We had to wait to find out where we will be living the next 2 years until the big-wigs showed up. PCV Jeff gave a presentation on the National exams (NECTA) and we learned that the exams consist of questions sent in by teachers so they do not follow the national syllabus very well. However, he has gone through about 10 years of tests with his colleagues and they have created study guides for the different subjects based on what is usually asked. He highly recommends having the students memorize some things while trying to get them to understand. Some people didn’t like that he recommended straight memorization sometimes but it can really help the students do better on the exams. If a student does poorly on the exams, s/he cannot continue in school. It’s not like in the US where it doesn’t matter as much. Here, the tests determine their future. So I’ll be teaching to the test and seeing if I can get them to think along the way.
After chai, we all gathered outside as some local group played drums and danced. We all got up and danced with them for a song before starting the announcements. All the Americans from PCHQ-Tz came in from Dar (CD, PTO?, PCMO, AO) and they were excited as well. There was a big map placed up front with Post-It notes covering our pictures that were arranged around the map. Each “group” of sitemates (“close” PCVs) had a string from the pictures to the site location on the map. Our group decided the youngest should go first so Geneva had the honors of revealing the first site announcement….and it was me! I was in a bit of shock as I never expected to be first.
I am headed to Gitting Secondary School near Katesh in Manyara Region to teach Chemistry. It is south of Ngorongoro/Serengeti area and Andrea (our CD) said it is a little cool and there is a nearby mountain – woohoo! There was a PCV there last year but he ET’ed (left early). In the site description e wrote that the school provides electricity and there is a close water pipe that works most of the time. The local tribe is Wairaqw and the former PCV said that some villagers only speak their language, Kiiraqw. In addition to studying Kiswahili, I will be trying to learn some Kiiraqw at site. I have a feeling I will have plenty of opportunities to get back in shape because the nearest market is apparently a 2 hour walk. I’m looking forward to getting a bicycle asap once I arrive. Also the post office town is a 2 hour bus ride or a 2 hour walk then a 1 hour bus ride. And that’s not even my banking town. Hopefully there are other PCVs in the area that I can share a PO box with and any of us can let the others know if they have mail. That way I don’t have to go into town to know if I have mail sometimes. Uma and Ghee are in the same general area and there are some Health and Environment volunteers there too. Unfortunately, we are a 2 day bus trip from Dar; guess I won’t be going to PCHQ much.
Others in our group were placed from north to south to east. 3 even ended up on the island of Pemba and we only expected 1, who already knew because she is part of a pilot program to teach English at a teacher’s college. Megan (S), who I ran with in Philly, is in Kilimanjaro region so we are already planning on doing the marathon. We think the ½ marathon will be perfect this year and we’ll train for the full Kilimanjaro marathon in 2012. Carolyn and (Chris) Paff are near Ngorongoro Crater so they are also expecting a visit. Plus they aren’t too terribly far from me so I will probably be reading all the books they brought (mostly sci-fi).
We finished early and PC took pity on us so they drove us back to Kihonda. This meant I was able to get measured for my dress! I asked the lady to make it a wrap dress by showing her a sketch (thanks Megan) and saying some words like jacket while miming. I have no idea how it’ll turn out but will see when I get back from Shadow.
I talked with my parents a lot today because the cell company had a great deal. It only cost me about 10,000Tsh for ~55 min total -> ~$6.50 (I think it was 130Tsh a min, which is the price for 1 text message to the US). Not worrying so much about time let me have a better conversation and I even left a couple messages for people (like Eric whose birthday was yesterday).
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