Angela Malaika

I've gotten poor at journaling in the last weeks. I feel like I'm writing a lot more about my thoughts than the day to day happenings. But, the days are pretty standard. We are still teaching three days a week at musa and the kids seem to really like it. However, unfortunately Katie has gone home and I have a new teaching partner helping Frank and I. I don't like him as much as Katie, but oh well! The big news, this past weekend went to Zanzibar. Zanizibar is this little island off the coast of Tanzania that is a pretty common destination for European vacations. Because the volunteers always use the same hotel, they give us a really good discount. The hotel is gorgeous, and the sand is unlike anything I've ever felt. When it's ... read more

I just had the best day. When went into town this weekend to stay at the hostel, shower, etc. And a group of us girls decided to go on a day safari. We got picked up and driven to Tarangire National Park. When I went to Africa I didn't really think about where the stereotypical animals, such as elepahants, giraffes, and zebras would be. There definitely weren't any in the village or in town, but on the way to the National Park we did see a few giraffes. However, most of the animals live within the National Parks where they are safe. We got kind of a late start, and therefore didn't see any of the big 5 cats. They come out most often in the early morning when the sun isn't too hot yet. However, ... read more

Over the weekend we took a fieldtrip. Thank the lord I got my amoeba medication and got them out of my system, because nothing could have prepared me for the physically challenging weekend I just had. The managers of the program had heard about this active volcano, called Oldoinyo Lengai, that was very popular as a night tour. You start the climb in the dark, the hikers wearing head lamps, and you reach the apex as the sun is rising. Apparently it has a gorgeous view and is a pretty hike to the top with lots of greenery. We were all for it. On our way to this volcano we passed by the Ngorogoro crater. The Masai tribe believe this hole in the earth to be where God took his first step in the creation of ... read more

Today we shoved into a dala dala to drive 30 minutes into the hills of Masai land. Musa school has proven itself a worthy cause. Although the school is physically not in the best shape, the head master is an extremely understanding man, and the students seem to have a thirst for knowledge that wasn't present at the other school. He actually cares about equality and education, and says that if we won't teach all his classes then we can't teach any of them. Challenge accepted! We are teaching in all of the classrooms, and I have been assigned to teach in a higher level class with my best friend Katie (another UCLA student) and again with Frank as our translator. We have a class of about 80 students, ages 11-21. Each classroom is its own ... read more

So I've made a list of things I like about Africa that I hope to bring back to the United States: Vocabulary words: "Hamnashida"-without worry, the actual correct phrase of hakuna matata from the Lion King. "Pole"-sorry about something that happened to you. "Samahani"-sorry I did something. The strong sense of family and community. Recipes. Thankfulness and graciousness. Greeting people on the street. Holding hands more. It's crazy how everything happens for a reason and it is all inter-related. Before I left I found a picture of Jesus laying face-up in a gutter. Mom said to bring him along, so I did! And now I'm surrounded with two of the most religious people I know, Kaitlin and Mama Mary. It all coincides perfectly. **After I returned from Africa, my mom had told me that my sister, ... read more