I have officially bought everything on my list, except sunscreen, and now have no idea how it will all fit into two suitcase, a backpack, and a carry on. My initial intention was to only bring one suitcase, oh how I like to dream. But I will finally use my parents hiking backpack that has been in our garage probably before I was born...it still has the tags on it. Sometimes it really does come in handy to have packrats for parents.
I went to Florida on the 19th for orientation and most of you I have yet to talk to about the very informative and very overwhelming two days. Here is a paragraph I wrote while on the airplane home:
So I am actually on the airplane as I write you. Orientation was very helpful and it got me really excited to go to Dar es Salaam, which is good since I leave in less than 2 weeks. I now plan to teach English to woodcarvers in a market in Tanzania, maybe help at an orphanage and go to village a hour outside of Dar to teach English…the possibilities just seem endless. On top of that a missionary couple organizes a ultimate Frisbee game weekly-can you believe that???? I dream of scuba diving in Malawi, traveling to Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, along with going close to Mozambique to Help the Clinton foundation with their HIV/AIDS inniative their- all of these things a student who went last semester did
We will all just have to see what is in store for me. I know that I will have an amazing time, but right now all I can think about is leaving my family, my dog and my friends for 7 months!!! I guess it it is wonderful that I have so many things to look forward to coming home to, but it is really hard to have to continue to say good-bye.
I was asked yesterday by a student, who went last year to the University of Dar, to help organize a small micro-finance group to help 4 woodcarvers( mentioned above about teaching english) start a small business. They have prepared a business plan and I will help them understand the terms of the loan, help with creating the budget and organizing the repayment. I am really excited about this for it is a way for me to truly help the people that will teach me so much over the next 7 months. If you have any experience with micro-finance or know anyone please give me all the advise you can think of. Two other undergraduates came up with the idea and I will help them implement the program since I am on the ground in Dar es Salaam, but none of us have any experience so we would appreciate any help!
I wish you all a joyous new year and hope your's is as adventurous I believe mine will be!
Love lots and please keep in touch with me over the next 7 months...I'm sure I will get home sick and any little news from home always is appreciated.
Mary
