Bukoba, Tanzania

Saturday, July 11, 2015

The See-You-Later Moment | GCN | FAIR School

This weekend will mark two weeks since COSAD said goodbye to our volunteers from GCN & FAIR School. The Sunday before they departed, we spent all-day relaxing, eating, doing a bit of work in the container, and enjoying each other’s company before they started their journey home. One of the students said it best when they said, “This isn’t goodbye, this is a see-you-later moment.” Everyone agreed! I couldn’t have imagined a more open, accepting, fun and generous group of individuals to spend two weeks with in our communities. You each are simply wonderful. As Smart wisely said, Bukoba is now your second home, you are always welcome here! I can’t wait to see what is next for y'all! See you in Minnesota!

The entire group gathers- sharing stories and songs.

Each of our volunteers gave a short speech..

And teaching Smart a few new MN slang terms.. :)

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Giving Goats | GCN | OWOG

Friday was the last day volunteers worked on goat pens in Kagondo Village. When we arrived in the village, we found our third pen practically finished (thanks to a very ambitious and excited participant). We helped finish a fourth pen, and started a fifth pen. The students were forced to measure and construct the goat pens without help from the local experts for the entire day, and they did it! I was very impressed, and the pens turned out great. Everyone was exhausted to the point of clumsiness by the end of the day. :)

On Saturday morning, the group re-visited Kagondo Village to survey and approve each home & goat pen. Once each pen was approved, the women hopped on our bus and drove with us to the goat farm to receive their goats!

In a beautiful ceremony, each students gave one woman her goat. It was neat to experience the end result of GCN/FAIR Students' generous donation and hard work. The women walked away singing & smiling..

Lunch Break!

**Saturday Giving Goats**

The first of ten goats being given by the volunteers.

Gathering briefly after all women received their goat.

...and finally- the women starting their journey back to their homes, with their goats!

Goat Pens (Third Day of Construction) & Baskets in Kitwe | GCN | OWOG

Thursday, the volunteers finished their second goat pen and started on their third! After the labor-intensive part of the day was finished, we went to Kitwe Village to re-visit the group of women who weave baskets. Our first trip to Kitwe Village happened before the group had exchanged money, so after several requests we made sure to reserve an afternoon to buy baskets- which contributes to the local economy and community empowerment programs. The group also bought freshly harvested coffee (yum!). After collecting baskets and coffee, we visited a nearby school one of the team members had help build nearly five years ago. She had taken a previous trip with GCN to work with COSAD, and they spent their time working at the school with all the kids helping out! The building is now fully-functioning, and makes up a significant portion of the school's usable classrooms.

It was a beautiful day!