Merry Christmas!

My first Christmas away from home, and it was in Africa. As hard as it was to be away from my family, it was equally as exciting to share it with my new one. I woke up at 5:00am to begin making Cinnamon Rolls, a first for my Tanzanian Family. I have never in my life made them before and yet here I am, In Africa, making cinnamon rolls. One of the girls from the village came at 6 to help me prepare them. Ever since I made the m&m cookies, they all want me to show them how to bake. (A Tanzanian version of sweets is basically just bread) So Tumpe and I began our work in the kitchen. The other staff woke up early to start deep cleaning, because we were having Wzungu (multiple white people) guests for Christmas. We ran out of water again this week, and had just gotten it back the day before, so we hadn’t had a chance to clean the past week. I really appreciate America, and the chances of running out of water are slim to none. 

A friend of Bibi Kay’s had made school bags for the children for Christmas, so we stuffed them with paper and coloring supplies. Kayla (A girl from America who lives in Njombe, and volunteers at Sunrise occasionally) and her family were coming and they brought gifts for the children. The boys each got hats, and a baseball, and the girls got Tutus and head bands. I placed all the gifts under the tree while my TZ family was laughing at me the whole time; Courtney and her crazy American ways. One thing that I have to get used to, living in Africa is constantly being laughed at. It’s not in a mean way, they just think that the things are do are funny, because it’s different, and when I try to speak Swahili they laugh, but they love that I am trying, and children love that I am an mzungu, I inspire lots of adorable giggles. 

When the children woke up they were also put to work. It was time to clean the yard, clean their rooms, pack their bags, (they are going to their families for ten days) and take showers. Everyone was busy doing something, all before 7AM.  I am proud to say that the cinnamon rolls were a success; a little lopsided and deformed, but the taste was amazing and everyone enjoyed them. 

Tumpe and I had made sugar cookie dough the day before for decorating cookies with the kids. Now it was time to make shapes. We didn’t have any cookie cutters so we were just cutting out whatever we felt like. I was trying to show them how to make a star, or a Christmas tree, but they were intent on making their own designs, which is totally fine and made it more our authentic African-American Christmas. The first batch of Christmas cookies consisted of arrows, letters, bottles, spatulas, hearts, a Christmas tree and star, a ring, and a candy cane; doesn’t really get much better than that.

The whole day was full of excitement and work and lots of fun. Kayla’s family brought fake snow, which the kids loved! They brought crafts, and games, and new toys, and tattoos.  We had a special lunch, I bought meat so we cooked it in a red sauce, and had it over rice; a typical Tanzanian Christmas meal. Everyone was having so much fun, and loving all the Wzungu in the house. 

After lunch we decorated cookies. The whole concept was baffling to them, but once they got started they loved it. The different colored frosting, the sprinkles, the candy, all new things to them! I think they enjoyed eating them with all those things on top, just as much as they enjoyed making them. We had extra cookies that we sent them home with them for their families. 

After the excitement of the cookies, we ended with gifts. We had the kids sit around the tree and then we passed out gifts. On the count of three, they opened their gifts! It was so exciting for all of us, their laughter and joy at getting new things was contagious. The girls couldn’t figure out the tutus, so at first they were putting them on their heads. The boys’ caps are nice, but I think they could use some Oregon Duck ones. 

After all the excitement it was time to send the kids home; lots of kisses and hugs to go around, and Merry Christmas’. I was kind of sad to see them go, I know I will see them around the village, and in church next week, not to mention its only ten days but it’s not the same of course.

We had a great Christmas and now I am in Njombe to relax and take a few days to myself. All by myself. After being around 15 people or more a day, I am not sure I know how to be alone anymore. Hoping to skype with my family soon, unfortunately the internet is never reliable!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!