Karibu Means Welcome

              The people of Tanzania see you as one of them, holding you close to their heart, all the while the good you obtain floods into their eyes. Upon arriving to Tanzania a new language captured us, surrounding us with, “Mambo,” “Poa,” and “Karibou.” People wearing the warmest smiles, look at you with interest in whom you are.

One of these people was our tour guide Rasta John; A man with both swag and a love for everything. On our tour with him we saw through his eyes, when he showed us the clock tower, and when we stepped on the ground in which many Germans slayed Tanzanians. Emotion rushed through me, as I realized how the same thing could happen to multiple countries and people, but each time the outcome is different. Your roots come from who you are and what you are, branching out into your memories and experiences that grow with you the old and new you. My old self was always someone who wanted to do things, but wouldn’t think they were important enough. My new self strives to make everything better and keep everyone happy.

At LOAMO, they strongly believe that you should, “Leave the world better than you found it.” My first day at the school had me looking around at the eager faces of students, while my arm went around giving high-fives and fist bumps. My first experience teaching I realized that the kids wanted to learn as much as some children in America hate school.  Their faces lit up, pencils in hand and then it began; The laughter, the learning, spelling the word “kitten” and also accepting people. Whether being engulfed in African song and dance, with the dirt flying upward; or being surrounded by kids with “teacher, teacher,” ringing in my ears, I feel I belong.