Goodbyes are sad. Who said parting is such sweet sorrow? Sweet?!?

Some would say that I have lived for the past ten months around the world, far  from my family and friends. They would be wrong.

The truth is that I have been adopted by a whole caring community.

Take for instance Caroline and Michael Shedafa. They have taken me in as one of their own.

Two years ago when I first worked in Lushoto, I lived with Caroline and her two boys. When I returned to the United States, we stayed in close touch. Last summer they greeted me warmly and gave me a bed in which to sleep until my house was ready.

Caroline married Michael in December. The friendship doubled. Many of my holidays and the events that have become special memories were spent in their family.

Throughout life we are blessed to meet people who are kindred spirits. As I pack my suitcase, I know that the Shedafa family will be part of my life for years and years to come. I will track Godlisten and Edson’s growing years for they and their family have captured part of my heart. I will think of them often and pray for them unceasingly.

It is not work only that defines us but the people we meet along the way.

The mission completed in Tanzania this year is significant. You and I, working together, have accomplished much.

And…

I realize as I pack my bag that it is the people, my friends and new family, who have shared their lives along the way that have made it possible.

They have carried me through many challenges and I will carry them back to Philadelphia in my heart.

Amani,

Amanda

Last month we had a visit from the Tanzanian Commission for Universities. In mid-May, a committee of five came to SEKUCo to observe and check on our progress. What they found is a university that has grown substantially, both in academic ability and administrative skill.

We gave the members of TCU a tour of the university. Each department head gave a detailed description of his or her department’s strengths and weaknesses. I had the privilege of showing the committee our new equipment for students with visual impairments and teaching them how it works. 

Before leaving Magamba, the TCU committee gave their report on how they see our performance – we made the grade! – and suggested ways we can improve. Additional documentation will follow.

In the midst of meetings and administrative responsibilities it is easy to lose sight of the reasons why we are doing what we are doing. I had the opportunity to refocus recently and see first hand why we are fighting for the rights of children with disabilities.

In a small town about five kilometers north of SEKUCO lives a women with a child who has Down syndrome. Because of his disability, her child has been left out of school his whole life. This mother wanted, needed to change his reality and started a school for children with disabilities.

She turned an old two room chicken coop into a school for seven children. The children came to her with no official education in their life and now have the opportunity to attend school five days a week.

The school is less then perfect with three walls and chicken wire as the fourth wall. Each child has one pencil and one notebook. Though it is not much it is their first opportunity to attend school and they are proud, enjoying every moment.

Meetings and the work of administration will always need to be completed but it is the opportunity to assist a world-changing woman who walks the kilometers to become a better teacher that drives our work at SEKUCo.

Amani,

Amanda

PS: The work of advocacy emerges here from community; SEKUCo builds on the energy and dreams of its students. Our prayer is that the SEKUCo student experience will empower world-changing men and women to walk the kilometers that make a difference.

Today, our school car, filled with 5 people – Honoratha, Emma, Mgonda, Kiondo and me, headed inland and North from Dar es Salaam (the Abode of Peace) and climbed back up the mountain to Magamba. We spent last week participating in Tanzania’s third annual university and college exposition.  

At the expo, colleges and universities from throughout East Africa gather in Dar to promote their university, recruit new students and reconnect with old friends.

Each University was given a booth to decorate and tables to put flyers and brochures. SEKUCo’s table was draped with orange and white. We, too, were draped in school colors and eagerly provided our visitors with multiple informational flyers, stories of the college program and invitations to come study.

We were able to give the individuals visiting our booth an opportunity to interact with real special education equipment. Our table had copies of text books from our library, a Braille machine and sign language demonstrations. I brought my talking computer program so that visitors could see software in action for individuals who are dyslexic.

Throughout the expo bus loads of students arrived. Prospective students sought out representatives of schools they might be interested in attending. Leaders from the ministries of education as well as other government officials walked through to see what East Africa is providing the future leaders of their countries.

For me the best part of the event was the ability to introduce prospective students to SEKUCo. I also had time to visit other booths and meet individuals gathered from the East African region who are dedicated to higher education.

[Since this is a personal blog, I can add that I did not work the whole week. No, there were a few hours for relaxation. Yesterday, friends, other people in mission, met at the beach for a little sun. The New Jersey shore in April isn’t Dar. I have to admit that I have turned into a big beach girl and I will be suffering when the Indian Ocean is not at my finger tips!]

It was a great week and SEKUCo has now attended its first EXPOSITION!

I had the joy of having my parents with me in Tanzania for several weeks. My father was here for two weeks and my mother was here a whole month.  

We were able to safari, worship with leaders of the North-East Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, swim in the Indian Ocean and break bread together with my friends and colleagues. To be safe, while my parents were here the Diocese blessed by laying on hands and offering prayers the car that I drive. (Dad said after driving down the mountain toward Tanga that we should have prayed a little longer.) 

For the most part I was able to have my parents to myself but for a couple of days I shared them with the North-East Diocese and SEKUCo. At SEKUCo, my mother taught Early Childhood Intervention to a class of 70. In the North-East Diocese, my father taught a class of seasoned local clergy on theology, ethics and Christian social ethics. Both of their teaching experiences went well and they got positive responses about what they taught.

It has been three weeks now since my parents have left Tanzania to go back to the States and their names are still on the lips of the community. The students here on campus have not stopped talking about my mother and are eager to get her back here for another visit or for a longer period of time.  

It is a blessing to have parents visit – especially for as long as did my parents - but it strikes me as funny that even on the other side of the world I am known as Ken and Marie’s daughter.

First semester exams have passed and students await word that they too have passed. Dorm rooms are empty. Faculty is enjoying a brief respite before the new semester begins.

During exam week my mother was walking from the house to the administration building. As she came passed the cafeteria shouts rang out and people cheered.

The room was full of students listening to President Jakaya Kikwete speak to the Parliament and nation on TV. In 2006, a Texas based “briefcase” firm, Richmond Development Company, LLC, won a contract to provide generators and electricity during a drought. (Much of our power is hydroelectric.) A select committee investigated the contract and found, according to the committee’s chair, Dr. Harrison Mwakyembe, that the country’s bidding process was not followed. The entire process “smelt of corruption” and the firm “lacked experience, expertise and was financially incapacitated.”

You can read the entire report – if your Swahili is good – at:

http://www.parliament.go.tz/bunge/docs/Richmond%20Final.pdf

SEKUCo students were cheering. The President was not willing to ignore or hide the problem. Findings from the special committee had been received. Those who had engaged in wrong doing had been given a chance to respond. Now he was going public. Action was required.

Within hours resignations were received from the Cabinet. A new era for Tanzania, say students, began. The powerful have been held accountable for breaking the public’s trust. Democracy and the poor had a day to celebrate.

Two members of the faculty were heard talking that night. One pointed out that it was exam week and all hearts and minds should be preparing for tomorrow’s exam. The other agreed but added that history was being made in Dodoma (that’s our capital) this night.

And so it was. In the week of exams students worked hard, the cabinet fell and the President nominated a new Prime Minister – the son of a farmer. The legislature promised to follow through on the recommendations of the special committee. Shortly after the last exam the first of the new cabinet was appointed.

It was history in the making. The first semester at SEKUCo ended with the first set of exams. And, we cheered national leadership willing to hold itself accountable.

A few weeks ago, a reader of these pages wrote:

May you please construct an independent website for SEKUCO?

In particular, the writer wanted a clear picture of the academic programs offered and information for prospective students.

Since the internet knits us all together, I am not sure from where the note was written. Somewhere – anywhere – around the world.

Every time you log onto this blog, SEKUCoView, you are a click away from additional information about our programs. In addition, the forms required for application can be found and downloaded.

Please find the headline, Blogroll, to the right. Click on:

North Eastern Diocese, ELCT

Follow the links for SEKUCo. If you click today, you will see a special greeting from Dr. Anneth Munga, SEKUCo’s provost. (See: http://www.elct-ned.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2210&Itemid=42.)

To the prospective student who wrote the comment: we look forward to receiving your application. Welcome to the SEKUCo family of scholars.

Curriculum development for Sebastian Kolowa University College’s inaugural year has engaged educational professionals from around the world. Led by the college’s core leadership, curriculum development involved participants from the United States and later other nations.

This method has been a learning experience for all involved. The process started in 2005 and is still considered a working document.

To understand our process, an observer needs to understand two aspects of this journey. One, each individual participant brought knowledge to each draft of the curriculum. Two, a rich dialog perfected the outcomes.

SEKUCo opened last year using a curriculum – a strong curriculum – that benefited from the expertise and critiques of all parties. The Tanzania team, led by Dr. Honoratha Mushi (pictured below), and the United States team, led by Dr. Michelle Macluckie, have worked in collaboration for over a year. These dynamic individuals have created a curriculum that draws on Western special education theories but is transformed by Tanzania and East African cultural experience and educational theory.

One interesting feature of the curriculum is that students will be expected to have the ability to teach in a school for children with special needs as well as the more typical class setting. This means that in 2010 when the first graduating class has finished the curriculum approximately 125 students will enter the general Tanzanian educational system with a strong understanding of special education.

As our staff gathered, students arrived and classes started we realized that some changes will need to be made to make the curriculum fully successful. In December, SEKUCo staff gathered for a staff development seminar. We discussed the adjustments that need to be made.

It is rare that a document such as our curriculum has such importance. There is a clear need for educational excellence no matter where our teachers go. SEKUCo has been given a unique opportunity to use a strong, collaborative method of curriculum development that benefits from Tanzanian, American and European input.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all around the world! 

Here at SEKUCo we have just finished mid terms and the campus has emptied out. Students have gone home to their families and will return in 2008.  

I have arrived on Zanzibar. On my way from Magamba I stopped in Dar for a couple of days of work and a Christmas Eve service with the ex-patriot community. Now I get some rest and relaxation on the Indian Ocean.  

It is my first Christmas holiday in high heat and a swim suit. I can imagine that some of you are shoveling snow. So, I won’t talk about beginning a New Year swimming in the Indian Ocean.  

I am wishing you all peace and love in this wonderful Christmas season and for New Year 2008! 

This has been a busy but wonderful week! Our Tanzanian community was joined by leaders from around the world including a group from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, for the opening of SEKUCo.  

On Sunday, October 28^th, we woke to a rain storm in Magamba but, as the 600 people gathered for the opening ceremonies, clouds parted and the rain stayed at bay for most of the day.  

We were honored to have the past President of Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa, as well as the current Prime Minister, the Honorable Edward Lowassa, in our presence that day. Susan Pursch, the coordinator of SEKUCo in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, and Joanne Carlson, Assistant to the Bishop for Global Vision and Events, Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, both accompanied the lead delegation and sat with the leaders of Tanzania. I was introduced as one of the first staff and faculty at Sebastian Kolowa University College. That was a very proud moment in my life! After the ceremony all 600 of us enjoyed breaking bread together as we ate a delicious lunch. 

The following day, Monday morning at 8:00 AM, we started classes. The students are wonderful and eager to learn.  

When I finished teaching my first class I concluded with a homework assignment, thanked the students for a great class and dismissed them. To my surprise they sat there and did not move. I think they were waiting for an encore. It took me leaving the class before the students got out of their seats. Such a respect for learning! (Very different from the States!)  

The rest of the week went well with only minor schedule changes. The events of the first week confirmed my impressions: our staff is phenomenal. I could not ask for a better group of people to work with this year.  

Here is a question: Should I invite the staff over to my house soon for American Movie Night? This might be a great staff bonding night! (This is the beauty of a blog. I get to ask a question that you are invited to answer.)  

The first week ended. I was glad to have been able to share part of it with a group of friends and colleagues from America. Actually, as it turned out, I was only able to spend a couple of days with half of the group from Southeastern Pennsylvania. The other half went to meet with their partner congregations in other parts of Tanzania. The group that stayed in the Lushoto/Magamba area was creatively supportive of the work of SEKUCo. Susan Pursch even helped teach a class while faculty and staff had a meeting. 

To the whole group of friends from SEPA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) that visited, thank you for being so wonderful, so present and so kind. I hope that you have found your way home safely and that you will spread the love of our brothers and sisters in Tanzania with your home congregations. I cherish you all and want you to know Karibu Sana (you are very welcome here)! Come back any time to Tanzania!!

Community grows to mean something very different when you are living in another culture. There are very few times in life when one is as painfully aware and proud of one’s community of residence. Last weekend a yearly conference was held in Arusha for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America mission community working in Tanzania and Rwanda.  

The community drove, flew and rode buses for hours to break bread as one. It is a community dearly loved by its participants. 

Our time together was lead by Tom and Sally Roach who go above-and-beyond to make those of us in mission feel at peace in the countries that we now all call home.  

During our three days together we were joined by Rev. Rafael Malpica Padila, Executive Director of Global Missions, and Gaylord Thomas, Program Director for East Africa. Both spoke to the group about the Church’s vision of global mission, the accompaniment model of mission work and the growing partnerships enjoyed worldwide by the ELCA. Here is the news: good things are happening around the world caused by people who are called to leave their communities of comfort to join new communities in new places.   

The community that gathered in Arusha, Tanzania, last week was full of passion, knowledge, hope and pure joy – not only to be together but to be accompanying the church in Rwanda and Tanzania. I was never more proud to stand with this group for a family photo.