Orientation

Waterfall Hike

Hiking Mt. Meru in Arusha

Glory, Nacky and I during the hike

Chapati, beans and cabbage

Mount Kuarra in Babati

Hi Everyone! I've been in Babati for a week now. Everyday has been a great learning experience. In addition to Swahili lessons, SIC had arranged for Gender panel discussions, culture-exchange dialogue and HIV in the community panels for the American volunteers and Tanzanian teaching partners to fully grasp the scope of HIV/AIDS and the stigma surrounding the disease. Our day starts with breakfast at 7AM, then class/prep from 8AM to 530PM. Mama Sia cooks all our food and I've been eating a lot of chapati, beans, rice and ugali. Running water and electricity is pretty irregular here and I always have my flashlight and water bottle handy. In just a few short days, I've really come to appreciate things that I've always taken for granted. Yesterday, I washed my first load of clothes by hand. It is quite a task!!! Glory, a TZ teaching partner showed me the basics of washing, scrubbing and rinsing. She finished her larger load and helped me finish mine. "You'll get used to it." She said with a wry smile.

Today is my day off. So I'm writing, exploring Babati a bit, and resting for the rest of orientation!

In Tanzania!

Hey Everyone!

Just want to let you know that I arrived safely in Tanzania. It was a long 24 hours of traveling but made it to Arusha just fine. I met all the other SIC volunteers and Tanzanian teaching partners. On Saturday we did a strenuous waterfall hike that really bonded us as a group. Then on Sunday, we packed up our belongings and moved to Babati, a smaller town where we started our pre-field sessions and orientation.

Today, we started with a Swahili lesson, then moved on to talk about goals, expectations and biology of HIV.

I have limited access to the internet here in Babati. Orientation ends next Thursday and that is when I move into a village in the Mwada ward, where I will have NO internet access. I will definitely try to update as often as possible!

First few thoughts about Tanzania! Everyone is very welcoming and friendly! We are greeted EVERYWHERE we go. :) And it's a beautiful country. Hope to update you soon!

It's 2AM...

Isn't that a song? :)

Well, it is in fact half past 2 as I reflect in this blog post. This is my last one before I leave the U.S. And probably the last time I will refer to home as "The U.S.". I will get so used to calling home "The States" while I'm abroad, I'm sure of it!

On Monday, I went to meet a few friends for a last hurrah. As my sis and I walk up to the main entrance, I see my friend from New Mexico! I was FLOORED! She flew up to Seattle from Albuquerque for a total of 16 hours just to see me off! And the rest of the girls kept the secret up till the perfect moment! My goodness!!!! :D What a great surprise that was. And the following time with friends and food and gifts. You guys always amaze me and I feel so blessed!

It has been a crazy, very hectic few days. SIC is so organized and I love that about them. I received a four page packing list!! Good news: I've gotten nearly everything. Bad news: I'm probably not going to pack for another few hours. Why? Well, I have been finishing up my medical school applications. So lots of writing, re-writing and coffee! The most nerve-wracking thing for me is that no matter how much I prepare for the apps, I can't submit it until June 1st, which means...I'll be submitting it while in Tanzania!!! I've mentioned this to my program coordinator, Anna, and she has been very understanding--we're going to work something out and everything will be alright!

So that brings me to the my next point. Anna and I discussed how the internet connection may be super slow there, even in the bigger city: Arusha. I will actually be nearer to Babati, which is a much smaller city. So chances are, I may not be able to post a ton of pictures. I'm definitely going to try. But I may have to settle for written descriptions of what I'm experience.

Well, break is over and till I land in Arusha...bye bye Seattle!

P.S. You can still donate if you would like! ;)

Grant Approved!!!

For the four years of my undergraduate education at the University of Washington, I found a home away from home in the Catholic Newman Center.

Thus, I turned to Newman in my fundraising efforts. In inquiring about doing a bake sale there, I was told about the Microsoft Fund Grant that was available. I applied for the grant and after several Newman Staff meetings and a conversation with the associate director, the Newman Staff has approved a grant of $1000 to help fund my trip.

This will help me immensely with my work this summer and has brought my fundraising past the halfway point. THANK YOU SO MUCH UW NEWMAN CENTER!!!!

UW Newman's website: http://www.uwnewman.org/

**on grant application form, signed by me**
"I understand that Microsoft funds received for this request can only be used for social service or community programs that are offered to eligible participants without regard to their faith or willingness to participate in religious activities.  I also confirm that the Microsoft funds will not fund religious activities such as worship or proselytizing, operating support of such services, or building funds."