Shiny Beautiful Children

Ok...so some classic comments from Nell and Pearl lately. I think I mentioned that Nell and Pearl are the only Americans in their classes....there are also few white faces as well. Pearl told me yesterday that "you can tell African Kids by how shiny and beautiful they are"....she has always been prone to coming up with her own deductions about things...but I loved this one. Then Nell came into my room last night with a very serious face. She said her teacher had talked to them about deodorant and that a few of the boys in her class used it...and should she? She wasn't quite sure what it was or what it was for, but I think the way the teacher talked about it to them made it seem very grownup and almost mysterious. I assured her that she didn't smell but she may someday....she still wanted to use it anyway. So luckily I have a natural brand here that I gave her for her back pack. She thought maybe she should take an extra shirt to use a guise for going to the bathroom when she would apply the deodorant. This was so hard to deal with with a straight face....I had to show her how to put it on this morning...Pearl watching the whole time wide-eyed. It was so funny...but Africa is a quite...um smelly....so I guess this is a significant place for her to learn about BO...those of you that have been here are laughing right now!!!
We finally got the sungura's(rabbits), thus far, no baths. Nell's been "nipped" once....but I think after Amy's early demise they are more apt to listen to my advice about handling these creatures. A mom at school today brought Nell ANOTHER one...because basically Nell begged her. So now we have three...........one for Elle TOO!!!!
So Oct. and Nov. are the "short rains" seasons...and today, like clockwork...it's raining. It is actually a welcome reprieve from the dust and heat...short rains are also just for a portion of the day...so NBD.
All is well...we are looking forward to our adventure within our adventure this weekend. And then the Schoonveld girls get here!!! WOOHOO
Love to you all
Peace from Africa
Sarah

Falsani blogging smackdown

Ok....this Cathleen Falsani character is trying to make me look bad...here I was over here in Tanzania feeling all proud of my little blog...the consistency, slight humor, somewhat informative....then THIS ONE comes over with her fancy schmancy Mac and little teeny tiny microphone. Humph.....oh did I mention the smart, very warm seeming, husband joining her...or perhaps celebrating their tenth anniversary on a private island off Zanzibar....WELL...I never.
As Debra Pickett said about Ann..."wanted to hate her" but she quickly drew me in with her Chicago comparisons (she compared the slums of Nairobi at night to Halsted street and it worked coming from her), things being the size of Grant Park....sheesh. She got me. I like her.
You have to check out her blog. falsani.blogspot.com called cleverly of course..."the dude abides'. She's got video clips (of course she does) and great pictures ( naturally).
Today was great....went to Arusha to meet her and maurice.....got our plane tickets secured (finally) to Kenya....crap....there goes the power....I bet Falsani brought a generator!!!

No Power

We are on day 3 of no power....we have had it for little spurts...but sheesh if it isn't getting annoying. I just read a magazine put out by the BBC that focuses specifically on Africa. This issue addressed the general power issue of the entire continent. In Tanzania alone 90% of the people live without power in their homes everyday.....so it is hard to compain ( but i did I know). This same magazine has an amazing photo of the entire world at night and 'illuminates" the issue. The US is glowing as is most of Asia....especially Japan....Europe has their fair share of light...but the entire continent of Africa is dark...
Here I have heard people say the power issue relates to water sources...drought, hydropower etc. I have also read articles about Tanzania perhaps getting nuclear power...
It's a difficult issue...how can these people get ahead? Internet is spotty, lights for reading and writing for school children don't exist...the ramifications of this problem run very deep...imagine trying to just run a restaurant? Refrigeration of food?
It's a huge issue....thank god for mobile phones....this has helped tremendously...perhaps blackberry type devices are the next positive wave.
Just musings....from the dark.
Sarah

Wood-Prince Girls Racking up the Elephants

Again I need to preface this blog entry that I do brag about my kids....I know it is frowned upon but I have many excuses 1) it's fun 2) I can 3) single parent...gotta tell someone!!!
OK...so Nell got another Eddy the Elephant today!! This time it was for the efforts she showed towards the class presentation they gave in assembly today. She made several wolf masks for herself and the other wolfs...they were super cute and stuck on with tape....funny. The presentation was a kick off of sorts to their new unit on animals...what a place to study this, uh? Pearl was beaming for Nell....love that.
So another week under our belt with growth and success. Almost finished with the "kookoo" coop. We need more wood which is usually found by Mapenduzi just around in the area...lots of recycling here...love it.
Just got an email from Tom the director of Global Alliance and I am to meet with Cathleen Falsani and her husband Maurice on Tuesday...they were the winners of the raffle for the two week trip here. Cathleen is the Religion writer for the SunTimes and Maurice writes for the Tribune...I look forward to meeting with them. This is their first trip here....so I will like to hear their impressions...perhaps they will write about their trips...let's hope so for Global Alliance promotion!!!
Love to you all!!!
Peace..
Sarah

WOWOW

So amazing, the repsonses to the Porter Project. I am moved, really. Shawna got hooked UP with GFG...that's Gear for Good..they have never worked in Africa before and are happy to do so...so now it is just a matter of getting this stuff here. We are going to need more visitors!!! Shawna can you post their website in my comments? Want to give them props! Also...Shawna will be guest bloggin while she is here...two weeks girrrrrrllllllllllll.
I am scrambling today to rebook our trip in a week. Seems our reservation was "lost" ug...thus us travel in a 3rd world country...so i'll keep you posted as to where we will be.
I've gotten a few evites for different events for GAA in the states...Jamie(who is climbing in Dec is having a drinking fest...30 bucks all you can drink, she is young) Then Scott Zinober and Eric Hess are haivng their 3rd annual Halloween Fest in NYC...I was there last year and it was WILD!!!!!!!! Not to be missed if you are in town!
So keep up the good work everyone...it's really really working...hope all the climbers have started to think about fundraising....if you need any ideas let me know..
LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!
Sarah

boots and sleeping bags

So this is essentially what we need. Boots and sleeping bags...both pretty darn impossible to get here. I would suggest looking at thrift stores...second hand is no problem. Women's boots are probably more difficult to get here even than men's SOO....there are some specific things to start with!!! we can use most clothes from the Kilimanjaro's Porter's Assisitance Project....but boots and sleeping bags...notsomuch!!! Thanks!!!! Hope that helps!!!
Sarah

Porter Info

Thanks for all the ideas and responses to our Porter Project..glad to see the excitement that I feel about it resonates with all of you. I am going to put together a list this week of all the students, their genders, and sizes. Anyone interested in perhaps adopting a porter in terms of gear can contact the Global Alliance office in Chicago globalallianceafrica.org or Shawna at elleonwheels@mac.com I can also let you know by the end of the week when exactly their training trip will be taking place. I know of 4 people coming before the 15th of November and then the first GAA climb of the season starts in late Dec. It's pretty darn expensive to ship packages here, so better to burden those traveling with the promise that I will pick them up at the airport here!!! Josh you got any ESPN stuff sitting around in a closet?
Or I can see them all wearing Baked in Boulder hats???? Think about it....and most of all THANK YOU!!!!
Love and Peace....
Sarah