A New Side of Africa

“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 real life. The day consisted of walking, playing, and loving on the beautiful kids at the orphanage. At one point when we were walking to the park I was holding a little girl’s hand and she wanted me to pick her up, so of course I did! Little did I know I was going to get the biggest sweetest kisses I have ever received. The moment she did this my heart felt like someone was actually melting it. Playing with the kids made me realize how lucky I am to grow up with such incredible parents that care for me more than I could ever ask for. The goodbyes with the babies were bitter sweet, because even though they were too young to understand their situation it was still sad to know that some of them could not be blessed with loving parents.

After an unbelievable day with the babies we got the opportunity to see a coffee plantation, plant trees, and see how a whole tourism company runs their electricity and cooking off cow poop. When we got there our tour guide showed us how the process of the cow poop works and how it was all part of a cycle. At some point in the process everything was used.  Whether it was using the poop for fertilizer to plant trees or for making the methane to cook.  I thought this mind set of never letting anything got to waste is something that everyone at home could use more of.  Growing up in the Vail Valley and coming to a third world country is always a wakeup call. Especially when we come to these countries and they are still doing everything by hand but are getting more out of there resources then we ever do at home.

The life style of always finding use for things is also very obvious in how the students learn. Just like in Morocco the students look at learning like there is no time limit. Which is so special to me because at home it’s not like kids are willing to walk 45 minutes just to get to school, or wait an extra 20 minutes before going to lunch. Once again I have come to Tanzania to teach, but I have already learned and have become more humbled by what the students have taught me. Going into this second week I couldn’t be more ready to teach Preparatory Class and Class 6. I am so excited to see the students and how my team grows more each day.

With the first week of our African journey coming to a close I can’t begin to thinking about saying goodbye to these kids. The way that so many of them have already touched my heart with their smiles and love is like no other feeling I have felt. Every day I am so thankful for the opportunity that CGA has given me to do something that I love and do it for the kids that deserve the most.