November

It is now a month since we left Hamilton and such a lot has happened!  In Victoria no new cases of covid19 and the beginnings of opening up to the rest of the country.  Now we could possibly visit Tasmania we are on the wrong continent!

At Olkokola there are 38 new students with a wide range of disabilities and educational experiences.  The only common thing is no English! So I am being stretched and having to relearn quickly all the Kiswahili I’ve forgotten in seven months lack of use.  The younger students in particular talk to me in rapid Swahili and are nonplussed that I do not understand.  For staff meetings I rely on google translate and prepare what I need to say.  Usually we are able to communicate well.  But in the classrooms sometimes I just have to hope for the best! It seems to work.

All the students have done a mathematics diagnostic test - 16 questions in 20 minutes ranging from counting to applied problem solving involving fractions - and those who are capable introduced to the program of individualised learning.  They are also able to use the library to read and borrow books. We are away for the next three weeks and the students will be going home for Christmas just as we get back.  Small group classes on specific topics will start in January.

We had a quick trip to Kenya to Amboseli NP last weekend.  That meant crossing the border at Namanga where the Corner Hotel is to be found. (Photographed for our David who worked at its namesake in Richmond.)  

The park has an extensive wetland system and is home to many birds both dryland and water birds including migrants from the northern hemisphere that travel to Africa for the winter. We had a lovely time - very relaxing and we* saw 16o species of bird.  Also many hippos, antelopes and elephants.  No giraffes were seen though they are supposed to be there.  Luckily we saw them along the road up to Namanga so I was happy.

Next week we travel south to Iringa, Ruaha NP and Mikumi NP among other places.  Steve has written a full report on the Kenya trip and will do the same for the trip south.  You’ll find it here.

More soon, love from Jenny

* well, Steve did and told me about them!

Back in Tz

We are back in Arusha and busy making plans for the next 9 - 12 months.  It will be a mix of work, less than before, and travelling - there is such a lot of East Africa we are still to see and many places we want to revisit.

Our Australian Volunteer Program assignments were terminated in April and final reports on those have been done.  Now we are free agents and not committed to nine to five, five days a week.  I do intend to continue working at Olkokola Centre for the Physically Handicapped at least a couple of days each week and have been thinking about what I can achieve there.

Task one will be getting to know the new students and teachers.  We have a new teacher in Masonry and a new teaching assistant in Tailoring.  I will really miss the ones who have gone, they had been such a support to me.

 

We have 38 new students.  One of them I know I have met.  I talked with her first in her village - a remote and isolated place up near the Kenya border.  She had become paralysed below the waist as well as developing a fistula as a result of the protracted birth of her second daughter. Either condition is tragic, to have both is catastrophic.  She is lucky to have a family who have supported her and looked after her.  Together with the local Catholic priest we were able to get a wheelchair for her and organise surgery to repair her fistula - this was in August last year - and now she is learning tailoring on a hand operated sewing machine.  Her family is looking after her daughters while she is at OCPH.

This was taken August last year  - it is the 'road' to her village.

There will be another 37 stories to learn about and 37 bright and optimistic people to get to know.

Task 2 will be updating the website, here if you’ve not seen it.  I need some pictures of our new students and teachers. I’ll want pictures of them in my education resource room reading the books and practising their mathematics skills.  I’ll want pictures of them proud of the skills they are learning and the independence they are gaining.

Tasks 3 to infinity are yet to be determined.  A lot of conversations need to be had to work out what is possible and what is desirable.  There will be the inevitable confusion, frustration and misunderstanding - that goes with the territory - but fun and laughter will be had, relationships will be strengthened and small, sustainable steps will be made in the right direction.

I look forward to sharing it all with you through this blog, and I leave you with some giraffes just because I can!

Love from Jenny