Back Again, Home Again?

I arrived back at St Jude's yesterday, and it feels somewhat like coming home. Saw old friends and met some new one's, went through 30 boxes of books shipped to us here for distribution to different content departments (thanks to Paul Weinland!), and went for dinner down the road with Freda. Each time I visit, I always wonder if it will still feel the same, like a place I fit and should be, and each time, it takes about ten minutes for me to get my bearings and settle in.

Saw the little kitten Sausage today, all grown up and mentoring a new smaller cat that showed up recently, again old friends and new. Many western volunteers and local teachers have come and gone in the (close to) year I have been coming to St Judes, but the school itself is the same old familiar place (with little added details, such as the new paving and drainage system they have installed).

Hoping to visit the site of the new school in the coming weeks to see the progress that is being made for the January opening of the new campus. I hear tell that there are three-story buildings where a field sat the last time I was here. Starting work tomorrow with a week of observation and formal data collection focused on measuring the current status of teacher instructional approaches, should be very interesting and informative, as it will guide the rest of the work I do on this trip. More later.

Photo - teachers working together, a common occurrance around here these days!

St Jude's - The Book

Just finished reading Gemma's book, St Jude's: a girl from Guyra, a school in Africa, and the patron saint of hopeless causes. While I have heard her story many times, reading through the details of how she came to be in Tanzania, what she has accomplished and overcome, and her hopes for the future provides me with an even greater boost of energy to offer during my work at the school (and from distance when I am not able to be there to make things happen). If each of us dedicated to the work of the school could only have one-tenth of the focus and persistence she shows each day, the Schools of St Jude will truly change the lives of thousands of students in the coming years.

For more information about Gemma's book, or to order a copy for your own read, please visit the school website: http://www.schoolofstjude.co.tz/

Update on Bilali

My little guy Bilali is fully into school at this point, shy to talk in class and still learning English, but a smart boy and working hard. During my last trip, I was able to visit with his Bibi (grandmother) to talk about Bilali's progress and future. Bibi Bilali is a wonderful woman, who has taken Bilali into her home permanently, and who puts his best interest above all other priorities. As Bilali learns and grows he will be able to repay that commitment with hard work and a bright future for his entire family, all due to a small financial gift each year. Nothing could be me rewarding!

The picture above is of my last visit to Bibi Bilali's home in April. It includes Bilali and myself (looking very disheveled from the heat and travel as always). When your hand is bigger than his entire tummy, you know he is a tiny little guy!

Been a Long Time

It has been a very long time since I posted on this blog. Very busy running projects and trying to run my life at the same time. I will be returning to Tanzania in two weeks for another round of work at St Judes. During this visit, I will be gathering and analyzing some formal data about teacher practice, and will be meeting with two specific teaching departments - Language Arts and Social Studies. The department work will focus on creating strong patterns of daily instruction - patterns in how time is used, and in the ways students regularly work through the cycle of learning (reflection, instruction, application, and reflection).

The new school campus at Usa River is underway, and staff has been identified for leadership positions there in January. This will require additional teaching staff as well, and means an unending process of work, in order to make sure the appropriate staff is hired and trained in the new teaching methods being employed at the school. Good news for me, as this work is where my heart is.

The girls in the photo above are the "big girls" in the school, very interested in everything, very excited about the different possibilities for their future. For example, the young lady in the blue dress has dreams of being a pilot.

More soon from Tanzania!