When we arrive at the worksite in the morning, getting water is often the first priority. Today, we were instructed to go down to the stream, like many of the villagers do, to get the water. We carried buckets about a quarter mile down uneven ground and started filling them. Once we were almost done, we started preparing to bring them up. The school kids were on a break at the time, running around during their recess time. A few boys came down by the stream and decided to take the buckets back up with them. These boys were around age 9, some carrying two at a time. It was very surprising that they wanted to help us without even being asked.
There is such a great sense of community here. Even just walking down the road, you say hello (“Shikamoo” to older people, “Mambo” to younger kids, etc.) to nearly everyone you pass. Especially on the worksite, while making the cement, exhausted and pink from the heat, a kid will walk by or poke their head in and say hi, wave, or even just intently look at us. They get excited when you happily respond, smiles lighting up their faces.
We also taught at the school for a little bit, helping the kids with their English. We split into three groups, focusing on helping them learn more about tenses, synonyms, and adjectives. Making sure they understood the concepts from mainly interactive activities was the goal.
We wrapped up the day with a delicious, home cooked Tanzanian dinner and a discussion of our time so far. For the next couple days, we continue our service work and teaching at the school, as well as playing a soccer game with some of the older kids. Amazing experiences are being had, and will continue throughout the duration of our trip. Also, for everyone at home who is eager to get a taste, you can get excited for some awesome photos.
