Tengeru Village

We're becoming more familiar with the village where we're living. As a fellow volunteer said, it's the collaboration of the sights, the sounds, and the smells that can't truly be gotten across second-hand. First, I was most stricken by the trash. Lots of it everywhere, scattered and in occasional heaps. There is one heap in particular in the village in front of a dilapidated structure. There is one main paved road that leads to Arusha in one direction and Moshi (where Mt. Kilimanjaro is) in the other. On either side of that road are dirt roads along which are the businesses and homes. Businesses are very small buildings (imagine the concession stand at the local community recreation park) or shacks. We attract a lot of attention everywhere we go, and for the most part people are very friendly and truly welcome us, especially when they learn that we are volunteers. I think we represent opportunity and possibility. They are always calling out "Mzungu", which means European (but basically white person). At the suggestion of a new friend, a Maasai warrior named Leyani (lay-AHN), I've started to reply "Hapana Mzungu, ni Amanda" to say "Not Mzungu, I'm Amanda". The children here...the most heart-warming smiles. Those who go to school love to try out the English they're learning and are very excited and proud to talk to us. Kids often find us fascinating and funny, and just waving and saying hi triggers a lot of giggles, especially if we respond in Swahili. They love to come and shake hands and just get a closer look. Kesuma told me the first time he saw Mzungu he thought it looked like there wasn't enough skin and that if you'd pinch it "blood would come". So I imagine some of the looks we get might have those kinds of thoughts behind them. Pictures: CCS Home Base, some kids in Tengeru who saw me taking pictures and told me they wanted theirs taken by saying "What about us teacher?", Tengeru Village Market - not on market day, trash heap.