i am home. since it was a different experience while i was in africa, i figured my return transition would be different as well. it is.
it almost feels as though my time in tanzania now exists in two time-bubbles, untouchable and unchangeable. it's not that i missed out on life at "home", but that i furthered my relationships and family there... coming home felt, the same as it was when i left. there are far less tears this year, but the feelings are the same.
for those who are interested in learning what it is i actually did over there... below is a high-level list of what was accomplished in the name of Cheti Sponsorship Program.
- Opened Primary school at the new land “C5”. This is what we were fundraising for since October. We helped purchased 2 acres of land, build 2 classrooms, a nursery, a kitchen, a well and a bathroom facility.
- We bought Cheti School’s first bus ever! This drives the kids from the original school to the new classrooms. We will need to buy another bus at some point soon, as the cost of fuel, etc is not included in the student’s tuition so the two runs they need to do to pick up all the kids is costly.
- HIV tested 23 kids, most of which are still in need of a sponsor. ALL 23 were negative.
- Signed agreement with a new school – Jue Primary School. Ranked #3 in the district and 16 in the nation for highest scores. We will now be working to get 10 of their current orphans sponsored through their Primary education.
- Discussed the potential of expanding program to Secondary scholarship in the future with both Cheti and Jue school
- Created a plan with Cheti School to streamline communication as well as 2011 agreement with specific projects and goals donation money will be used for specifically.
obviously way more got done, (and way more got in the way as it's africa), but that's the summary.
so thank you or asante sana, to each of you who helped support me. whether you donated to the organization, wrote me a kind message or shared what we're doing with a friend... you all helped me believe in myself and what we're trying to accomplish.
certainly isn't easy work, but it is fulfilling. if only "fulfillment" paid in US dollars... :)
