Nicaragua, Morocco, & Tanzania

Arusha, Tanzania where happiness is the first choice. Where love is found around every corner. Arusha there will always be a place for you in my heart. This journey has taught me to never dwell on life, to love and accept everyone no matter what they have been through or where they have come from. I was constantly being reminded of this during our final moments with the kids.             Our last days at LOAMO were not easy. Saying goodbye to Prep Class was like saying goodbye to kids you have known your whole life, when really it was only two weeks. Prep Class was filled with love and laughter the moment you entered the room; whether, it was the teachers or the students, I knew that they took every moment we spent with them to heart. As the minutes dwindled down, I cherished every high-five, knuckles, smile, and talk with the kids. Even though the kids were only five or six years old and probably wouldn’t remember us for lon...

“Teacher Megan! Teacher Megan!” Every corner I turn I hear this. Whether it’s in the classroom, when we arrive, or when we are saying goodbye. The student’s enthusiasm to see us and to learn reminds me of Morocco everyday. This kind of excitement to come to school and learn from us or their teachers is what keeps me coming back for more year after year. Going into week two after a once in a lifetime experience this weekend, I am so eager to grow even closer with the students. Just like at home I am always looking forward to the weekend, but here in Tanzania I couldn’t wait to see what adventure was waiting behind the corner. Friday night we found out that we would have the chance to go to The Cradle of Love baby orphanage. I had always seen the heartwarming pictures of student volunteers holding and loving on these babies and I was ready to be the one holding and playing with them this time. Immediately, after we walked in it was just like the pictures and even more because it was...

Eleven months of preparation and nerves, and we are finally here in Arusha, Tanzania, our home for the next two weeks. It felt like yesterday when I got the call saying I would be here. Now, arriving and seeing this amazing country, I couldn’t be happier and more excited for what is to come.                 The build up to this trip is never easy. It consists of lesson plan after lesson plan, and endless nerves about being able to give the kids what they deserve.  But as always, as soon as we were finally done with the three days of travel, the nervousness disappeared and excitement overcame me. Four days in and I am still jumping out of bed to see these beautiful kid’s faces. The first day we got here was like every CGA trip, there is no dilly dallying no matter how tired you are. An hour into being here and we were already experiencing eye opening things with our tour guide, Rasta John, who showed u...