Tag Archives: Tanzania
My school through my eyes
Something I am always very aware of at school is not only my position as a year long volunteer (teaching with career teachers), but that I am an American experiencing a different culture through American eyes. That in mind, I … Continue reading
A brief (secondhand) history of Tanzanian education
This post will join some of the disparate ideas I have been blogging about into something resembling context for thinking about the failures of the Tanzanian school system. Most of the following is based on my personal experiences and what … Continue reading
Development Perceptions
As a student of colonialism coming to Tanzania I expected more negativity from Tanzanians, especially educated Tanzanians, about the impact of colonialism on Tanzanian society, and possibly some analysis of how current international power structures have failed to help create … Continue reading
The village visit
A few weekends ago, I visited the villages of the District Education Officer (DEO) and his wife, with two other WorldTeach volunteers. The DEO and his wife are both extremely generous and welcoming people, who, as good Christians, and as … Continue reading
Bob Marley Bags
Many Tanzanians like Bob Marley. His music is very popular with many middle aged Tanzanians, as well as younger Tanzanians, including my students. However, these people – largely – have not realized that he is widely associated with marijuana use. … Continue reading
The Form IV Exam
Exams are extremely important in Tanzania. Tanzanian students must pass a national exam to enter Secondary School, and after they have finished Form II they must pass another exam another exam to move on to Form III (as of the … Continue reading
Water
It wasn’t until I was talking with my dad the other night that I realized I had yet to blog about my water situation here, which is an experience worth conveying, though it is such a Western problem that I … Continue reading
Uji
By District Mandate all the Secondary Schools in Ngara district must now provide uji (a thin, slightly sweet corn porridge) to students during “tea break” in the late morning. Most students do not eat all day, so this mandate was … Continue reading
Teaching High School
In Tanzania it’s easy to forget that you are teaching the equivalent of High School students. While I haven’t spent much time around teenagers in High School since I was a teenager in High School, I have clear recollections about … Continue reading
Illness
I have been lucky enough in Tanzania – so far (knock on wood!) to avoid any serious illness or injury. A few scrapes, and a couple of the most minor colds I have ever had totaled the extent of me … Continue reading