I don't blog anymore because I'm 95% desensitized to the things that people would want to read about. Sure, I can recognize that some things are incredibly different to what I grew up with in Western culture… and by some things, I mean most things; but I've lived in Tanzania for over a year and half now and different is my normal, and it's hard to write about normal things.

But today, I feel like sharing, because 1) I was not even remotely desensitized to the great Roots & Shoots project I went to visit today, and 2) many of you, my family and friends, were instrumental in making it happen and I want to say THANK YOU!

Last week we went to visit a primary school that was invited to my first Fahari ya kuwa Mischana (proud to be a girl) event. I had heard that they had kept the program ongoing independently, but I'm so so busy with my role as Volunteer Coordinator, that I have had to choose to back off from being involved in visiting clubs to maintain some kind of balance. When I first started as Volunteer Coordinator, I also did all of the club visits, student support and event/activity planning, and I would do all of my many administration tasks in the early morning, evening or on the weekend. After about two and a half months, I became burnt out, and now I realize that I have to accept that I can only do so much, and spend most of my time in the office rewriting orientation materials, leases and budgets… but I still manage to participates in a few school visits or lead a few student activities every week.

The visit to this school last week was special because they were chosen to be featured on our new website that one of our volunteers is creating, so I decided to tag along. All of the girls remembered me, and were wearing the Tshirts I'd made them (with Nicole's help!). They explained to me that ever since the event last December, they've met each Wednesday under a tree in their schoolyard with a big group of girls. We interviewed one of the girls in the club for the website, and she explained how the Fahari program allowed her and her friends to approach their friend who was in grade five and in a serious relationship with a much older boy to explain to her that they were concerned about her and that they empowered her to realize that it was unhealthy and leave him. I felt so very proud of the program I started, and so grateful to all of you who helped support it financially, but also incredibly guilty that I had basically abandoned the program after only three events.

They asked me to come back to witness one of their weekly meetings, and that's what I did today.

I think today was likely my first primary school visit where I was alone. Usually, I go with a Tanzanian volunteer or colleague since primary school children speak very little English. If I'd gone alone six months ago, even then I would have felt uncomfortable, but my Swahili has really improved lately and so everything went incredibly smoothly. I met with the Roots & Shoots club patron and a few other teachers in the 'staff room', and then he lead me to the Fahari ya kuw Msichana meeting. I gave a short 'inspirational speech', as I do at most schools, and asked a few questions about their club, and then just sat and observed… I almost felt like one of the group as I sat under the tree with them, but then, of course, they brought me their only chair since Tanzanians are some of the most hospitable people in the world.

The older girls who attended the event last December choose a challenge facing girls each week and discuss it with the younger girls. They then usually have a fun activity planned, or a less-fun exam/test... I asked the younger girls if they liked the exams, and they all assured me with huge smiles that they do. After any group or individual says something or participates, they even created a Fahari ya kuwa Msichana song with clapping that they sing to congratulate their peer(s).

Today, the older girls talked about how communication technology can affect girls. They talked about bullying over the phone and over facebook or twitter, and how technology can contribute to abusive relationships. Then, all of the girls split into groups and created a skit on today's topic, and they all presented their drama presentation to the group. (Cell phones play a huge part in Tanzanian culture - I might even argue more than in North America).

It was just absolutely amazing. It was exactly what I wanted girls to be able to experience when I started the Fahari ya kuwa Msichana program. Girls were giggling, and dancing, and being LOUD. They had no inhibitions, and they were supporting each other and discussing challenges that face them as girls, and how together they can overcome them. I can't even begin to describe how wonderful it was to be there. When girls are in a mixed gender situation here, they are quiet, and curtsey, and won't look you in the eye. These girls were Tanzanian divas, and they were proud to be girls!

At the end, I told the girls how proud I was of them, and how inspired I was. They sat around me in a circle and asked me questions about Canada and played with my mzungu hair.

I'm not sure how I'll move forward with the Fahari ya kuwa Msichana program. I'm going to be really busy in the next few months with new volunteers arriving, and then the end of my contract will be nearing. I do know that I'm inspired, and I believe that you can always find time to do things if you want to…

For now, I'm happy to share my pride with you, and to once again say thank you to all who supported the Fahari ya kuwa Msichana events. (FYI - we had three: two in Dar es Salaam, and one in Morogoro).

I'll upload a few photos from today, including one that I think is really funny of a few unwelcomed boys spying from a tree, and I'll try to upload a video so you can hear the giggles and see the amazing strength these girls possess.

MUCH love,

Erica