Lessons in Gratitude... December 02 2024
One of our board members, Susan, visited TZ in October of this year and shared this on her social media pages...
School part 1
We spent 3 days at Mnini Primary School volunteering (& receiving copious amounts of love and attention…), teaching English (& learning Swahili…), sanding and painting a classroom (& gaining valuable skills!), singing, dancing, playing, and laughing. We received so much more than we gave.
This school operated for over 50 years without electricity -until last year when someone donated the funds to have lightbulbs installed into the classrooms. They still don’t have running water. They have 5 textbooks per grade level for over 400 students at the school. There are no posters on the walls, books on shelves, crayons or technology whatsoever. Pencils are hard to come by.
There is a teacher shortage so grade levels come at different times of day. There is also a shortage in teacher compensation and one of the teachers is a full time volunteer. The school provides lunch (mashed corn with beans) though the students must bring a bowl from home. There is one cook to prepare the meals for over 400 students. There is no cafeteria- the kids eat at their desks- often 4 students per small desk. There is no gym, no playground, no sports equipment. But they make do. They improvise. These teachers are smart, resourceful and passionate. They problem solve to be sure these children can learn. And learning, they are! These smart 5th graders were learning simple present tense and progressive present tense- in English- their 2nd language! 
School part 2
Before we left MB, Will and I visited Jack’s current classroom and Will’s 2nd grade teacher’s class at MBP to write letters to our new “penpals” in Tanzania. These students in the US did such a great job! Those letters were such a hit in TZ! The kids here were mesmerized. The smiles, the shy giggles, and then the hoots of excitement when we told them they could keep the letters- it will stay with me for a long time.
The process of writing back was interesting as the students are still learning English. The letter includes favorite color, favorite animal, favorite book, etc… Will walked around with signs of animals and colors so that the children would know how to spell the words. It turned out that only one child in the class had ever read a book… 
Instead, they filled in the titles of stories that had been passed down by word of mouth from their parents. It is truly another world.
Instead, they filled in the titles of stories that had been passed down by word of mouth from their parents. It is truly another world. We brought crayons for drawing pictures, which were also a huge hit! These kids worked SO hard and did an AMAZING job! Will and I are excited to bring them back to MBP!
School, Part 3
The staff at the primary school did share that something that would make their lives so much easier would be having a photocopier at the school. Can you imagine a school without a photocopier?!? When our group donated one, you’d have thought we’d given them a million dollars.
I wish I had gotten a video of the teachers dancing and singing when we pulled up and they realized the gift. They did collect all of the students to sing us some songs as a thank you… I’m thankful that Will was able to witness how doing something so small can have such a huge impact.
School, Part 4
Will got a little taste of fame. 
All of the children knew his name and would call out every time he walked by. He has never given so many high fives and fist bumps. During recess, fun was had by all. Will quickly learned that “football” is taken very seriously over here! Will even introduced them to American football!
All of the children knew his name and would call out every time he walked by. He has never given so many high fives and fist bumps. During recess, fun was had by all. Will quickly learned that “football” is taken very seriously over here! Will even introduced them to American football! These kids are fun and funny and joyous. They are smart and sweet and resilient. Their excitement is contagious. Their love and kindness is palpable. Several students offered me parting gifts on the last day- treasured drawings on pieces of paper that had been folded and refolded until they were worn thin-items that are precious to them.
Big life lessons here in gratitude, acknowledging privilege and determining ways of using it for good in the world, being respectful of resources, and taking care of one another/giving back- especially when in excess- but also in time, energy and love. This is an experience of a lifetime that I hope will shape everyday life for my sweet boy…
Goodbyes are hard, so until next time Mnini Primary…
