Finally able to blog!

I've been her 10 days now and am finally finding time and internet to be able to blog! Mom and I have been extremely busy with meetings, travelling, and we're now settled in to a pretty normal schedule at St. Jude.  Over the next 2 days I'll try to update and get up to speed on where we are now in our journey.  I have a lot to cover.  But to start with, know that we made it to Tanzania!

Dar es saalam Airport, after 24+ hours of travel!

After our 13 hours on the plane from DC (I watched about 4 movies and highly recommend Warm Bodies, a fantastic zombie rom-com), we made it to Dubai. Nice airport, complete with a "Winston Smoking Lounge"...can't escape the influence of the Dash anywhere I go!

When we went through the gate to get on our flight to Dar we rode on a bus for a good 20 minutes to get out to our plane.  We were late taking off due to the plane being parked so far from the terminal.  We flew for about 6 more hours on to Dar es saalam, were met at the airport by a driver, William, who then took us on to our friends place.  What a joy it was to stay with someone who knew the city and had great connections with leaders in the city!

More later, Lala Salama (Sweet dreams...it's 11:30pm here)

Katherine

Heading Back!

It's been a long time since I've written an entry, but I'm excited to say I'll be heading back to St. Jude in just 3 days!  I will be at the school for most of June, helping to teach some PE, and also getting to coach 2 different groups after the school day finishes!

The last time I was there was for 3 peaks 3 weeks!

It's been a year and a half since my last trip, and so many great things have happened at the school since I was there last:

• Students have done OUTSTANDING on their national testing!
• My mom has been back 4 times in between...and has done some awesome things laying groundwork for figuring out what the students will do when they graduate.
• The student my brother and I sponsor has started high school, and LOVES his science classes.  He wants to be a doctor, and is well on his way.
• The campuses continue to grow and change.  Kitchens are more energy efficient, there is a new soccer pitch, teachers continue their education to be better, and students have started some gardens on campus!

I fly out of Washington, DC on June 7th, so I'll try to update every day or two while I'm there.  I'll start with about 5 days in Dar es salaam on the coast for meetings, then the rest of the time in Arusha!

Super pumped.

Skarbs/Katherine/Kat

January 2012 visiting Vedasto and his family with Stephanie and Janine.

Goal Celebration at St. Judes!

Came across this video of the kids today...fun stuff!

Smith Campus dedication

This is the day after we finished our climb!  My Mom, Grandmother, and Uncle Bruce picked me up at the Arusha hotel where we got to spend our last night (SWANKY), and we headed off to the Usa River Campus. This is pronounced "oo-sah", not U-S-A like America. 

Ok wait. Yes. My family was in Tanzania. For a special celebration.  My mom was coming over to do work with the school, and Grams and Uncle B tagged along for the "Smith Campus at Usa River" dedication. It was so special, recognizing all the work my grandparents and mother have done helping at the School of St. Jude. The only sad part of the day was that Granddad couldn't travel to be there, but will hopefully be at St. Jude in October for the St. Judes day celebration!

ALL of the pictures below were taken by Simon Scott, an AMAZING Aussie photographer who was in town doing some work for the school.  You'll notice they're far better than mine I had have put up! His website is here, and he has some really stunning shots.  I linked straight to his "current projects" page, because he took some pictures of the school while they were still building a few years ago.  Check them out!  Also, Simon is a fellow youth soccer coach, so it was fun to have someone to chat coaching with. Enjoy, it was quite the morning!

Parent's committee members

Students heading to the assembly

Kim (Deputy Director of St. Jude), Grams, Uncle B, Me, Mom

Pretty pretty!

They had the American flag upside down, but fixed it up proper!

Secondary School students and teachers

Tanzanian national anthem. It's beautiful.

Family

National Anthem

School prayer

Singing some more

Kim Saville

Assembly from above

Student performances

Performers backstage!

Love these faces...

and again...

skilled drumming

Audience appreciation

Introducing the B.F.A.B.S group, "Born From A Boombox"...they danced to Lady Gaga, it was awesome.

Mr. George, who let me teach P.E at the primary school for a day, such a cool guy.

Student performance, singing and acting

Grams doing her thing!

Everyone loves Grams

Traditional Massi Dance, one of my favorites that I got to see again a few days later at the 10 year celebration!

Massi Sandals and cloth

Photo with school leaders

Smith Campus at Usa River!

Chatting it up!

Intense discussion

Uncle Bruce and Arnold...Uncle B. stayed at Arnolds house when Arnold was in 3rd grade! Now he's in secondary school.

Kilimanjaro Day 7, heading down and out!

Hussein with Moshi Town in the background. Not taking a short call, just not the best pose.

Sunshine and lower altitude. I'll take it.

Livi with a creative birthday note for "New Dad"

Back under the canopy of trees.

The last stretch of the hike...bittersweet.

Practicing our song and dance for the porters at the end...kickline!

Comparing dirty fingernails. You can't tell from here, but they were gross. Except for Christie.

Ema getting ready to help us celebrate....it was hard to realize we were finished...

Simba kicking off our post mountain climb celebration!

Summits Africa A team!

All of our awesome porters and guides

Song and dance, our favorite!

Old Trafford...I wish there were stores/bars in the Winston that had names like this and showed soccer ALL THE TIME.

Emirates in Arusha

Whoa, real clothes? Cool!