I spent this morning catching up on a few New Yorker magazines – I’ve gotten to the March 30th issue to give you some notion of what my life has been like these last months. I also toured Loyola High School here in Dar es Salaam. This school has a national reputation for its excellence—and this in just fourteen years of existence. You see, until recently rote memorization of facts in preparation for the national examinations has been the order of the day, but from its very start Loyola High School has been devoted to understanding rather than simple memorization. There are over a thousand students.
It’s an impressive campus located in the Mabibo neighborhood. The specific site used to be called Mabibo Farasi because of the horse-breeding estate at its center (farasi being the Kiswahili word for horse); it is now known as Mabibo Loyola because of the school, which replaced the estate. Don’t be fooled by “horse-breeding estate”; the school was located here because, as the written history in the school’s student handbook states, “The Jesuits wished to offer quality education for those with the ambition to study but are not able to afford such education.” Admission is based entirely on merit. The benefactions of many in the States have allowed a number of poor but worthy students seek their academic fortunes here.
I had a chance also to meet with Fr. Karongo, SJ, the present headmaster. He gave me some things to think about, shared with me some of the school’s materials, and introduced me to some of the school personnel. (Incidentally, the portrait of the school's first headmaster, Fr. Dick Twohig, SJ, of the Detroit Province, hangs in the headmaster's office.) At breakfast Fr. Georges Kimonge, SJ, the school’s bursar, gave some very good and wise counsel. The Jesuits here at Loyola High School and their colleagues are obviously running a great school benefiting so many; I look forward to learning from them as I make my way in Dodoma.
(The video starts first with the Jesuit community and then goes to the playing field before going to the various "blocs.")
Showing posts with label Loyola High School Dar es Salaam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Loyola High School Dar es Salaam. Show all posts
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Karibu Tanzania
Those are the first words to be heard upon arrival: Welcome to Tanzania!
On Tuesday night I arrived to Dar es Salaam. (Don’t know when I’ll have internet connection to actually post this, so better just to write Tuesday night than last night, etc.). I must seem suspicious because of all of the passengers at the visa stop, I was the only who was required to have his picture taken and a visa insert pasted in my passport with the photo stating that I must leave the country on the day stated, 29 May. My greatest concern was that Fr. Mnubi from Loyola High School, who was waiting to schlep me back to LHS, would leave thinking, “He must have missed his flight.” It was dark –and even more than might be usual because of some problems with municipal electricity on this end of town – so I didn’t see so much at all. I did see the dalla-dallas that I’d heard and read about. Along the way, I’ll get a picture of one of these well-used mini-busses filled with folks.
I thought of my Dad and Ted Demski and also about the folks over on Larchmont Parkway in Toledo. In the heat of the summer my dad and Ted and Rob Loeb’s parents and their neighbors would take their lawn chairs out on the lawn or sit on the stoop and listen to the Tigers on WJR (“the great voice of the Great Lakes) and solve the world’s problems in this way. You see, as we made our way back along a certain stretch of road closer to LHS, folks were out of their houses enjoying the company of one another (assisted with a little something, from what I could tell); there was a summer vibrancy in the air – though, of course, technically being south of the equator we’re headed toward winter.
The road to LHS is in bad repair. Not sooo bad, though -- for Detroit area Jesuits: It’s half as bad as the road going from Colombiere to Gargaros (sp?) in the spring. The ruts here have a lot to learn from those car-swallowing (at least tire-swallowing) outside Clarkston, MI.
Finally, we arrive to a walled compound and the gate is opened for us. Electricity has been out here, too, but comes on just after we arrive. The lesson is to have a torch with you at all times – to be ready like the wise virgins (and with my iphone application, I was!).
Mnubi kindly showed me to my room, but couldn’t decide whether I was assigned to “s” or “m.” That frightened me only for a second until I realized these designations were meant for the community’s Superior and Minister who suffer and inflict their own sorts of pain! As we opened one of the screen windows up, we noticed a slight hole at the bottom, with a little lizard peeking its head through. I didn’t shriek, but I did make what must have been a perceptible flinch. As I said out loud “might as well get used to them now,” Mnubi noted that lizards are our friends – they stay away from us and feast on mosquitoes.
Community Mass is at 06h15 Mass tomorrow, so I should get some sleep. In order for that to happen with so much on my mind (not least of which is my sister Marcia’s, who is in a very bad state healthwise) I’ve asked someone who might help to make an introduction to Mr. Morpheus: Dr. Ambien; calling Dr. Ambien.
Good night.
On Tuesday night I arrived to Dar es Salaam. (Don’t know when I’ll have internet connection to actually post this, so better just to write Tuesday night than last night, etc.). I must seem suspicious because of all of the passengers at the visa stop, I was the only who was required to have his picture taken and a visa insert pasted in my passport with the photo stating that I must leave the country on the day stated, 29 May. My greatest concern was that Fr. Mnubi from Loyola High School, who was waiting to schlep me back to LHS, would leave thinking, “He must have missed his flight.” It was dark –and even more than might be usual because of some problems with municipal electricity on this end of town – so I didn’t see so much at all. I did see the dalla-dallas that I’d heard and read about. Along the way, I’ll get a picture of one of these well-used mini-busses filled with folks.
I thought of my Dad and Ted Demski and also about the folks over on Larchmont Parkway in Toledo. In the heat of the summer my dad and Ted and Rob Loeb’s parents and their neighbors would take their lawn chairs out on the lawn or sit on the stoop and listen to the Tigers on WJR (“the great voice of the Great Lakes) and solve the world’s problems in this way. You see, as we made our way back along a certain stretch of road closer to LHS, folks were out of their houses enjoying the company of one another (assisted with a little something, from what I could tell); there was a summer vibrancy in the air – though, of course, technically being south of the equator we’re headed toward winter.
The road to LHS is in bad repair. Not sooo bad, though -- for Detroit area Jesuits: It’s half as bad as the road going from Colombiere to Gargaros (sp?) in the spring. The ruts here have a lot to learn from those car-swallowing (at least tire-swallowing) outside Clarkston, MI.
Finally, we arrive to a walled compound and the gate is opened for us. Electricity has been out here, too, but comes on just after we arrive. The lesson is to have a torch with you at all times – to be ready like the wise virgins (and with my iphone application, I was!).
Mnubi kindly showed me to my room, but couldn’t decide whether I was assigned to “s” or “m.” That frightened me only for a second until I realized these designations were meant for the community’s Superior and Minister who suffer and inflict their own sorts of pain! As we opened one of the screen windows up, we noticed a slight hole at the bottom, with a little lizard peeking its head through. I didn’t shriek, but I did make what must have been a perceptible flinch. As I said out loud “might as well get used to them now,” Mnubi noted that lizards are our friends – they stay away from us and feast on mosquitoes.
Community Mass is at 06h15 Mass tomorrow, so I should get some sleep. In order for that to happen with so much on my mind (not least of which is my sister Marcia’s, who is in a very bad state healthwise) I’ve asked someone who might help to make an introduction to Mr. Morpheus: Dr. Ambien; calling Dr. Ambien.
Good night.
Karibu Tanzania
Those are the first words to be heard upon arrival: Welcome to Tanzania!
On Tuesday night I arrived to Dar es Salaam. (Don’t know when I’ll have internet connection to actually post this, so better just to write Tuesday night than last night, etc.). I must seem suspicious because of all of the passengers at the visa stop, I was the only who was required to have his picture taken and a visa insert pasted in my passport with the photo stating that I must leave the country on the day stated, 29 May. My greatest concern was that Fr. Mnubi from Loyola High School, who was waiting to schlep me back to LHS, would leave thinking, “He must have missed his flight.” It was dark –and even more than might be usual because of some problems with municipal electricity on this end of town – so I didn’t see so much at all. I did see the dalla-dallas that I’d heard and read about. Along the way, I’ll get a picture of one of these well-used mini-busses filled with folks.
I thought of my Dad and Ted Demski and also about the folks over on Larchmont Parkway in Toledo. In the heat of the summer my dad and Ted and Rob Loeb’s parents and their neighbors would take their lawn chairs out on the lawn or sit on the stoop and listen to the Tigers on WJR (“the great voice of the Great Lakes) and solve the world’s problems in this way. You see, as we made our way back along a certain stretch of road closer to LHS, folks were out of their houses enjoying the company of one another (assisted with a little something, from what I could tell); there was a summer vibrancy in the air – though, of course, technically being south of the equator we’re headed toward winter.
The road to LHS is in bad repair. Not sooo bad, though -- for Detroit area Jesuits: It’s half as bad as the road going from Colombiere to Gargaros (sp?) in the spring. The ruts here have a lot to learn from those car-swallowing (at least tire-swallowing) outside Clarkston, MI.
Finally, we arrive to a walled compound and the gate is opened for us. Electricity has been out here, too, but comes on just after we arrive. The lesson is to have a torch with you at all times – to be ready like the wise virgins (and with my iphone application, I was!).
Mnubi kindly showed me to my room, but couldn’t decide whether I was assigned to “s” or “m.” That frightened me only for a second until I realized these designations were meant for the community’s Superior and Minister who suffer and inflict their own sorts of pain! As we opened one of the screen windows up, we noticed a slight hole at the bottom, with a little lizard peeking its head through. I didn’t shriek, but I did make what must have been a perceptible flinch. As I said out loud “might as well get used to them now,” Mnubi noted that lizards are our friends – they stay away from us and feast on mosquitoes.
Community Mass is at 06h15 Mass tomorrow, so I should get some sleep. In order for that to happen with so much on my mind (not least of which is my sister Marcia’s poor state of health) I’ve asked someone who might help to make an introduction to Mr. Morpheus: Dr. Ambien; calling Dr. Ambien.
Good night.
On Tuesday night I arrived to Dar es Salaam. (Don’t know when I’ll have internet connection to actually post this, so better just to write Tuesday night than last night, etc.). I must seem suspicious because of all of the passengers at the visa stop, I was the only who was required to have his picture taken and a visa insert pasted in my passport with the photo stating that I must leave the country on the day stated, 29 May. My greatest concern was that Fr. Mnubi from Loyola High School, who was waiting to schlep me back to LHS, would leave thinking, “He must have missed his flight.” It was dark –and even more than might be usual because of some problems with municipal electricity on this end of town – so I didn’t see so much at all. I did see the dalla-dallas that I’d heard and read about. Along the way, I’ll get a picture of one of these well-used mini-busses filled with folks.
I thought of my Dad and Ted Demski and also about the folks over on Larchmont Parkway in Toledo. In the heat of the summer my dad and Ted and Rob Loeb’s parents and their neighbors would take their lawn chairs out on the lawn or sit on the stoop and listen to the Tigers on WJR (“the great voice of the Great Lakes) and solve the world’s problems in this way. You see, as we made our way back along a certain stretch of road closer to LHS, folks were out of their houses enjoying the company of one another (assisted with a little something, from what I could tell); there was a summer vibrancy in the air – though, of course, technically being south of the equator we’re headed toward winter.
The road to LHS is in bad repair. Not sooo bad, though -- for Detroit area Jesuits: It’s half as bad as the road going from Colombiere to Gargaros (sp?) in the spring. The ruts here have a lot to learn from those car-swallowing (at least tire-swallowing) outside Clarkston, MI.
Finally, we arrive to a walled compound and the gate is opened for us. Electricity has been out here, too, but comes on just after we arrive. The lesson is to have a torch with you at all times – to be ready like the wise virgins (and with my iphone application, I was!).
Mnubi kindly showed me to my room, but couldn’t decide whether I was assigned to “s” or “m.” That frightened me only for a second until I realized these designations were meant for the community’s Superior and Minister who suffer and inflict their own sorts of pain! As we opened one of the screen windows up, we noticed a slight hole at the bottom, with a little lizard peeking its head through. I didn’t shriek, but I did make what must have been a perceptible flinch. As I said out loud “might as well get used to them now,” Mnubi noted that lizards are our friends – they stay away from us and feast on mosquitoes.
Community Mass is at 06h15 Mass tomorrow, so I should get some sleep. In order for that to happen with so much on my mind (not least of which is my sister Marcia’s poor state of health) I’ve asked someone who might help to make an introduction to Mr. Morpheus: Dr. Ambien; calling Dr. Ambien.
Good night.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Visit with Dick Twohig, sj
My visit with Fr. Dick Twohig, sj, who was the original principal at Loyola High School Dar es Salaam was very good, though I was less prepared for the meeting than I intended.
I taped the meeting so that I wouldn't be distracted by taking notes; however, my life has been so hectic the last days that I haven't had the opportunity to listen to and transcribe what I taped. Dick was very encouraging. He noted that he was able to devote himself wholly to the academic program because Fr. Louis Plamondon, sj (RIP) directed the project, taking care of the things a president of a Jesuit high school might in the USA. He noted how important a good team was for the successful start of LHS Dar.
Dick noted that his three years in Tanzania were the best three years in his Jesuit life. This is a pattern among those I talk to about living in Africa. A companion in my community here at Loyola Marymount University, Rui Nunes of the Portuguese Province, says the same of his time in Mozambique.
My visit gave me a chance to visit my mother, who suffers from dementia. She recognized me as someone in her life, but couldn't quite manage to place me as her youngest (and favorite, right sibs?) child. My sisters and brother and I can take such consolation in the care she's receiving at Sunset House which facility, however unfortunately named, is a wonderful, caring place that treats its residents with such dignity.
Malkia wa Amani: Utuombe.
I taped the meeting so that I wouldn't be distracted by taking notes; however, my life has been so hectic the last days that I haven't had the opportunity to listen to and transcribe what I taped. Dick was very encouraging. He noted that he was able to devote himself wholly to the academic program because Fr. Louis Plamondon, sj (RIP) directed the project, taking care of the things a president of a Jesuit high school might in the USA. He noted how important a good team was for the successful start of LHS Dar.
Dick noted that his three years in Tanzania were the best three years in his Jesuit life. This is a pattern among those I talk to about living in Africa. A companion in my community here at Loyola Marymount University, Rui Nunes of the Portuguese Province, says the same of his time in Mozambique.
My visit gave me a chance to visit my mother, who suffers from dementia. She recognized me as someone in her life, but couldn't quite manage to place me as her youngest (and favorite, right sibs?) child. My sisters and brother and I can take such consolation in the care she's receiving at Sunset House which facility, however unfortunately named, is a wonderful, caring place that treats its residents with such dignity.
Malkia wa Amani: Utuombe.
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