Summing up

The last week  while we were in africa my school closed .  So I had the opportunity to help a few others in our group at a different school. It was really neat to see  the difference in class my class had 1 carpet and chalk board for the next class they had desks  and then chalkboard and pencils and and workbooks and paints. The last week in africa after I attended that next placement I was sick so I was unable to attend any more volunteer sessions but I am beginning to feel better. it was the down side of my trip because I really enjoyed working with and in the community!  A trip of a life time and so so amazing!

Thougts and memories

Everyday when we walk down the street in the morning kids would be brushing their teeth and some adults As well it was really neat to see them trying to take care of themselves to the best of their abilities! The children's excitement and eagerness to learn was very inspiring and I think I can't speak for the whole group when I  say that . Each and everyday they worked their hardest to please us  and tried to do the correct things in class!  It matter deeply to them that we've accepted them in that we praised them in class!  1 day during my class I got to bring the children oranges along with James and we cut the oranges for the children during class they had a blast and it was nice to know that they had something else to eat besides a cup of porridge each day that the school  provided  it for them.

Thursday!

ITS Thursday! we are ready for our Safari this weekend we leave early in the morning!
Today we read books to the kids counted to 100 and practiced ABC's! Then I taut the kids the Chicken Dance! IT was sooo fun!
Can't wait to share all our stories!

Update

Yesterday we were invited to help build onto a school in Bagamoyo. not knowing what to expect we went into it whole heartedly! As we arrived Children, teens, and women were already getting started, we hurriedly jumped into any assembly lines that were being formed, passing buckets full of rock, sand, water, and finally cement. Many of the volunteers were covered in cement and dirt! shoes in all! It was an amazing cultural experience, and I believe that we are going back next week to finish the rest of the building! We could not be more excited.
Our placements are amazing and the Ocean is WARM! We are all so happy here and can not wait to share all of our stories with you when we get back! Check back for more exiting details. !!
All Volunteers!

GUESS WHAT WE ARE DOING

UPDATE: Everything is going great so far I am having a wonderful time here! I am loving every minute of it! Elissa Teets and I are rooming together and Our Room is HOMEY! Today we had a scavenger hunt around Bagamoyo, we bought Fruit and saw a lot of amazing things here! I miss everyone back home but I am fine! I have not been sick or had any culture shock, we are starting work tomorrow and today we are having Language lessons. But so far I have caught on to the language very fast 
Asante Sana ! ( thank you very much) for all the support and help so far!

WE ARE GOING SOMEWHERE

This weekend we are planning on going to Zanzibar! while there we have many fun plans arranged such as Visiting Stone Town, Taking a Spice tour, going Snorkeling and SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS!! 

Next weekend we have a Safari planned which we are all very excited about, 2 night 2days!!!

We are also very excited about our Placement work starting tomorrow! we learned more about it today and are excited to make an impact on the community! 

we are all doing GREAT and no one is sick! we are making a lot of life long friends and memories!! 

 Via Elissa Teets,

We are all hanging out in the Hotel lobby, waiting on the CCS bus, 2 hours till we get to Bagamoyo for orientation! I slept well last night, and was able to Skype with my parents as well. It was awesome! Today we figured out where the pool was today as we explored the hotel it is on the 3rd floor and outside on a patio! SO Sweet!
Jeci

Update: Plane ride!

These are posts from the flight.  We didn't have internet then...so I'm just posting it now.

So far it's good.  Crowded and quiet.  Sleeping has been a challenge for many of us.  We had chicken and potatoes with a salad and a roll for one of our plane meals.  Other meals consisted of pasta, pizza, and for breakfast we had yogurt, orange juice and a pastry.  We all have been taken care of really well so far.  We landed in Zurich, Switzerland.  We had a 3 hour wait for our second flight.  I had a turning stomach and a stuffy head, but I never freaked out our got nervous. (For those of you who don't know it was my first time flying.)

Update 2:

I have no idea what time it is or even what day, but it has been a fun ride so far.  We dropped off many passengers in Nairobi and were left with almost an empty plane.  We waited an hour for fueling and it took us an hour to fly to Dar es Salaam.  We are safely at the Holiday Inn right now.  And tomorrow morning we will be picked up by CCS to go to Bagamoyo and the home base for orientation! :)

"Jambo" from Africa! :)  Thank you everyone for all of your support!  We'll try to update you again as soon as possible.  But just REMEMBER no news is GOOD news!!

Waiting game

Palsying uno in the airport!

Getting ready

We are all hanging outside of kirkwood loading up!  See you all in a month!!

8 days!! Cookout was a BLAST~

Just a few more days

I am getting so excited for our trip!  We are having a cookout tomorrow for all of our group to hang out and have a great time getting to know eachother better before we take off! 

~Lets get sTaRtEd~

In about two weeks as a part of Kirkwood's Study Abroad Program our group will be taking off to  Bagamoyo Africa! During our experience in Africa I (Jessica) will try my best to keep everyone updated and keep pictures up! We are all very excited for this amazing opportunity and can not wait to share it with you!

• We are Departing from Cedar Rapids 
• A quick stop in Switzerland
• Then arrive in Africa
• ALWAYS remember NO news is GOOD news :)