Tanzania is a diverse and rich place, and one of the things that contributes to this characterization is the Maasai tribe who live in northern Tanzania and southern Kenya. The Maasai are semi-nomadic pastoralists whose livelihood depends mostly on cattle. They believe that their god Enkai granted them cattle, and therefore cattle are highly valuable and revered. In addition to using just about every part of the cattle (the blood and milk are drunk, the hide is used for shoes and household items, the dung is used to make homes, etc.) they also use them as a form of currency and a sign of wealth. The more cattle a man has, the wealthier he is. Because of this, cattle are not usually eaten or killed unless it is for ceremonial purposes. This was one of the most surprising things in my research. Because I am used to such a different lifestyle, it is hard for me to imagine using animals as currency, let alone holding them on such a pedestal. This is such a unique and interesting part of Maasai culture, and it really made me think about how different two parts of the world can be.
Gender roles are also incredibly different between our culture and the Maasai. The men are the leaders; they make all the decisions, speak for the women, and own all the property. However, it is the women who do all the manual labor. The women take care of the house, the livestock, and the family. Despite this, there is little respect for women in Maasai society. Maasai women do not have a voice. They are married off at a young age in exchange for cattle, are not allowed to be in the room when their father is eating, and must rise early and work all day without complaint. Alternatively, men of the tribe may have many wives, and are trained from a young age to be brave warriors. The women of the Maasai tribe are strong, but they are treated as property. This was difficult for me to read about. As a woman, it is incredibly frustrating that in 2014 other women across the world are still seen as inferior when compared to men. I think that one of the things more people need to push for is greater education of the Maasai people, especially women. The Tanzanian and Kenyan governments recognize that lack of girls' education is something that contributes to mass poverty, but the problem still persists. I wonder how the women of the Maasai tribe feel. Are they happy? Do they wish circumstances were different and that they could be educated in a place like the United States or the UK? I hope that one day myself and others can be influential forces in eliminating gender discrimination in the Maasai tribe, but also helping them keep their traditional values and culture.
The Maasai also suffer enormous pressures that threaten their way of life. A major threat is the fact that their grazing lands are being taken for commercial use or for wildlife preservation. As a result, they are losing their ability to roam and have begun to cultivate the land- a practice that they traditionally believe is a crime against nature. Some people even have been forced to find work in town, although their lack of education and different lifestyle makes it difficult for them to succeed in the urban world, so many go hungry. Also, less grazing land means less livestock, which leads to greater poverty and malnutrition. This conglomeration of challenges makes an uncertain future for the Maasai.
It is amazing to see how different the Maasai culture is from our own. I wonder what my life would be like if I had grown up as a girl in the Maasai tribe. I take a lot of things for granted now, but to have so little rights just because of my gender is something hard to imagine. I also can't imagine the pressure that people in the tribe feel with the increased Westernization and other cultures impeding on their values. I'm conflicted when I think about how others can attempt to help the Maasai, because I think it is important to decrease poverty and increase education and women's rights, but I also think it's crucial to preserve their culture and traditional values, and there is a fine line between helping them and hurting them in this way. However, the Maasai are still a really fascinating people. I'm so excited for the opportunity to interact with them in Tanzania. I think that seeing how they live will open my eyes to other cultures in a way they never have been before. I hope that the experience will give me a better understanding of how other people live, and maybe even some of the simpler pleasures in life that don't come from my phone or computer, but from sharing such a unique culture with an incredibly close group of people.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Who inspires me?
Over the past month we were asked to think about three people who inspire us. This was not an easy choice, as there are so many people in my life who I look up to. However, I did manage to narrow it down to three.
The first person who inspires me is my dad's dad. He passed away a year ago, but I have great memories of talking to him with my sister. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in three years, and went on to become the first neurologist in Colorado. He was a highly respected doctor, and he treated people from teams like the Broncos. He built a color TV and a stereo for my dad and his brothers, and he traveled all over the world with my grandmother. Most importantly, he loved my grandmother, his children, and his grandchildren very much. He always asked my sister and I about what we were doing, how we were doing in school, etc. When he was really healthy, he used to take my sister and I out for lunch and talk to us. One of my best memories of him is when we were sitting at Panera Bread and he was telling me about the time he spent in Germany with my grandmother, and how much he loved her. No one ever had a bad word to say about him, and he made a lasting impression on everyone he met. Even now, I am inspired by him to live life as fully as he did. I hope when I get older I can make an impact on as many lives as he did, and love my family and those close to me that much.
The second person who inspires me is someone I haven't seen in almost two years, but who crosses my mind nearly every day. When I was in Cambodia, I met an older boy at the orphanage named Sopiep. When he was about four years old he was blinded by a landmine. The incredible thing about Sopiep is that he has never let this disability stop him. I began a conversation with him and was shocked when he spoke back to me in almost perfect English, which he said he learned just by listening to other peoples' conversations. He also knows how to play beautiful music on several different instruments. Every time my friend Schariar and I talked to him he had a smile on his face and was happy to answer all of our questions. I think about this so much - how, despite his disability, he was still driven and a joy to be around. There are many times when I lack the motivation to do something, and I find myself thinking about Sopiep and all that he has accomplished living under much harsher circumstances than I do.
I am also incredibly inspired by Lisa Marie. I don't think I have ever met someone who works as hard as she does. Her passion has driven her to pour her time and soul into Children's Global Alliance and all the kids that she works with. She is the most selfless person I have ever met, and she always puts the kids first. Almost everything I do is influenced by the things I have learned from her in some way. She has taught me that the harder you work, the happier you'll be, that giving feels a hundred times better than receiving, that you should live every second of life to the fullest, and that my family, my food, my education, and my home are such gifts. Lisa Marie has changed my life so much and I don't know where I'd be today without her.
If I were any animal, I think I would be a dog. Dogs symbolize protection, loyalty, and companionship, and I think that I exemplify all of those characteristics. I am very protective of my friends and family, especially my sister, and I will defend them against anyone who doesn't treat them with decency. I also like to think that I am loyal to my friends, as a strong friendship is something I value. I always try to be there for my friends if they ever need to talk or just have someone to hang out with. I care deeply about every one of them and I hope that they know that.
The first person who inspires me is my dad's dad. He passed away a year ago, but I have great memories of talking to him with my sister. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in three years, and went on to become the first neurologist in Colorado. He was a highly respected doctor, and he treated people from teams like the Broncos. He built a color TV and a stereo for my dad and his brothers, and he traveled all over the world with my grandmother. Most importantly, he loved my grandmother, his children, and his grandchildren very much. He always asked my sister and I about what we were doing, how we were doing in school, etc. When he was really healthy, he used to take my sister and I out for lunch and talk to us. One of my best memories of him is when we were sitting at Panera Bread and he was telling me about the time he spent in Germany with my grandmother, and how much he loved her. No one ever had a bad word to say about him, and he made a lasting impression on everyone he met. Even now, I am inspired by him to live life as fully as he did. I hope when I get older I can make an impact on as many lives as he did, and love my family and those close to me that much.
The second person who inspires me is someone I haven't seen in almost two years, but who crosses my mind nearly every day. When I was in Cambodia, I met an older boy at the orphanage named Sopiep. When he was about four years old he was blinded by a landmine. The incredible thing about Sopiep is that he has never let this disability stop him. I began a conversation with him and was shocked when he spoke back to me in almost perfect English, which he said he learned just by listening to other peoples' conversations. He also knows how to play beautiful music on several different instruments. Every time my friend Schariar and I talked to him he had a smile on his face and was happy to answer all of our questions. I think about this so much - how, despite his disability, he was still driven and a joy to be around. There are many times when I lack the motivation to do something, and I find myself thinking about Sopiep and all that he has accomplished living under much harsher circumstances than I do.
I am also incredibly inspired by Lisa Marie. I don't think I have ever met someone who works as hard as she does. Her passion has driven her to pour her time and soul into Children's Global Alliance and all the kids that she works with. She is the most selfless person I have ever met, and she always puts the kids first. Almost everything I do is influenced by the things I have learned from her in some way. She has taught me that the harder you work, the happier you'll be, that giving feels a hundred times better than receiving, that you should live every second of life to the fullest, and that my family, my food, my education, and my home are such gifts. Lisa Marie has changed my life so much and I don't know where I'd be today without her.
If I were any animal, I think I would be a dog. Dogs symbolize protection, loyalty, and companionship, and I think that I exemplify all of those characteristics. I am very protective of my friends and family, especially my sister, and I will defend them against anyone who doesn't treat them with decency. I also like to think that I am loyal to my friends, as a strong friendship is something I value. I always try to be there for my friends if they ever need to talk or just have someone to hang out with. I care deeply about every one of them and I hope that they know that.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Fundraising Update!
Hello everyone! As a heads up, I would like to let you all know that starting next week I will be selling cookie dough to help fundraise for my trip. There will be around six flavors to choose from, and each box has 40 pre-proportioned cookies for only $16! Also, in the near future I will be selling "ignite. inspire. empower." wristbands for $3. If you're interested contact me, and if you're not, tell your friends! As always, your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Nicole
Nicole
Friday, January 3, 2014
“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.” ― Nelson Mandela
I have been with Children's Global Alliance for three years now, and with each year I still feel an almost overwhelming mix of fear, excitement, anxiety, and joy. Each trip is so different from anything else I have ever experienced- no matter where I am going, I know I will be outside my comfort zone, working with real people who are so different form me in some ways but exactly the same in others (whether it be a girl living in an orphanage who loves dancing to pop music, or a boy with cerebral palsy who has a knack for math). It becomes apparent as soon as you see the smiling face and bright eyes of each child that they are not just victims of tragedy that you read about, but can never connect with or understand. You go there to teach them and to love them, and in return they help you grow and leave footprints on your heart. Which is terrifying. But it's also what makes you a better person, and what makes all the difference on these trips. It is the heart of CGA.
I have been thinking a lot about what I am afraid of most going into Tanzania, and I've come to the conclusion that what scares me the most is that I might come home regretting something I didn't do; that I'll miss an opportunity to give a hug or listen to a story and I will spend my trip home thinking about what I should've done instead of appreciating my time in the orphanage. But I think it's OK if I'm afraid of that. I think, for me, fear is one of my biggest obstacles, and if I can over come it and instead focus on my passion for being a volunteer and working with these kids, I will be able to share love without reservations, and the success of my trip will be so much greater if I focus on the smiles I got instead of hypothetical ones.
I think the most difficult thing, by far, will be being prepared to stand up and help teach English to a classroom full of kids at a moment's notice. As a person who is afraid of talking a lot of the time and doesn't work well under pressure, being able to teach on the spot might be one of the hardest things I will do. But I like to remind myself of this: facing challenges like these head on is one of the reasons I applied for Cambodia two-and-a-half years ago. Opportunities to step outside your comfort zone present themselves every day, but rarely do we take them because of the fear that we will fail. In Tanzania, the only way to fail is to not take the opportunity in the first place. I think knowing that to share the English language will help these children in their daily endeavors -and maybe even inspire them to choose a career involving English that leads them to a better life- will give me courage to stand up there and speak.
I am looking forward to seeing who I become at the end of these three weeks. I hope that I will become a stronger leader and a happier individual, but most of all I hope that I gain confidence during this trip. After each trip I have come back more self-assured and more able to make friends without the anxiety that used to come with meeting new people. These trips are difficult, there is no question about it, but they make you push yourself until you succeed, which is the key part of character growth. There is so much more that I know I will gain from this trip, but the confidence to put myself out there, discuss my opinions without the fear that other people won't like them, and talk freely to people who intimidate me is what I really wish to come back with.
I have been thinking a lot about what I am afraid of most going into Tanzania, and I've come to the conclusion that what scares me the most is that I might come home regretting something I didn't do; that I'll miss an opportunity to give a hug or listen to a story and I will spend my trip home thinking about what I should've done instead of appreciating my time in the orphanage. But I think it's OK if I'm afraid of that. I think, for me, fear is one of my biggest obstacles, and if I can over come it and instead focus on my passion for being a volunteer and working with these kids, I will be able to share love without reservations, and the success of my trip will be so much greater if I focus on the smiles I got instead of hypothetical ones.
I think the most difficult thing, by far, will be being prepared to stand up and help teach English to a classroom full of kids at a moment's notice. As a person who is afraid of talking a lot of the time and doesn't work well under pressure, being able to teach on the spot might be one of the hardest things I will do. But I like to remind myself of this: facing challenges like these head on is one of the reasons I applied for Cambodia two-and-a-half years ago. Opportunities to step outside your comfort zone present themselves every day, but rarely do we take them because of the fear that we will fail. In Tanzania, the only way to fail is to not take the opportunity in the first place. I think knowing that to share the English language will help these children in their daily endeavors -and maybe even inspire them to choose a career involving English that leads them to a better life- will give me courage to stand up there and speak.
I am looking forward to seeing who I become at the end of these three weeks. I hope that I will become a stronger leader and a happier individual, but most of all I hope that I gain confidence during this trip. After each trip I have come back more self-assured and more able to make friends without the anxiety that used to come with meeting new people. These trips are difficult, there is no question about it, but they make you push yourself until you succeed, which is the key part of character growth. There is so much more that I know I will gain from this trip, but the confidence to put myself out there, discuss my opinions without the fear that other people won't like them, and talk freely to people who intimidate me is what I really wish to come back with.
Friday, November 1, 2013
A New Journey
About three weeks ago, I had an interview with Lisa-Marie, Jen Gutmann, and Karlie Cummins about something that I was very excited about. The subject was a service trip to the Naserian School and Orphanage in Arusha, Tanzania, which services 150 kids, 32 of whom live in the orphanage, and I was applying to go. After several hours of anxious waiting and clinging to my phone, I got a call from Lisa-Marie. "How do you think you did?" she asked me, and then she told me that I will be the student mentor for the first trip to Tanzania! This is a huge honor for me and an amazing opportunity. I will be helping teach English in the school, and, most importantly, giving love to the children living in the orphanage who desperately need it. There are no words to describe how much I am looking forward to this trip. I am so excited for this amazing opportunity!
Friday, April 19, 2013
Day 6
Today, our final day at the school, was filled with indescribable emotion, laughter, tears, and partying. I started the morning off by working with Zulema, Astrid, and Maria Jose, playing mostly with clay and markers. We also played a pick-up game of kickball with half the school that the kids who are deaf organized completely on their own. I saw all the growth that every kid had made and felt every connection that had formed between us this morning- I can't begin to say how much every hug this morning meant to me.
Around, 10:30 a.m., the party began. The kitchen was decorated with streamers and balloons, and the teachers were cooking rice, chicken, and coleslaw. Every child got a meal and a cup of soda (which was refilled more than once), and they ate until they were too full to keep eating. It was fantastic to be able to give them so much food that they were so full and couldn't finish- so many of these kids are malnourished. During the party, families of the students and the kids we visited on home visits showed up, and we were able to say hello to them as well. Rosa (Rosita is what Aleyda called her), Jose Manuel (in all his sassy glory), Milagro (who will start attending Escuela Especial on Monday!!!!), and Julisa were all there. Several of the kids got to help crack open the pinata, and when the candy finally spilled out, there was a mad dash to fill their pockets. It was one of the best parties I've ever been to.
The kids left a bit after 12:00 p.m., the time school usually gets out. We said our (tearful) goodbyes, sometimes not being able to let go of each student for a while, and watched them walk home or board the bus. When everyone was finally on their way home, we boarded our own van and went back to the hotel. I can't stop thinking about how much I miss every single one of those kids. I came to love them so much over the past five days. Their intelligence and ability to surprise everyone with how much they knew changed the way I will think about people with disabilities forever. The way that some of their families treat them only inspires me more to help them and people like them, giving as many hugs and kisses and words of kindness as possible. They have changed me in so many ways, some that I am not even aware of yet, and I will never be able to forget how special this week was. Truthfully, it brings tears to my eyes to think that I might not see them ever again, but I remember how much good we all did this week and how much we changed their lives, and it makes me feel a little better. I am so grateful to have met them, and they'll be in my heart always!
Around, 10:30 a.m., the party began. The kitchen was decorated with streamers and balloons, and the teachers were cooking rice, chicken, and coleslaw. Every child got a meal and a cup of soda (which was refilled more than once), and they ate until they were too full to keep eating. It was fantastic to be able to give them so much food that they were so full and couldn't finish- so many of these kids are malnourished. During the party, families of the students and the kids we visited on home visits showed up, and we were able to say hello to them as well. Rosa (Rosita is what Aleyda called her), Jose Manuel (in all his sassy glory), Milagro (who will start attending Escuela Especial on Monday!!!!), and Julisa were all there. Several of the kids got to help crack open the pinata, and when the candy finally spilled out, there was a mad dash to fill their pockets. It was one of the best parties I've ever been to.
The kids left a bit after 12:00 p.m., the time school usually gets out. We said our (tearful) goodbyes, sometimes not being able to let go of each student for a while, and watched them walk home or board the bus. When everyone was finally on their way home, we boarded our own van and went back to the hotel. I can't stop thinking about how much I miss every single one of those kids. I came to love them so much over the past five days. Their intelligence and ability to surprise everyone with how much they knew changed the way I will think about people with disabilities forever. The way that some of their families treat them only inspires me more to help them and people like them, giving as many hugs and kisses and words of kindness as possible. They have changed me in so many ways, some that I am not even aware of yet, and I will never be able to forget how special this week was. Truthfully, it brings tears to my eyes to think that I might not see them ever again, but I remember how much good we all did this week and how much we changed their lives, and it makes me feel a little better. I am so grateful to have met them, and they'll be in my heart always!
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Day 5
In the morning, I worked in the arts and crafts classroom, where they teach life skills to the girls that attend the class. We did a lot of coloring and sweeping, and even though it was hot, I really enjoyed working with these girls and getting to know them better, because they are all so unique.
This afternoon, Tyra, Sammie, Max, Sarah, three of our translators, and I went on two more home visits. We first visited the home of a sweet fourteen-year-old girl named Milagro and checked up on her, giving her family diapers and a bag of food. Walking into her house, I knew that she was not well taken care of, but I had no idea how bad her situation really was. Milagro has cerebral palsy, and her mother has done the minimal amount of physical therapy that could possibly be done, so her tendons were tight, she had no muscle tone, and her arms and legs had been stuck growing in the same position for so long that they were contorted and she could barely move. She was so skinny and dirty -it was obvious that her mother hadn't been taking care of her- that she must've been miserable, but the enormous smile that spread across her face when we hugged and kissed her was unforgettable. She was so excited to have people be loving and kind to her for the first time in so long, and it was such an honor to be able to be a source of that love. Her mother, knowing that we would be reporting our findings to Lisa Marie and trying to help Milagro, put on some music and started singing to her child, putting on a show for the rest of us, when in reality that was probably the first time her mother had even talked to her in days. However, despite how we feel about her mother, we are all intent on bringing Milagro to our party at the school tomorrow, where she will be socializing with all of the kids there and receiving love and affection from all of us.
The second house we visited was home to Julisa, who was twenty-three and also had cerebral palsy. When we got to where she lived, her mother pulled her out of a tiny room on the side of the house. We found out that she is rarely taken out of this room. She hasn't bathed in a while (though her mother said she has, it was evident that this was not the case), she has seizures almost every day, and she hasn't pooped in fifteen days. The only toy that she plays with is a pink trash bag. After talking to her mother more and taking pictures with Julisa, we said our goodbyes and gave Julisa a hug. She was very enthusiastic about the hugging, and when Max came up to her, she held on to him as long and as well as she could. However, this will not be the last time that we see her, because she also might come to Escuela Especial for our party tomorrow! I look forward to seeing her then!
Seeing these girls today was such an incredible experience. They were both so sweet, and I wanted to take them back home with me. But seeing how they lived and what their families were like brought tears to my eyes. I don't understand how someone could treat their human child with such blatant disregard. Our translator, Zack, said to Milagro's mother today, "Do you believe in God? This is an angel sent to you from Heaven. You have to take care of her for the rest of your life." Zack hit the nail on the head- every child, every human life is so precious, especially Milagro's and Julisa's. The fact that their families don't understand that and put so little effort into caring for them makes me incredibly angry. I feel better, though, knowing that I will see them tomorrow and I'll be able to give them a million hugs, a million kisses, and all the love that they deserve.
Tonight, we are preparing 130 bags for every family who sends their child to Escuela Especial. I can't wait to see the kids' faces when we give them to them! We are going to have an amazing goodbye party tomorrow, where we'll celebrate everything that the kids have taught us and what we have taught them. It's going to be an exciting day!
This afternoon, Tyra, Sammie, Max, Sarah, three of our translators, and I went on two more home visits. We first visited the home of a sweet fourteen-year-old girl named Milagro and checked up on her, giving her family diapers and a bag of food. Walking into her house, I knew that she was not well taken care of, but I had no idea how bad her situation really was. Milagro has cerebral palsy, and her mother has done the minimal amount of physical therapy that could possibly be done, so her tendons were tight, she had no muscle tone, and her arms and legs had been stuck growing in the same position for so long that they were contorted and she could barely move. She was so skinny and dirty -it was obvious that her mother hadn't been taking care of her- that she must've been miserable, but the enormous smile that spread across her face when we hugged and kissed her was unforgettable. She was so excited to have people be loving and kind to her for the first time in so long, and it was such an honor to be able to be a source of that love. Her mother, knowing that we would be reporting our findings to Lisa Marie and trying to help Milagro, put on some music and started singing to her child, putting on a show for the rest of us, when in reality that was probably the first time her mother had even talked to her in days. However, despite how we feel about her mother, we are all intent on bringing Milagro to our party at the school tomorrow, where she will be socializing with all of the kids there and receiving love and affection from all of us.
The second house we visited was home to Julisa, who was twenty-three and also had cerebral palsy. When we got to where she lived, her mother pulled her out of a tiny room on the side of the house. We found out that she is rarely taken out of this room. She hasn't bathed in a while (though her mother said she has, it was evident that this was not the case), she has seizures almost every day, and she hasn't pooped in fifteen days. The only toy that she plays with is a pink trash bag. After talking to her mother more and taking pictures with Julisa, we said our goodbyes and gave Julisa a hug. She was very enthusiastic about the hugging, and when Max came up to her, she held on to him as long and as well as she could. However, this will not be the last time that we see her, because she also might come to Escuela Especial for our party tomorrow! I look forward to seeing her then!
Seeing these girls today was such an incredible experience. They were both so sweet, and I wanted to take them back home with me. But seeing how they lived and what their families were like brought tears to my eyes. I don't understand how someone could treat their human child with such blatant disregard. Our translator, Zack, said to Milagro's mother today, "Do you believe in God? This is an angel sent to you from Heaven. You have to take care of her for the rest of your life." Zack hit the nail on the head- every child, every human life is so precious, especially Milagro's and Julisa's. The fact that their families don't understand that and put so little effort into caring for them makes me incredibly angry. I feel better, though, knowing that I will see them tomorrow and I'll be able to give them a million hugs, a million kisses, and all the love that they deserve.
Tonight, we are preparing 130 bags for every family who sends their child to Escuela Especial. I can't wait to see the kids' faces when we give them to them! We are going to have an amazing goodbye party tomorrow, where we'll celebrate everything that the kids have taught us and what we have taught them. It's going to be an exciting day!
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