Last Days...

As the sun sets here in Tanzania, so my time here draws to a close, and so I wanted to send a final update to everyone…

As I look back at my time and consider the amount of progress I have seen these kids make, how attached i am to them...the school, and the workers, I find it hard to believe I have been here just a few short weeks. It seems so much longer than that.…

Other times, (especially as I pack my bags) I can’t help but think how quickly the time has gone, and I find myself thinking how I would really like to spend more time here…. The thing is, regardless of how long one spends here, I don’t think that feeling would ever change …there are so so many aspects of life here where help is required, its quite staggering,..That being said I have realised that whether is be one week, one month or one year, every bit helps, and so it’s important not be discouraged…we are making a difference by being here…

Yesterday afternoon and this morning I said goodbye to the kiddos and I must admit it was pretty tough,…as I have said in earlier emails, there is so much to love about these kids…

I will miss the constant cries of “Walimu, Walimu…me bebe, me bebe”..(Teacher Teacher, carry me, carry me). While it was often hard to move for kids, I realise they are all just crying out to have some attention,…who can blame them??

I will miss the smiling faces, and cheeky grins…They are kids, and although they don’t have much, it's important to know they don’t need much to smile and laugh...It’s sometimes a little overwhelming to think we are responsible for these kids..but truth be known we are all qualified to make a kid laugh and smile…it just takes a little effort…

I will miss the enthusiasm to learn, the delight at being called to write on the blackboard, and getting a tiny sticker on their forehead for getting the answer right…I don’t ever recall being so eager to learn when I was a young kid…

I will remember the kids every time I tie my shoes I think,..and how they all jostle to have their shoes tied first, even those who already know how to do it themselves. I will miss the laughs of the kids playing and the laughs when I try in vain to speak in swahili to them,…poor hapless ‘Mzungos’ (white people)…

It would not be fair to leave out the teachers and other volunteers also…I will miss them greatly..here you don’t have long to get to know people, so consequently you dive right on in to friendship, and friendships are forged by a common desire to see these kids learn and grow….a big thankyou to the whole team!!!

On a lighter note,…there are a few things that I will not miss quite so much but are worthy of mention in this mail..things one comes to consider normal....

(1) Skeeters (mosquitoes)…While they have not been too bad, my feet have been ravaged by mosquitoes, and are constantly 101 shades of itchy…T.I.A…

(2) Traffic…as I have said before, traffic here is horrendous, and it really is a game of ‘who dares wins’ on every road and at every intersection. I encourage any Formula One, Nascar, or anyone considering a career in race car driving to come here to go through their paces…you will soon find out whether you have the mettle…

(3) Dirt…those who know me, know I am not one to fuss over a bit of dirt under the nails..but here being dirty is a lifestyle…feet, hands, hair, limbs…constantly dirty…showering helps…but only for about 3 minutes,….The volunteers jokingly said last week we will have to send around photos of what we normally look like when we get back, although I am not sure anyone would believe it is us…

Finally, Thanks to all those who have been supportive to me,..whether it be financially, with prayer, with e-mail, or otherwise…it is appreciated, and the success of this trip is largely due to you all…

Kwa heri,

Bruce