New Year: Vitabu, Maktaba, Mazoezi na Compyuta!

A little bit of knowledge can be a wonderful thing. Back in December before the children left for the holidays six student Physical and Occupational Therapy volunteers came to Faraja for two days. They assessed many of the students, made an adaptive writing device for Godlisten, took Judica’s hand splint off to move his hand and most importantly gave us the gumption to restart physical therapy at Faraja, a school for disabled children that promises its students regular physical therapy. Seeing kids in their wheelchairs ALL day got to us. We knew they needed to get out. Having a kidogo (little) seminar with the teachers, caretakers and volunteers allowed us to move forward.
So, when the new semester and year started Pastor Kileo put PT, library and computer in to the time table. All students in Standards 1, 3, 5 and 7 rotate between PT, library or computer daily. We are getting to know the kids so much better: their individual physical disabilities, personalities and dreams. This is so much better than last semester, when we only had them for computer or crafts during the school day and made up teaching time during our “clubs.”
Maktaba, or library as we know it, is unheard of in Tanzanian schools. Faraja is special because we have a library. What a wonderful thing we have with books. Books open up our world. We have a world map posted in the library, so the kids can see where the book takes place. Can you imagine a life without books?
During maktaba we read aloud to the kids, race around the room with Seabiscuit, sword fight with pirates, think of things that are “enormous” and ask, as Dr. Seuss does, “Are You My Mother?” Then the students are able to check out books to read in the dorms and bring back later. Having the Tanzanian teachers in all three classes will keep library, PT and computer sustainable classes after we leave.

Reading is Fun-damental!
Pat and Dave (Daudi) Crowner toted over 200 children’s books to Faraja, courtesy of many wonderful people in our hometown. The Crowners coordinated this boppin’ book bonanza that resulted in the first ever Reading Is Fun-damental book distribution at Faraja School.
Eighty-six boys and girls picked out a book, signed their names on the inside cover and walked out of the library proud owners of their very own book. Asifiwe picked out a book about flowers. Omega chose a whale book, while Samweli went for “The Giving Tree;” one of our favorites. Magic Tree House, Junie B. Jones, and Goosebumps all now have a home in Africa. It was so exciting to watch the kids and teachers looking for that perfect first book. Yes, the teachers wanted a book as well. You know this is really cool what so many of you did to help make this possible. Pat yourselves on the back and make your family give you a 20 minute foot massage; yeah that means you too, Vance Hikes!
Twelve adults wore hats to attend RIF at Faraja. So, Nemo was there, two baseball players, a safari driver and a rasta man to name a few. We hope the children got the comparisons.
We sincerely thank all of you who contributed books, sorted books, put the word out about RIF Africa and got them over here.
A special thanks to the Crowners, who lugged those hundred pounds of books here, as well as Karie Ridgely, the Gettysburg RIF coordinator, Louann Klunk and Roger Morrill from James Gettys and all of the Kindergarten through 3rd grade students and their parents. The response for books was apparently overwhelming – over 900 books! – so the next huge job went to the “sorters extraordinaire” who had to go through tons of books to pick out the best and luckiest books to make the trip to Africa. The sorters include Janet Hikes, Dave and Pat Crowner, Kyle Meisner, and Lily Crowner. Asanteni sana!

Enjoy the snow, East coasters! We’ve seen some pictures, but for us this will be a snowless winter. Ann is upset she is missing so many opportunities to shovel your driveways and “make bank.” But, lucky for her and the rest of Springs Avenue we’ll be back just in time for lawn mowing season!