Overwhelmed in Africa

I spent my first week in Arusha with Simeon and Janelle and their little guy Malachi who is 8 months old. They are a wonderful couple who made me feel so at home the minute I walked in (at 11pm). The ECHO conference was a great way to meet so many people in the same field, but I feel I did not truly benefit because I was too tired and overwhelmed by the newness of everything. Oh well, that’s the way she goes :)

For the first three days here in Dodoma I have been spending the day out at Chididomo (which is about a 45 minute drive and someday I will post pictures of the ‘road’). Grant (South Africa) and Graham (Arusha) are here to teach the local people about Farming Gods Way. I am very grateful that Grant and Graham were here to give this training season to the people as I have learned a lot too.

Sitting at the back of the class Graham and Grant asked the group if any of them have stood in line for food aid at some point in their lives. Tears filled my eyes when I saw that every hand in the room of 40 some people went up, except for those of us who were white. I am still not sure exactly how I feel about that fact, but it hurts. It is like all those TV ads but this made it so real for me. 

I know have some idea of where to start. We are setting up demonstration gardens at the Chididomo school so I have a place to gather people and teach them. I am looking forward to learning from the people more details of how they farm and how we can build on that so they are more fruitful. We will have 9 demo gardens to start with and may increase it to 12. 

On Wednesday we planted our Well Watered Garden with the group that has been learning about Farming Gods Way this week from Grant and Graham. It was my first test to see how well I can handle the heat and I think I passed (although I think I have a little bit of heat exhaustion and slightly burnt). I have no idea how hot it was, most likely mid 30’s, and by the end of the day I was wiped. 8pm and I am ready for bed!

There is so much more I could write and I know I could give many more details, but this will have to do for this week.And hopefully there will a few pictures soon :)

Holidays and ramblings

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I sure did :) spending it with my family and  friends. I will post some pictures when I get home in the new year. I received some very practical gifts this year, all things I can take and use in Tanzania. No frivolous gifts like an iPad or e-reader :( lol. It is probably a good thing I did  not get frivolous gifts that I would want to take with me, as I am going to have enough trouble packing everything I 'need' as it is.

I was hoping to take three bags and pay for the third one, but realized that it would cost over $300. That is just silly! I can save that money and buy things in Tanzania and if I really need, my parents can bring me things when they come. Then I discovered that because I am flying Delta for part of my trip I can only take one carry-on bag :( I know most people ignore the rule and more often than not I would too if I was not going so far and for so long. I know with my luck that the day I'm flying will be the day they decided to enforce the one bag rule and I would be screwed!

I  realized something funny and kind of warped a few days ago. The thing I am most worried about is how I am going to take everything I want with me to Tanzania in 2 bags and one carry-on. But really, I should be worried about the fact that I have no idea what and where I am going once I land in Tanzania! lol. I tell myself it is because I have control over the packing but not the planning, so no point in worrying about things that are not in your control. And I know that once I am in Akron at training I will receive more information.

Shopping and Packing

I am trying very hard not to go overboard with what I take with me to Tanzania but it is hard to know where to start and stop. My list keeps getting longer and longer especially for the personal hygiene type stuff. This is silly because in my limited travels, I discovered you can find almost everything you really need anywhere in the world, including developing countries. But despite knowing this I still want to take 4 of everything! lol At this rate I'm going to need at least 4 bags and I can only take 2 (or I assume I can only take 2). It does help that I am going somewhere warm, so I do not need to pack winter clothes. If you saw how many winter jackets and pairs of boots, toques and scarves I have in my closet you would understand it would be a major challenge. But I only need to pack the warm weather clothes, whew...
So for now I am going to try not to think about packing until after the holidays. By then my ticket will be booked and I can find out whether I can take 2 or 3 bags. Mom might have to send me a box of things shortly after I leave of the little things I couldn't fit :) but don't want to live without.