Happy one year anniversary to us!

        One year ago today Jason and I got married on the Phi Phi Islands, Thailand. We were with our parents and siblings. It could not have been a more perfect day. I was not a bride hung up on the small details, all we cared about was that we were getting married. The very loud microphone that the preacher was speaking into could not change that. Actually, it just made us laugh. The fact that my father had to keep handing me a rag to wipe the sweat away could not change the fact that I was marrying my best friend. We laughed at that as well. All the small imperfections gave our wedding character. Sure, by time we took pictures all my make up had been wiped off and Jason's shirt was completely see through from sweat, but we didn't care. I look back on that day and it feels like yesterday but our lives have certainly changed. We have been living in Tanzania for a little over 6 months now. I am very proud of what Jason and I have accomplished in such a short time here. Jason is a pilot for a private airline and I have started my NGO, Walk In Love.

        We have been very busy but we are lucky because at the end of the day we have each other. If I did not have Jason to listen to my ramblings, my frustrations, and to make me laugh I think I would have packed up and gone home a long time ago. Life here is good but it is difficult. Just imagine if everything you thought made sense, didn't. It doesn't make sense to charge $550 to volunteer in Tanzania, it doesn't make sense to be tax exempt you have to be a religious organization, it doesn't make sense that if you are paying 2 inspectors $600/day for there expenses that you still have to pick up there $200/ night hotel room or they simply won't let you pass the inspection. I could go on and on, but I won't:) 

T.I.A.

1. A couple of days ago Jason and I were riding the motorcycle and a man on rollerblades grabbed ahold and we took him into town. I turned and said "Karibu" which means welcome, he just smiled:)

2. Our car broke down almost a month ago and we just got it back.

3. Nothing is made in Tanzania. Everything comes by truck from Kenya that is why it takes so long to get anything and why everything is so expensive.

4. You can buy a Range Rover here for $15,000 and buy the same one in the states for $4,000.

5. We see Masaai wearing all black with their faces painted white  with Ostrich feather in their hair on a weekly basis. They are going through circumcision and must dress like that for 3 months. They look terrifying but the Masaai are actually some of the nicest and funniest tribes.

6. I love it when the women make a high pitched noise while clicking their tongues on the roof of their mouths. It means they are happy:) 

7. Spending time with people in the villages makes me happy.

8. If Jason does not take off before 5:45 he has to spend the night in the Serengheti.

9.The milk here actually tastes like a cow and thats nasty.

10. If you import anything, including a package, the Tanzania government charges 48% of what they think it costs.

To see pictures of the white Masaai follow this ling:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8262578@N08/500275296/

My friend, Zulfa

My friend Zulfa is sweet, funny, outgoing, compassionate, optomistic and for reasons I cannot understand, happy. Zulfa is 8 years old and has been through more in those 8 years than most of us will go through in our entire lives. She has been traumatized, victimized and treated like no more than dirt found on the bottom of a shoe.

I met Zulfa a couple of weeks ago when I first started working with Golgotha, the school she attends. Zulfa hung out the weekend we were painting the classrooms as well. She told Jason that she loved him! The teachers and volunteers told me that she was normally terrified of men but she was really comfortable with Jason. It was so sweet!

The next week I was invited to take a field trip with the kids from Golgotha to Lake Manyara National Park. One of the volunteers had arranged and paid for all the kids from class 2 and 3 to go. On the first stop when we all got off the bus to see the hippos Zulfa came up to me and took my hand, the way she was smiling at me I already knew whatever she was going to ask I was going to say yes to, she asked me if I would call her up to sit on my lap when we got back on the bus. Of course, I did this immediately when we got back on the bus. How could I resist that sweet smile! Over the next 5 hours Zulfa sat on my lap. She took pictures, the ones above and below, we listened to music, pointed out all the animals, and drew all over my arms. She wrote “I love Aubree” on her arm and “I love Zulfa” on my arm.  About half way through the trip I had decided, and told the other volunteers, that I wanted to be a bigger part of Zulfa’s life than just the occasional visitor. I am in love with this girl!

Zulfa has only one living family member, her mother, Anna. Anna has done what she has had to do to make a living for herself and Zulfa. Unfortunately, this path has been a very traumatizing and dangerous one for both of them. I requested that Anna meet with me the day I was meeting with the widows. She came, much to my delight! I sat and spoke with her for some time trying to figure what Anna wanted to do and how we could help her and Zulfa have a bright future. During the interview Anna told me that she was taking classes to become a tailor before she got sick. I suspect the “sickness” is related to HIV/AIDs, but unfortunately, there is still a stigma attached to being diagnosed and Anna has so far refused to get tested.

With your help, I would like to send Anna back to school and take care of her and Zulfa’s basic needs while she is attending school. Anna has one year left of tailoring school and once she finishes WIL will hire her to make our products. It will cost $100 per month for Anna’s tuition, rent and food for her and Zulfa. Anna wants to change her life and make a better future for Zulfa, but Anna has not had the opportunities in life that most of us have. She has no family, no education, and has been on her own for most of her life.

If you would like to sponsor Anna or contribute to her education please email me at walkinlovetanzania@gmail.com and/or use the donate button that is located on our website www.walkinlovetanzania.com and on the blog walkinlovetanzania.blogspot.com. WIL is in the process of registering as an NGO in the USA and all donations are tax exempt for this years taxes.