Jeff's Tanzanian Adventure: Farewell Mwanza

Not many pictures this time. This past week was a blur of activity as we worked to try and complete the curriculum document for the remedial course. There were eight of on the curriculum team: four Mwanza teachers (Charles, Joseph, Juma and Thadeus), 2 VETA officials (Leah and Rehema) and 2 NorQuest instructors (Jeanne and Jeff). Most of the week was spent in one room at the campus with the curriculum team carefully going over the outcomes and possible activities for five areas: study skills, communication skills, Science basics, Math basics and career connections. At times the work could be very tedious as we debated action verbs and whether or not outcomes were specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic and timely. Thankfully we found many opportunities to laugh as well. We couldn’t finish the complete curriculum document but the staff at the college will likely wrap it up within the next few weeks. Then, over the next few months, it will be time to design the assessments and provide some support in teacher training so that the teachers can start designing lessons for the course. Thankfully we have email and Skype!

Lunch with the team: L-R Joseph, Thadeus, Juma, Charles, Leah, Jeff and Rehema

Working on curriculum.

Gracie

On Thursday night Jeanne and I said goodbye to many of the staff at the Isamilo hotel. The Isamilo is staffed by some charming and conscientious young men and women. In particular, Jeanne and I came to build friendships with Gracie, Analousie, David, Josephat, Patrick and Johannes. I think they really appreciated how Jeanne did her best to speak to them in Swahili and ask for their help in learning new words and phrases. They said they were sad to see us go. The manager of the hotel, Joshua Kadu, said he was also sad to see us go. He said that we were family now and he treated us to a free dinner in the hotel restaurant. It was a nice little send-off. If you want a nice hotel to stay at in Mwanza, the Isamilo is the place.

Rainy Season in Mwanza

One last look from the balcony

On Friday afternoon Jeanne and I said our goodbyes to the Mwanza team. The principal gave us some Tanzanian coffee and tea to take home (Where am I going to fit that in my luggage?) and we exchanged more than a few handshakes and hugs. In a few short months we will likely see some of these people again as they come to Canada to see our colleges and we continue working on the project.