Today, we had a day full of Irente Adventures!!!!
Most of us started our day with with a warm bucket shower at the Tumaini Hostel (YAH FOR WARM WATER), while others were busy breaking beds ( ;) Kari... oops!). Then we headed out for the Irente Children's Home (Orphanage) where we were asked to join them for their morning prayer to listen to them sing and share their room updates. We were then invited in to play with the children. It was fun to see some of the same children from the previous year!
After play time, we headed in for Chai and Popcorn with the head of the school. They welcomed us with traditional song and dance. AJ was brave enough to join them for their last song!
It was then off to the Irente Rainbow School where we were greeted by many excited children. They were jumping on us, shaking hands, and exchanging Jambo's with all of them. Soon after our arrival the students were called in for porridge and bananas. We helped serve and then kids greatly enjoyed being filmed and having their pictures taken. They are mesmerized by the cameras and Rusty's video camera! The students ranged from 2 and 1/2 to 15 years old. After morning porridge we played with the students, handed out balls we had brought, and tossed Pipi (candy) to the children. Some of us were practically mauled by the young ones who were eager for candy. The suckers were a hit! For us Wazungus (white people), the jewelery made by the students with Autism and intellectual needs were a hit! We spent a few more minutes playing in the school yard and touring the Ng'ombe (cow) and Kuku (chicken) houses before saying our goodbyes. During our goodbyes, Kari was bitten by one of the young boys at the school... not one of todays finer moments!
Next on our agenda was the Irente School for the Blind! This was a quick stop but a memorable one! First, we were greeted by a young man (16 years old) who was born normal, but burned after falling into a fire when he was 4. He was extremly welcoming and invited us into the school. Before heading out for a tour we were serenaded with a Swahili and English verse of "Jesus Loves Me." It was one of the most touching moments thus far! The 9 of us were then taken on a tour of the school, including the dorms, creative workshops, and braille classrooms.
Off for lunch we went! Making our way through the beautiful rainforests of the Usumbara Mountains, we landed ourselves at the Irente Biodiversity Farm! First stop on this stop was a fresh lunch equipped with homemade Rye Bread, Tilsit Cheese, Avocados, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Carrots, Green Peppers, Jams, Whipped Butter, Soft Spiced Cheese, Passionfruit Juice, Sweet Bananas, and Tanzanian Coffee. Talk about YUUUUMMM! Favorite meal this far! So yummy and among some of the most beautiful scenery! Next was a tour of the farm to show us the alien and indigenous trees around the mountains. Of course, at the end, we had to do some shopping :) before heading back to the Irente Children's Home!
The children were so excited to see that we were back to play. Only this time, we had plans to listen to the head Mama story tell some new stories that we plan to turn into "books and a bag" project to use with our University Students in the coming trips :) It was so touching to see the children sit around and listen to the Mama tell stories of Leopards and Chickens :) I even attempted reading our currently "book in a bag" book to one of the older children. They were extremely wound up after story time, so we ran around with them and sang songs before heading back to the hostel for the evening. One of the students continuously sang us a song... "Goodbye Goodbye Goodbye" waving his hands in the hair and displaying a HUGE smile on his face. It was hilarious! Videos to come!
Our evening is being spent eating dinner at the hostel and catching up with family via phone and internet!
Most of us started our day with with a warm bucket shower at the Tumaini Hostel (YAH FOR WARM WATER), while others were busy breaking beds ( ;) Kari... oops!). Then we headed out for the Irente Children's Home (Orphanage) where we were asked to join them for their morning prayer to listen to them sing and share their room updates. We were then invited in to play with the children. It was fun to see some of the same children from the previous year!
After play time, we headed in for Chai and Popcorn with the head of the school. They welcomed us with traditional song and dance. AJ was brave enough to join them for their last song!
It was then off to the Irente Rainbow School where we were greeted by many excited children. They were jumping on us, shaking hands, and exchanging Jambo's with all of them. Soon after our arrival the students were called in for porridge and bananas. We helped serve and then kids greatly enjoyed being filmed and having their pictures taken. They are mesmerized by the cameras and Rusty's video camera! The students ranged from 2 and 1/2 to 15 years old. After morning porridge we played with the students, handed out balls we had brought, and tossed Pipi (candy) to the children. Some of us were practically mauled by the young ones who were eager for candy. The suckers were a hit! For us Wazungus (white people), the jewelery made by the students with Autism and intellectual needs were a hit! We spent a few more minutes playing in the school yard and touring the Ng'ombe (cow) and Kuku (chicken) houses before saying our goodbyes. During our goodbyes, Kari was bitten by one of the young boys at the school... not one of todays finer moments!
Next on our agenda was the Irente School for the Blind! This was a quick stop but a memorable one! First, we were greeted by a young man (16 years old) who was born normal, but burned after falling into a fire when he was 4. He was extremly welcoming and invited us into the school. Before heading out for a tour we were serenaded with a Swahili and English verse of "Jesus Loves Me." It was one of the most touching moments thus far! The 9 of us were then taken on a tour of the school, including the dorms, creative workshops, and braille classrooms.
Off for lunch we went! Making our way through the beautiful rainforests of the Usumbara Mountains, we landed ourselves at the Irente Biodiversity Farm! First stop on this stop was a fresh lunch equipped with homemade Rye Bread, Tilsit Cheese, Avocados, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Carrots, Green Peppers, Jams, Whipped Butter, Soft Spiced Cheese, Passionfruit Juice, Sweet Bananas, and Tanzanian Coffee. Talk about YUUUUMMM! Favorite meal this far! So yummy and among some of the most beautiful scenery! Next was a tour of the farm to show us the alien and indigenous trees around the mountains. Of course, at the end, we had to do some shopping :) before heading back to the Irente Children's Home!
The children were so excited to see that we were back to play. Only this time, we had plans to listen to the head Mama story tell some new stories that we plan to turn into "books and a bag" project to use with our University Students in the coming trips :) It was so touching to see the children sit around and listen to the Mama tell stories of Leopards and Chickens :) I even attempted reading our currently "book in a bag" book to one of the older children. They were extremely wound up after story time, so we ran around with them and sang songs before heading back to the hostel for the evening. One of the students continuously sang us a song... "Goodbye Goodbye Goodbye" waving his hands in the hair and displaying a HUGE smile on his face. It was hilarious! Videos to come!
Our evening is being spent eating dinner at the hostel and catching up with family via phone and internet!
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