I’ll be the first to tell you that a lot of prep work went into this trip. From contacting organizations to figuring out transportation logistics, there were a lot of hours spent on the computer doing research this summer. I tried to make sure I knew a little bit about each country I planned to visit, just so I wouldn’t be completely clueless when I arrived. Take Tanzania for example, I knew a little bit about their colonial history, that Swahili was commonly spoken, and that tourism played a huge role in their economy. You’ll notice though, that no where in my prep work did German come into play. Which was fine, right up until I started at Shika on Thursday. Turns out, Shika is a popular destination for German volunteers. Sprechen sie deutsch, anybody?
Now, before you go sending me German Rosetta Stone, be assured that the other volunteers speak excellent English. They have all been very kind to me, the lone American in the bunch, and they’ve even taught me a few German phrases to help me fit in. I’ve enjoyed getting to know them over the last few days, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the time we spend together at Shika. Shika, by the way, is an after-school program for at risk kids from a small school in Arusha. In addition to providing homework help, Shika provides a variety of other activities to keep the kids busy and off the streets in the afternoons. Volunteers help run the activities, but they also have the chance to just hang out with the kids. Like any program working with preteens, it has its challenges, but I’ve really liked what I’ve seen and done so far.
And, here’s the more important thing I’ve realized in the last few days. We all want the same things for the kids we’re working with at Shika, no matter what language we speak. On Friday afternoon, when an impromptu dance party started, Ira was busting out just as ridiculous moves as I was to get the kids to laugh. Kirstin and I had a great conversation about a snack program she started at her school, one that I would love to see started at ARCH. Over dinner a few nights ago, Serina expressed her frustration with wanting to do so much, but being at a loss as to how to do it. It’s the same feeling I have had several times during my time here.
Shortly after the Boston Marathon tragedy, a saying attributed to Mr. Rogers began circling the Internet. It said:
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
Thankfully, I haven’t seen bombings on this trip. But, I have seen things that have upset me, things that have frustrated me, and things that I’ve wanted to change. It is easy to get overwhelmed by the need, especially when you see yourself as the only one concerned and the only one that will help. It can be easy to forget that all over this great big world of ours, there are people who care about the same things we do and who are just as willing to do something to help.
I’m thankful for my new German friends for a lot of reasons. They’ve given me the scoop on where to go in Europe. They’ve helped me figure out my way around Arusha. Together, we figured out the Tanzanian postal service, and we were able to send a few postcards home. But, more importantly than anything we’ve seen or done, they have reminded me that all over this world of ours are people who care and people who are working to make their corner of the world a little bit better place. And, at the end of the day that’s what’s important, no matter what language you say it in.