First of all, I’ve stepped into a new leadership role. We’re calling it Academic Coordinator. I work with the other Western Mentor Teachers to help the Tanzanian teachers. We now have two Tanzanians in each classroom as partner teachers, and the mentors each have a role to help them succeed. I work with them, a bit more removed from the classrooms, to keep everything moving in the right direction, as well as some admin work. It’s been an interesting transition, but I really am enjoying a different side of teaching in Tanzania! I get a chance to impact the whole school through teacher training, coordinating curriculum and school events, and overseeing the academic side of Hope School.
We had some last-minute teacher changes this summer, and my mom felt God leading her to come help out for the first two months. This time has been such a gift to both of us, and I’ve especially loved sharing my second-home with her. She’s helped the school SO much with organization, and doing the jobs I wouldn’t have had time to do if she wasn’t here. She also has such a gift of loving people well, and the students and teachers have all experienced that.
It’s been so fun introducing her to all of my friends here, and showing her around my world! Our time has been filled to the brim with adventures and time together, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Highlights this past two months include:
Getting to know my new housemates! Josh & Emily (the two on the left in the bottom pic) work with me & Katie (who was here last year, left on the top pic) at the school, and Grenisha (right on the top pic) works with another ministry in Moshi! I so appreciate them and am so glad to be doing life with them here in Tanzania!!
Teacher Training! I started the year out with a two-week teacher training before school started. It was intense, and a lot of work, but was a great start to the year. We did some team building activities, set up their classrooms, and spent time going over all of the teacher stuff: curriculum, classroom management, and more.
Adventuring! We’ve spent time getting out of Moshi and going to waterfalls, a coffee tour, a beautiful farm, a big city, and the Hot Springs! It’s so much fun to see new places in Tanzania, as well as return to some favorites.
Last week, my dad joined my mom and I for a few days! It was a joy to show him my life here, and we packed as much as possible into his four days. We went to a church in the village, got to travel up the mountain a bit each day to see a hospital his hospital partners with and an awesome shop with painters & Tanzanite, and I showed him the school & he got to meet the teachers/staff! He and my mom decided to make a whole trip out of their visit here, so now they’re off to Kenya for safari!
I have so much more to share with you, including some exciting news! Look for part 2 of this blog post tomorrow! Thanks for sharing in this adventure with me!
