A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

As the child of a banker, it is in my blood to be economically wise.  Thank you, mama, for teaching me this immensely valuable skill.

Secondary schools in Tanzania are very expensive.  Scratch that.  Good, private secondary schools – the type that our children will be able to attend because of their fluency in English– are very expensive. This type of secondary school education costs around Tsh 1.2 million, the equivalent of $1,250, compared to the current Stella Maris school fees of Tsh 70,000, less than $50. Since the Stella Maris schools fees are difficult for many of our families to pay, the massive increase in secondary school fees will be nearly impossible for many of our families to pay. One day a couple of weeks ago, this realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

The Stella Maris project was created to provide children of the Mailisita area with a strong primary school education so that they were prepared for the level of work of secondary school.  Our school is taught in English so that children are ready for secondary school, since all secondary schools are taught in English.  And our kids are doing a phenomenal of a job of learning English, as well as working hard in their other subjects.  However, all of that work will be for naught if financial reasons prevent them from attending to secondary school.

As you can see, we have a major problem on our hands.  So, I began to think.  I realized that we have thirty months to come up with a strategic plan to solve this current problem, as that is how much time is left before our current P5 students graduate from our school. 

I came up with a solution that is two fold.  One part of my vision was/is to create a Stella Maris scholarship fund solely for the purpose of supporting the families of graduating P7 pupils by supplementing schools fee costs. I figured I could (1) tap into every financial resource that I have at my disposal, and ask my family and friends to do the same and (2) recruit generous individuals to sponsor graduating P7 Stella Maris specific children whose families will simply not be able to afford the school fees.  The second part of my vision was/is to get the families of our students on board with the notion of beginning to save for secondary school NOW. Not in six months at the beginning of P6. Right now.

Now, I knew that such a task would require several steps and a lot of work.  Luckily for me, one of the members of the Mailisita Foundation, Dave, happened to be visiting Tanzania for two weeks right at the time that I was firming up this vision in my mind.  One day, I casually mentioned these grand plans of mine to him and then as it turns out, that very same night, he, Father Kitali and I had an impromptu multi-hour meeting discussing this very topic. 

The three of us discussed how we needed to support our families in saving for secondary school if we really wanted to fulfill the mission of our school. I shared with Father Kitali and Dave the aspects of supporting our families that I felt would be most important:

       1)  Getting our families invested in the notion of saving. I was worried that families would not see the value of doing so nor be able to do spare any of their monthly income.  Father Kitali assured me that neither would be a problem.

       2)  Equipping our families with the knowledge of how much one year, let alone the six years, of secondary school would cost so that they could really understand the urgency in beginning to save now. 

       3)  Providing families with a savings plan/timetable so that they could see how it would be possible to save enough money and what they needed to do.   

       4)  Showing our families that they will be supported throughout the lengthy process of preparing for secondary school, especially since this would be new for many of our families. 

We all agreed that each of these pieces was important and that the best first step would be to call a meeting with P5 parents.  Father Kitali and I set a date and divided up the tasks that needed to be accomplished beforehand.  Father Kitali would talk to the banks in the town to see which bank would be most helpful in setting up savings accounts and would offer the best deal for our families.  I would reach out to all of the families to ensure their attendance and I also would create the strategic savings plan that we would share with families at the meeting.

Yesterday morning we held the meeting.  Of the 27 students in P5, 26 families were represented! That in and of itself was so awesome to see. We sent a letter home ten days ago. The letter simply said all P5 parents/families needed to attend a meeting at 10am on Saturday the 28th. It didn't say what the meeting was about; it simply said parents need to be there.  How AWESOME that when we communicate with families that we need them to attend a meeting, they do!  

Father Kitali opened up the meeting, after a prayer, of course, by asking families what they were already doing to prepare for their child’s secondary school education.  Almost all families had not yet begun to prepare. Many parents realized through that question that the time to begin to prepare was now, even with secondary school being over two years away.  We told families how much secondary school costs and we gave them a chart illustrating how much they will need to save each month between now and the end of P7.  Bank representatives discussed the logistics of opening up a savings account in their child’s name.  We also convinced the bank, prior to the meeting, to come back to our school in a couple of weeks.  We recognized the need to make this entire process as simple as possible for families. So, instead of having to go all the way into town to open up an account, our second meeting will allow families to come to the school to open up the account.  We also scheduled this meeting for a couple weeks from now so that families have time to save the money needed as a down payment on the account. 

It was such an honor to sit in the meeting, at the front of the room, alongside Father Kitali and Mama Shayo, mind you, and see the first step of what will be a long path of preparation completed.  It continues to be such a humbling experience to have my suggestions be warmly received by Father Kitali and Mama Shayo.  It was awesome to have a good turn out and to see, via body language and attentiveness in the meeting, families care so much about their child’s education.  Everyone in the room was so very serious, and was hanging on to every word that was said.  Saving for secondary school is going to be a financial burden for every P5 family, but it was obvious that the family members in attendance yesterday are committed to making it happen.  They want better lives for their children and are willing to sacrifice so much for that to be possible.  They were so appreciative that we, the school leaders, were thinking about saving now when there is still enough time to plan accordingly.  It was so refreshing to see people really, truly appreciate the work you are doing for the future of their children.  After the meeting, I was invited to all of my students’ homes as a sign of their appreciation.

Although yesterday was just the initial meeting, I feel so relieved.  Knowledge is power, and now our families know what they are up against and have a solid plan to reach the goal of saving enough money.  The next thirty months are so crucial, and will be full of more meetings, reminders, support sessions, and conversations.  It is an exciting time in the history of Stella Maris English Medium Primary School, and it is also a time of important and urgent work on the side of both families and staff. 

Yesterday’s meeting was the first step on the families’ side of secondary school preparation.  Now, I need to sink my feet into the other side: raising money for a secondary school scholarship fund.  Inevitably some families will not be able to save the needed amount of money per month for the next thirty months.  And my optimistic self just cannot come to grips with the fact that any of our hard-working, fluent English speaking students will be denied the opportunity to go to secondary school because of money. 

Thankfully this optimist is also a relentless pursuer of a goal once it is set.   There’s no time like the present. So, let me roll up my sleeves and dig in!

Breaking Ground

Currently at Stella Maris, we are building the final classroom of our school!  The other six classrooms have been built incrementally over the last five years. Five years ago when the school opened, there was only one cohort of children, at that time in P1.  Each year since then, we have added a grade.  As such, in our fifth year, we now have five grades, with the oldest children in the building being those who started off in P1 and are now our P5 pupils. 

It has been very exciting, and educational, to watch the construction of this classroom.  Construction in Tanzania is slightly different than current construction practices at home: from using old-school stakes and string to outline the shape of the classroom to the layer of rocks of all shapes and sizes serving as the foundation to the men physically leveling the wet concrete instead of user a roller to the supporting beams of wood instead of steel. 

Layer of rocks of all shapes and sizes before concrete was poured.

Floor of the new classroom, post concrete pouring, rolling and setting. 

Walls going up! 

Extra bricks, and an indoor chair, used as 'ladders'. 

Men standing on bricks and wood to complete higher portion of wall.
Check out the style of our overseer: pants tucked in the socks! :)

Wall complete!

Now onto the roof! Note wooden support beams.

In short, Tanzania utilizes many of the techniques of construction utilized by America pre–Industrial Era.  And, as a few school volunteers have pointed out, the safety standards are not exactly up to par (in comparison to America, of course): no helmets; instead of steel-toed boots, men are wearing flip flops; ladders are non-existent, and instead, bricks that will eventually be the top of the classroom walls are piled into ‘steps’ to allow workers to continue their work up high.  The experience of watching the construction of this building reminds me that there are many ways to complete the same task. 

The project began about two weeks ago now.  One Monday, I came to school to see men digging up the ground behind the teachers’ work room, which is the end of the horseshoe-shaped building - on the left side of the school.  Mind you, all of the rest of the classrooms are in ascending order, beginning in the middle portion of the horseshoe and continuing to the right side of the horseshoe, with the P6 classroom serving as the end of the horseshoe on the opposite side, the right side of the school.  I asked Mama Shayo what the construction was all about, at which time she informed me that we were building our final classroom.

Now, with my American, logistically-oriented mind and my background in education, I was wondering why the final classroom was being built at the end of the side of the building where there are not any other classrooms - especially since it will host the leaders of the school once it is occupied with students.  Of course my OCD and my Masters in Education does not make me an expert in architecture, so I was hesitant to voice my concern about the layout of the next portion of our school.  But, I also did not want to miss the chance to make an adjustment before it was too late.  I reached out to Stan, the director of the foundation that built the hotel and school as soon as I got home that afternoon.  In Stan’s usual fashion, he replied that same day, and invited me to reach out to Father Kitali and the architect of the building.  With Stan’s encouragement to inquire about the layout, I decided I would walk over to the church the next day after school and speak with Father Kitali.

The next morning, I arrived at school to find the workers already there and back to digging.  I couldn’t believe my luck.  The one time I actually wanted something to operate on Tanzanian time, the workers were as punctual as possible and not skipping a beat with completing the task at hand.  By the end of the day, the outline of the classroom was completely dug, and I figured I had missed my chance to suggest altering the location of the classroom. Concrete had not been poured yet nor had any bricks been placed anywhere, but at the rate the men were working, those more permanent next steps would occur very shortly.

As luck would have it, Father Kitali stopped over at the hotel later that night around dinner time, as he regularly does.  Teddy, Inno and I were on our way to town, but I told myself that I should detain our departure for just a few moments and speak with Father.  I figured if he gave any sort of indication that I was too late with my suggestion, I would let it go.  Likewise, I figured I might as well give it one shot.

So, I explained my thinking to Father.  Like always, he was received my suggestion willingly.  He said he would reach out to Mr. Mosha, the architect of the building, so that the three of us could sit down and talk.  I agreed, worrying though, that unless all this was done at the speed of light, it would still be too late.

What do you know.  The next morning when I arrived at school, Mama Shayo informed me that the workers were instructed to stop working for the day, moreover until Fr. Kitali, Mr. Mosha and I discussed the building.  AND, she informed me that I was to be at the hotel at 5:00 that evening because the three of us would meet at that time to discuss moving forward with construction.  I was shocked. That was an immensely quick turn around time for directions to be given and a meeting to be arrived as far as Tanzanian standards go.  Immensely quick.

That evening, right at 5pm, Mr. Mosha and I began our conversation.  We spoke for about an hour, during which time I learned so much more of the background about the beginning days of the project and the multiple versions of the school building that had been discussed over the last several years.  Mr. Mosha was very attentive to my suggestion and explanation of why I though P7 would be better suited on the other side.  We also talked 'big picture' about the remaining parts of the school that need to be built, dining hall, kitchen, administrative offices and computer lab.  Essentially, we had pretty different perspectives on the best placement of these rooms.  Considering that I learned later in our conversation that it is very uncommon for women to give input in architectural matters, I felt oh so appreciative that Mr. Mosha was so receptive to me.  

About an hour into our meeting, Father Kitali arrived.  We spent a good portion of the next hour recapping the first hour’s conversation, with Father adding his reflections in as we brought him up to speed.  Finally, we made our way out to the actual school building, talking there and finalized our next steps.  By the end, about three hours after Mr. Mosha and I began our meeting, we all agreed that although it was unfortunate that the perimeter of the classroom had already been dug, it was in the best option to move P7 over to the other side of the building.

I felt a great sense of accomplishment.  I was happy that I spoke up, and relieved that in doing so that I did not offend anyone.  I was honored that my suggestions were heard and taken so seriously in an arena where it is a rarity for women to share their opinion.  I was thrilled with how swiftly this whole matter was handled and that the workers would not do any more work in vain. It also made me realize that my being here is beneficial, as opposed to it simply being an experience that is bringing such joy and happiness to MY life - for the construction of the classroom on the less-than-ideal side of the building would have continued on without a second thought had I not interjected.

It's always lovely to see things come together so nicely as they did in this circumstance. :)

God Answers Prayers

I was at my wit’s end.  I hate to see my loved ones hurt.  I was frustrated, stressed and fed up – the first time that I have felt that way here in any meaningful capacity.  It is not worth getting into the root of my feelings, but suffice to say my heart has been heavy lately.    So, I prayed a lot last night.  More than I have in a while.  I wanted to understand why these things had been transpiring lately, I wanted to do something to make it easier for the people I love here that are hurting, and I was coming up empty on both fronts.  Not a good feeling. 

So today I went to school with a little less pep in my step than usual.  For the sake of the kids, I did my best to compartmentalize my feelings and remind myself how much I love them and how important the work that we do together each day is.  But that wasn’t an easy task, and I personally felt like even the ten year olds that I teach could see through this act of mine.

I made it through my first three classes and to the short recess we have each day at 10:00am.  Like always, I headed to open up the library so that kids who had finished all of their work from the morning could come and read.  One of the favorite pupils from P5 followed me to the library and stood at the door, while I entered in and began opening up the windows.  She stood in the door’s frame, silent and still, until I glanced back at the door and realized she was there.  From the threshold of the library, she had something for me, and extended her arm so that I could see her hand was tightly closed, apparently around a small object.  Now, as absolutely sweet and precious as Lilian Thomas is, she also is a jokester.  And lately, she had gotten a kick of pulling little, harmless pranks on me so I figured that she had a rock or a torn piece of paper or something of that nature in her hand.  With my low spirits, I wasn’t really in the mood for a joke, but I have learned over the years that one of the responsibilities of teaching includes giving your best to your children even when you aren’t really up for it.  So, I smiled and invited her over to the other side of the library where I was straightening up some books.  She walked over, with this tiny smile on her face, stood very close to me, and opened her hand.  In her palm, there was a shiny silver heart, larger than a quarter.  I looked down at the heart to find the word ‘God' inscribed in beautiful penmanship on the front of the heart.  I shared with Lilian how lovely it was, and she extending her hand further, inviting me to take a closer look.  I picked up the heart, turned it over to find the words: 'answers prayers'.

I gasped.  Or at least I think I did.  I felt like a volt of electricity has just surged through my body.  My stomach definitely did a somersault and I felt like I was having an out of body experience.  It was God.  100% God.  Staring me smack-dab in the face and trying to smack some sense into me, in a saintly way of course.  Now, of course God is all around us each and every day, blah, blah, blah, but I have never felt God so forcefully and clearly presenting Himself to me.  He was literally ‘answering my prayer’ in that moment, sending me a message that everything that had been weighing me down lately would be okay.  And for once, I wasn’t being so dense and self-absorbed that I missed His message.  Oh no, I received it, loud and clear.

Lilian Thomas. 

Grace is an amazing thing.  In just that one second, my spirits went from bottom of the barrel sad to top of the charts ecstatic.  A completely calming sense overcame me, as if all of my worries, concerns and festering feelings were washed away.  Shocked, still holding the silver heart, I looked into Lilian’s eyes, warm, calm, inviting, and it was if I was literally staring into the face of God.  When I think about God, I think about an all-powerful source, one who does not have to show His strength, but instead exudes an undeniable sense of peace and acceptance.  Standing in the Stella Maris library on a random, sunny day, the poised, collected expression on Lilian's face was exactly that.  God: an old, white, elder man with a gray beard? Nope.  A small, beautiful, clean-shaven haired, little girl with skin as dark as ebony, an angelic smile and two toothpick-wide wooden posts serving as her earrings. 

I placed the heart back into her hand, thanking her for showing me and again telling her how sweet the heart was.  I tried to collect myself and return to straightening up the library, at which point Lilian told me that the heart was for me.  I, of course, automatically declined, thanking her for being so thoughtful and explaining that this heart was clearly very special and hers.  But she insisted.  She told me that it was one of the many gifts she had received from her sponsor and that she really, really wanted me to have it.  After about the seventh, ‘Madam, please’, I caved.  I figured it was not worth saddening her by declining, and I definitely did not want her to think I was unappreciative or unwanting of her kindness and thoughtfulness. 

Lilian’s heart instantaneously became one of my most prized possessions.  I carried it around for the rest of the day like it was a piece of gold.  It represents both the kindness she showed me by sharing something of hers with me and it represents one of the most amazing, powerful spiritual experiences of my life. 

I already love Tanzania.  And I love each of the kids I teach so deeply too. Like I needed another, so moving, reason to love the country and them even more. But, thank you, Lilian Thomas, for reminding me of God's great power and the love and care He has for each of His children.  

Through My Mama's Eyes

I am thrilled to share that this next post is not from me.  Rather, this entry has been written by my mama, Annie, about her time in Tanzania.  I figured it was only fair for me to share one of my family's perspectives about the trip as an attempt to balance my own.  In the spirit of authenticity, Mama wrote this before she read my post so that hers would not be influenced by my comments.  Thus, any and all commonalities that exist between our reflections further attest to the fact that I am indeed my mother's daughter - and blessed to be so much like her.  

"You'll come and visit, right Mama?"

I never thought I'd do it.  Airfare alone seemed astronomical.  But the more I thought about it, and realized the significance to Jessie of going or not going, the more I knew I just had to plan this.  There were several what could be called "bumps in the road" as we prepared to go ("Oh, snap, the airfare went up!"  or "Did you just say Nick's passport is EXPIRED?!?"), but finally May 4th arrived, and we were off.

Just getting there is quite an ordeal.  Getting to the airport in Detroit was a breeze, thanks to the family limo service, this time provided by my sister, Bean, who always provides entertainment at its finest.  Next, a quick layover in Boston, during which time we were distracted by three small children.  Then off to Amsterdam.  Yes, Mary Johnson, you were right, it's an airport that I will avoid in the future if I can.  I've never been patted down in security - very interesting.  Before you can approach any gate in Amsterdam, you and your bags have to pass through a second metal detector. Why in the world do I have to go through security again, when I haven't left the airport?  Kichaa (crazy in Swahili).  Finally, on to Kilimanjaro, and into the waiting arms of my first born child (after we convinced customs that the cardboard box we brought actually WAS full of donated school bags, and not other items worth thousands of dollars) - well worth the trip.

We arrived at 8:30pm local time, so the ride to the Stella Maris Lodge was filled with very little scenery, and lots of travel stories. When we got to the lodge, we were greeted by what seemed like the entire staff, all eager to meet the family about which they had heard so much (hoping we didn't disappoint).  We were immediately served some delicious passion fruit juice (freshly squeezed, as it was during our entire stay - delicious!), and a light dinner.  Then off to bed, hopefully to get a jump on overcoming jet lag.

Inno and Teddy enjoying their new phones from America!

Turns out we didn't have much time for jet lag, so it didn't have much impact.  We had a quick tour of the school where Jess is teaching Tuesday morning, and we caught a glimpse of the top of the illusive Mt. Kilimanjaro.  From the Lodge, there is a fabulous view of the mountain, when conditions are clear (which they mostly weren't, as we were there at the end of the rainy season - VERY disappointing). But what WASN'T very disappointing was the opportunity to meet and spend time with the people Jess has come to call her "family" in Tanzania, Teddy (the manager of the Stella Maris Lodge, who, during our very first introduction months ago via Skype, said "Hello, Mama! When are you coming?") and Inno (the chauffeur for guests of the lodge, who gave me the biggest hug when he picked us up at the airport). That afternoon we were treated to banana soup dinner, a local Tanzanian dish, at Teddy's home, and spent the evening visiting with her and her family, along with Inno.

Then Wednesday morning we were off for safari!  Our guide, Evarist (yes, quite ironic, we know), led us on a marvelous tour of Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti.  The beauty!  The animals!  It was amazing.  Thanks, too, to Dickson, our chef, who prepared delicious meals for our four days on safari.  Our safari was a "camping" safari, as opposed to staying in a lodge each night.  I wasn't sure how I was gonna do with camping (having been raised by a man whose idea of camping was a hotel with black and white TVs), but this was just as nice.  I was terrifically impressed with how clean everything was kept ~ no easy feat, since nothing, and I mean NOTHING is paved or poured.  Including the pavilions at the camp sites, or the walkways, or ANYTHING.  Still, everything was clean and comfortable.  Even the night we spent sleeping on the ground (as opposed to the two nights we spent in wooden cots with small mattresses...!!!).

When we returned Saturday afternoon, after cleaning up for the first time since we left (as clean as the bathrooms were, there was no way I was showering in cold water) we headed out to do a little souvenir shopping (thank you, Madam, for your superior negotiation skills), and stopped at Inno's family home and met his mom.  Just a very short, but lovely, visit.  Sunday we attended the children's Mass (always a weird experience, when you can't understand a word or participate in the service in any way), and had a quick visit at the rectory.  Then we were off to experience the waterfall.  I think I STILL have mud around my toenails.  OMG.  The path was narrow, muddy and quite slippery, but we made it!!

Monday we headed to school with Jess, and met the staff of the Stella Maris Primary School, as well as the students about whom we have heard so much.  They didn't disappoint.  In only a couple of hours, I already had some favorites.

Jess, Inno, Nick and me getting ready
to go to the waterfalls. 

Although there is no doubt about the majesty of Mt. Kilimanjaro as well as the sights on safari, I think the best part about our trip was actually being able to share Jess's Tanzanian experience, rather than only hearing stories.  There's nothing like meeting and knowing people who have become so profoundly important in your child's life.  And no wonder.  From Teddy, to Inno, to the sweet little scholars Jess is guiding and teaching, to everywhere we went, we were warmly welcomed.  As I prepared for this trip, many people remarked that it was the opportunity of a lifetime, and they were so right.  Contrary to what I thought, however, a week was not nearly long enough.    I can only imagine the difficulty someone else will have saying                                                              goodbye. 

I am looking forward to the day that I can welcome them to our home, which according to Jess will be sooner rather than later - italics portion of this sentence added by Jess herself.