It is seriously hard to believe we are preparing for another summer in Tanzania. We have made HUGE efforts throughout the school year. It seems like yesterday we were meeting to discuss our publishing efforts that have flourished into something we never imaged!
For those that do not know. We have published 7 children books in both English and Swahili. It was a dream that began while we were in Lushoto last summer at the Irente Children's Home. Mama Ndamu (head House Mother of the home) began sharing "fables" around the playground of the facility. We were so intrigued by her capturing expressive story. Even though we couldn't understand but a few words, we could tell the children loved it and loved participating with her. Marilyn and the rest of the team from the 2012 summer decided we needed to put these stories into written form. Children in Tanzania have little access to story books in their native language, especially children up in the more remote areas of Tanzania. Therefore, the "Hadithi za bibi" (Tales of the Grandmother)literacy "books in a bag" project was born!
We began by collecting fables from our university students at SEKUCO. Our students were so enthusiastic and more than willing to share their tales. After returning to the states, our most beloved guide, Efraem, translated the stories for us (thank you thank you thank you). From there, we began employing local Manhattan illustrators. Courtney Smith (Marlatt Elementary Art Teacher), Diane Dollar, Royce Kitts, and Marian got to work making beautiful artwork to fit the uniquely written stories. From there it was up to our team to find a local publishing company that would be willing to help us "newbies" publish this wonderful books. Able To Print in Aggieville was just the place. It was in the heart of the "Little Apple" and presented the "small business" atmosphere we appreciated. "Danny" our go to guy gave me (Nicole) the run down of the exact editing process. It was then my job to take the original images, edit them in Photoshop, add text, save as PDF, and send to the publishers for printing. This process was easier said than done.....
The books were complete.... or so we thought! So who wouldn't post pics on facebooks :) We wanted to share our superb creations. Thank the lord above that Efraem (our beloved guide) saw the images and mentioned that there were errors ::::::GASP::::::: no need to panic though, Able Printing was able to clear up the mishap so long as I could correct the text. (again easier said than done). We were down to the wire, but as of 1:30pm on Thursday, May 24th the books are in our possession and completely packed!!!! Nothing like last minute preparations to get you ready for your 4th summer in Tanzania!
We couldn't be more proud of the work we have accomplished throughout this school year. The team and I have raised over $2,000 to publish literacy materials for school children with disabilities in Tanzania, Africa. God has blessed up beyond belief and we are so excited to share our work with Tanzanians. Our efforts were not complete without weekly "bag packing parties" for the months leading up to our travels. We enjoyed putting the bags together and are so thankful that Anna's mom was able to make the 88 bags full of not only story books, but also activities to go along with the stories, markers, glue sticks, scissors, and more! We hope that both our University Students and families we contact through outreach enjoy them as much as we do!
Marilyn and I leave for an overnight in Toronto before heading on to Istanbul and then Tanzania tomorrow at 3:45pm. Tune in for more traveling adventures. We are thrilled to spend 6 weeks in our most favorite place on Earth. Here are a list of new adventures you can look forward to hearing about:
- Gombe National Park where the famous Jane Goodall did her work with Chimpanzees
- Teaching an actual course at the nearly re-named SEKUMO teacher training college
- "Dorm-like" living on the University grounds, fully equipped with our own "house keeper" :)
- May weather ::::dun dun dun:::: rainy season in the jungle like mountains should make for some interesting conditions.
- Girls Weekend in ZANZIBAR!!!!! Island oasis here we come!!!!
- Finally..... Family Safari in the never before visited Serengeti National Park (we better be seein' some leopards Efraem!!!)
I hope you will enjoy reading our travels as much as we enjoy taking part in this always changing project. We wish you all the best as your summers begin and ask that you keep us in your prayers. Tanzania or BUST 2013!
P.S. Don't forget to visit our official website humanitylooksgood.com or our donation page at
https://secure.piryx.com/donate/IE5Tlw7f/Humanity-Looks-Good-on-Everyone/
The rest of our team will be coming over late June so will be available to pick up further materials if funds are donated before they travel ;)
For those that do not know. We have published 7 children books in both English and Swahili. It was a dream that began while we were in Lushoto last summer at the Irente Children's Home. Mama Ndamu (head House Mother of the home) began sharing "fables" around the playground of the facility. We were so intrigued by her capturing expressive story. Even though we couldn't understand but a few words, we could tell the children loved it and loved participating with her. Marilyn and the rest of the team from the 2012 summer decided we needed to put these stories into written form. Children in Tanzania have little access to story books in their native language, especially children up in the more remote areas of Tanzania. Therefore, the "Hadithi za bibi" (Tales of the Grandmother)literacy "books in a bag" project was born!
We began by collecting fables from our university students at SEKUCO. Our students were so enthusiastic and more than willing to share their tales. After returning to the states, our most beloved guide, Efraem, translated the stories for us (thank you thank you thank you). From there, we began employing local Manhattan illustrators. Courtney Smith (Marlatt Elementary Art Teacher), Diane Dollar, Royce Kitts, and Marian got to work making beautiful artwork to fit the uniquely written stories. From there it was up to our team to find a local publishing company that would be willing to help us "newbies" publish this wonderful books. Able To Print in Aggieville was just the place. It was in the heart of the "Little Apple" and presented the "small business" atmosphere we appreciated. "Danny" our go to guy gave me (Nicole) the run down of the exact editing process. It was then my job to take the original images, edit them in Photoshop, add text, save as PDF, and send to the publishers for printing. This process was easier said than done.....
The books were complete.... or so we thought! So who wouldn't post pics on facebooks :) We wanted to share our superb creations. Thank the lord above that Efraem (our beloved guide) saw the images and mentioned that there were errors ::::::GASP::::::: no need to panic though, Able Printing was able to clear up the mishap so long as I could correct the text. (again easier said than done). We were down to the wire, but as of 1:30pm on Thursday, May 24th the books are in our possession and completely packed!!!! Nothing like last minute preparations to get you ready for your 4th summer in Tanzania!
We couldn't be more proud of the work we have accomplished throughout this school year. The team and I have raised over $2,000 to publish literacy materials for school children with disabilities in Tanzania, Africa. God has blessed up beyond belief and we are so excited to share our work with Tanzanians. Our efforts were not complete without weekly "bag packing parties" for the months leading up to our travels. We enjoyed putting the bags together and are so thankful that Anna's mom was able to make the 88 bags full of not only story books, but also activities to go along with the stories, markers, glue sticks, scissors, and more! We hope that both our University Students and families we contact through outreach enjoy them as much as we do!
Marilyn and I leave for an overnight in Toronto before heading on to Istanbul and then Tanzania tomorrow at 3:45pm. Tune in for more traveling adventures. We are thrilled to spend 6 weeks in our most favorite place on Earth. Here are a list of new adventures you can look forward to hearing about:
- Gombe National Park where the famous Jane Goodall did her work with Chimpanzees
- Teaching an actual course at the nearly re-named SEKUMO teacher training college
- "Dorm-like" living on the University grounds, fully equipped with our own "house keeper" :)
- May weather ::::dun dun dun:::: rainy season in the jungle like mountains should make for some interesting conditions.
- Girls Weekend in ZANZIBAR!!!!! Island oasis here we come!!!!
- Finally..... Family Safari in the never before visited Serengeti National Park (we better be seein' some leopards Efraem!!!)
I hope you will enjoy reading our travels as much as we enjoy taking part in this always changing project. We wish you all the best as your summers begin and ask that you keep us in your prayers. Tanzania or BUST 2013!
P.S. Don't forget to visit our official website humanitylooksgood.com or our donation page at
https://secure.piryx.com/donate/IE5Tlw7f/Humanity-Looks-Good-on-Everyone/
The rest of our team will be coming over late June so will be available to pick up further materials if funds are donated before they travel ;)
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