OK, since you asked, here's a few more ...

Dear Family & Friends,  

Will let you see the story evolve a bit more with pix from this afternoon, then add more during next week's seminar as the conference call groups are formed and gather for practice.

Everyone gathered in the main office, setting up and testing group calling: 2 or more contacts' addresses are organized in a group, then can call all members at once for a conference by clicking on that group.  For instance, the Mentor who is a math teacher will call the 8 schools at one time for a conference call with the math teachers.   Another: John & Salome will call the 4 Mentors (contact info in one group), then call the 8 schools (gathered into another group) and speak with all 36 at one time.  Limit for computers is 25, we understand, but there's no reason several people cannot listen to one computer.

     

Or is there?  We know you noticed the headphones !!!  And the connected microphone ?  We're still working on the options of headphones or microphones -- some good reasons for either.  However, Bradley showed us that by unplugging one of the 2 wires used when connecting headphones to the laptop, the microphone still worked for input but the sound then came from the laptop speaker and could be heard by all nearby.  Thankfully, he wrote the steps, which I'm actually supposed to be typing right now, and testing to see if I/we can follow them tomorrow morning while he volunteers his time with a primary (elementary) school nearby.
      

The new smiles (if the others ever stopped ?!) are due to John and Salome showing Mentors the possibilities beyond just talking to each other during conference calls.  He sent a lesson plan through skype, which they could receive, download & file, and later retrieve to edit and use.  He also sent a photo, with same results.  Salome ended the session by sending a link to a science video on youtube.  When the others received it (at 2 different computer/could have been at 2 or more different schools), they clicked on the link and all could watch and listen to the video while asking questions of Salome or those at the other location(s)/computer(s).   Now that was COOL !!
Sharon caught Mike smiling too -- he was doing that a lot today !!
        

Peace and love,  Mike and Sharon

Why are all these people smiling ?

Dear Family & Friends,

These pictures were all taken this afternoon in the Mwangaza office buildings, on the first floor of the old German missionary home.

1. Now note that Salome is in the Management Team Office along the right wall,
2.Emmanuel & Boniface are in the Management Team Office, but along the left wall, 
3.while Bradley is in the Bursar's office across the hall;

1  

2  

3 


4. John & Fredy are in the computer lab down the hall, 

5. and Fredy remained there 

6. while John check in with Bradley.

4  

5  

6  

John and Salome are Mwangaza's Program Directors, and our Teammates in seminars for the last 3 years.  Emmanuel, Boniface, and Fredy are 3 of the Tanzanian teachers who attendd those seminars, and will be Mentors for the teachers attending next week's seminar.  Michael, the 4th Mentor, is not pictured here b/c he was at the local clinic/dispensary needed medicine for a reoccurrence of malaria.

Have you guessed why everyone is smiling ?

Each is facing one of the refurbished Dells about which we wrote in the last blog.  The smiles came as all were sharing in their first ever Skype conference call.  

Thanks 
to Kurt, Randy, and Chuck sharing their conference calling experiences;
to Salome's  I T knowledge and skills;
to Bradley's troubleshooting and problem solving abilities;
to John's innovative thinking and encouragement; and ....

Imagine, or even sketch, a short line -- say 2 inches long -- with a small dot at each end and another where the center of the line is located (guessing is permitted when one is imagining).  Now connect the end dots by drawing a circle that passes through them  -- doesn't have to be a perfect circle when imagining.  So the distance between the end points is 2 inches, the shortest possible distance between the beginning and end of that line.  If God's work were to be done by the fewest people and fastest method, perhaps it would look like this, and only take 2.   But perhaps God intended that His work would involve more people, and more time, resulting in the half-circle it takes to reach from the beginning to the end, and another half to connect the end back to the beginning.  That's more people and more time to reach the same end -- or perhaps the end is only the beginning, as more people and more time takes us back to where we started.   In other words, Thanks to many of you who have sent prayers and donations, for the first sounds from the laptops brought many smiles -- Pastor Seth would say "They were showing all their teeth !"

If you can imagine Mwangaza as the center of an expanding circle, then you will certainly be able to see the circle, and even the line, grow as 32 teachers from 8 schools gather here for next week's seminar.  When the seminar ends, radii (lines from the center to the outside of the circle) will soon be reaching many kilometers in different directions, into different dioceses and regions of Tanzania, representing the routes the teachers, and one laptop for each school, will take back to their schools.  

John & Salome, the 4 Mentors, and the 8 Teacher-Teams will then use Skype conference calls each month, sending signals along those same routes to stay connected, and growing professionally, for the next 12 months.  

And, if they will sometimes wait until afternoon to make their calls, perhaps we will get up a bit early (8 hours difference, so 2 PM for them is 6 AM for us) and join in the conversations.

Peace and blessings,  Mike and Sharon

Sunshine on our shoulders makes us happy ...

Dear Family & Friends,

The sun, which seemed to have deserted us almost 2 weeks ago, with little evidence since then that it might ever be seen again in June, returned yesterday afternoon.   Bringing with it the light and warmth we all have greatly missed.  
 

Being a few degrees into the southern hemisphere, it's winter here.   It's not really winter; not as we know it in the Midwest -- we won't be seeing any snow, nor feeling any below freezing temperatures.

Perhaps the past few years have spoiled us a bit, with some light rain and winds at night, maybe even mist and clouds in the morning.  But we're remembering that most mornings, even as we walked from the guest house to campus, the clouds were beginning to separate and the wind slowed.  By chai (tea) break at 10:30, the sun was peeking and frequently in full view by chakula (lunch) at 2:00.

Sitting in the plastic chairs and soaking in the sun while enjoying beans & rice & chipatis, bodies were warmed and minds were energized to return to the seminars until dinner at 6.

                 

But not in the last 10 days -- it was futile to look for the sun at any time of the day.  

It's one thing to be cool in the evening, when seated inside, where protected from any breeze and falling temps as darkness occurs with little warning.   One can zip the fleece collar around the neck.  It's other to find it has changed even more when disrobing for bed, after the dampness has found its way into the rooms, then combined with the dropping temperature to bring things to chilly.  The actual temperature, even then, is probably 50's -- but it definitely doesn't feel that warm !!

The overnight wind gusts tumble from the heights of Mt. Meru and swoosh past our windows, followed by the loud drops of dew and rain hitting the metal roof, freed from being temporarily trapped in wide leaves far above.  But none of that matters much if the sun is visible and feel-able the next morning .... if the sun shows up some time in the day !

Mount Meru ?   When the clouds clear and the sun shines, we are reassured that there really is a Mount Meru !  With the help of the sun, our mountain returned today from behind the curtain of clouds and mist, which had made us wonder if it were still anchoring the landscape to the north.  This view is when stepped just outside the guest house gate, looking across buildings of Ilboru High School.


Then walked back to Mwangaza's campus to check emails before settling into the guest house for dinner & the evening (no seminar this week, so dinner is not prepared on campus), to feel the sun once more before it set -- what a change when blessed with light & warmth.  




Which brings us back to focus -- Mwangaza means light in Swahili.  (Truly,  didn't have this in mind when started this note -- but then, we didn't have Mwangaza in mind when first planned to come to Tanzania 12 years, and 16 combined trips, ago.)

(Mike's story) From time to time, I've enjoyed asking Tanzanian teachers to explain the meaning of Mwangaza, and each has begun by responding "light".  Not one, however, has ever stopped there.  When I was told "It's difficult to explain ...",  I pointed to the florescent bulbs -- "No";  a torch (flashlight) -- "No";  even the sun --"No".  

If I'm quiet for awhile (yes, I know that's unusual), each has always shared a version of "Mwangaza is light that goes out, and then returns."  Now, if this was someone whom I'd known for several years, or perhaps a physics teacher who had been challenging me on every point of the lesson I was leading, I pointed the torch at a window or mirror and said "Oh, Mwangaza means reflection." -- "NO !  It's many things -- experiences ... learning ... wisdom ... " and depending on the level of English (b/c we certainly could not depend on my Swahili) we reach "enlightenment", and everyone is relieved.  Since beginning in 1996, there have been many lights coming to and going out from Mwangaza.  We always returned home with more light than we had when left.

Mwangaza/Enlightenment begins again in earnest tomorrow morning.  Yes, we've already been planning and preparing, but tomorrow 4 Tanzanian teachers, who have shown strong teaching skills, will join the Program Directors and the USA volunteers.  These 4 teachers were selected to partner with us in Facilitating next week's seminar, while learning about being Mentors in the months following.  From Thursday morning until Sunday evening (when the teachers attending next week's seminar arrive), we will listen & learn, share & grow,  adapting effective methods and strategies of developing interactive classes to meet the unique challenges of teaching and learning in Tanzanian secondary schools.

Monday - Friday we will be leading some sessions, but this year are more in a support/coaching role.  For when the 32 teachers from 8 schools leave Mwangaza Friday night to return to their schools, our 4 TZ teacher/Mentors must be ready to motivate and support them in practicing what they learned for the next 12 months.  These 4 mentors will join Mwangaza's Program Directors in regular Skype conference calls to the Teacher-Teams in the 8 schools, using the laptops with modems (in flashdrives) which many of you helped to purchase.

Today, as Skype was being installed and laptops tested for conference call readiness, we two hugged and smiled -- many heads, hearts, and hands have moved refurbished laptops from Canada  -- to folks in the midwest on their way to Africa sometime in March thru June ---  to Mwangaza in Tanzania ---  and now into the hands of Salome and John, with much guidance from Bradley of St. Olaf --- who are readying them for next week's seminar --- then on to their next journey and mission with Mentors and the 8 school Teacher-Teams they will support and encourage in the months to follow. 
 

 

With 1 going with each Mentor, and 1 with the Teacher-team in each of the 8 high schools, the 12 laptops will soon provide connections for this 1-week seminar to be extended for 1 year, and perhaps more.  

And more, for sure, on that a little later.

Peace and love,  Mike and Sharon

Watching "sending" video with Family Mlay

Dear Family and Friends,

Sunday afternoon we walked to Family Mlay's house to watch the video which had been taken at Riziki's (their 2nd born) "sending" last October.   A sending is the formal recognition & celebration of their engagement.  But the sending only occurs after each family has sent go-betweens to the other family, making sure that approvals will be given before parents will proclaim anything in public.

Very nice of Rick Orem to share a few photos he took, including this one as we were just settling into the short hallway that serves as Family Mlay's living/dining room.
Baba Festo, also a math teacher, is next to Mike. 

 

Continuing in the other direction to the very small kitchen, showing the bride's daughter Faith with her aunt Devotha (Mlay's 3rd born), then Jackie, their niece whom they adopted (along with her brother Deo) when parents died, and another relative, Tuma.  

In a bit of a relay, sister's Prisca (last born -- in black jacket) and Bahati (1st born) replaced Jackie and Devotha.  

You cannot see Marieth, but here is Shaddai (David & Kellen's daughter) with her parent's cousin, and Jackie again, all of whom are around the corner in the small corridor leading to the one door out of their house.


Finally to the video, where Festo & Marieth are reading a prayer for Riziki and her finance at the "sending".

Marieth, never at a loss for words, told us "Men are too terrified to read in front of people.  It's always the women who read."  



Riziki, Mlay's 2nd born, and her fiance.  Remember Faith (above) ?  She is the couple's daughter.  The fiance is not the focus of this event, so he is not formally dressed.  However, toward the end of the sending celebration, the bride-to-be goes walking through the crowd of guests, spending some time trying to find her fiance.

This, we were told, is the "British cake", formed in the shape of traditional Chagga tribe's houses.  Bites were served to the guests on toothpicks.



This, however, is the "African cake" -- a whole roasted goat, head and all !!  Pieces of it were also served on toothpicks to the guests, then the rest was cut up and served as one meat option for the delicious meal.


We were served ground nuts (peanuts) and bites of roasted goat while watching the videos.

In case this made you hungry and you live near DeKalb, Inboden's does roasters to rent, and we can connect you with a local farmer who raises goats !!

Peace and love,  Mike and Sharon

That was then 2, ...

Dear Friends and Family,

Before the teachers arrive on the Sunday afternoon before the seminar begins on Monday, there is much of this:
Many beds in the hostel, in the rooms upstairs above the offices, and in the guest house, need to be made with clean sheets.  
             

Preparing beds for approximately 30 teachers and 4 volunteers --- you do the math  -- it's a lot of sheets and a lot of work.
                            

But after the seminars, when the teachers and volunteers leave, those  ________  (how's your multiplication coming ?) --- MANY dirty sheets need to be washed.
Which always resulted in a couple of days of this back breaking, hand and arm irritating, work.  

  


That was then, ... this is now !

On the left, you see a toilet, one of 4 which were at the back entry of Mwangaza's  office building.  Now there are only 3 available, as the picture on the right shows the 4th being occupied by one of the newest members of Mwangaza's workers, a very welcome and appreciated electric washing machine !   

             


But some "That was then, ..."  circumstances, 

are still "that was then ... "

Peace and love, Mike and Sharon

Mwangaza kitchen: ... This is now !

and This is Now !

We were surprised and delighted when went into the kitchen area to greet our friends on our first Monday morning and saw Rachel cooking inside !!  Mwangaza has eliminated cooking with charcoal, which will help the health of both the Cooks on the Team and the environment of Tanzania.  

        
 
By burning a few pieces of wood (see the doors in the brick front), which heat the bricks on which the pots sit (below left) and retain the heat more evenly, these ovens are generating more heat, and much more controlled and directed heat, with much less, and less expensive, fuel.  Little smoke is produced, because of the wood burning so hot, and it is directed outside through an exhaust system.

                   

Certainly makes a different look to the back entry to the kitchen -- and provides a nice space for washing dishes under the eaves.  
And a place for other members of the Mwangaza Team to help cut the meat for the next meal.

              

And most important, Mwangaza Family members, and the local environment, are all healthier.  

Mike, of course, is also very happy that the food tastes as great as ever !!!

Peace and love,  Mike and Sharon

Mwangaza kitchen: That was then, ...

Dear Friends and Family,

Much more than administrators and workers, Mwangaza's Team has made significant changes in the way they address health and wellness issues for their Family and for the environment.

In past years, we've shared pictures of the delicious meals prepared for participants, volunteers, and staff during seminar weeks.  We'll remind you now of the challenging circumstances under which Rachel and All prepared the meals for these groups of 30 - 50 teachers and volunteers.



Notice the number of pots which were rotated onto the charcoal grills -- even one being heated with charcoal above and below.



Each required stirring, of course, while standing near and leaning over the charcoal and into the smoke and fumes.





with a long-handled spoon in some cases and short-handled in others.
    

Well, that was then, ...