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.
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
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