We woke to rain this morning! It was the first time we had such rain since we arrived. It didn't last long and was gone by 9am. We were going to the orphanage today. Many of us were already sad and not looking forward to our visit. Just the word 'orphanage' is sad! Boy, were we wrong! We spent the morning with the cutest, smartest kids we have met yet! Many of these young children have no family, or no one that is able to take care of them - due to devastating illness or AIDs.
We were greeted by the children in song. They are were all extremely polite and very smart children. It didn't take long for them to warm up to us and melt our hearts.....they were full of love and hugs! We spent several hours singing with them, playing games, and giving them our undivided attention. Like some of the other places we visited in Tanzania, when I return again someday, I would love to spend some extra time at the orphanage.
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| Brett bought a print and the money goes back to the orphanage.....The kids were fascinated with the camera! |
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| Ring around the rosie..... |
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| Connor and the boys washing their hands! |
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| A little boy we drove past on our way to the school |
From there, we headed off to the Ngateu Secondary School in Arusha. Our church has sponsored some of the projects at this school, and the last group from KLC to visit Tanzania 10 years ago did some work at the school. Much of the good work done at Ngateu is done by the Safi Foundation. To learn more about the Safi School Project, click on the link http://www.safischoolproject.org/about-us.html . Safi School Project is a non-profit organization based in Lacey, WA with the mission of empowering and improving the lives of young people in Tanzania through education. Safi is in its ninth year working with its model school in Arusha, Tanzania, East Africa, Ngateu Secondary School.
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| The kids started to run when I held up my camera.... |
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| Ngateu Secondary School |
We toured the school including the new computer lab (with laptops donated by Microsoft and Jean's church in Bellevue). The school recently added a chemistry lab, kitchen (with fuel efficient stoves), flush toilets, and a full library with curriculum based textbooks. It's a very nice and efficient school!
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| The chemistry lab - laptops! |
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| The school grounds - new kitchen - students carrying wood for the fires to heat the ovens in the kitchen. |
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| Sights along the way..... |
We enjoyed lunch at Pastor Justo's with his wife and friends. They cooked an amazing meal.....spaghetti, chicken, salads, potatoes, and soda. It was more food than we could all eat and was most delicious. We presented Pastor Justo with gifts for himself and his church.
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| Pastor Justo and his wife - they have a beautiful home! |
We had some free time in the afternoon to shop. It was the last time to shop in Arusha before the drive to Monduli the next day. We bought some really nice canvas prints of bomas and Mt Kili. The boys also picked out some wood carved animals.
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| The Impala Hotel |
Dinner was at the Impala Hotel! It was similar to a food court, but we stayed in our seats and were waited on. She had choices of Chinese, Italian, or Indian food. I had a headache most of this day, and my stomach didn't feel so good. Kyler and Connor had pizza. Brett and I shared baked ziti pasta and Chinese noodles. It was very good!
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| The boys enjoy pizza! |
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| The kids hangin' out |
It was a bitter sweet day.....I was sad to be leaving Arusha but anxious to meet the girls in Monduli.......
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