Nitakumiss Arusha

Tutakumiss Arusha ("I will miss you Arusha", in Swanglish).I wrote this diary entry while lying in a hammock by the Indian Ocean at Paradise Beach Bungalows, Paje beach, Zanzibar. I am typing it back in our house in Arusha, on my last day here. I had a wonderful time in Zanzibar with my friends Amy and Aimee. We spent a few days in Stone Town before heading to the East coast for a few days on the beach. It was so nice to just relax! I think it was a good ‘trial’ break from my friends in Arusha aswell. I am very sad at the thought of leaving, and dreading saying goodbye, in particular to my Maasai friends. I have made good friends with other volunteers but most volunteers have come and gone whereas my Maasai friends have been here since the beginning. It’s funny how we can have such extremely different backgrounds but get on great all the same. Having said all this, several of them now have cell phones so I should be able to keep in touch! It will help me keep up on my Swahili and it will also help them keep up on their English. Right now there is a lot of ‘Swanglish’ text messaging going on - using phrases such as ‘tunakumiss’ (we are missing you). I have been invited back to Longido next Spring, when apparently the maize will be ready for harvesting and all the brothers will be returning home to work. I am not making any promises but I would really like to return, at least to visit and see everyone.Like I said, I had a wonderful time in Zanzibar but I had to try hard to appreciate the island (which really is paradise) as I was missing the kids already, feeling incredibly lucky to be there but at the same time it also felt wrong that I should be able to just up and leave the lives of the school kids to go to ‘paradise beach bungalows’. The ‘goodbye’ party went great. The kids were really happy. There are always things that happen that surprise you though. These kids really have never been to a party like kids parties that we have at home. I (or more like Amy and I) had blown up 50 balloons the day before so that, when the first classroom door was opened, these balloons literally spilled out. It meant that the kids got one each (all be it for a very brief period of time) so they took balloons and had smiles on their faces but then just stood there not knowing what to do. The same thing with their lucky dip presents. They took them (all wrapped up in shiny paper), inspected them (with smiles on their faces) but then just sat there. Even when we told them they could un-wrap them, some of them didn’t. Anyway, in the end, everyone had a great time, and they really loved their presents. Musical statues went down really well. It’s pretty entertaining when it’s done to Bedouin Soundclash.It was really sad saying goodbye to the kids. I felt terrible because some of them got really upset - Amani (who likes to hold my hand for the walk home) and Zulpha. Zulpha just watched while some of her friends hugged me goodbye and then ran off down the street. The whole thing was quite upsetting really. I think it all caused a bit of a scene for the neighbours and the folks hanging out at the shop next door. After the party, I went, for the last time, up to Mama Daudi’s house. I had lunch with the family (I am actually starting to like ugali), and Pastor Thomas came to say goodbye aswell. I gave Faith, Dennis and Onemso goodbye gifts (donated by friends in the states). Once again, I was asked, very seriously, if I would take them home to Scotland with me.I think I am ready to move on to Uganda now, at least a lot more than I was a month ago, or as ready as I’ll ever be. I feel like the school is in a much better, more stable situation than it was. When I think back to what it was like when I first got here, and when they were being taught in the church, there have been so many changes. The kids and teacher are noticeably so, so much happier. I am happy to report that even the stick (which the teacher used to be so slap happy with sometimes) has completely disappeared.Now I just have to hope that the school will continue to have support, and from as many different sources as possible. I have written a report on what has been done so far and what support the school needs (emphasizing the fact that they really need a continuous stream of volunteers), and given this to Art in Tanzania. I hope I have made my case. The school has had a really great start and it would be a horrible shame for such a good project to fall. I am happy that I (with lots of people’s help) have been able to help these children, and have loved spending my time with them. During the 4 months I have watched so many changes in them. With the younger ones it’s particularly noticeable as they’re able to talk more and understand more. Like I said before, they all seem to be a lot happier aswell. Through the teacher, I am going to try and keep in touch (cell phones are as widely used here as they are anywhere else these days). I will remember the kids forever and will always wonder how they are. I will write from Uganda soon.Joanna x(P.s. sorry no pics - spending as much time as possible with my friends before I leave).

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