Nimechoka sana!

I am very tired.
This morning I arrived at our primary school (actually the Tanzanian word for this level of education is better, I think -- shule ya msingi, foundation school) at 10:15 a.m. for the school's graduation. I arrived late (the festivities were scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m.) because I have so many things in the air right now and had to get some work done.
The ceremony ended -- get this! -- at a little after 5:00 p.m. It was a long day -- frankly, too long. Too many folks spoke too many words. It was unfortunate because what should have been the highlight -- the awarding of the "leaving certificate" -- was done without solemnity, in a very rushed manner.
Things were so long that there was a break for a meal in the middle of the ceremony (the meal was meant to conclude the ceremony).
Despite all the problems with the graduation ceremony, it was wonderful to be part of it. It is the first graduation of the primary school, and the pioneers were proud to be the first. But now I am content to pour a cold one and rest a bit before I receive a guest from Morogoro, Mchungaji Joshua Magyar, a Lutheran pastor who was at language school with me. It will be good to catch up with him (he's from the US, having been most recently pastoring in Montana).

And Again, Thanks

Fundraising for books for our library through Books for Africa has been so successful, that we're already starting on our second round! Take a peek.

I was in Dar es Salaam these past days, and I'm so thankful for the help especially of Steve Meyo, SJ, a scholastic who serves as the academic dean at Loyola High School. He's been supportive since day one, and his help has been invaluable. I had the opportunity to meet with our book dealer, who has a great name, David Chacha. While in Dar es Salaam I also worked on our salary scale, and called back candidates for various teaching positions. Still working on hiring.

Also, while I was in Dar es Salaam, Sr. Eugenie, a sister from the DRC, asked to meet with me. She was concerned because one of the best students in the graduating class of Gonzaga (the Jesuit primary school in Mabibo, the poor neighborhood where Loyola High School is also located) who is interested in studying with us here at St. Peter's, is also one of the poorest. She wanted to know what resources we have available to help the young man, should he be accepted. Fortunately, many friends, family, and folks I've met along the way during the last year have helped us to be able to help some such students. If you'd like to help in this regard, feel free to go to the link to the Chicago Province Jesuit's development office website to the right of this entry.

There are a lot of other things we could use your assistance with, too. Feel free to contact me if you'd like to provide such assistance -- there are "niches" for every interest and for every pocketbook!

Thanks again!

So Much to Learn

It has taken me almost a year to get learn about textbooks. Who would have thought that this would be an area of confusion.

Each time I asked someone about textbooks, the answer was just a little different -- or at least seemed so to me. Today, finally, I've figured it out: There is no such thing as a standard issued textbook. They are all based on the national syllabus, but the teacher might be using one and the students using textbooks from four different publishers. I've asked faculty members at Loyola High School, Dar es Salaam, to help me identify what are the best textbooks. I'm going to purchase enough of these for each student to have his/her own.

While in D'Salaam, I also enlisted the help of two faculty members from the science department to list the needs for our first year in the labs.
Finally, today I juggled the finalists for our teaching positions with our schedule. If -- and it's a big IF -- everyone to whom I offer a job accepts, we'll be able to make it with 7 teachers. Details as they unfold!

Friday Funnies

I received an application today addressed as follows:

Headmaster
St. Peter's Clever Secondary School
PO Box 2175
Dodoma

I'm happy to know that St. Peter Claver is already considered a clever school!

Asanteni Sana!

Thank you very much to all the folks in Toledo who participated in Sunday's fund-raiser for books for us. I really do appreciate it.

A Visit to the OLQP Site

I had reason to be at the site 4 different times this past week. Things continue to progress. Here are some pictures of the classroom block. The first is a picture shot from the almost-completed wing toward the laboratory classrooms. The area in front of the curve will be where speakers for the morning assembly will stand. You can see in the second photo the view from the balcony of the laboratory wing. Finally, the view of the campus that Jesuits will have from our residence (when it is completed!).

BIG BUCK$ for BOOKS

My friends Rob and Dana, Pete and Mary, and Tom and Jennifer along with my sister Toni are hosting a fund-raiser in Toledo, Ohio, tomorrow. The goal is to raise enough money for a container of books to be sent to us.

I am so thankful for their generosity and the generosity of so many others who have helped in the planning and execution of the event -- not to mention those who have kindly donated to Books for Africa for our project.

We really appreciate it.

My great regret is not to be able to join folks at one of my favorite Toledo watering hole, Dale's (which is actually in Maumee).