So I made it to site! I've been living in my house for a week a half now. I got placed in Mbeya Region! It is soooooo beautiful here. It is really lush and mountainous, and rivers everywhere, and farms and gardens everywhere. My house is right next to the primary school, and its split into 2 apts, so i have a neighbor that has been feeding me and taking care of me! haha.. It was pretty much empty when i moved in, actually, it still is pretty much empty.... i have to buy furniture still. But i have a bed at least! My village is called Iyawaya. The bigger town that is closest is Inyala, like a 20 or 30 minute walk. And then the city (Mbeya City) is a 30 minute drive from Inyala on a daladala. (which is this van thing that piles as many ppl in as possible) Mbeya City is awesome.. thats where I am right now, to use internet. Its really nice here, and they have pretty much any food or anything I could want to buy. And theres this Canadian girl who lives in the City, has an awesome house, owns an orphanage, and is friends with a lot of Peace Corps ppl, so we can stay over at her house if we want to. In my village so far, its been kind of random day to day. I'm not supposed to be working for the first three months, in order to get settled and buy stuff for the house and get to know my villagers, map the village for the health centers and schools and stuff. So its a little strange not having a schedule or anything, like we have for the past 3 months of training. I've been getting close with my neighbors, and the teachers at the school i live near. Its a little hard with the language, obv... but i'll def learn faster this way. I think im going to try to find a swahili tutor at the secondary school. (All of the classes are taught in English at the secondary schools) For now though, im going to focus on figuring out how to cook and clean.. haha... I've never even lived alone in America, so doing it in Africa is funny. I don't have electricity again, but I don't really mind using a lantern and candles! And in order to get water i have to climb down this mountain to this river, under the roots of this tree, fill my bucket, and then carry it back up the mnt! ... kinda hard.. the students always try doing it for me, but im trying to get used to doing it for myself too. And then I boil it and filter it or bleach it. I haven't gotten sick at all or anything since Ive been here either! Ok times about to run out. Miss everyone!!!!!
I'm so excited to share with everyone my latest kitchen interior design project, and the bright young woman who lives here! Claire is a neighbor, a friend, and a client of NAFASI! She had just decided she was ready to settle into her Kigali house, but wasn't quite satisfied with it as her and her son's home . Luckily Claire called on NAFASI, had some great visions of what home meant to her, and we opened up her space into the cheery welcoming kitchen you see now! This is how it used to look: Can you believe it!?!? Claire worked with her landlord, as she is renting the house, to share costs for the renovation. It was win-win for everyone! A lot of landlords are ready to make renovations on older homes, and willing to pay for the renovation costs that come with it. Claire was responsible for the interior design costs. This way the owner is able to get free design, and the value increases greatly on their home, and the tenant gets the home they actually wa
Teri it's good to hear from you. We went to library and Taylor picked out a book about Africa, I wonder why? We all miss you and Zac has not forgotten you! Love, Shelly
ReplyDeleteSounds awesome! Congrats on the independence. Most college grads would have gotten an apartment on Park Ave. as their first independent living situation... but Africa's a close second I guess, lol.
ReplyDeleteSrsly, we're happy for you and impressed w/ your drive!
Dave and Tina
Boy Ter, next time I complain about the price of water, I'll think of you :) I'm sooo proud of you. You truly are an inspiration. We miss you too, your always in our thoughts.
ReplyDeleteXO Cath
Bibi Clar,
ReplyDeleteHabari gani?! Mambo nianje huko Tanzania? Kunayo baridi ama nijoto kali ? Hapa New York mambo ni sawa sawa.
Pokea salamu kutoka kwa mabibi wa Alpha Kappa Phi!!!!!
Hi Teri....Becky's friend Lori here....amazing....again I am living through the Clar sisters. Ha! Americans truly have no idea how much we take for granted. You are amazing and it sounds like you are doing great. I love reading your blog. Keep it coming. Lastly, did you bring your penis cake pan....wonder if anyone over there has ever made a penis cake.....ha.
ReplyDeleteLots of love to you in Africa,
Lori
Teri! Jombo! It sounds like you are really jumping into your new culture! Have you seen any honey guide birds? What wildlife animals have you seen? Any cool tigers? elephants? lions? (Guess who's asking?!) Do people really use red clay and cow's fat for soap to make their skin shiny? We MISS you and you are in our daily prayers. You have so much to teach us when you get home.! I think electricity is overrated. Candles are so much better! God Bless. Love, Sue and Steve
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