Global Community: Tanzania Summer 2011: 07/15/11

Welcome! Karibu!

This blog ("web log") is compiled by Sister Patrice Colletti, SDS to share the stories of our four Sisters who sojourn in Tanzania this summer, June- July 2011. The information below is from their emails; we've edited it for clarity.

Blogs typically go in "reverse chronological order", with the most RECENT posting at the top. So, as you read along, you're reading "backwards" in time, with the most recently received and posted information first.

You can also receive these postings by email! This is an option you can select, but isn't required. Enter your email address where it says FOLLOW THIS BLOG BY EMAIL to set up your email to automatically get a copy of the posting each time a new one goes up. Then, you can read it on your email. You are always welcome to come here to read it as well!

Questions on how this works? Please, contact S. Patrice Colletti at patricecolletti@sbcglobal.net.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Helping with Learning

While at Makulani we were asked to help the novices with their English. Although neither of us is a professional English teacher, we did our best. Our class started with a gospel passage and sharing. The novices then shared on a predetermined topic – family, vocation story, and ministry. We then worked one on one with each novice. Sr. Jeanette conversed with the novice to work with pronunciation and vocabulary. I reviewed pronouns and verb tenses using some of the pictures that are on this blog. All the sisters said they would miss us, but the novices set it to song.

Life in Makulani

The convent at Makulani is one of the few buildings in the village that has electricity. They have solar panels that provide enough power for a single light bulb in each occupied room as well as a few hours of television.

More importantly, it provides the reliability that allows them to freeze produce and meat for later use. Sr. Maxensia is showing the freezer to Sr. Jeanette.

We were able to visit several families while in Makulani. Bibi (Grandma) Margaret is one of the seniors that the sisters visit regularly.

Almost anywhere we went, a group of children would congregate and want to get into the picture.