night out on the town! but I will post back tomorrow or later this week and let you know more about the town of Bagamoyo, because it is a spectacular place and I can already tell I am going to love it! ASANTE SANA for reading my blog! and I will post again soon! <3, katie

My Bagamoyo Volunteer Placement!

Hey everyone! I finally got my job placement for my trip & I thankfully got exactly what I was hoping for! I will be teaching students and assisting teachers at Mbaruku Primary School in Bagamoyo. Mbaruku is a primary school for children aged 4-14 years old. Currently, the school has 447 students. The classes are broken down into: Pre-school (4-6 years) and primary education (7-14 years). My Volunteer Activities and Duties will include teaching english, mathematics, reading and writing, teaching sports, games and songs, and arts and crafts, helping assess the development and progress of students, helping create testing procedures, Organizing projects and activities for the children, and working with the teachers to develop primary school activities and materials that can hopefully be used for years to come! I can't wait to get there and get started! Should be an amazing opportunity! 3 weeks left!

Today was a crazy day getting ready for the trip! Finally got my VISA information sent off and filled out a million other things of paper work just in preparation! On Monday I have to get like SIX shots!!! UGH! I thought I would only have to get three but I was wrong : ( They are all worth it though! Returning with Yellow Fever or Malaria wouldn't be much fun! But I'll put another post up in a few days to let you know how preparations are coming! One exam left at school tomorrow morning and I'm out for summer!

Preparing for my Trip : S

I only have LESS than ONE MONTH left before I leave for my trip!! I'm starting to get into panic mode with everything that needs to get done (still have to get my VISA, vaccinations, learning a little Swahili, .... )Ahhhhh so much to do! & still finishing up college exams on top of all that! But it WILL get done! I'm determined : S