HABS Launches Its New Website March, 2012

Saturday March 31, 2012

Well, I have to say I’m feeling a tad nervous here as I sit and type this update at the “Dashboard” of our new website Post Editor but it is so cool that I’m sure I’ll get over this sensation sooner rather than later. Of course I know I can always contact Chantal,  our angel in disguise as an IT specialist from Holland or Kent our man at Emotion Media at anytime if things turn for the worse and it looks like the entire website is going to crash because I clicked the incorrect icon. That won’t happen eh guys?…………..right…….tell me it won’t happen…….please.

Greetings everyone and welcome to our new Website(s) and a huge thank you to Chantal van Marwijk and of course CUSO-VSO for putting us together for what turned out to be just a wonderful but much too short 6 week experience. It was a pleasure having Chantal with us and her gentle presence was always nice to be around. Chantal worked tirelessly to create our new presence on the World Wide Web and we are grateful for all that she has done to help HABS increase its capacity to show you what is being accomplished down here in the “Jam” Also big thanks to Kent Leahy-Trill in Victoria for working with Chantal during this process to insure a smooth and quality transition. I’m certain you’ll agree the result is very impressive. You guys rock!!!!!!

Here are a few words from Chantal:

Now I´m back home my whole VSO placement seems like one big dream. I can look back at a very special 6 weeks in Jambiani. When I departed in January I really didn´t know what to expect, packed with Dutch food, sheets, a mosquito-net etc, I arrived in Jambiani. But the accommodation was really excellent and beyond my expectations! Alastair, Pat, Sine, Barbara, Adam and Jacky and the students gave me a warm welcome. They showed me all the ´cool´ places in and around Jambiani and really made me feel at home! During my stay in Jambiani I´ve implemented the new website for the organization and also implemented a second website for the school; the address of this website is www.jtti.org. Besides my work for the website I had my own ´web development´ class with seven selected JTTI students; Fredrick, Yahya, Kassu, Mwalim, Hamid, Lau and Yusuf. This was really fun and a tremendous experience for me. It was so special to see how eager the students were to learn something new and how much they appreciated the extra classes. They have a quite busy schedule at the training institute and also have their jobs outside school but it was no problem for them to attend the extra classes. Besides my work at the school I also got the chance to see something more of Zanzibar. The students’ field trip to Stone Town and Changuu Island was a memorable day; it was a joy to spend this day with the other volunteers and the students and to see how much they all enjoyed this! Mwalim (one of the students) organized a Spice tour and a trip to the Jozani forest and Butterfly Center and he did a great job. But what I loved was just to walk around Jambiani in the late afternoons and greet the friendly people, see how the kids were playing, buying cookies at one of the little shops, watching the local teams playing soccer, eating Chapati´s, watch a local wedding, etc, etc. Just to see this total different culture and how happy the people all seemed to be was an eye opener. And what I miss is the sound of the waves early in the morning and the singing of the kids! I would really like to give a big ´thank you!!` to Pat and Alastair for giving me this opportunity to be part of the ´Jam´ family . What a great job they are doing in Jambiani. I can do nothing but admire them for this. What  kind and dedicated people! I also would really like to thank Sine, Adam, Jacky and Barbara and of course the students for making my stay so pleasant and special. No need to say that it was really hard to leave last Monday and to say goodbye to all these great people. Asante sana!

Karibu sana Chantal and welcome again anytime.

We are also saying farewell to Barbara who has been teaching at the JTTI for the past 6 weeks as well. Barbara came as a lifesaver when we lost one of our CUSO-VSO volunteers prematurely. Without her,  things would have been vastly different for Pat and Sine on the teaching front and I know we and all of the students at the JTTI would like to extend our gratitude for all the time, energy and positivity you injected into our environment. You were always in the background, busy but not intrusive, focused and always wanting to help if possible. As well your Swiss Mchicha pies were out of this world not to mention your delicious desserts. Thank you Barbara and I’m sure we’ll be seeing you again, especially with your brother Christian and his lovely partner Connie just around the corner from us.

All continues to be well here in Jambiani and we are now just waiting for our big rains to start as the heat is building and moisture levels in the atmosphere are increasing.

Well I think that’s about it for now. We just wanted to let you all know about the sites being up and we hope you enjoy browsing and please feel free to send us your feedback if the spirit moves you. We would be grateful!!

Take care and warm, very warm, wishes from  the HABS team in the “Jam”.