Quickie

It has been a super busy summer!  I actually didn’t realize that it is the end of September already!  I do not have much time and so this will be quick and to the point.

June, had super fun hanging with Jamie and Dan from Trinity Western University.  They were here for a couple weeks, staying at my house, getting ready for their volunteer program that started first week of July.  They had a team of ten students, half Canadian and half Tanzanian.  They were all volunteering around Tanga town for a month and by the sounds of it and from what I saw (which was only a bit since I was out of town a lot) they were a HUGE help around town.  From working at hospitals, schools and orphanages they were well appreciated (both the Canadians and Tanzanians).  I miss having them around though… It’s a bit lonely without them all here together.

July, I spent two weeks with Kathy and Mona from Vancouver.  Two AMAZING library employees who came to volunteer at the Kwekitui and Chamazi library.  We spent most of our time cataloguing, classifying and repairing books.  I was learning so much from these two ladies while they were here.  Thank you thank you… I any librarians ever want to come to one of our librarians… you are SOOO welcome   We need you.

August… Ohhhh what do I say about August.  There was a LOT happening.  Between the conference I was organizing with the librarian at Kwekitui and the Pan African conference that we attended in Dar es Salaam that same week, by he middle of August I was one sick puppy.  BOTH conferences were AMAZING with super sessions with tons of awesome ideas.  I will have to give more details later on!

Since mid August I have been visiting Chamazi a few times but I really have spent a lot of time healing from a bad infection.  Rodgers came with me to Chamazi and together we sat with the librarian there, Jacob, and made some action plans on next steps to take for the Chamazi library.  Stay tuned for those details as well…

Soon I will take off to Moshi to visit with a board that has been assembled to build a community library in a small village.  It’s super exciting because they have even already fundraised all their money for it, and locally here in Tanzania to boot!  Amaaaazing!  Love it.

More later!

Pole pole

I can’t believe a month has already passed! It feels like it went by so quickly and I have hardly been able to keep up with all that we’re preparing for in the upcoming two months.

Since arriving back in Tanzania I’ve managed to move into my new humble home in Tanga and get into the rhythm of living on my own. I’ve been so used to eating out and with other families that the task of cooking for myself and anyone else who may be visiting has been a surprisingly difficult one. It seems strange that it would be so difficult considering how much I love to cook at home… Ask anyone in my family. I think that the lack of an oven, different ingredients, etc just leaves me a little jumbled as to WHAT to cook. I have to develop a bit of a new imagination for meals.

I’ve also had the chance to go and visit our library in Kwekitui. Rodgers and I spent one day at the library. I took a look at the new solar panel system, browsed through some new books, got an update on library use, and heard so many wonderful dreams that Rodgers has for the library. Some of them are meant to be surprises though and so I will have to wait to tell you about them.

I am really looking forward to the librarian’s conference that will be happening August 8th and 9th in Kwekitui. Rodgers is also looking forward to it. We’ve been working hard to get as many details in place as possible to make it as smooth and enjoyable as possible… leaving more time and energy for sessions and visiting.

I’ve also had some meetings with a representative from the Lutheran Church Diocese of the north. They are working on building a community library in a small village near Moshi. They have already started fundraising the money for it through various community members here in Tanzania. I am very impressed with their efforts and success in raising the money and so I have agreed to visit the site and offer any advice I can based on my experiences so far in building a library from the ground up. The representative, Julius Shoo, has also agreed to attend the librarian’s conference at Kwekitui Library.

I best be going before the power cuts out again. Last time I was here I wrote a niiiice long update but just as I was getting ready to post it the power went out in the internet cafe… Power rationing… a daily occurrence here in Tanga. I’ve gotten used to it now, but at first it was a bit frustrating.

Until next time…

Touchdown!

Touching down in Dar es Salaam was, surprisingly, just as exciting on

the fourth time as it was the first. I think that biggest difference now

is the nature of the concerns I experience when first arriving. In the

beginning I was afraid that I would not be able to communicate with

anyone, that I would get lost, that I would do something completely

unforgivable in the culture but would not be aware enough to realize

it. Now my concerns are those similar to those I could feel in Canada

as well. Will I be good at my job? Will I make friends in the new town

I am moving to? Will I find a home church that I feel comfortable at?

Will I fail to meet anyone’s expectations of me professionally and

otherwise? Will there be success in all I do, or will I face any failure?

Well, I have been in Tanzania again for one week now. The first couple

of days were spent in Chamazi and Dar es Salaam. My first day in

Chamazi I sat down with the UVIKIUTA staff and we talked about the

library that we have been working on since June 2008. UVIKIUTA

took some time to express their thanks to ACTS and Canada for their

support, and finished by emphasizing that UVIKIUTA was well aware

that the money raised for the library is from mostly private donors

who work hard in Canada and are giving their own money out of

generosity. Because of this UVIKIUTA wants to be sure that all the

money is spent responsibly, thereby honouring the donors. I felt their

sincerity and wanted to pass that on to you all so that you realize what

a wonderful community organization we are supporting.

On my second day here I made the 25 km journey from Chamazi to

downtown Dar es Salaam to attempt to open up a bank account. It is

quite the process and so I was thankful when I was introduced to a

friend of a friend who was the bank manager at a Barclay’s bank in

Dar es Salaam. He and I met and he gave me a long list of letters and

identification that I would need to present to the bank in order to

begin processing the account. The following days were dedicated to

finding and writing these letters. It was a bit of an adventure, but

after two days of running around everything was in place.

While downtown I also took some time to visit a couple of book shops. I

found a few nice Swahili books and thought it may be well worth it to

purchase them for the Chamazi library as a start. I hope that we can arrange

the purchase of books by bulk, giving us lower prices. There is much more

visiting to do in these shops still to be done and I hope to get the chance to do

this early next week when I return to Dar es Salaam.

For now I am in Tanga, and came here a few days ago. I have moved into a

small house with one bedroom, a sitting room, a kitchen and two bathrooms. I

feel very blessed. It’s simple in Canadian standards, and some Tanzanian’s

standards it may be simple as well, but it is definitely more than I am used to

having based on past living situations in Tanzania. I was used to getting a

small bed in a shared house, often no running water or consistent electricity.

This house full of fans and showers is more than I could I ever ask for.

Since arriving in Tanga I have met with Venceslaus Shayo, the man

working with the Catholic Church here and working on the student

volunteer program with TWU this summer. We only had a short visit

on the side of a busy street but it was an important one in which we

reconnect and put things in gear. We plan to meet again tomorrow to

discuss a few details of the program that will begin July 1st. He is very

excited to see the students come from TWU.

I have also had a chance to meet with David Chanyeghea, the Executive

Director of Tanga Youth Development Association (Tayodea). Tayodea is the

group that ACTS and Under The Reading Tree (UTRT) have been working

with in the small village of Kwekitui. Five years ago ACTS built a library in

Kwekitui and now UTRT funds the librarian’s salary, library upkeep, and

even had solar electricity installed in the library last month. Tayodea and I

will be working a lot together this summer with a librarian’s conference

coming up at the Kwekitui Library in August and plans to get more involved

in library development on a macro level. Haki Elimu, a large literacy

organization in Tanzania, has asked if they may use the Kwekitui library as a

model to share with other schools across the country that does not have a

library. David was very excited to share this news with me, and I was just as

excited to hear it. This is a great way that we are encouraged to know that the

Kwekitui library is a wonderful blessing and all those pioneers who have

made it happen in Tanzania are a blessing as well.

So, to sum up the week so far in Tanzania, it has been a lot of touching

base and getting excited about what is to come. It has also been a lot of

establishing myself in my new home and making a long list of “to dos”

for next week. For those of you who will choose to keep me in your

prayers, please pray for protection from corrupt situations

(corruption is a way of life here) and for new friendships with others

involved in this literacy and community development work.

Thanks to all of you who have supported me and the libraries! I will try to continue

to keep you all updated. If you have any questions or even time to drop me a word

of encouragement you can email me maktaba4afrika@yahoo.ca or even call me

+255 719 176 281. I hope you are enjoying your summer wherever you may be

Touching down in Dar es Salaam was, surprisingly, just as exciting on the fourth time as it was the first. I think that biggest difference now is the nature of the concerns I experience when first arriving. In the beginning I was afraid that I would not be able to communicate with anyone, that I would get lost, that I would do something completely unforgivable in the culture but would not be aware enough to realize it. Now my concerns are those similar to those I could feel in Canada as well. Will I be good at my job? Will I make friends in the new town I am moving to? Will I find a home church that I feel comfortable at? Will I fail to meet anyone’s expectations of me professionally and otherwise? Will there be success in all I do, or will I face any failure?

Well, I have been in Tanzania again for one week now. The first couple of days were spent in Chamazi and Dar es Salaam. My first day in Chamazi I sat down with the UVIKIUTA staff and we talked about the library that we have been working on since June 2008. UVIKIUTA took some time to express their thanks to ACTS and Canada for their support, and finished by emphasizing that UVIKIUTA was well aware that the money raised for the library is from mostly private donors who work hard in Canada and are giving their own money out of generosity. Because of this UVIKIUTA wants to be sure that all the money is spent responsibly, thereby honouring the donors. I felt their sincerity and wanted to pass that on to you all so that you realize what a wonderful community organization we are supporting.

On my second day here I made the 25 km journey from Chamazi to downtown Dar es Salaam to attempt to open up a bank account. It is quite the process and so I was thankful when I was introduced to a friend of a friend who was the bank manager at a Barclay’s bank in Dar es Salaam. He and I met and he gave me a long list of letters and identification that I would need to present to the bank in order to begin processing the account. The following days were dedicated to finding and writing these letters. It was a bit of an adventure, but after two days of running around everything was in place.

While downtown I also took some time to visit a couple of book shops. I found a few nice Swahili books and thought it may be well worth it to purchase them for the Chamazi library as a start. I hope that we can arrange the purchase of books by bulk, giving us lower prices. There is much more visiting to do in these shops still to be done and I hope to get the chance to do this early next week when I return to Dar es Salaam.

For now I am in Tanga, and came here a few days ago. I have moved into a small house with one bedroom, a sitting room, a kitchen and two bathrooms. I feel very blessed. It’s simple in Canadian standards, and some Tanzanian’s standards it may be simple as well, but it is definitely more than I am used to having based on past living situations in Tanzania. I was used to getting a small bed in a shared house, often no running water or consistent electricity. This house full of fans and showers is more than I could I ever ask for.

Since arriving in Tanga I have met with Venceslaus Shayo, the man working with the Catholic Church here and working on the student volunteer program with TWU this summer. We only had a short visit on the side of a busy street but it was an important one in which we reconnect and put things in gear. We plan to meet again tomorrow to discuss a few details of the program that will begin July 1^st. He is very excited to see the students come from TWU.

I have also had a chance to meet with David Chanyeghea, the Executive Director of Tanga Youth Development Association (Tayodea). Tayodea is the group that ACTS and Under The Reading Tree (UTRT) have been working with in the small village of Kwekitui. Five years ago ACTS built a library in Kwekitui and now UTRT funds the librarian’s salary, library upkeep, and even had solar electricity installed in the library last month. Tayodea and I will be working a lot together this summer with a librarian’s conference coming up at the Kwekitui Library in August and plans to get more involved in library development on a macro level. Haki Elimu, a large literacy organization in Tanzania, has asked if they may use the Kwekitui library as a model to share with other schools across the country that does not have a library. David was very excited to share this news with me, and I was just as excited to hear it. This is a great way that we are encouraged to know that the Kwekitui library is a wonderful blessing and all those pioneers who have made it happen in Tanzania are a blessing as well.

So, to sum up the week so far in Tanzania, it has been a lot of touching base and getting excited about what is to come. It has also been a lot of establishing myself in my new home and making a long list of “to dos” for next week. For those of you who will choose to keep me in your prayers, please pray for protection from corrupt situations (corruption is a way of life here) and for new friendships with others involved in this literacy and community development work.

Thanks to all of you who have supported me and the libraries! I will try to continue to keep you all updated. If you have any questions or even time to drop me a word of encouragement you can email me maktaba4afrika@yahoo.ca or even call me +255 719 176 281. I hope you are enjoying your summer wherever you may be J

Leaving on a jet plane…

The time has come for me to shift to the wonderful country that captured my heart years ago.  I will be moving to Tanzania for as long as it is required, but with a year as a first commitment.  During that year I will be serving the communities and their libraries as I am needed.  There is a lot to look forward to and I will be sure to keep everyone updated with a post here and there, as the internet connection allows it.

Keep the libraries and their communities and even me in your prayers and thoughts as we are all looking at a year of transition and growth.  This will be my last post until I arrive in Tanzania and have more to share!  Until then stay well.

$70 for the library!

Sat May 23rd we had the garage sale and bottle drive for the Chamazi Library.  Here is Jen, an ACTS summer staff member, and myself showing off the money raised from the bottles that were donated.

Last event before departure!

Well, it’s here.  This Saturday we are throwing a huge garage sale in Comox, BC!  We have been collecting items from donors the last few weeks and will assemble them in one large room for you to rummage through THIS SATURDAY, MAY 23rd from 7am to 1pm @ Bay Community Church on Pritchard Road.

The COOL thing is that you get to come take whatever you want, and just asked to leave a donation you are comfortable with at the door.  We will not price any items in the garage sale.

This weekend is my last weekend in the Comox Valley as well and so I hope that even if you are not coming to buy anything you would be able to come out for the free coffee and so that I can see you before I have to leave.  

I am really going to miss everyone and everything.  I think it is easier to do this kind of overseas work when you are very young, because I am finding that as I get older I am getting more attached to my family and home.  Nonetheless, I am still VERY excited to be moving to Tanzania this year.  I promise to keep any of you who are interested, updated.

See you SATURDAY if you can make it!   If you have any items you would like to donate to the garage sale you can drop them off on Friday between 6pm and 8pm or call 250-339-6404 for a pick up before 9pm on Thursday the 21st.

We are gonna “Party with a Purpose” this Saturday!

The week has been devoted to planning for the party this Saturday. We are gearing up for a good time. This is the 2nd annual party that is set to take place on the same day as Bryan and Sarah Switzer’s birthday. Instead of gifts or cards the hope is that you will come to enjoy the festivities and food, and leave a donation for the library work in Tanzania.

Some things you can look forward to include;
- Free burgers!
- Nintendo Wii on a big screen projector!

- Door prizes!
- *the Canucks hockey game will be showing*
- Cake! and tons of other food
- Tye Dyeing Tshirts or anything else you choose to bring for dyeing

I hope you can make it. For more details click on our “Current Events”

Thank you for the projector!

Recently we had a member of the Comox Valley donate to us a practically brand new projector.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!  I am so excited to share videos in Kwekitui, Chamazi and Tanga!

The generosity of so many people inspires me.  Thank you so much for continuing to inspire me and the many others that your generosity impacts as well.

Dinner Success!

Thank you to all you who supported the East African Dinner and Gala, April 18th, 2009 in Comox, BC.  It was an amazing evening to share with all of you.  After the evening we have a total raised amount towards the Chamazi Library of $2700.  Amazing!  Thank you donors and volunteers.

We DO still have a long way to go though!  If you would like to donate to the Chamazi library, please do so by phone, mail or online.  For details click here 

$45 Cnd will buy the library a chair, $115 Cnd will buy a window!

Welcome! Karibu!

Welcome.  

The following is taken from Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography concerning libraries;

“And now I set on foot my first project of a public nature, that for a subscription library.  I drew up the proposals, got them put into form by our great scrivener, Brockden, and, by the help of my friends in the Junto, procured fifty subscribers for forty shillings each to begin with, and ten shillings a year for fifty years, the term our company was to continue.  We afterwards obtain’d a charter, the company being increased to one hundred, this was the mother of all the North American subscription libraries, now so numerous.

It is become a great thing itself, and continually increasing.  These libraries have improved the general conversation of Americans, made the common tradesman and farmers as intelligent as most gentlemen from other countries, and perhaps have contributed in some degree to the stand so generally made throughout the colonies in defence of their privileges.” (p 114)

 

 

** Thank you to SURE Copies in Courtenay, BC for all their support over the last two years**