Jipe Moyo

My placement is so wonderful. I must thank all of the previous volunteers who helped in organizing things so that my transition has been so smooth and to the women who are absolutely wonderful. Its also wonderful to be able to share black American culture with them as they share their culture with me. I can tell they are so excited that I'm black American and laugh at all the people who don't know I'm TanZanian and their shock when they tell them - they say but her figure is like a TanZanian and her skin is like a TanZanian.

The women in English class are so motivated to learn English it is a joy to teach them. Grace is a devout Christian and wants to pray for everyone and convert everyone but also wants to go above and beyond with her answers. I taught her prothelatize (which I barely know how to spell) since that's what she loves to do. MaKwaiya, is very good at English and I went with her and Oliver to visit Jumane (a man who has AIDS and had a stroke and the women go to visit weekly). Zaibu - is the chairwoman of Jipe Moyo and is soo beautiful and regal looking. She is very dark and has very high cheek bones with her hair braided back.

Today was my second time at the business meeting. We went over the women's individual businesses - the cost to run them, their profit and daily expenses. I don't know what I can provide to them but at least I can help them know whether or not they are in the black or the red. Currently only Sia takes down her daily expenses and therefore she is the only one who probably truly has a profit. I asked everyone to take down their daily expenses for this week so that we can look into it next week.

Tomorrow I won't be going to placement - we have a field trip to Marangu at the base of Kili where we'll see blacksmiths and life at the base of the mountain. This weekend I will climb Kili (ummm no, not all the way up to the top, dude. Come on now, you know there's snow up there!) but next weekend I will spend it visiting the homes of the people I've met.

To gesture peace here you put your wrists together up in the air. People here call me Rasta and do it to me often.

Check this post more - I'll be updating you on the Jipe Moyo members here later...

Makwaiya (First name is Khadija) - She is the best student and while they didn't have a volunteer teaching them English, she was teaching them. She just started learning in August and is awesome - she doesn't study outside of class because she takes care of her children but during class she will volunteer and challenge herself and take a chance so that she learns. Her husband died of AIDS and his family claims that her children are not his and that they will take her house away from her at anytime. The house and land is rightfully her children's - she has all boys.


Oliver - She is a spitfire! When I mentioned her to CCS Sarah, Sarah exclaims laughing, "I hate Oliver! If you have a problem with anyone in town Oliver will fix it for you." Oliver is mischevious (mtundu) just like Sarah but unlike Sarah, who is a wonderful dresser - very feminine - Oliver dresses in slacks and a man's shirt. She covers her hair always but instead of a scarf or kanga, she wears a hat - like a full on winter hat to as if to say 'Ha! yeah its hot but I'm strong enough to handle it.' When we went on one house visit where the elderly Mama was talking about how women were snatched up to get married she said 'If that happened to me, my husband would regret it every night.' I Believe it.

Asia - she is a beautiful woman with a round face and deep dimples who often looks like a smile or laugh is just moments away.

Bitrese - has the most honest looking facial expressions. I Love them. I had to teach the Mamas 'confused' because she was always looking confused!

Sia - Once said to me 'Hey Baby' as a greeting. I told her only guys say that to women when hitting on them. ;)

Zainabu - who is not in my English class, but is the chairman of Jipe Moyo is the most regal and beautiful woman. Her house is next to the Jipe Moyo office so every morning I'd see her before anyone else - gardening. She looked like a queen in that garden - who looks like royalty while gardening? Only Zainabu.