Sophie in Africa

Since it takes forever to upload pictures here, and I have so many other things I need to do on the internet, I will wait once again with them. I am very sorry, hopefully it will work then.

 

So, on November 19 I left Rwanda for my final destination Tanzania. It was a little sad to leave Rwanda, since I had just learned how the country is. The journey went well, except for a little confusion at Nairobi airport. Somehow I ended up in the right bus to Namanga border, I am still amazed. In Namanga my contact person awaited me, and escorted me to my new home. I felt very welcomed, the kids were so excited to see me and the people were very nice. I arrived in the evening, so the next day in the morning I visited my new workplace. I was a little anxious because I didn't really know what to expect. The school I will be working in for almost five months is called Green Eden Children's Organization (as I have written before) and teaches small kids to read, write and count. These kids would not have the opportunity to learn those things if it wasn't for this school. The background is kind of that since Namanga is a border community, many people come here in the hope to get a job. When this doesn't work, they just get many kids and these kids need to go to school somewhere. We have about 60-70 kids, but it sounds like more than it feels like.

 

So, my first impression of the school was that it was very small, but very cute. As I stepped into the door the kids started to sing, very disciplined even though they are so young. They sang many songs for me. Then, I handed over my gifts. I introduced them into "water colours" (sorry, don't really know the English name), and the kids especielly loved the soapbubbles. I think they appreciated my gifts.

 

Every day I come to the school the kids run towards me and scream "teacher! teacher!". I am fully and truly Teacher Sophie now. Or as they prefer to call me, "Teetcha Soffi". I think it will take some time until I get used to the work and the kids. I have only been here a few days, but it feels like forever. Hopefully I will feel better after a while, right now everything is still very knew.

 

One thing that is a little annoying is that I live very close to a Moske. It wouldn't bother me if the Imam wouldn't start to sing at five in the morning... hm. I guess I will get used to that as well.

 

On the whole I like it here, but it is tough being away from home and living in another continent. I just need time to really get used to everything, but I guess everything will be alright.