Inakuwaje?

It has been a long time since I have been online and much less written in this blog! I have been quite busy in Mtama since school has started. School officially started on January 14th, but I didn't start teaching until the following week and even then, I was not teaching the full number of periods which I was assigned because students are still trying to pay their school fees to enroll. By last week, though, there were a good number of students, and I think by the middle of February, most students will be attending school.


I am teaching Form 3 biology and chemistry and Form 1 biology (though right now, the form 1's are taking an English course because all subjects in secondary school are taught in English). Teaching has been going pretty well, but it has definitely been challenging. The classrooms are very dark and hot, which is a disturbance in it of itself but also there is no glass covering the windows, which can make it distracting for the students and myself. Also, the language barrier obviously makes it difficult for them to understand what I am saying. I constantly try to imagine what it would be like to try and learn and understand biology or chemistry if it were taught in Kiswahili and I know it would be quite difficult! A lot of my students know English (at least the form 3's), but my accent is difficult for them to understand, as they speak English with a British accent. But, I know as time goes on, things will get easier and the students will get used to me and I will get used to them.

Since school has started, I have acquired some house help to take care of my house while I am at school. Her name is Maggie and she comes twice a week (monday and thursday) to sweep, mop, clean my clothes, fetch water, cook for me, and do anything else around the house that I need. She has been doing a really good job and it has been nice to be able to focus on teaching and issues at school instead of worrying about cooking myself dinner or cleaning my clothes.

Also, I have been starting to feel more like a part of the community. People are really starting to get to know me and I am getting to know them. Perhaps it is the fact that I feel a little more comfortable in my environment or that I am getting better at Kiswahili, but it has definitely been a nice feeling. Also, at school, the teachers are all really friendly, outgoing, and funny so when I am not teaching, sitting in the staffroom with the others is really entertaining! We have a tv so we can listen to Bongo Flavor (which is the hip Tanzanian music, much like American hip hop...except in Kiswahili of course) or watch CNN and listen to the world news (in English). At the same time,the teachers chat and talk about matters at school and in the village. It is fun to watch how they all interact with eachother and for me to try to understand what they are saying!

Really, I am struggling trying to update you all right now. It is strange because I realize that a lot of things that I am doing are probably worthy of noting in this blog, but at the same time I cannot think of anything to say. I suppose that means that I am getting used to things here in Tanzania and Mtama. Although this may be true, I still have times when I feel a little lonely or depressed. But, having lived abroad before, I realize that this is just part of being in a foreign country. You good days and inevitably you have bad days and it just about remembering the good days and trying to get through the bad ones. Despite this, I do realize how lucky I am to have this opportunity and I try to think about this everyday.

Anyway, overall, I am doing really well and I am happy here in Tanzania. I hope you are all well and I look forward to hearing from you all soon!

Kwa herini!