It has been a long time since we updated everyone on our life here in Tanzania. We are doing well but the last few months have been busy, challenging, and sometimes frustrating. I finish my teaching certificate in 15 days so this post will be short but give you an insight into why we have been so quiet.
In February and March, the combination of student teaching, working part-time with Ubongo Kids, and coursework meant 12-16 hour days and caused me to lose almost every weekend. Nathan was also very busy with work as usual so he kindly worked alongside me most weekends and even learned how to cook a few meals for us. One of my best friends I’ve made in Dar left in January and I’ve had a hard time accepting the expat turnover ever since. Most people doing development work come on 1 or 2 year contracts so it’s not uncommon to be asked “How long will you be here?” and while sometimes it seems exciting to talk to people about what they will be doing next, it can also be sad and frustrating. There are many, many reasons why contracts are so short and I won’t discuss them now. I will just say that a tiny NGO lost a great person when Mari moved back to the US and many of us (including the 31 kids at the Children’s Home) miss her every day.
The last few months were not without some good trips and great experiences. For my 33rd birthday, we went to Zanzibar to relax and Nathan went diving and saw his first sea turtle in the water. That same week, we were invited to a special meeting with Dr. Jane Goodall and local Roots & Shoots volunteers. She came to discuss ways that she could support the work they do in Tanzania, and like the first time I met her, she took the time to listen to every single person’s concerns. One of our favorite comments in the meeting was from a young Tanzanian who was most excited to meet Dr. Jane because Dr. Jane had worked with the famous Dr. Louis Leakey, someone this girl admired since learning about him in school.
We also went to Moshi again for the Kilimanjaro Half Marathon and somehow had forgotten in a year just how difficult this race is. Nathan likes to blame it on the flat, sea-level training runs in Dar while I like to blame it on me not being in good shape. It is still my favorite half marathon because of the great Kili views and opportunity to relax in Moshi with old and new friends.
After 3 intense months of work, we took a 2 week road trip in April through Southern Tanzania, Northern Malawi, and Eastern Zambia. A blog post will soon come about this 2,000+ mile adventure with 30+ traffic police stops, hippos in camp, and no flat tires. But for now, I wanted to give you the good news on Nathan. Some of you reading this know that Nathan got Malaria on the trip but the signs didn’t show until we were back in Dar a couple of weeks ago. He had great care at a hospital for 48 hours and yesterday was told he is Malaria-free!
Finally, some news I cannot hide any longer…I will be a first grade teacher next year at Braeburn Dar es Salaam International School! I have loved being a student teacher at the school this year and am honored to join the team. It is a British curriculum school, so this Southern girl has to learn how to talk real nice and proper. Lord, have mercy on me!
So, are we doing okay? Yeah, we are doing really, really well.
Karibuni Vietnam, Y'all 
I really love hearing about all of your adventures. And I know hard work too! Glad to hear about Nathan’s good health & your exciting new position. Southern girls are proper too, right?!
Maybe they are proper in Georgia 😉