Diary - Saturday, May 10, 2010

Well, it's May Day and I'm happy to report that all is well here in Jambiani. We still have electricity, we have had and continue to receive some fabulous Masika rain which is always appreciated and in fact necessary for this relatively dry region on Zanzibar and all of our programs are running smoothly and without any major hiccups.

Joining Pat and Nareena in the school is Lisenka Beetstra who comes to us courtesy of the VSO organization. Previous to her arrival at the JTTI Lisenka was working with Marahubi Institute which is a tourism training institute in Stone Town. We are very happy to have her on board and she brings with her a lot of experience and a very positive attitude not to mention that she cooks some mean pasta dishes for us on Thursday nights. :-) Karibu Lisenka.

While we are on the topic of VSO, Nareena has just been confirmed as a VSO volunteer, which will allow her to stay with us until December. This is great news and we are very fortunate to be able to rely on her during the next few months which will include a very busy high season from late June to August.

There are few tourists on Zanzibar now so Alibi's Well has been relatively quiet during the week although we have still been offering our Sunday dinner specials for our dedicated regulars. The down time is appreciated though and it gives everyone a bit of a chance to catch their breath although I'm sure the teachers would beg to differ with me as their schedules remain much the same.

I guess our biggest upcoming event is the impending graduation of our next two-year diploma class in mid June. These guys are good and they are even now being pursued by hotel and resort owners for job placements. How nice is that and what a compliment to Pat and her team in their efforts to provide exceptional education to our students. Of course the students are thrilled with these new and promising job opportunities and they are now starting to see the benefits of all their hard work. We will bring you an update after their big day in June.

Recently the JTTI hosted a gathering celebrating the very significant involvement of the European Union in supporting projects in Tanzania, including Zanzibar. A number of dignitaries including the EU ambassador to Tanzania Mr. Tim Clark and his counterparts from France and Holland were on hand along with representatives from many local NGO's and community projects to celebrate the many milestones that have been accomplished to date and the benefits that are being realized from International donor support. The photos above and to the right are of the event, taken by our resident photographer Nareena. Not only is Nareena a good photographer she is a compassionate and kind soul who is a pleasure to have in our midst. Here are a few words from the lady herself:

I have been here in Jambiani for 5 months now, and the time really has flown by. I was originally to stay for 3 months, and my experience at Jambiani Tourism Training Institute has been so fulfilling in so many ways that, try as they may Mama Pat and Ali Baba have not been able to 'get rid of me'! I have now extended my volunteer placement by joining with CUSO-VSO to mid December. But, I get ahead of myself.

The trip over to Zanzibar went relatively smoothly, only a few hours delay in Addis. When I arrived it Zanzibar, Pat was there waiting to pick me up with a great big smile and hug, along with a car packed full of supplies for the school. On the trip out of town there was so much traffic on the road, including a few cows! As we drove to Jambiani I was reminded a lot of Mombasa, and began immediately to feel at home. The turn off to Jambiani leads to a small and bumpy dirt road, I remember Pat turning around to check out my facial expression, of course I was smiling from ear to ear.

I arrived on a Saturday and was given a tour of the grounds by Alastair (Ali Baba), who runs the health and wellness clinic, and was astounded by the school, restaurant, clinic, and of course the volunteer accommodation. I wasn't sure what to expect, but when I was shown the house I was staying in, I was completely blown away! "THIS is where I am staying?" My front yard is the Indian Ocean, and I now have a room larger than the one I had at home.

The first day of school at Jambiani tourism school, what a day! The sun was blazing hot, the generator buzzing, and a classroom full of students all looking expectantly at me... The first class I taught was for year 2s (it is a 2 year degree and the students are aged 19-32) and I have to say I did fumble a little through my nerves. By the second class of the day - leadership and customer service - I felt good about how to go about introducing the course and talking about what is expected etc.

Ready for Sunday dinner

Pat during Sunday Dinner prep

With all the rain we had to bring in two local lawn mowers or should we say munchers to cut back our grass :-)

Some happy diners

Lisenka at the EU gathering

Happy Birthday Nareena :-)

As the time has gone on everything and everyone has really grown into my heart. The students are all amazing people, who have really welcomed me as their teacher and part of the community.

I am currently teaching Housekeeping, ESL, Keyboarding/IT, and Leadership. I am really enjoying being involved in a diploma program that really has an equal focus on academic theory and practical experience. I think this is what sets JTTI apart; it really provides a well-rounded education in tourism and hospitality.

It is really hard to describe to friends and family all that is going on here in 'the Jam'. What I usually say is that you will have to come and see it! And that is what I say to anyone who is reading this. If you are interested in projects there are so many ways to get involved, and whether it is by financial support, a volunteer placement, or sharing this site with friends and family to spread the word, any and all help is greatly appreciated.

I am so thankful for all the opportunities I have been given since being here and I look forward to each and everyday in the Jam.

Salaama, Nareena

Thanks for that Nareena and I know both Mama Pat and I and of course all the students are really happy that you'll be with us for some more time. You rock our socks. :-)

Perhaps now is a good time to hear from Lisenka our other VSO amazing volunteer who gives it all everyday.

My name is Lisenka Beetstra and I'm a VSO volunteer from the Netherlands. In 2008 I started as VSO volunteer to work in Zanzibar. During my time working in Zanzibar, I met Pat and had a chance to meet some of the students of the Jambiani Tourism Training Institute during a training. When I first visited the institute in Jambiani, I was surprised by the active students and the well organised training facilities. So when I got the chance in March 2010 to work with JTTI for three months, I was very excited.

So what's it like to be a volunteer at JTTI?

Usually, my days start early and after slowly waking up with the sound of the sea, I walk over from the house where I stay, on the premises of the school, to the office. After some lesson preparation and after reading some e-mails, the classes start at 8.30. Students come in one by one and classes start. I teach in the classes of year 1 and 2 of the diploma course. Before this term started, Pat, Nareena and I worked out a time table and discussed who would teach what. Now I'm teaching English as a second language, Maths and Food and Beverage Service.

Especially the service classes I enjoy a lot, since it is very practical towards the future jobs of the students. In the afternoons, I sometimes help out by supervising the students while they are doing the lunch service in the restaurant. On weekdays, the students run the restaurant for lunch and every Sunday night a dinner with a special theme is organised. I really like this combination in the work, as it gives a good opportunity to get to know the students in a good way, both in the classroom and while working in the restaurant.

The training institute only started up in 2007 and the curriculum is in place for the short courses and diploma course. New study materials, exercises and different ways of assessment are still being set up and tested, which makes it an interesting job and I'm learning a lot from these activities.

And what's it like to live in Jambiani?

Jambiani is a quiet village, stretched out along the south-east coast of Unguja. The friendliness of the people here, I enjoy a lot. When you walk through the village, even if its only to the shop around the corner, everyone greets you. First with a friendly: "Jambo!" like to all tourists, but when they find out you where you work and that you speak a little bit of kiswahili, people are really welcoming. Its very much appreciated if you speak a few words of kiswahili. I've learnt quite some kiswahili and these conversations in the village are great for keeping up practising the language.

Living in Jambiani is living on the beach. So when the tide is right, I often try to go for a swim after work. And otherwise its lovely to walk along the beach a bit. The village is very much stretched out, so when walking to either end of the village there is always something to see. I'm here in the months that it is the low season for tourism and the village is really quiet. But there is still enough to do. For a nice evening out, there are many nice restaurants, from small local places to the more expensive hotels. In the weekends, during the day, its easy to visit Stonetown or other places on the island. I usually spend a day in town every week, just to have a change of scenery and meet up with friends there.

I will be volunteering here until the students in the 2nd year graduate in mid-June. But I'm already sure I will be back in Jambiani, at least for a visit!

Well, I hope you are all well and enjoying your days. Life is good and we continue to power along here with the good energy and the wonderful outcomes.

Till next time all good your way from all of us once again here in Jambiani.