Day 224 - Visit to Women's Training Center and Injiro Schools
Friday, February 15, 2019.
Today we walked to the Arusha Coffee Lodge, next to where we are staying. Arnaud, a Rotarian, came to pick us up to take us to visit some of his club's projects. First we visited the St. Magdalene Women's Training Center, which is a trade school for girls who didn't have a chance to go to school. They learn to sew, to cook, to make soap and to make batik. When we first arrived, they were waiting for us and they welcomed us with a song. They also introduced themselves in English. The girls were between the ages of 15 and 20. Some of them were Maasai and we were told that they live away from their families so they can go to school. The nun also told us that some of them drop out and have to get married (arranged by their parents).
After that, Arnold drove us to a public secondary school. The Rotary club helps them with funding and computers. This school had around 600 students and it looked in bad shape. [But it wasn't.] The classrooms could really use a coat of paint and they could also use newer chairs in the computer room. The good thing is that the new president in Tanzania has made education free and obligatory for all children, including Maasai. The bad thing is that there are many children in each classroom and few resources.
After that, we stopped to see a primary school where the Rotary had built and started to stock a library. The library was only a room with shelves and some books. Gregory noticed a large crack in the wall and Arnaud was upset to see that they already have to do some repairs. We looked around and took some pictures. The classroom floors were dirt, the wooden benches looked very worn out, and it was just sad to see the poor conditions in which children go to school here.
Gregory wanted to continue the tour and told Arnaud that he would love to visit his office, but I could tell Arnaud was very stressed already because he was late for a 3:00pm meeting. He dropped us at Uzunguni Park, a well-known restaurant known for its traditional food.
I didn't think the food was amazing but it was good to eat chicken! Gregory was the only adventurous one: he ordered goat and ugali. According to him (I didn't even want to look), they served every part of the goat, including the organs! He also used his fingers to eat the polenta and to grab the goat, like a good local. The kids and I preferred to use the silverware. [Gregory's note: you're such wuzungu.] We called our driver and he took us home. It was a fine day, but I don't know why days like this drain my energy. I don't know if it's because I get too emotional. I get very excited, happy and sad all together!
For pictures please click here
https://photos.app.goo.gl/BSMpx7r5RUU8bj9aA
Today we walked to the Arusha Coffee Lodge, next to where we are staying. Arnaud, a Rotarian, came to pick us up to take us to visit some of his club's projects. First we visited the St. Magdalene Women's Training Center, which is a trade school for girls who didn't have a chance to go to school. They learn to sew, to cook, to make soap and to make batik. When we first arrived, they were waiting for us and they welcomed us with a song. They also introduced themselves in English. The girls were between the ages of 15 and 20. Some of them were Maasai and we were told that they live away from their families so they can go to school. The nun also told us that some of them drop out and have to get married (arranged by their parents).
After that, Arnold drove us to a public secondary school. The Rotary club helps them with funding and computers. This school had around 600 students and it looked in bad shape. [But it wasn't.] The classrooms could really use a coat of paint and they could also use newer chairs in the computer room. The good thing is that the new president in Tanzania has made education free and obligatory for all children, including Maasai. The bad thing is that there are many children in each classroom and few resources.
After that, we stopped to see a primary school where the Rotary had built and started to stock a library. The library was only a room with shelves and some books. Gregory noticed a large crack in the wall and Arnaud was upset to see that they already have to do some repairs. We looked around and took some pictures. The classroom floors were dirt, the wooden benches looked very worn out, and it was just sad to see the poor conditions in which children go to school here.
Gregory wanted to continue the tour and told Arnaud that he would love to visit his office, but I could tell Arnaud was very stressed already because he was late for a 3:00pm meeting. He dropped us at Uzunguni Park, a well-known restaurant known for its traditional food.
I didn't think the food was amazing but it was good to eat chicken! Gregory was the only adventurous one: he ordered goat and ugali. According to him (I didn't even want to look), they served every part of the goat, including the organs! He also used his fingers to eat the polenta and to grab the goat, like a good local. The kids and I preferred to use the silverware. [Gregory's note: you're such wuzungu.] We called our driver and he took us home. It was a fine day, but I don't know why days like this drain my energy. I don't know if it's because I get too emotional. I get very excited, happy and sad all together!
For pictures please click here
https://photos.app.goo.gl/BSMpx7r5RUU8bj9aA
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