Many Names

I've been living in Oozoongooni, Arusha long enough that people are starting to remember this particular mazoongoo.

To some I'm known as the girl who walks to work alone every morning, like clockwork. To some i'm the girl who sings on her way into town. At uncle's shop I'm the girl who uses an insane amount of toilet paper. To mama I'm baby, and when i speak swahili or wear a kanga, african woman. To some I'm the mazoongoo who always has a lump under her shirt, attempting to camaflous my phone, money and camera. To some i'm the girl who walks with Juma to the clocktower every evening at 5:40, and then goes off to oozoongooni. To some I'm the sole mazoongoo carving in the maasai market. So some i'm the hard bargainer who demands to be treated at local price. To some I'm the mean girl who tells you to bug off if you're trying to sell me some crap in the street.

Last week, as i walked to the orphanage with Juma and Isaac, many began to see me in a new, very odd, light. I knew the orphanage wouldn't have enough tools for all of us to work, so i borrowed a shovel from mama... if you can call it that. im not sure the name of it, but you use it to loosen dirt for planting, and its a very long stick with a flat square metal piece attached at a 90 degree angle at the end. As i went tomeet Juma and Isaac i walked with it swung over my shoulder like i see the african workers carrying it. People were staring even more than usual - after my shkamo, harabi yako, and their nzuri, they'd ask me in swahili why i, a little mazoongoo girl, had this huge shovel - but i didn't know how to explina it in swahili. When i finally met up with Juma he taught me, upon request, to say "nina jilinda." When i started telling locals that i was carrying it for " my protection," i may have made my identity known in arusha forever, if you can judge by the volume of laughter i produced.

Yesterday i began painting the orphanage. We've but the base coat on two rooms, and I've begun painting safari animals in one of the rooms. It may sound a little too stereotypical to paint a room safari in an african orphanage, but these animals do no solely live in the serengeti - they wander the streets in some neighborhoods, plague herds of cattle, are spotted in orchards and fields. I'm almost finished with the first room, and i must admit, it looks totally amazing! Moses, a painter from the Maasai market, it going to come help me paint the second room today. I want it to have some cultural african feel to it, and moses is the man to do it! I recently made him a card that said "moshe shel tanzania," which he keeps in his wallet.

Monday night i went to Peter's, founder of Gohechi, house for dinner. His wife and daughter and the teacher that lives with him are an absolute delight, and they cooked a traditional african meal especially for me. I couldn't believe they were even hosting - Peter wife, Neema, was due to give birth the next day! After i was stuffed, we chatted about different topics, from political to spiritual. Peter told me that he and his wife think that Gd has sent me to their orphanage, and it is even more of a miracle that i am jewish, because the bible teaches that those that bless the Jews are blessed in return. As we were about to leave, i thought it would be a nice gesture to bless their only daughter. when i suggested the blessing, peter quickley beconed Revival over, and she obediently stood un front of me. I placed my hands on her head and gave her the traditional blessing of a parent, in hebrew, like dad does, and then in english, like mom, with some added works of my personal hopes for her. I then thought to bless the unborn baby Neema was carrying. They really appreciated the blessings, and i hope that everything goes well for the family; in the immediate future with the birthing of a new baby, and in their future welfare and happiness.

Peter and i have decided that an important project is creating a chicken coup to help feed the kids eggs, and create a bit of capital. we already have a space for them to live, we just need to by food, bowls and the chickens. This is a very important project, so let me know if you can contribute in any way, and I can tell you exactly what your contribution has purchased.

I'm leaving on the 12th so dont delay! you are also free to waste some money and call me 1 255 (or 225) i think 768260532.

yours,

ariel

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