After breakfast, we loaded the backpacks that we had stuffed for the Tech School students and teachers. The whole team arrived at the school with the 66 backpacks and were introduced by the Principal. The students then introduced themselves and the Faculty that they were pursuing. We then proceeded to work our way up and down the rows of students, helping them to fasten the Canada pins and then giving them their gifts. One of the students then thanked the team on behalf of the school and we moved outside to take a group photograph. It was moving to have conversations with students and teachers after having spent so much time near them and interacting several times during the Project.
The team then walked over to the build site for one last look around and took a few final pictures. All the brick walls were now at the required height, with the back wall now ready to have the concrete beam forms set up in preparation for cement. It is hard to believe that we were able to do all of this construction in less than 5 full days (equivalent) and at about 45% of the cost of a normal cement wall build. Once the rear top beam is poured and cured, the new classroom will be ready for its steel sheet roof. Unfortunately, the funds are not available at the moment and we are considering our options to raise them. We will need approximately $10,000 Cdn to finish the project (electrical, roof, windows and sliding front door). The cost for what we have constructed so far is approximately $9000 Cdn.
Next the team minus Terry headed out to Tina School, a private school that Terry and Jane first connected with during their 2014 visit. Terry stayed behind with Fred to meet a Dutch couple who are involved with the Dutch Mennonite Church, overseeing their donations throughout Africa. The goal was to see if there was some way that we could work together financially on Projects in the future.
The meeting was very cordial with some good discussion. It remains to be seen if the Dutch will switch from their current policy of asking the Diocese what is needed, how much will it cost, and then writing a cheque. Shantz Church policy is to put funds into a Shantz/Diocese shared bank account in Shirati, with funds only being released after Fred, Terry, and the Diocese agree on a targeted Project and cost, with Fred acting as consultant, signatory, and Shantz representative to confirm fulfillment as quoted and planned.
The Tina School tour was a high point for Terry and Jane who have been connecting with this school now over the past 5 years as improvements continue to be noted everywhere. Most obvious to them was the inclusion of a special courtyard flowerbed landscaped with used plastic water bottles filed with sand surrounding the Tanzanian flag. This is the area that all students now stand each morning to sing the Tanzanian National anthem before walking to their classroom. The compound also now has safe, clean, drinking water for all staff and students thanks to a newly dug bore well. Finally, a daily porridge breakfast program is being provided to feed all 500 students at morning recess. It is important to note that most students in rural Africa walk several miles to school one way and must bring their own water to drink as well as a lunch which many do not have the resources to provide. Jack and Jane tried the porridge which tasted a lot like cream of wheat with some sugar added.
But the greatest highlight for Tammy, Jane and Corliss was having the opportunity to lead an informal opportunity for all of the teachers to meet and state what practices are working well in their classrooms and also share what challenges they are having. This was planned after receiving a request for assistance from Linda Arot, a teacher there and good friend of Jane’s from previous visits. After quite a long pause, and some opening encouragement, the 19 teachers did share did that they are challenged by large class sizes (most had anywhere between 50 and p to 70 students!)- as well as attendance issues. Tammy, Corliss and Jane all shared strategies that have worked for them. Some of these ideas included: Think, Ink, Pair, Share and using manipulatives such as bottle caps for counting rather than just writing equations in the sand outside. The team also had purchased and now gave 30 mini white boards with chalk to use after explaining the option of placing students in small groups of 3-4 and asking them to show their work pictorially or with symbols in small groups. After this the team presented all of the teachers with back packs which contained a pen, pencil eraser, sharpener and paper. We ended our time together by giving each teacher a small Canadian flag pin as a symbol of our mutual friendship and support. All of these items were met which with deep appreciation and an eventual acknowledgement that despite the many miles between us, we are all similar in our passion for our students and our wish to help them to succeed.
Despite our tardy return to the diocese guesthouse, Leonida still had our final fish and rice dinner ready and waiting. (Thank-goodness for hot pots) including an amazing salad featuring cucumber, tomatoes and avocado in vinegar.
After taking time to pack and a refreshing cold shower, we were all off with Fred to the bishop’s
home for a final celebration meal. An what a meal it was! Ugali, potatoes, rice pilau, chicken and goat as well as bananas made up the menu complimented by Pineapple, Black current, and Sprite as well as Coke for Terry and Jack!
Later at night while debriefing as a team we were surprised by a visit from Dr Chirangi, his wife Vi, and Samwel Ogoya, head of maintenance at the hospital. There were funny stores to be told followed by the giving of appreciation gifts- Tanzanian coffee, tea and a beautiful red scarf for Jane from Vi. Another moving bond of friendship experienced with gratitude by our team.
The team then walked over to the build site for one last look around and took a few final pictures. All the brick walls were now at the required height, with the back wall now ready to have the concrete beam forms set up in preparation for cement. It is hard to believe that we were able to do all of this construction in less than 5 full days (equivalent) and at about 45% of the cost of a normal cement wall build. Once the rear top beam is poured and cured, the new classroom will be ready for its steel sheet roof. Unfortunately, the funds are not available at the moment and we are considering our options to raise them. We will need approximately $10,000 Cdn to finish the project (electrical, roof, windows and sliding front door). The cost for what we have constructed so far is approximately $9000 Cdn.
Next the team minus Terry headed out to Tina School, a private school that Terry and Jane first connected with during their 2014 visit. Terry stayed behind with Fred to meet a Dutch couple who are involved with the Dutch Mennonite Church, overseeing their donations throughout Africa. The goal was to see if there was some way that we could work together financially on Projects in the future.
The meeting was very cordial with some good discussion. It remains to be seen if the Dutch will switch from their current policy of asking the Diocese what is needed, how much will it cost, and then writing a cheque. Shantz Church policy is to put funds into a Shantz/Diocese shared bank account in Shirati, with funds only being released after Fred, Terry, and the Diocese agree on a targeted Project and cost, with Fred acting as consultant, signatory, and Shantz representative to confirm fulfillment as quoted and planned.
The Tina School tour was a high point for Terry and Jane who have been connecting with this school now over the past 5 years as improvements continue to be noted everywhere. Most obvious to them was the inclusion of a special courtyard flowerbed landscaped with used plastic water bottles filed with sand surrounding the Tanzanian flag. This is the area that all students now stand each morning to sing the Tanzanian National anthem before walking to their classroom. The compound also now has safe, clean, drinking water for all staff and students thanks to a newly dug bore well. Finally, a daily porridge breakfast program is being provided to feed all 500 students at morning recess. It is important to note that most students in rural Africa walk several miles to school one way and must bring their own water to drink as well as a lunch which many do not have the resources to provide. Jack and Jane tried the porridge which tasted a lot like cream of wheat with some sugar added.
But the greatest highlight for Tammy, Jane and Corliss was having the opportunity to lead an informal opportunity for all of the teachers to meet and state what practices are working well in their classrooms and also share what challenges they are having. This was planned after receiving a request for assistance from Linda Arot, a teacher there and good friend of Jane’s from previous visits. After quite a long pause, and some opening encouragement, the 19 teachers did share did that they are challenged by large class sizes (most had anywhere between 50 and p to 70 students!)- as well as attendance issues. Tammy, Corliss and Jane all shared strategies that have worked for them. Some of these ideas included: Think, Ink, Pair, Share and using manipulatives such as bottle caps for counting rather than just writing equations in the sand outside. The team also had purchased and now gave 30 mini white boards with chalk to use after explaining the option of placing students in small groups of 3-4 and asking them to show their work pictorially or with symbols in small groups. After this the team presented all of the teachers with back packs which contained a pen, pencil eraser, sharpener and paper. We ended our time together by giving each teacher a small Canadian flag pin as a symbol of our mutual friendship and support. All of these items were met which with deep appreciation and an eventual acknowledgement that despite the many miles between us, we are all similar in our passion for our students and our wish to help them to succeed.
Despite our tardy return to the diocese guesthouse, Leonida still had our final fish and rice dinner ready and waiting. (Thank-goodness for hot pots) including an amazing salad featuring cucumber, tomatoes and avocado in vinegar.
After taking time to pack and a refreshing cold shower, we were all off with Fred to the bishop’s
home for a final celebration meal. An what a meal it was! Ugali, potatoes, rice pilau, chicken and goat as well as bananas made up the menu complimented by Pineapple, Black current, and Sprite as well as Coke for Terry and Jack!
Later at night while debriefing as a team we were surprised by a visit from Dr Chirangi, his wife Vi, and Samwel Ogoya, head of maintenance at the hospital. There were funny stores to be told followed by the giving of appreciation gifts- Tanzanian coffee, tea and a beautiful red scarf for Jane from Vi. Another moving bond of friendship experienced with gratitude by our team.
Samples of African material Jack with Sewing teacher, new threads New classroom photo
Fundi, helper, brick makers Just need rear top beam Tech School students backpacks
Team with Leonida, Simeon, Rose Waiting for ride to Tina School Tina School Bottle centrepiece
Tammy presenting at Tina School Tammy and Principal Team, Bishop, Diocese staff