Precious Moments

So yesterday was just another typical day at school: teach a class, teach another class, have an awkward tea break and then an afternoon of playing with kids.  Today on the other hand, was a fabulous day of school, of course with some awkward stories mingled in.  We brought all of our school supplies today and passed them out to all of the 800+ students.  The smiles on their faces were priceless and needless to say I have been in the best mood all day.  The students were delighted to see their own rulers and erasers, items they typically need to share in the classroom.  They loved the jelly bellys, but we did need to tell each class that they were candy to make sure they knew to eat them.  We had enough packages of supplies for classes 1 through 7 and provided the ‘baby class’ and kindergarten classes with jelly bellys and books.  The secondary school all received candy, toothbrushes, and toothpastes and I was told the gifts were received with similar excitement.  We got a lot of pictures, and I will be sure to try to post them at least on Facebook if not on here.  The students are so selfless there and when I returned to my class after passing out all of the supplies they were all sharing jelly bellys with me.  Also, I received a candy treat yesterday and one again today from two different students.  I always feel bad taking them, but I never know what to do, because the students want me to have them and it is difficult to explain that I want them to have the candy instead…otherwise it would look rude like I simply did not want it by handing it back.  It made me feel so great, being able to provide the students with something they find such treasure in, and unfortunately something that we take such advantage of at home.  My kids are really helping me to open my eyes and take a look at the world around me and to appreciate the little things.  One of my favorite quotes has always been “While we teach our students all about life, they teach us what life is all about”, and this quote could not be any truer of my time in the Tanzanian schools. 

            On to the light-hearted and awkward stories of the day…as a result of all of our gifts for the students, the teachers in turn wanted everything we had to offer.  The issue in this, is that we were working to make sure we had enough supplies for each student!  At the end of the day we were able to supply the teachers each with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and jelly bellys, and many also received books.  We were also able to give a suitcase to one of the teachers there (the one that asked for it first), and we could hear her cheering all the way down the hallway….I almost felt like Oprah, just with below par gifts in comparison to hers. Haha.  Also, one of the teachers I usually drink tea with said to me, “I noticed you have a nice water bottle, maybe you could give me that when you leave”.  I felt so awkward responding no, but I told her I still needed it even after my last day teaching because I was traveling to Dar Salaam still.  Another teacher told me she wanted me to leave my purse at the end of my stay here, and later added my shoes as well.  When I told her I needed them for Dar Salaam, she responded with, “Well, you won’t need that nice jacket you have because it will be hot”.  Talk about AWKWARD! I just laughed and walked away, but I felt bad not being able to supply them with the things they wanted.  They believe that any Mazungu or white person is incredibly wealthy and they think we can give them anything…boy I wish that were the case.  I understand that in their terms I am wealthy, but I cannot be handing over the clothes on back.  I just wish I could give everyone what he or she needs, if only it were that easy.

            Moving on, I could cry everyday thinking about how NICE and KIND and CARING almost everyone is here, particularly our staff at the hotel and our Safari Makers staff.  They go out of their ways to help us with anything and everything and they are all just so sweet. Well we are heading out to the orphanage now so I am sure to have many stories afterwards!