Mkutano wa Uwezeshaji wa Wasichana

We may be late.....but we did the Harlem Shake

2013 Dodoma Girls Empowerment Conference Participants

I know I can.....

In May 2013 three volunteers and I hosted the annual Dodoma Girls Empowerment Conference.  The conference brought together 40 girls, (ages 15-19), and 4 teacher counterparts, representing 4 secondary schools in Chamwino and Dodoma Urban districts.  The conference was hosted at a center in the middle of Dodoma town and activities lasted from early Monday morning until mid-Saturday.

Throughout the week girls participated in a range of events focusing on HIV/AIDS, women's reproduction, family planning, correct and consistent condom use, pad making, income generating activities (peanut butter, jam, and neem lotion), early pregnancy, community theater, teambuilding games, gender roles, and leadership.  We had special guest speakers ranging from leaders from the district, a person living with HIV/AIDS, representatives of a local organization, our counterparts and ourselves.

Each morning after chai and uji (porridge), the girls gathered for HARAMBEE.  Modeled closely after Freedom Schools, the hour consisted of a motivational song (in English), cheers and chants (in Swahili), recognitions and announcements.  The morning sessions were heavy in lecture/guest speakers, while the afternoons focused on a three station rotation concerning IGAs and leadership.  By the time nightfall came it was 'pumzika' (rest) time, so the girls indulged in spa night, making reusable pads, movie night, a disco, and a talent show.  Disco night was a HUGE success as the girls were allowed to wear street clothes and dance traditional TZ line dances to bongo flava music.  Youtube Diamond now.  The biggest shock of the week though came with movie night (the girls were shown 'Stick It').  To our genuine surprise and enjoyment the girls LOVED the movie.  For a little background, it is really, really difficult to keep a group of 40 girls, from any country, entertained with a single movie-especially in Tanzania.  Apparently a gymnastics movie, with a predictable plot line, a girl who sticks her tongue out a lot at men, and Jeff Bridges is just the ticket.

(Above: Playing 'Condom Bomb' and demonstrating condom strength

Below: Mwalimu Maria and PCV Ryan)

Yet probably the coolest part of the week was seeing the incredible growth in the girls.  The first day they were shy, nervous, and clinging to their friends from their schools.  By Saturday they were saying long goodbyes, taking pictures with new friends, and begging us to let them visit each other on another date.  Furthermore, we took a pre-test at the beginning of the week covering a majority of topics we would be studying.  At the beginning of the week the highest score on this test was a 11/39 and the lowest, 2/39.  By the end of the week the highest score was 38/39 and the lowest 13/39.  A phenomenal improvement!

I was lucky to have a wonderful counterpart in the form of Mwalimu Maria.  She was active, taught multiple sessions and was there for the girls morning and night.  Plus, the other volunteers I worked with-Nora, Ryan and Michelle-were flexible, energetic and the perfect teammates all week.  It really is a miracle to be able to work for months (writing grants, supply shopping, preparing speakers and letters) and still love    each other at the end of the week.                                          

As always, and in PC Tanzania fashion, there were hiccups and silly stories that are what I will always remember from the week.  Ryan teaching the girls the 'Single Ladies' dance, discovering that high school girls have NO IDEA how to put on nail polish properly for spa night, noticing how teenage girls in any country will break 'lights out' rules just to go into each others rooms and giggle profusely, and finding that, yes, some health videos can be far too graphic-were just a few of the many tales. (Left: Early pregnancy theater performance)

My favorite memory however came just as the week was ending.  As Kikuyu Secondary (my school) girls were leaving the conference center and walking to the bus stand they started breaking out singing the motivational song.

'Something inside so strong, so strong.  I know that I can make it!'

(Below: Nora and I at Jeopardy Game Day)

People were staring, smiling, and truly enjoying themselves as the girls walked the streets of Dodoma singing loudly and proudly.  To top it off, when the song was over they didn't skip a beat and went straight into yelling and dancing to the cheers and chants, even as the dala dala left taking them back home.

'Tupo Dodoma, tupo Dodoma-acha! Wasichana waseme!'

It was a real reminder of why I'm here and what I'm meant to do.  Teaching is my passion and working with women's empowerment is a strong component in my philosophy of education.

An affirmation that despite all the mishaps and low days, there are fantastic, picture perfect moments like that-and the more than dozen throughout the week.  Totally and completely worth it.

Wasichana wanaweza!

With the Kikuyu Girls: Rosemary, Fatuma, Catherine, Aisha, Rosemary K., Asha, Shanuni, Fransisca, Karen, Deborah, Mercy, Mwalimu Asha and Mwalimu Maria

Disco night: dancing the 'Wobble' and 'Cupid Shuffle'

Kilimanjaro Marathon

Coming into the stadium with PCV Steve

Leap frog to the finish line

With just a touch of twirling.....

I think ‘running a marathon’ is on a lot of people’s beforeIdieImustdoloadsofneatothings list.   I’m not completely naive and know that unless I’m chasing after a ball or being chased by a hooligan I can’t run for a long period of time.  Long legs or not, it’s not in me, and I often like to blame that on the fact that I sort of had asthma and used an inhaler in 3^rd and 4^th grade. 

But, back in August, I thought if I am going to train for a marathon, why not do so in Tanzania.  I have the time to train and being that it takes place at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro it is arguably one of the most beautiful places to run 26.2 miles.  Yes, I don’t have access to ice for sore muscles, many hills to train on in the desert, no weird looking toe shoes or a well-balanced diet, but if not now, when?  Plus, I can make running in calf length pants, and a t-shirt, khanga combo in 90 degree weather look gooooooood.

For my training, which started in October, I followed A Non-Runner’s Guide to Running Marathons.  I highly recommend this book: the chapters are motivating, the information applicable, and the training schedule well put together.  By race day I had run a maximum of 18 miles and had spent a majority of my monthly Peace Corps allowance on carb heavy meals in town the week before. 

For the race I wanted to do something special, besides wearing short running shorts “because the Kenyans are doing it!”  Under the suggestion of my sister and brother-in-law I asked friends and family around the world to send in songs that I could listen to during the run. The point of the songs was to both motivate me and help me remember past memories with that individual.  When their songs played on my ipod I would focus my energy on times spent with them rather than how much I pain I was in.  The play list of songs proved how eclectic and wonderful my friends and family are.

1^st: Breanya Hogue/Bre Bre:  My EBT sister and Freedom School buddy.  She was first because I had to start my race just how everyday at Freedom School is started…with a little bit of Harambee.  Her part of the run was the easiest part because my adrenaline was rushing, it was a cool 75 degrees and there was a clear, gorgeous view of Mount Kilimanjaro.

·      Hallelujah Chorus-Soulful Celebration, All-Star Chorus

·      Something Inside So Strong, Labbi Siffre

·      Cupid Shuffle

·      Joyful Joyful, Lauren Hill Version

·      I Can, Nas

2^nd:  Meggan Lloyd:  My Hastings College, Blue Moon, chum.  We have shared some of the silliest and most serious talks in our years.  Her songs got me so pumped that, as my running mate Jeff put it, ‘You’re going to hate wasting all of that dancing energy by mile 17.’  Point Jeff.  Great choices, Meggan.

·      Pop, NSYNC (Bye Bye Bye was originally chosen but already used)

·      Oops I Did It Again, Britney Spears

·      Sex on Fire, Kings of Leon

3^rd:  Hillary P/J:  My Hastings roomie, fellow Colorado adventurer, and wine picnic companion.   I reminisced about our trip to the Aspens in Fall 2010, pumpkin carving and invading South Ash house.  I don’t know if it was our shared memories or the songs, but I was feeling really confident-and comfortable in my shoes (a sentiment that would soon leave).

·      All the Single Ladies, Beyonce

·      Mountain Man, Crash Kings

·      New Shoes, Paolo Nutini (LOVE THIS SONG NOW!)

4^th:   Nol:  My EBT brother and Haley Farm work-out bro….sometimes.  I’m fairly convinced Nolan used my nickname ‘Legz’ and google searched any song that had the word in it, but needless to say the songs made me laugh out loud during the run and it was easy to focus on National Training memories.  Too bad I couldn’t run with his lucky ball he sent me a year ago-but that didn’t stop me from pretending.

·      With Legs Like that, Zebrahead

·      Everyday a Star (Child) is Born, JayZ feat JCole

·      Hot Legs, Rod Stewart

5^th:  Meli/Bananas:  My all-things British, snake bite, fancy dress wearing housemate.  Meli’s songs were all related to our nights out in Leicester: Shampoo, Red Leicester, Madferit, and more.  It was easy to focus on time going fast, just as the race (hopefully) would, as it seemed like yesterday since Meli visited.  I had passed the first water station by then and we were running back through a street we had already passed, so this time people were shouting ‘RASTA AND MANKAA’ (Jeff has dreds, and I have a new Chagaa name).

·      Whip My Hair, Willow Smith  (Originally Bye Bye Bye, Nsync)

·      YMCA, Village People

·      Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen

·      We Are the Champions, Queen

6^th: Big Seeeester, Katie: By this time we were running around Moshi town, with a few more Tanzanians staring/cheering.  It was a pretty consistent up and down mini paved hills and this is also when we started passing a LOT of people who had wasted a lot of energy in the beginning.  At least I was able to imagine the olden days of my mimicking everything Katie did/say, ‘borrowing’ her clothes (even when we went to the same school), and Jorgenson children music videos….in which Will Smith, TLC and Jock Jams played a large part.

·      California Love, 2Pac

·      Get It, Jock Jams

·      Stronger, Kanye West

·      Rebirth, Lil’ Wayne

·      6 Foot 7, Lil’ Wayne

·      My Generation, Nas

·      Testify, Rage Against the Machine

·      Getting Jiggy With It, Will Smith

·      We Tryin’, Wyclef Jean

7^th: MarC:  Thank god for brother-in-laws who used to be long-distance runners.  During this trek I had to run up a daunting, steep hill, past the local market (smelling of urine and burning trash) and past many a ‘shangaa’ Tanzanian.  His songs kept me focused, eye on the prize and feeling great.  Plus I got to thinking about the first time the family met him and how nervous he was the morning he asked my sister to marry him.  Sweaty palm, knee shakin’ nerves….

·      In All Rwandas Glory, RxBandits

·      Take a Minute, K’Naan

·      Fat Chance, 311

8^th: Little Seeeeeester, Molls:  I laughed SO hard turning a corner and finding All Saints blaring in my ear.  During this part in the race we passed a roundabout of cars and some traditional dancers/drummers providing entertainment.  But all I could think about was all the memories Molly and I have from sharing a room.  Gymnastics on the beds, bean bag and inflatable chairs, our strange sleeping habits, and the few times we thought it would be cool to switch beds.  Conclusion, we were really weird and this provided a significant distraction.

·      Never Ever, All Saints

·      Superman, Taylor Smith

·      Space Cowboy, Nsync

·      Freak This, Will Smith

9^th:  Emily:  My Freedom School/Harry Potter/Many a lunch date pal.  At this point in the race we were looping back around to the stadium where to started.  I got to support these songs with a ‘cliff shot’ of vanilla, which was the most delicious thing EVER.  I haven’t had icing in over a year and here I was getting some in the middle of the marathon.  I remembered dearly how Emily came to my birthday a few years back, which ended early after dinner with she, James and I falling asleep on my parents couch.  You know you have great friends when you can do that and call your birthday successful.  I’m sad I’ll miss seeing she and Ally get married, but I definitely decided what 1920s themed outfit I would have worn to their wedding.

·      Radioactive, Imagine Dragons

·      LeDisko, Shiny Toy Guns

·      Bulletproof, LaRoux

10^th:  Sam:  I told myself I would die if Imogean Heap started playing at the second half of the marathon where we began a 6.5 mile climb uphill.  Just my luck, thanks Sam.  At least it was followed up by some powerful female-powered songs, which led my mind straight to our roommate time in Chicago and the days we watched Sex & The City and sort of, didn’t really ever grade papers.  And who could forget our night out that started with ‘let’s do something different’ and ended with Ethiopian food, tattoos, and our two straight male friends dancing on the bar of one of the most popular gay bars in Boystown.

·      Imogean Heap, Hide & Seek

·      Single Ladies, Beyonce

·      Stronger, Kelly Clarkson

11^th:  (Sing) Kisha:  As Kisha put it, ‘I hope you don’t mind swear words.’  Luckily, when it comes to pumping me up, I don’t.  And I really needed some.  At this point everyone ahead of us was on their way down from the hill having just run the half-marathon and the Kenyans nearly finished.  Plus, the morning briskness was officially gone and it was HOT.  Nothing like another trip down FS memory lane with my EBT sister to ignore the smug runners near the end–really, whoever is running a marathon this is a great idea.

·      Still in this B*tch, BOB ft TI

·      Swing, Savage & Pitbull (remix)

·      I Was Here, Beyonce

12^th: Carebear:  And we’ve arrived to my bestest.  Her song choices surely proved such, as Lose Yourself will forever remain my number one motivational song because of the memories associated with it.  State Volleyball champs, over a decade ago.  A burst, and final burst of energy came when Peanut Butter Jelly came on and we were on a steep part of the hill with no view of Kili.  And even though he wasn’t on the playlist, John Mayer and his concerts focused my fleeting mind back to the course.  I’m just grateful she got a chance to experience Tanzania and part of the beauty that surrounds me daily-and especially during this race.

·      Pimp juice, Nelly

·      Bye Bye Bye, Nysnc

·      March One, One Republic

·      Peanut Butter Jelly Time

·      Lose Yourself, Eminem

13^th: Chad/Chiggidy:  The guy who played the comedic sidekick in the 8^th grade play but would eventually come to be my Columbia bro.  First off, I had never heard of Thrift Shop.  And now I’m obsessed, so beware of my annoying music taste when I return-you’ve been warned.  I don’t know if it was the mile 18 slump or Mr. Williams, but this songlist proved how much I DESPISE honky tonky country.  But I couldn’t even be mad, because it was Chad who choose it-and it’s perfect.  This is where I finally had to slow down.  I was getting chills, despite my extreme need to hydrate, was dehydrated, and the hills weren’t going down anytime soon.  I couldn’t even dougie….and Jeff and I were officially separated by about 400 meters for the rest of the race.

·      Country Boy Can Survive, Hank Williams Jr.

·      Teach Me How to Dougie, Cali Swag District

·      Thrift Shop, Macklemore

·      Gold Everything, Trinidad James

14^th:  Hugh O’Donnell IV:  My bud from High School who I got really close to in Denver before he got in a snowboarding accident and temporarily lost memory of a lot of our bonding time.  No, I’m not kidding.  But luckily, we’ve remained so close and I’m so proud of all he’s achieved.  Unfortunately, I made it through one of his songs before my ipod turned off.  I didn’t know if it was the pool of sweat it was sitting in or the battery, but I was now on the toughest part of the race with no music.  Lucky for me, I memorized my list.  Hugh for me=Stella CoffeeHouse, holiday parties, and a kindred international spirit.

·      Renegade Starship, Starkey

·      Trust (hell below), Inc

·      Truckers Atlas, Modest Mouse

·      Bring It On Home, Same Cooke (one night stand, Harlme live)

15^th: Ogre Adam:  Adam is a dad!  Adam is a DAD!  ADAM IS A DAD!  That is all that I kept thinking about because I 1) couldn’t get over that fact and 2) couldn’t stop thinking about how tired I was.  That wall they say you hit, well I hit it.  I had scattered memories of Pep Club and how Adam always gangs up on me, but it always came back to the fact he has entered fatherhood and has a beautiful daughter I can’t wait to meet.  Luckily, his wedding was awesome and I was able to think about that, other than the fact that the water stations ran out of water.

·      Hips Don’t Lie, Shakira

·      Star Spangled Banner

·      Home on the Range

16^th: Zane/Ishkabibbles:  One of the best days in recent years was returning to Denver just before I left, going skydiving with Zane, eating cupcakes off of Colfax, and attending Shannon & Marcos wedding.  The problem with this memory is that it is full of delicious food and I was starting to develop a sunburn.  I could actually feel the sun rays burning me.  Seeing other PCVs who had reached the turnaround at the top of the hill and were cheering me on helped, as did the Dutch girl riding her bike and finding me water.  I decided right then I would learn one of Zane’s sports in the US (rowing, biking) instead of this crazy running thing.  Because running this was a horrible idea and what was I thinking?!?!?!

·      I Just Wanna Run, The Downtown Fiction

·      The Hardest Mistakes, I See Stars

·      Come & Get It, Krewella

·      Thunder, Rusko

·      Facepalm, Nick Thayer

·      Illusion of Choice, Gramatik

17^th: Jocelyn:  I reached the turnaround.  The second you hit the top of the hill you may as well spread your arms and enjoy it because going downhill feels lovely.  I also realized that I got so used to running up, parts I thought were flat were actually at an incline.  There was no water at the top of the hill, only soda, by the way.  Jocelyn, my little sister from HC, has provided some incredible letters, thoughts, and memories throughout the years.  She has kept in touch better than most and I’m really lucky to know her.  At this point, I was so DONE that no matter who I was thinking of that just was NOT happening anymore.  That wall is tough.  But luckily, remembering Joceyln’s positive energy got me through.

·      Dance With You, Machel Montano

·      Flirt, Farmer Nappy

·      Rabiosa, Shakira Ft. Pitbull

·      WakaWaka, Shakira

·      Ramble ON, Led Zepplin

·      Escape, Enrique

·      Mausam & Escape, Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack

·      Abraham’s Daughter, Arcade Fire

·      Maestro, Holiday Soundtrack

·      Misty Morning, Bob Marley

18^th: Sweet Baby James/Batman/Annual Thanksgiving Guest:  If only James could have been at the race.  I just imagined him skipping next to me, offering piggyback rides, and cracking ‘jerk’ jokes.  I could have used a snippet of his ‘orange’ energy.  Instead at this time, I caught up to a volunteer named Steve.  Steve was having problems with his leg muscles, so we decided to stick together and finish the race together.  In a true tribute to Mr. Mickens, we developed a plan to cross the finish line with fashion (leap frog, frolic circles and a wheelbarrow).

·      Karate, Kennedy

·      I Rock, Cool Kids

·      Kill Everybody, Skrillex

·      Be Your Love, Rachael Yamagata

·      Get Me Bodied, Beyonce

·      What You Feel, Chris Levy

·      Wop, J. Dash

·      I Look Good, Charlie Boy

·      500 Miles, Proclaimers

·      4^th Branch, Immortal Technique

19^th: Brett:  Poor Boyfriend of mine; a solid list of songs and not a chance to hear them.  Fortunately, the race was 2 months fresh off his visit and I was lost in a sea of whale sharks, eating cheese every day, New Years Eve, and the Serengeti.  At this point I thought, I may as well think about Brett as hard as I can because every 30 seconds my body was screaming WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING!  It hurt to run, but hurt more to stop: a dilemma of epic proportions.  But through it all I kept thinking of Brett and how encouraging he has been through (not just my training), but my entire experience here.  I am so spoiled by him.

·      Best of You, Foo Fighters

·      Ima Go Getta, Lil’ Wayne

·      Go DJ, Lil’ Wayne

·      Number 1, Nelly

·      Heart of a Champion, Nelly

·      Boom, Nelly

·      Genesis, Justice

·      Riot, Three Days Grace

·      Till I Collapse, Eminem

·      Pour Some Sugar on Me, Def Leopard

·      Sweet Home Alabama, Lynrd Skynrd

·      Let’s Go, Trick Daddy

·      Strange Clouds, BOB

·      Can’t Stop, Red Hot Chili Peppers

·      Seven Army Nation, Glitch Mob

·      Boom, POD

20^th: Parentals/Mothership and Daddio:  I remembered their song choices vividly, so as I enjoyed the run downhill, noticing the coffee fields, red dirt and lush environment, hospital and banana trees that I previously missed in pain, I was singing along to ‘That Thing You Do’ and the most annoying song known to man, ‘I Miss the Rains Down in Africa.’  Luckily, I have pretty great parents who knew exactly what songs to choose for me and ending with Raffi was an ode to my childhood.

·      Hakuna Matata, Lion King Soundtrack

·      I Miss the Rains Down in Africa, Toto

·      That Thing You Do, That Thing You Do Soundtrack

·      I Feel the Earth Move, Carol King

·      We Didn’t Start the Fire, Billy Joel

·      Ready to Run, Dixie Chicks

·      Beyond the Yellow Brick Road, Elton John

·      Brush You Teeth, Raffi

The final quarter of a mile was probably the most treacherous.  I was so DONE, but Steve and I made it to the bottom of the hill, through the opening of the stadium, and awakened a lethargic crowd to the rambunctious cheers of PCVs and our finishline moves.  I was then drenched by James and Jeff (PCVs) with some Kilimanjaro beers, covered in congratulations via posters and sweet sayings from other volunteers, and collapsed on the dirt ground.  I even got a picture with another volunteer in Malawi who happens to be a Kansas native and HC alum (small world).

Stairs were miserable that day, and the burger found in town 15 minutes later was superb.  The cold bucket bath was glorious and the afternoon nap necessary.  Through all the craziness I had a beautiful, challenging run, crossed something off that bucket list and made yet another memory in Tanzania. But this time, it was also filled with memories of those I miss and love.  Thank YOU.

With Maggie, another PCV and HC alum