Seminars...

In the following days I had several seminars, starting with a meeting with the headmasters of all partner schools. In former meetings we often had the problem, that they do not talk about problems..I guess it is a general problem. So I tried to do some group activities. I was really surprised..but it worked:)

After that meeting I went to Kizimkazi.. a lovely place...just a few steps from the beach. There I met the four volunteers. We had a lot of discussions about life in the family and the situation in school. There were a lot of cultural aspects we talked about. As I did the same program, I remembered similar situation..being frustrated that things are just going slower (polepole)here etc. Then we went back to town in order to have a meeting with all volunteers and their tandem teachers. Tandem teaching is one of the main ideas of the program. Working in a team to exchange ideas etc. We talked about the experience, the problems, etc. As some cultural problems came up and also the discussion about the punishment of students came up, I divided the group in volunteers and tandem teachers. The volunteers discussed about alternative punishment to beating..as this is still common in most of the schools. It was interesting as some teachers really do not see an alternative. Not everything is possible in all schools...as the class size varies from 18 to 70, but still good ideas were collected. The teachers discussed about cultural aspects..what a volunteer should know...from clothes, communication, the idea of sharing.. Very interesting and a good exchange. At the end new ideas and plans for the second half of the volunteers' stay were discussed..

Ministry of Education

Yesterday I went to the ministry in Dar es Salaam. We only want them to help us in getting the Residence permit. But it's a little difficult..the system is really strict and sometimes circular..we have to prepare several letters...and we always get different information. But I hope this time it will work. The meeting in the ministry of education in Zanzibar was very good. The director (a woman!!) just changed and I had to introduce our program. I had the impression she really understood the idea of the program and really supports it. As it wasn't like in former meetings I have the feelding it is a good sign for our program:)

Back to school

I went back to the school again. I was really happy to see that the English Room I established is still there. Every Friday they meet..It's the so called "English Club". Students discuss, can rent books, it's great. If you remember I made this film with the students and we also watched a film from a German class. Thanks to Bianca they prepared a lot of material. I gave it to them today and they were very happy. Here some impressions of the English room...

All the other classrooms are empty, no pictures on the wall etc.

Back in the family

Now I am back in Stone Town, where I lived and worked. Of course I really wanted to see the family. It was really nice. Here just one impression:

I wanna go there again and we will do a trip together. Especially the mother of the family does not really leave the house.. The situation for women still hasn't changed...

Back in Zanzibar

..after 2,5 years I am back in Zanzibar now. It's great. As I promised I will try to write a little bit about my experience here. The first days I just relaxed. Whenever you want to relax, eat good food, read...you should go to Mango Beachhouse in Jambiani.