Day One in Babati

Wow. What an incredible day. - Karen
Hectic but kids at the school were wonderful to us. Our students did a great job teaching and interacting. No mosquitos at all!- Charlie

Hi, its Justin. Today was a very exciting day. Finally after a full 22 hours of travel we finally ended up at the sinai school in Babati. When we arrived at the school, all of the children rushed to the bus and were throwing flowers at the bus, that's when I finally realized that after 5 years of wanting to go on this trip that it was finally happening. When we got off the bus the kids were crowding us, giving us high fives and fist bumps, I felt like a celebrity. When we finally got out of the crowd, the kids got in lines and sang the Tanzanian national anthem to us which was great! Next we got to teaching. Lindsey, Lori, Penny and I were teaching 2nd and 3rd grade. The students were great! We made name tags and went through some ice breakers including making a paper chain with their names on it and head shoulders knees and toes. The kids seemed to be having a great time. They found it very funny when I messed up while talking in swahili. Today was a great day and I can't wait for tomorrow!

After a very long plane ride and and a stay at a beautiful hotel we finally arrived at Sinai. As we pulled in they all ran and surrounded us and gave us flowers. We gave fist bumps and high fives and lots of hellos. It was then that I realized that I am in Tanzania and that I was finally doing what I had been waiting for for years.  Then they sang us the national anthem very well and afterwards we sang it back but not quite as well. From then we went on and broke into groups to teach. I had 6/7 and they were amazing. It is getting late but I had an amazing day, I can already tell that this will be one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. We miss you!! Bye - Grace

One of the adults told me at one point Nic came in the library room (our "office" and said "I'm just blown away" and she asked "in a good way or bad way" because I had warned them that it can be overwhelming and they could come to the library if they needed a break or adult, well he said good way, something to effect that this is most amazing things he has ever seen or done
I will do more project details tomorrow but for now need to get some kids to call home and sleep. -Karen