Faraja Primary School

I'm back in the states now, but now that I have easy access to the internet I'll be posting at least 3 or 4 times so people can find out about my experiences and see some of the pictures.

Today I'll tell you about Faraja! Heidi, Gail, Jo and I took a 2 hour ride to one of the only schools for handicapped children in Tanzania (I think there are 3 total). My teaching background is special education so I was really looking forward to seeing these children.

We had a tour of the school, peeked into a few classrooms, saw the dorms the children stay in, and had tea. We got the sense that they didn't really want us to be in the classrooms... which was the reason I came. I didn't just want to be an observer, I wanted to teach the students. I'd forgotten that God had a greater plan for us and that I needed to forget my own agenda. Finally the pastor asked if we wanted to play with the children on the playground after school was out. Sure, fine. It wasn't teaching, but at least I'd get to socialize with the children. We took adaptive toys like frisbees, velcro balls, bubbles, wands with strings, and music to the playground with us.

It was the most amazing experience ever! ! I immediately noticed that despite having a physical handicap these children were so extremely happy. They didn't let their disabilities or hardships get in the way of their enjoying life. They were so capable of doing things I would never have imagined them being able to do. One boy (I will attach his picture) wanted to teeter totter. No big deal except he had no legs. I tried to help push the teeter totter for him but he kept shooing me away. He would bounce to get it to go up and down. When he was done, he just walked away using his arms with his empty pant legs trailing behind him.

Heidi brought an ipod and speakers and we did the Hokey Pokey. The children who could stand caught on easily and did the actions with us. Those that were in wheelchairs or who couldn't stand without a walker, we went over and picked them up and helped them do the dance. They were laughing and having the best time. There are only approximately 8 adults for 80+ children so they don't get very many opportunities to have adult assistance. We were surprised at how the students take care of each other. They push wheelchairs, they get walkers for a school mate, the help feed those who can't move their arms. It was so wonderful to see how they formed their own community and included and helped everyone be successful.

We spent the night in their guest house and the next day, after morning prayer service, the pastor let us go into the classrooms. I think the playground time the day before showed him that we deeply cared. I went into a kindergarten classroom and helped with numbers... the children spoke Kiswahili, but were learning their numbers in English. After that we went into the computer lab. They were just given four computers, but didn't know how to use them very well. I worked with one student on word processing. We may have had different languages, but communication was never a problem.

I had to write Brad and tell him that I gave away most of my money while I was at Faraja. I felt compelled to donate what I had because they were doing such wonderful things and I needed to have it continue. I went there with a full pocket book and left with a full heart! What a trade-off!