Now THIS is Africa. I’m off the overland tour and volunteering with children at a preschool in Arusha. The woman, Anna, that operates the school is HIV positive, has six children of her own and two adopted kids. Her husband and sister died of AIDS. She is strong and spirited - a real African queen.
The school is essentially a tiny concrete room in her home. It's warm and cold at the same time - we teach in our bare feet. I am out of my element as "Teacher Nico", it's a whole new world to be in front of 12 sets of big brown eyes reciting the alphabet. It's challenging and exhausting and invigorating all at the same time. I have a whole new respect for real teachers.
I'm eager to see how this time unfolds and hope I can give even just a little bit back.
