Well Well Well.... it hasn't been very long followers, but we have lots to share!
Where to start??? We finished up our Thursday day of teaching around 1:30 and headed to Irente Pointe. Marilyn had had her fair share of activity for the day, so we dropped her off to rest and headed to the Orphanage. We had every expectation of it being a very sad experience but from the pictures we will post at a later date you can tell that it was not. The babies from ages 1 day to 2 years were very well taken care of. They had a nice big facility equipped with gardeners, cleaners, cooks, cow milker, and many young ladies learning to be "nannies." The Orphanage has 29 babies and can hold up to 35. They have a strict regimen of feeding, changing, play times, and naps. It was so amazing to play with the kiddos, hold them, and take their pictures. Several were intrigued by the cameras we brought and there we a few that wouldn't let us put them down! It is a shame that Tanzania does not let outsiders adopt their orphaned children, or I am pretty certain, Amber and I would be bringing one (if not two or three) home to Kansas with us :) What heartbreak!
Just next door, we trailed through the Lushoto school for the blind. Not much to report here. It was a government funded school for children age 5 to 20. The students were on "holiday" so some of the 64 students were absent while the others played in the school yard, or greeted us at the local hang out spot on campus! The school was started in 1963 and has flourished since then. The students are able to attend free of charge with the exception of a 20,000 shilling "donation" at the beginning of each school year. (Picture to come)!
After all our visits, our final stop was Irente Pointe.... perhaps the most beautiful place in Tanzania that we have visited yet! We hiked our way to the top of the mountain.... (side note: in our SKIRTS!!!! and flip flops!!!!!!.... needless to say we were not prepared) The pictures do the description more justice, but we were surrounded by gorgeous green jungle filled mountains. When we arrived at the top, we were greeted with a drop so large, we couldn't make our selves walk to the edge because we were so nervous....Valerie, however, was not a chicken!!! The guides then took us on a steep journey down the side of the mountain to a cave underneath the pointe we stood out just minutes before! This again, was a challenge in skirts and flip flops, but we managed to make it entertaining for Efraem and our two tour guides! Pictures were taken and we made our way back to the lodge for a much needed cold drink.
I was not feeling my best, so decided to skip dinner, but the other ladies enjoyed their dinner by candlelight because the entire town lost power! We made arrangements to leave bright and early in the morning for our final celebration with the students! Many warm thoughts were shared by all, we said our goodbyes, ate our bites, exchanged gifts and headed back for our 5 hours drive to Arusha!
Here we sit in the hotel internet cafe with full bellies and Amber's poor (pole sana) ankle that is swollen and not feeling suited to trek around any longer on foot! We are headed for baths, a REAL shower, a good night sleep and some Malaria medicine :) YUM!!! Though we are tired, we are more than excited for Safari that awaits us tomorrow! The animals best be out and about tomorrow because the CHIZI WAZUNGUS TU ME RUDI (The CRAZY white people are back!!!)
We will be without internet for a few days as we travel through Tarangerie and Ngorogoro Crater! Upon our arrival in Dar we hope to Skype with family members and add pictures so be looking for those!
Also, I can't forget to mention that we will be celebrating Amber's big 3-0 on July 5th while we are among the wild life! The Rhinos and Flamingos are set to sing her happy birthday, otherwise it will be up to Efraem to make sure that we see the BIG 5....(hardest animals to spot :)
Usikumwema (good night)
Where to start??? We finished up our Thursday day of teaching around 1:30 and headed to Irente Pointe. Marilyn had had her fair share of activity for the day, so we dropped her off to rest and headed to the Orphanage. We had every expectation of it being a very sad experience but from the pictures we will post at a later date you can tell that it was not. The babies from ages 1 day to 2 years were very well taken care of. They had a nice big facility equipped with gardeners, cleaners, cooks, cow milker, and many young ladies learning to be "nannies." The Orphanage has 29 babies and can hold up to 35. They have a strict regimen of feeding, changing, play times, and naps. It was so amazing to play with the kiddos, hold them, and take their pictures. Several were intrigued by the cameras we brought and there we a few that wouldn't let us put them down! It is a shame that Tanzania does not let outsiders adopt their orphaned children, or I am pretty certain, Amber and I would be bringing one (if not two or three) home to Kansas with us :) What heartbreak!
Just next door, we trailed through the Lushoto school for the blind. Not much to report here. It was a government funded school for children age 5 to 20. The students were on "holiday" so some of the 64 students were absent while the others played in the school yard, or greeted us at the local hang out spot on campus! The school was started in 1963 and has flourished since then. The students are able to attend free of charge with the exception of a 20,000 shilling "donation" at the beginning of each school year. (Picture to come)!
After all our visits, our final stop was Irente Pointe.... perhaps the most beautiful place in Tanzania that we have visited yet! We hiked our way to the top of the mountain.... (side note: in our SKIRTS!!!! and flip flops!!!!!!.... needless to say we were not prepared) The pictures do the description more justice, but we were surrounded by gorgeous green jungle filled mountains. When we arrived at the top, we were greeted with a drop so large, we couldn't make our selves walk to the edge because we were so nervous....Valerie, however, was not a chicken!!! The guides then took us on a steep journey down the side of the mountain to a cave underneath the pointe we stood out just minutes before! This again, was a challenge in skirts and flip flops, but we managed to make it entertaining for Efraem and our two tour guides! Pictures were taken and we made our way back to the lodge for a much needed cold drink.
I was not feeling my best, so decided to skip dinner, but the other ladies enjoyed their dinner by candlelight because the entire town lost power! We made arrangements to leave bright and early in the morning for our final celebration with the students! Many warm thoughts were shared by all, we said our goodbyes, ate our bites, exchanged gifts and headed back for our 5 hours drive to Arusha!
Here we sit in the hotel internet cafe with full bellies and Amber's poor (pole sana) ankle that is swollen and not feeling suited to trek around any longer on foot! We are headed for baths, a REAL shower, a good night sleep and some Malaria medicine :) YUM!!! Though we are tired, we are more than excited for Safari that awaits us tomorrow! The animals best be out and about tomorrow because the CHIZI WAZUNGUS TU ME RUDI (The CRAZY white people are back!!!)
We will be without internet for a few days as we travel through Tarangerie and Ngorogoro Crater! Upon our arrival in Dar we hope to Skype with family members and add pictures so be looking for those!
Also, I can't forget to mention that we will be celebrating Amber's big 3-0 on July 5th while we are among the wild life! The Rhinos and Flamingos are set to sing her happy birthday, otherwise it will be up to Efraem to make sure that we see the BIG 5....(hardest animals to spot :)
Usikumwema (good night)
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