Today is my 28th wedding anniversary, with 13 of those celebrated with memories.
The big celebration today was the MaaSae Girls Lutheran Secondary School Form 4 Graduation (about a 10th grade equivalent in the British educational system that Tanzania adopted).
I took a taxi over and was wonderfully greeted from the long-term math teacher. He is so kind and said, “You always have a home here.” There are 3 teachers still on the teaching staff 20 years after my departure. There are also 3 of my former students teaching and working at the school. Several of the other staff, guards and the water man, still are around and greet me enthusiastically.
I was escorted to the chapel (with a student carrying my bag—which is normal). I sat down, seeing the OBA leaders and guest, as well as a group of 9 Norwegian teachers finishing a 5-week practicum at MGLSS. (They loved their experience, and feel they had the best school of all of the other Norwegians doing practical experience in Tanzania. More later on the Norwegians.)
The blessing of the Form 4 graduates
Pastor Nangole previously informed me that he would ask me to bring a greeting. So, while the other guests (wageni) stood up and introduced themselves, I was invited up front in the chapel to share a few words. I had prepared a very short story adapting the story from the first Form 6 class. (I’ll bring this into a later post, as this will already be a long post!) It seemed well received, as even the Diocese education director referred to it later when he spoke to the graduates, and later he greeted me and thanked me for the message.
After I spoke, a guest was ushered in to sit next to me. It was Selina, a former MGLSS student and her two daughters. We have kept in touch, as she has been a great one to connect with for groups to visit a boma (a traditional Maasai settlement). I’ve arranged for a group of visiting Norwegian biblical scholars to visit her parent’s boma on 1 Dec. She is a widow after her husband died in a car accident (same as my Kiswahili teacher, Joyce). She saw me, we hugged, and she cried with joy. Selina was one of 2 MGLSS students who patiently earned Anya’s trust and became like a big sister to Anya. Later, you’ll hear a bit of Selina’s story and the blessing of educating girls—one of many who at the beginning of her secondary school, her father was opposed to her schooling, as he would not get the cows as her bride price.
The other person I saw was Linda Jacobson, the dear friend that developed as a missionary colleague, supporting Eric and I through 3 miscarriages, and me supporting her through her husband, Mark’s brain cancer. Mark and Eric died from the same glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer, one of the most aggressive cancers. We hugged and cried after the service. What an amazing gift to see her!
Linda, Susan, and me
Then, Providentially (with a capital P), Linda brought a friend along, Susan, who is a professional conservation researcher working with the Maasai! Susan’s group are scientists hired by organizations like USAID to do the technical science behind their project goals! So, Susan and I had one of those first conversations that we know could go on for a long time. We will connect again, and she will be a super resource to help me with some research model questions. Yes, Providence again!
I don’t know any of the approximately 64 Form 4 graduates, but I am the contact sponsor for a girl in Form 6 who will graduate in the spring (another Joyce). Joyce carried by bag and sat with me, Susan, and Linda during the graduation ceremony. Joyce is planning to be a nurse and pursue the nursing program that Mark started! I’ll be back at MGLSS for the Form 6 graduation in the spring for Joyce!
The graduates do not wear a cap and gown, a Western symbol that seems so culturally misplaced when one sees the gorgeous Maasai attire. Even the sound of the tinkling oromboi (metal disks) is amazing!
Procession of the Form 4 Graduates
Graduates Receiving the Form 4 Certificates
After the lunch provided, we had pictures with the MGLSS graduates. What an amazing demonstration of the power of education! Girls freed from forced marriages to study and choose their own husbands and/or careers.
Me with an amazing group of MGLSS alumni!
I was able to catch a ride with the Norwegians back to Rebecca’s house, which is just off the road back to Arusha. They rented a dala dala van for their group. While waiting for the dala dala to show up, we talked for perhaps half an hour about their experience. They were moved and very grateful! And the one male and myself help to build a bit of a boundary between a pretty drunk Maasai who wanted to touch the blonde hair of some rather beautiful Norwegian young women!
The day ended with playing some simple games with the small Joyce and other small children from the neighborhood in Rebecca’s home. A lovely day!
Laughter and fun with the neighborhood kids
Mungu akubariki! (God bless you!)
So glad Linda was there as well. Yes, God is making a way….well, several ways for you and your project/time there. Who was the ‘guest speaker’, in addition to Jason? I recognized most of the alumni except one in bright red dress between Upendo and Elisipha. Good to see Neema and the other Selina, Belinda, Helen, etc. Thanks for going, worth the effort, eh? And Rebecca, yup a mama of wisdom!
What beautiful dresses! I can imagine the jungle of their dresses.
How great that Linda was there, and that you had been able to help each other in those times.
How serendipitous that her friend is doing similar work to your research project.