Day One

Today has concluded my very first day in Africa. I arrived with my group in the middle of the night and quickly found my way to bed. It was noon before we roused ourselves and made it to breakfast. By one in the afternoon we had began our journey to the city of Arusha. Beautiful art work, immense ebony carvings, jewelry, masks and countless other wonderful things left me speechless. Until the sun began to set I roamed about, drinking in the unbelievable cultural shift. Everywhere I looked there was incredible beauty, culturally and physically. While the changes and nuances were more than I could hope to completely take in during this trip alone, I already feel changed and am eager for every experience to come. I can't wait for tomorrow!

-Bradley Blansett

I am happy to report that the group who traveled via Frankfurt, Germany arrived safely after their flights that landed in Kartoum, Sudan-Addis Abba, Ethiopia and Mombasa, Kenya before arriving in Tanzania.  It is great to return to this wonderful place and greet friends that we have make thru the years.  It is now dinnertime and the table is surrounded by a generational mix of first time travelers as well as a few seasoned returnees.   We are still trying to get over jet lag.  More later.   Earla

Today was an adventure. I took a ride in the back trunk of a Toyota SUV up this extremely bumpy road. On the paved roads, it wasn't so bad, but the stopping short was not very helpful. i also was wearing a basket on my head as a helmet. This boy riding on a bike saw me in the back going over a few bumps, and he started laughing and laughing. Then came the long trip up the hill to the Freedom Lodge on this very, very, very, bumpy road. I was thrown around the trunk like a rag doll. The cases of water that we bought fell on me while I try to hold my basket helmet on my head. Kids are looking in the back and pointing and laughing and I was laughing too. Honestly, it was a great experience and it was a very African thing, as many Africans ride in the back of pickups. It was a good day.

Harrison Newman

So many first impressions... but I think what has struck me the most (on this first full day) are the smiles of these beautiful people. There is a joy and a curiosity, and what appears to be an open heart. It is Safi Sana--a very good thing! The Safi group are lovely to be with. I feel as if I have known them a long long time. Their work here is quite remarkable and they are very loved. When they arrived, Harrison and I could hear the cheers of the villagers as they welcomed them to Freedom Lodge.I can't wait for tomorrow... and the adventures to come!

Barbara Newman

Friday, 29 June
We're here!  Chris, David, Sarah, Barbara, Harrison and I, that is.  The rest arrive tonight, tomorrow a.m. and tomorrow night. It's the "trip to the airport" year for Elizabeth and David.
Plane trip was looooong - no surprise.
Weather is perfect - no surprise.
Company is great, Freedom Lodge staff was over the top excited to see  us and our rooms are great.
I've managed to get onto the blog site on the Safi computer - thank you Kristina - and the mouse works MUCH better for these fingers.
Ngateu today where everything is looking very clean!
Bank to "discuss" wire transfer with manager - ( not a surprise and not fun - little or no progress.)
Then to lunch at Selma's - GREAT, no surprise.
Shopping with Elizabeth, of course.
And the hysterical trip up the Sakina road - if you've not been on it, it is the worst road ever - with 7 of us in Elizabeth's little car - Harrison with his basket helmut and all the people on the road laughing and waving.
(other descriptions will follow, I hope)
It feels like home.  Mary

Pig Roast Alert!

The almost annual PIG ROAST will be held on Sat., June 16th at Mary and David's.   We'll start anytime after 4:00, but dinner will be served about 5:30.  The "procession" will be between 5 and 5:30.
Appetizers will be available at 4, then dinner and dessert.
Need directions, call Mary at 360-413-0246.
We can sell a few more tickets, so if anyone wants tickets, call Mary.
 ( tickets are $50)  ALL proceeds go to Safi school project.

Lola's friends from Shaw visited Ngateu today

They were very impressed with the retaining wall, kitchen, chemistry lab, library/books, well, latrines and toilets, volunteer house, the murals on the wall }: etc. They were also impressed as we dropped into classes that the students were very responsive and wanting to be called upon in MATH of all things :}:}:} From the back ( because of their short hair)  Zora was worried that not many girls were in the class but I knew there were. I asked all the girls who were interested  in math to stand . 40-50% of the class stood.

The two men were biology profs at Portland State and Clark College in Vancouver. They saw the one microscope and so I asked them if they could get some scopes ; they will definitely work on that so that Lola and the group can bring some in January sans their heavy wooded cases.

AND of course they loved the 70 kids at TAMIHA, particularly when Mtui was playing soccer with them!

Salama, Elizabeth

Don't miss the opportunity to send messages to your students

Dear Sponsors,

 

Thank you so much for your continued support of the students at Ngateu Secondary School.  We have a group traveling to Arusha in a few weeks.  They will gladly hand carry any letters or pictures you would like to send to your student/s.  The mail needs to reach Safi by June 20, 2012. You may mail the letter to:

Your student's name

c/o Safi School Project

PO Box 8275

Lacey WA 98509

 

You may, of course, send letters or postcards directly to your student at school.  Currently the price for an airmail letter or postcard is $1.05.  Students always love to receive mail.

 

If you have any questions, please contact me.  Again, thank you for your support of these students!

 

Barbara

Sponsorship Committee