Imagination

Tuesday when we were in a Maasai Village a couple of children showed us how to play a new game. This would probably be one of my favorites if I were about 15 years younger and/or had a bigger imagination.

The Maasai are known for their cattle and traditionally a family’s wealth is measured by the size of their herd. Not to my surprise, the object of this game was focused on cows as well. Two circles were cleared in the dirt. One was a water hole and the other a ‘fenced’ in home for the cattle. Rocks of various sizes represented the cattle themselves.

The two boys that were playing the game would push the cattle back and forth between the water hole and their home. That was really the objective of the game- to take care of the cattle. Musa, our Swahili teacher this week is also Maasai and said he played this game when he was young. He said that the cattle would sometimes fight and the bigger one would always win. This was demonstrated by hitting two rocks together.

I really appreciate the imagination of this game. It reminded me of my childhood and the games I used to play. It also made me think about kids at home today. Most have nice toys and play much more advanced video games. The contrast is great and it is interesting to think about who is better off.

After playing the game I had given them bubbles to blow. At first they were unsure of them but later they giggled as the bubbles floated into the afternoon sky.

Enjoy the day- michael

Fire. Drought. Bloom.

If you look closely at the above picture, you will see a large fire in the mountains. It started a couple of days ago and we have anxiously watched it move its way across the mountain. They are unsure how the fire started; however, I don't think there is much doubt that it was started on purpose. The semi-deforested mountains are so dry, I can image that things are burning very quickly.

Burning is quite common in the Morogoro area. When we travel to villages we pass many acres of burned land. From what I understand, much of the land is burned to keep the Maasai from letting their cattle graze on it. I am not sure what is worse- the affects of frequent burning or overgrazing.

Since I have been here I can remember it raining 3 times. The first two for a couple of minutes and the third for about five. Although it is technically the 'dry' season, it has been unusually so. As a result of the drought the everyday struggles of the dry season have been exaggerated. Yesterday when Pastor Hafermann was on a village visit he told us that people were now only eating one meal a day.

On a lighter note, despite the lack of rain, everything is beginning to look unusually green. One of the Baobab trees on the grounds has started to produce flowers and leaves. Below are pictures.

Enjoy the day- michael

Vitu Vingi

This post has no real meaning or focus. I just thought I would share some pictures that I have not yet posted.



Deriki and Daudie are twins are the Orphanage. They are quickly becoming my some of my favorite.



I have said before how beautiful the walk to the Orphange is. This is the sun setting over the train tracks.




Last week we attended a ceremony for one of Pastor Hafermann's friends that had passed away. After 40 days of grieving, a cross was placed on his grave to celebrate his life. This picture is of family and friends gathered around his grave.



This is an owl that was sitting in a Baobab tree at the school. Since seeing this one, I have seen two others.



Offering at a church service we attended.


One of many choirs we have seen since we have been here.



A small girl decided to hold Morgan's hand.


I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the photos I have taken. After being here for 5 weeks, I have acquired many.
I hope all is well. Enjoy the day- michael

Ng'ombe Soko

We have been plenty busy this past week since my last post. It has been full with visits to Morogoro, church services in villages, a ceremony to celebrate the life of one of Pastor Hafermann’s friends, Swahili class, visits to the orphanage, and a trip to the Maasai Cattle Market. As the name of the post implies, I will mainly focus on the Cattle Market.

This was our second time attending. The first time we had only been in Tanzania for a couple of days, so it was a very different experience. Having known no Swahili the first time, it was fun to see how much more I understood when I listened to people talk. It was also fun to greet people properly upon meeting.

When we arrived we walked a short distance to where the cattle were auctioned off. Maasai men were gathered around in conversation and watching the small herds that they were hoping to sell. For some, the trip to the market is a long one. If I remember correctly, one man had traveled 60 miles. At home, that doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you are walking by foot with your cattle, it is not a short day trip.



We walked through the cattle and stopped where the cattle would be auctioned. Pastor Hafermann bought us each a coconut. We drank the milk and then ate the fruit inside. As we ate, some of the cattle would get restless and run around. Young Maasai men would chase after them hitting them with sticks to try to keep them in line.

After finishing we walked back to the market. We passed booths with beautiful fabrics and beadwork. People continued to greet us as we walked and we eventually stopped at the place we had Chips Mayai on our first visit. We sat on wooden benches under a thatched roof and drank a soda. A couple Pastors and Evangelists that were with us cut the piece of beef that we had purchased and we sat around eating it. After finishing, Chips Mayai was served- my favorite Tanzanian dish. Chips Mayai, is fried potato wedges with egg cooked over them. It sounds weird but is very good.



After eating we walked back to the car and made the drive back to the school. That evening we went to a friend’s house in Morogoro and played cards.

The rest of my week will be like most others. Next Monday we are meeting with a nutritionalist from Faraja, an HIV/AIDS organization. We are excited to talk to her and begin working with them. Take care and thanks for reading- michael

Mgolole Orphanage

A couple of weeks ago Morgan and I began to volunteer at the Orphanage located 2 miles away from the school. Along the way we walk past farms and through neighborhoods. As we walk we see people fetching water at nearby creeks and greet young adults at the secondary school- they are usually eager to practice their English. We see small children outside their modest brick homes playing. Between smiles they usually greet us with ‘Good Morning,’ even though it is late afternoon. (They have school in the mornings and know that English greeting.) One boy always shouts ‘Take my picha!’ He assumes that we have a camera with us, we never have. Someday we will have to bring one.

When we arrive at the orphanage we are immediately greeted by children saying ‘bebe,’ hold me. I usually try to resist picking one up right away to avoid jealously from the other kids, but eventually I give in. After a few minutes I wish I had 20 pairs of arms so I could carry multiple at one time. Sometimes I carry two, but I think I will need to spend more time in the gym to do too much more ☺

While at the orphanage we usually play on the playground with the kids. They enjoy being pushed on the swings or twirled on the Mary-go-round. It doesn’t take long for me to get tired; I am always in awe of the energy the have.

When we were there yesterday I was sitting with a group of kids and a boy had motioned me to hold the baby he was carrying. I agreed and took the child. He ran away and came back with its twin. I was shocked at the selflessness of the boy. I don’t think many kids his age would have wanted attention anywhere but on himself. He wanted me to carry one, so both could be held.

When I am playing with the kids I forget that most have faced more hardship then I will ever be able to image. They have been forced to grow up at young ages and look out for their younger siblings and peers. I forget that many are left without both parents. I can’t imagine and I probably never will be able to.

In the mean time- I look forward to future visits- michael