by Carl Gann, OA Volunteer President and Co-Founder
My wife Michele and I returned from Tanzania mid-October. People always ask, “How was your trip?” Exciting, joyful, heartening, fulfilling, peaceful, emotional, gratifying, hopeful, successful, and encouraging, are all words I can use to describe my experience. Tanzania’s school year ends in November and starts in January. Therefore, we were able to attend the high school and the vocational college graduation ceremonies. Seeing the orphan students graduate after enduring the hardships of being an orphan and then completing their education is heartwarming. Education empowers, liberates, and ends the poverty cycle. Over the last 17 years of working in Tanzania, I have seen a lot of severe poverty, disease, ignorance, and hopelessness. I so want to crush it. It is happening now. The students speak of their education as liberation. They are empowered. They know they will succeed!
We have about 130 nursery school children at three locations. The energy and joy can be overwhelming at times. I saw the care and love for the children from the teachers and cooks. The children really are so cute and I love their smiles! It is an immensely warm feeling. The primary school kids were inquisitive and friendly. When we departed the school they ran after us waving goodbye. The high school campus was tranquil and exciting at the same time. The kids are happy and loved. We would hear groups spontaneously break out into song before or after classes. Everyone was at peace. The positive atmosphere and sense of community soaked into my bones. The vocational college is developing and the students are excited about graduating and getting their first job. The satisfaction of having knowledge and job skills is showing in their confidence. The job training is bringing a new reality into their lives and they are invigorated. So how was my trip, you ask? Amazing and gratifying. I want every donor and supporter of Orphans Africa to share this experience with me. Yes, you gave. Now receive. Asante sana.