Our next excursion took our group to a fascinating and very important visit – the A to Z US Aid mosquito net factory. Prior to this trip I had heard of malaria – I am taking preventative pills as we speak! I also knew that while we had eradicated malaria in most of the western world, it continued to be a problem in Africa and many parts of Asia. What I did not understand (and I suspect many other people do not as well) is how greatly malaria has impacted the economy. The problem is not so uncomplicated as to think the only tragedy of malaria is that people die from it (although they do – a child dies of malaria every 30 seconds in Africa), but that people become so sick they are unable to go to work. This in turn affects their families, which in turn affects their communities, which in turn affects the whole country’s economy. It is estimated that Africa loses 12 billion in US dollars of GDP each year due to malaria. On average a child who contracts malaria will lose about 6 weeks of school.

Fortunately A to Z net factory is doing a lot to reverse these statistics. Their nets, the Olyset Nets, are the first World Health Organization recommended net to be manufactured in Africa. They began manufacturing nets in 2003 and by 2009 were making more than 29 million nets a year – that’s more than half of the global Olyset Net output! The nets use a time – released insecticide that makes the nets good for at least 5 years. Not only is the company focusing on health responsibility, the company maintains a focus on socially responsibility as well. Their motto is Africans for Africa. They employ more than 5,000 local people and provide those employees with many benefits included health and housing. For more information about this important project and malaria you can visit www.olyset.net

While I have so much to say, it has taken me forever to sit down and write this blog. 1) Because we have been incredibly busy, and 2) I don’t think my writing in this blog can do justice to what I have experienced since I have landed in Kilimanjaro airport.

Yesterday we visited two schools – a secondary and a primary. It was life changing.

In Tanzania, primary school consists of k-7th grade, and secondary is 8-12th grade. The government gives very little money to the schools and so families have to pay schooling fees to keep the schools up and running. Schooling fees seem cheap at first glance, about 30,000 shillings (around 20 US dollars) per student. However, when some families make only 1,000 shillings a week, it is easy to see how many families never make payments.

You always hear the heartbreaking rumors and see the graphic images on TV surrounding schools in Africa. After seeing it in the flesh, I can say that everything I heard was more heartbreaking in person – and surprisingly elevating.

At the secondary school there are around 1400 students and 60 teachers. We visited classrooms with over 50 students in them. The school cannot afford enough desks or textbooks for each student, and so 20 students would share one textbook and some students would stand during lessons. There is no provided transportation to and from school, and some students walk or ride a bike up to 25 km (one way) to school each day.

At the primary school there were over 400 students and 16 teachers. The school had one computer. Again, students were sharing textbooks. The classrooms had no electricity. Some students walked up to 5km to get to school each day.

These two schools are located in an urban location and were some of the better schools in the area. We were told about some schools in rural areas that have around 400 students – and one teacher.

One might think it would be completely depressing to visit these campuses – but I found it one of the most inspirational, uplifting, and humbling days of my life. From the moment we set foot on each campus we were warmly greeted by the students. The children waved and called out “Karibu!” (welcome) to us. At the elementary school they had prepared a song to sing to us. When we walked by a classroom students would run to the doors and windows to wave hello. After completing our school tour at the secondary school, the Headmaster and teachers prepared tea and snacks to honor our visit.

Visiting the campus, I could feel guilt swirling around in my stomach. Who was I to complain about my double digit salary when teachers here could get paid less than five hundred dollars a month? How about all the times I have moaned about not having enough computers on my campus when here 400 students will learn technology from a book and occasional group visits to view one computer. I can’t believe how I have argued over the necessity for more nutritious lunches in our school cafeterias when schools here provide no food at all and some students do not eat every day as a result.

As I laid in bed that night revisiting the schools in my mind I realized that perhaps that guilt I felt wasn’t really about how much “better I have it“ in the good ‘ol USA. Yes, it is incredibly unfair that students in the United states have one computer per classroom versus one per school. However, don’t ALL children deserve better?

I think my guilt came from wondering if I have ever displayed the passion for education that these school communities do day in and day out.. These teachers, despite overwhelming odds ( and meager pay), come to school everyday without complaint. They thanked us for our visit, and provided us with the utmost hospitality. Without textbooks, paper, desks, rulers, glue, or staples, they courageously teach each day never stopping to think that their work can’t get done because they do not have supplies many teachers in the U.S.A. deem necessary. They love their jobs.

While going to school is mandated by the Tanzanian government, it is difficult (again due to funding) to enforce. Despite this, and all the insurmountable odds, children still choose to go to school – even if it means walking 25 km to get there. These children see school as a privilege. The work they showed me in their notebooks and the way the spoke to me about their learning showed such pride and dedication. In the eyes and voices of these children I am reminded of the reason I chose teaching as my profession.

These students and teachers make me proud to call myself and educator.

Well, I didn’t expect my first entry on my trip to Africa to be about Holland, but due to a delayed flight, we spent the first night and day of our journey exploring Amsterdam. I had not known that Amsterdam is called “the Venice of the North” due to its many canals. We spent the afternoon on a boat touring the city. Many people had houses literally on the water or lived in houseboats! It was fun to watch people ride down the canals on their boats grilling out, having drinks, and socializing. World cup fever was in the air and the canals were a sea of bright orange t-shirts for team Netherlands.

This schedule is subject to change, but for now here is where I will be and when I will be there:

June 18th Depart for Tanzania; connecting flight in Amsterdam

June 19th Arrive in Tanzania, Kilimanjaro International Airport

June 19th – 26 In and around Moshi, Tanzania (Swahili classes, invited lectures, market visits, visit local schools, etc.)

June 27th – 28th Ngorongoro Crater

June 29th – July 1st Serengeti Wildlife Camp

July 2nd – Return to Moshi and prepare for Rwanda trip

July 3rd – July 7th Rwanda (staying at the Des Mille Collines Hotel!)

July 8th – Return to Moshi

July 9th – 12th Arusha and Dar Es Salaam

July 13th – 16th Zanzibar

July 17th – 18th Moshi

July 19th Depart Tanzania to return to the United States 🙁