Earlier that day at Cradle of Love where I work, my two students (6 and 8 year old girls) spent some time making anniversary cards and then I went around the grounds to pick some of the amazing flowers to make a rather beautiful bouquet for my lovely mke (wife in Swahili). It was quite a beautiful one if I do say so myself, as you will see in the photo below.
Gabby took a 5pm St. Jude school that was taking workers home for the day, and got off at the stop by Cradle Love where I was waiting flowers in hand. She blushed and the women on the bus seemed excited at the gesture too. We then waited a couple more minutes for our pre-arranged taxi guy to arrive. Off we went...
Dinner was at the Lake Diluti Lodge about half way between our school outside of Usa River and the city of Arusha. You can see it on Google Maps easily enough. The Lodge is quite fancy and made up of 18 individual luxury cottages and a fine restaurant. It doesn't hurt (except sometimes on the wallet) that we are living in one of the biggest tourist corridors in all of Africa. This place was very nice and perhaps on my birthday in March we'll splurge on a night or two there - with our residents permits we get 60% off the tourist rate. Its still pricey, but the rooms are amazing. Here's some pics of the meal.
As for Babies...
I suppose since I'm working at an orphanage, I should include some more pics of the cuties I see every day. Though I don't work directly with them, I can't resist stealing away at times to hang with them a little. Especially the nursery crowd - the little ones. In addition to home-schooling the directors two Tanzanian adopted daughters, my other role outside teaching them has changed a bit. I am less in the fray with the nannies and the babies/toddlers each day and will now be working more side by side with the director and her Tanzanian admin team (a nurse and a social worker). My role is to help guide and implement effective long term improvements and changes to the practices of the staff and the set up of the environment to best provide holistic development opportunities for the children. I am quite excited to put my recent MRU education to the task and apply what I've learned to such a wonderful cause.
Also on a day off for staff at the School of St Jude, Gabby and our two American friends Hana and Brendan (that live in volunteer building with us), came to Cradle of Love to visit the kids and to take part in "Reverse School Day". I had my two students (Staci - 8 and Mariah - 6) teach some of what they have learned to their mom and Gabby and guests. After the lesson, the girls insisted on having a church service for the honorary students. Mariah is quite the preacher - that's me on drums (green plastic stool).
Here's the pics...
"Here's uh, the ocean..."
"Preach it girl!"
Young Monica here is a two week old premee. She was found abandoned in a pit toilet in her very young mother's village. This was taken the day after her arrival.
This little guy is a complete joy. My man Jackson!
Hope you enjoyed. There will be more to follow for sure.
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