Blog 8 Monday July 1

After a very exciting weekend of eating traditional Maasai meals by candlelight, herding farm animals, and playing various games at our home stays, we woke up today morning eager to get back into our normal routine.

We arrived at Orkeeswa especially early, and immediately jumped in hoeing and pick axing, shoveling dirt, and carrying it in buckets. By lunchtime, we had almost finished the main steps (after moving each one back 10 inches to accommodate the drainage system), and had started constructing the drainage. The new drainage system is intended to collect rainwater, and rather than let it flood the basketball courts or even just redirect it elsewhere, it will collect the mostly dirty water in a large container for watering the garden.

We enjoyed a typical lunch of ugali and beans with the Orkeeswa students; we talked and laughed together, and played games like “ninja” and danced. After lunch, we split into groups for different afternoon activities. One group played netball, and the other had acting lessons with Laurie in preparation for 8-minute plays on Thursday.

Upon arriving back at E’Manyatta, we went into town to buy snacks and drinks at the Tumani shop, and listened to a very inspirational talk from Elly, a fourth-form student at Orkeeswa. Coming from harsh economic situation in which she had to work as a house girl for a little cash each day, with determination, dedication, and a little luck, she changed her life by getting herself into Orkeeswa. She even attended a trip to the United States as one of only eleven students from all of Tanzania, as part of the AfricAid program.

Now relaxing and resting at E’Manyatta, we look forward to another week working side-by-side with the Orkeeswa students in building their steps and drainage system. We hope that we’ll be able to further get to know the students, and enjoy our time in Africa.

Peace.

Derek and Suzy

P.S. Fraser really wants to know the College World Series results, and Derek is very concerned with how the St. Louis Cardinals are doing. Anybody want to update them, perhaps the Hungry Hungry Hippo?