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Diary - Monday, January 3, 2008Well, before I begin this update, Pat and I and all the crew here in Jambiani would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy New Year. We can only hope that all good comes your way this year and that peace and happiness are your constant companions. We have also had to say goodbye to two of our dearest friends, Owen and Doris Seeton from Victoria. I just cannot find the words to adequately describe these two most wonder-full, caring and sharing beings. Doris of course spent a lot of time in the Centre spinning her “magic” and Owen took on what turned out to be a pretty big project with the construction of the front deck. This was intended to be a training opportunity for some of the local craftsmen but when they realized how much work was involved, they soon began to disappear and Owen and our day watchman Issa ended up putting the entire platform together by themselves. We are grateful!! See a few pictures taken during the construction (below). I just received these comments from Owen and Doris reflecting on the time they spent with us. Personally, I am somewhat humbled by their remarks but am grateful that they had such a wonderful time here. My experience during the 6 weeks I spent with Pat and Alastair in Jambiani was one of the most rewarding and eye opening of my life. I feel so grateful to have been able to contribute to the school in the way that was provided for me. Pat and Al have been our dear friends for well over 12 yrs and although we have believed in and supported their endeavors in Jambiani, we learnt first hand just what a difference they are making in the lives of the people there. I had a chance to interact with so many people, many on a daily basis, as HABS employs 7 people full time to help things run smoothly. One special person for me was their daytime watchman, Issa. Without him helping me build the large deck, for the future restaurant that is part of the training supplied to the students of the school, it would not have been completed before I left. Thank you Issa. I found the people there to be very friendly, outgoing and with a ready smile for all. Al and Pat's (Ali Baba and Mama Pat as they are called by the locals) ability to speak fluent Swahili made our interaction with all those we wished to talk to a joy (not to mention a necessity in the work they have undertaken). Gestures, sign language and a smile can only go so far when you want to have a meaningful conversation. Then there is the 1 acre fenced area that the school and clinic are situated on with the Indian Ocean at their door step. Our stay in the modern well kept accommodations they provide all the volunteers made our time there so enjoyable. We swam in the ocean and took long walks on the expansive beach during our time off. We have already booked our return trip for Jan/Feb 2010. So for all of you thinking of volunteering in a beautiful location, where you are so appreciated by the people you help, I suggest you give HABS some serious consideration. You will never regret your time here and you will be looked after by two of the best hosts you could ever imagine. Thank you once again Pat and Al for all you do, you are TRULY an inspiration. I love you both beyond words. Owen PS. It was such a pleasure to play music with you Al. Keep strumming that guitar and writing those songs. I'm bringing a drum kit next time. Stories have been told by many previous volunteers numerous times already and I am sure they pale in comparison to the real thing. I know my words will NOT do justice to the richness of my personal experience of volunteering at the Jambiani Wellness Centre for 6 weeks. Such a lot of events to compress into a few sentences. Working with the beautiful people of Zanzibar will be a gift for my heart and memory banks for all time. Seeing all ages, both genders, come to the kliniki with such a varied assortment of needs was so interesting to witness. I feel honored to have worked with each one that came to me, especially knowing that many have so little opportunity for any TLC in their hard working lives. Several could not quite understand WHY I did not even touch the sore backs they came in with :-) Questions and curiosities were satisfied with the valued help of our busy interpreter, Chai and when he was engaged with Ali Baba or the other volunteer Massage Therapist, Barb, then a few simple Swahili words, A LOT of hand gestures and Smiles seemed to adequately get the message across. As time went on and word spread of the 'new' services offered, many seemed to be 'baring more skin' knowing now of the 'freshi' feel they got from the essential oils and lotions used at the end of their Reflexology sessions. A few were able to try some Breema also. This coming from a culture that covers up most of their beautiful brown skin in spite of the 30 degree temperatures brought a chuckle :-) I was so touched by their patience to wait together very socially in the shade of the porch without appointments yet totally aware of the 'fair' order of 1st come, 1st serve without any queue lines (boy, do we have a lot to learn in the western world!) Also a testament to how much they value these services. I truly appreciate all that Ali Baba does to take care of his patients and especially for allowing me to tag along on his house calls into the village. These were rare opportunities to glimpse real people living their lives. I will treasure that. Until you live on the premises, one has no idea of the daily full-time compassionate services that are provided for the countless 'Wound Care' situations that arrive on the doorstep of this facility, day and night. Most of us could never fathom that reality - being available for others 24 hours a day!! Being present for the 'official JTTI school opening' by Mama Shadya was a proud moment (despite being one of only a couple of full-on rainy days in our entire stay). A sign of many 'blessings' apparently :-) The school building was a HUGE undertaking and is so impressively beautiful in design and decor, thanks largely to Mama Pat's watchful, creative guidance. To see the volunteer teachers, Seb, Noah and Simon in action and the progress made by the students during our limited time there was impressive. This is only the beginning of a bright future for this School of Tourism and many future qualified graduating students. Congratulations!! The uniqueness of this volunteer experience is definitely enhanced by the gorgeous surroundings; the exquisite azure blue waters, long white sand beaches, tropical fruits and vegetation, amazing full moons that rise off the eastern Indian Ocean horizon into the vast starlit skies, to name only a few. All this is just a walk from a very comfortable, semi-Western communal living accommodation in one direction and merely a few minutes walk in the other direction to the workplace or to the village of Jambiani. At the helm of these incredible projects are Pat and Alastair, the most kind hearted, efficient hosts, here or anywhere in the world they may be!! They lovingly take you in as part of the 'team' making sure you s-t-r-e-t-c-h into the fullest experience possible. I am privileged to know the blessings of having them as friends and family for many years however I sincerely appreciate all they are doing and love to see the respect they receive (and deserve) from the people of Zanzibar. Asante, asante sana. Dactari Doe :-) Once again, thanks so much for those kind words and thoughts Owen and Doris. I’m certain, in the final analysis, you are seeing in us what it is that you embody within your own being. :-) Of course with people going there are usually those that are coming and we have been delighted to welcome Joe and Dr Irene Pennimpede from Victoria who joined us a little over a week ago and who will be with the project until the end of this month. We’ve known Joe and Irene for a few years now, primarily through the Lions 24 hour relay that we used to participate in when we were living in Victoria. They are a lovely couple and we are really enjoying spending time with them and getting to know them a bit better. Joe will be teaching in the school and of course Irene has been and will continue to offer her formative Chiropractic skills in the Center. On another note, Pat, being the amazing organizer and co-coordinator that she is, has teamed up with a couple of local Rotarians to facilitate a last minute diversion of the Canadian based organization TWECS from Kenya to Zanzibar. You may recall from previous updates, that a couple of years ago, we hosted the Third World Eye Care Society here in Jambiani, They had intended to travel to Kenya this month but with the political situation being rather tense at the moment they contacted us hoping that we could put something together as a last minute attempt to keep their project from folding. Thanks to Pat and her contacts, it looks like they will be able to come here once again. TWECS is a remarkable organization and the people of Zanzibar are very fortunate to have this opportunity once again. Congratulations Pat!!!!! On the home front here, we continue to put on the finishing touches to the school and accommodation and of course we need to keep up with the regular maintenance that is required when you live so close to the sea. I just finished repainting the inside of the Centre and with any luck, I should be able to get the outside done before the end of the month so that will be a big job out of the way for another year or two. All in all life continues to amaze us and we realize, on a daily basis, that we have so much to be grateful for. So that’s about it for now. We’ll try to get another update off within the next two or three weeks and in the meantime, we wish all of you who are reading these entries, good health and much happiness. Alastair and Pat and the Jambiani “Team”
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