Hamjambo everyone, Wow I have so much to tell you. First off I'm doing great: 'poa kichizi kama ndizi ' (crazy cool like a banana), as they say here. Thanks to all who wished me luck, I'm sorry I can't respond to everyone. It looks like I will only be able to check email once a week for an hour so I apologize for not being able to respond to everyone. Now, to the good stuff. We arrived in Dar es Salaam Thursday, September 22nd...only two week ago, I can't believe it. We got here at 10PM, local time, and were greeted by the Peace Corps Tanzania Country Director and soon taken to a local hostile for the night. We were briefed on many topics in the morning: logistics, safety, health, etc. and then departed on a bus for Morogoro. Along the way, we saw the outskirts of Dar es Salaam, where there is a lot of poverty, and then it vanished to a beautiful savanna landscape. It was weird to see the two juxtaposed so suddenly. We saw a few monkeys hanging out on the side of the road but not much more wildlife. The group, 37 of us in all, arrived in Morogoro to find we were staying at an impressive looking hotel that hasn't even been open to the public yet. We were greeted with an African song and dance that we immediately took part in. Behind the hotel is an unbelievable view of the mountains surrounding Morogoro; you can see a few pictures in the 'photos' section (A quick note about pictures-Since we're going to be temporary citizens in Morogoro pictures are not encouraged until we can interact and be more independent. First impressions go a long way here in Tanzania and we really stick out, so being the everyday tourists is not the impressions we wish to make. Therefore, I won't have many pictures until next month). The next two and a half days we discussed more logistics, safety, health, etc. information and started lessons in Kiswahili. On Monday, September 26th, we broke up into small groups of 4 or 5 to start interning at local schools and to stay with local families. I am now staying with the Timbuka family in the village of Kihonda. There house is very nice, I have to take bucket showers and pour water down the toilet, but they have satellite TV and running water in the rest of the house. The school system here is very different. Children go to primary school until they are about 13. Then they take a national exam and those who do well go on to public secondary schools. Those who don't do well either start work, usually as a houseboy or girl, or their parents pay to send them to a private secondary school in hopes that they will pass the next level of national exams. If they fail a national exam in primary school Standard 7 (like 6th grade) or secondary school Form 4 (like 10th grade) they can no longer attend school (there are some alternative schools, but the cost are high). It is in the private secondary schools that the Peace Corps teaches. All courses are taught in English, but not all students are fluent in English. Parents of public school children can expect to pay up to 40% of the tuition and private school cost are much higher. This is why schooling can be so hard for families in Tanzania. I am having a great time so far and look forward to hearing from you. My homestay family has been very generous and my fellow trainees are energetic and fun. My best to everyone. Kwa heri, Justin |