Click here to view our Picture GalleryArusha, Tanzania- Jan. 25th
Jambo!
For the past two days we have been working with the students at the community center! It has been an amazing experience!
Everyone enjoyed carefully looking through the Cultural Exchange package from the Charter School and watching the documentary about Cape Cod/the Charter School!
The candy hamburger the Charter School put in the cultural exchange box was split into many pieces to be tried by several.
Yesterday we were quizzed about America and our culture for two hours... it was unlike anything I had ever done before... question after question...detailed... we realized quickly what a huge responsibility it is to be an "ambassador" between one country to another. We suddenly had to be experts on every aspect of America...from history to economy to health to culture. I think we accurately answered every question...except for one: "What is the meaning of life?"... I opted out of this one..saying that I didn't know yet... Felix said, "Life, as I see it, is work...hard work... in order to be successful."
Today and tomorrow we meet with the English class/youth group for several hours... we will be working with them to assemble their cultural exchange package (we put together the wooden box last night... using the bible as a hammer...which I found just plain comical..the box looks good, but the bible cover has seen better days), film a documentary about the community center and Majengo area, and write their declaration for the United Nations. Everyone seems excited about participating in these three things!!
Tonight we switch from staying at the Inn in Arusha to a house that Felix shares with some other families...it is closer the community center. On Thursday we may go on safari to the Ngorongo Crater (the 8th wonder of the world... I didn't know there were 8...but apparently there are)! And, on Friday we take a bus from Arusha to Dar (with John...manager of the community center).
Here are some of the questions we were asked about the USA...
-What is the minimum amount of money an employer can pay a worker in America?
-I have heard America is a land of many nations, which nations combined to make America?
-A friend told me that segregation between black and white exists in America, is this true? How so?
-How is Tanzania viewed in America?
-Why do students at the Charter School dislike President Bush?
-What is your favorite food?
-Is it free to attend the Charter School? If so, how does the school finance itself?
-Here in Tanzania...when a woman becomes around 18 years old, her parents arrange for her marriage, is this the case in America?
-Do women have empowerment in the job force in America?
-Why is America so developed while other countries are not?
-How do you prevent AIDS in the USA?
-What about cow boys? What are they like?
-In Tanzania Malaria is the number one deadly disease, in America what is the number one deadly disease?
-How long to children stay with their parents? How old are they when they move out?
-Can you cook?
-What do you study in school?
-How do you see Tanzania?
-What is the salary range in America? What is the highest paying job?
-I have heard that most of your actresses and actors are black, is this true?
-What encouraging advice can you give to keep learning and practicing english?
We have been having such a good time working at the Community Center!! Yesterday we taught the primary school children the "head, shoulders, knees, and toes" song...which we realized half way through teaching it that we didn't fully remember...so we had to improvise and make it up as we went a long...adding some clapping and jumping...but no one knew the difference!
Paper cranes are also a big hit here... as well as origami dragons!
Time to eat breakfast and try to arrange to see the Crater!!
Sincerely,
Jess
For the past two days we have been working with the students at the community center! It has been an amazing experience!
Everyone enjoyed carefully looking through the Cultural Exchange package from the Charter School and watching the documentary about Cape Cod/the Charter School!
The candy hamburger the Charter School put in the cultural exchange box was split into many pieces to be tried by several.
Yesterday we were quizzed about America and our culture for two hours... it was unlike anything I had ever done before... question after question...detailed... we realized quickly what a huge responsibility it is to be an "ambassador" between one country to another. We suddenly had to be experts on every aspect of America...from history to economy to health to culture. I think we accurately answered every question...except for one: "What is the meaning of life?"... I opted out of this one..saying that I didn't know yet... Felix said, "Life, as I see it, is work...hard work... in order to be successful."
Today and tomorrow we meet with the English class/youth group for several hours... we will be working with them to assemble their cultural exchange package (we put together the wooden box last night... using the bible as a hammer...which I found just plain comical..the box looks good, but the bible cover has seen better days), film a documentary about the community center and Majengo area, and write their declaration for the United Nations. Everyone seems excited about participating in these three things!!
Tonight we switch from staying at the Inn in Arusha to a house that Felix shares with some other families...it is closer the community center. On Thursday we may go on safari to the Ngorongo Crater (the 8th wonder of the world... I didn't know there were 8...but apparently there are)! And, on Friday we take a bus from Arusha to Dar (with John...manager of the community center).
Here are some of the questions we were asked about the USA...
-What is the minimum amount of money an employer can pay a worker in America?
-I have heard America is a land of many nations, which nations combined to make America?
-A friend told me that segregation between black and white exists in America, is this true? How so?
-How is Tanzania viewed in America?
-Why do students at the Charter School dislike President Bush?
-What is your favorite food?
-Is it free to attend the Charter School? If so, how does the school finance itself?
-Here in Tanzania...when a woman becomes around 18 years old, her parents arrange for her marriage, is this the case in America?
-Do women have empowerment in the job force in America?
-Why is America so developed while other countries are not?
-How do you prevent AIDS in the USA?
-What about cow boys? What are they like?
-In Tanzania Malaria is the number one deadly disease, in America what is the number one deadly disease?
-How long to children stay with their parents? How old are they when they move out?
-Can you cook?
-What do you study in school?
-How do you see Tanzania?
-What is the salary range in America? What is the highest paying job?
-I have heard that most of your actresses and actors are black, is this true?
-What encouraging advice can you give to keep learning and practicing english?
We have been having such a good time working at the Community Center!! Yesterday we taught the primary school children the "head, shoulders, knees, and toes" song...which we realized half way through teaching it that we didn't fully remember...so we had to improvise and make it up as we went a long...adding some clapping and jumping...but no one knew the difference!
Paper cranes are also a big hit here... as well as origami dragons!
Time to eat breakfast and try to arrange to see the Crater!!
Sincerely,
Jess
