Date: Sunday June 17, 2007
I was told by someone at home that I needed to write more…for some reason I haven’t really felt that culture shock that everyone was talking about…and I guess that is part of the reason I haven’t had much to say…When I first started this project…I began to prepare for the unexpected…I wanted to arrive here with no idea what to expect…I think that might have been a contributing factor to my lack of culture shock… I came here not knowing what to expect and I know I will be leaving here knowing so much more… Not only about another country with a culture vastly different from my own…but about myself…the things this team of mzungus has accomplished is amazing…
From the Health Clinic where Rob and Kate had to make some tough medical decisions and second-guess, not only themselves, but the doctors as well in order to save a life. I know you to will make excellent nurses in the real world…And we can’t forget the other nursing students like Chelsea and Jess…who are putting their educations to the test when they assist Doctor Godlove. You guys are experiencing things that other nursing students can’t even imagine.
Then we look at the environmental group. Together with Quinn’s testing of the water for bacteria and pathogens, and the research done by John, Mo, and Evan about composting, this community will have many safe years of drinking water now that this idea and technology has been introduced to them. Lets not forget the work on the running track for the secondary school. I have to say guys…as hard of work as that was…I enjoyed every second of it working with you two…I hope the community uses buttercup for years to come.
Lets not forget the education group. Stacy and Bianca, I know your filing system will be something the school uses to keep students organized as well as have backups for emergencies. And Professors Lewis and Susan, I hope the traits you taught the Secondary School faculty gives them the ability to teach students how to become great members of society. Also the work Nicole, Karen and Chris have done with putting in windows will benefit the community and make for a more comfortable abode for the students of Secondary School.
Moriah, the work you have done with the building of the new dispensary for the Secondary School will be something they will look at and use for years to come and remember how that Master of Architecture from America showed them how the job was done right. Lets not forget Kim. Your assistance with the computers at the school is something this community needed greatly. You efforts will allow this community to take steps in learning arts that are necessary for living in this ever-progressing world, that even confuses me.
And last but certainly not least, Jay. Jay you have been an inspiration to me. I have always been interested in photography and I have to say watching you in action has only furthered that. Always ready with your two six shooters at your sides and the occasional Chinese camera, you move through Pommern like you weren’t even Mzungu… Sometimes I don’t even see you standing behind a crowd of townspeople until I see the unmistakable flash of the “Jay shot”. I hope I can be half the photographer you are sometime so I can capture every moment of life forever on my really expensive camera some day. I guess through writing this entry I realized what I was looking for. That the world needs more dedicated people to heal us, educate us, and inspire us to make the world a better place. Tanzania team 2007 thank you for showing me what “extraordinary people” look like.
-Josh
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