Graduation Tanzania Style

Yesterday Nick and I attended the Form Four graduation ceremony at St. Teresia's. We were told that it would start at 9:30 and that we should come at 8:30 to help with the final preparations. The graduation started at 12:30 and we left at 6:30. It was a wonderful event. Each class performed dances and songs that were lively and touching and there was a drama skit and, of course, there were the usual boring speeches. Nick and I each prepared some remarks in Swahili and we were quite the sensation. We also gave each student a geometry set. Everyone was impressed with our Swahili even though we read most of it; in fact, a while later, one of the speakers mentioned our names (the whole event was conducted in Swahili) and we later learned that he had warned the crowd to be careful of what they said around us because we probably spoke Chagga too. The Chagga is the main tribe in this region and, of course, has its own language.

There were some rituals that were new to us, such as children feeding bits of cake to their parents to thank them for their support (and we did that too with the other faculty later on) and there was a DJ and MC for the event, so it had a party feeling most of the time. The DJ played music at even the slightest lull in activities, filling up all the dead seconds and minutes with popular music. It was an excellent way to keep the spirit alive and flowing.

When students received their certificates (with a music back ground of course) parents and other family members met them after they ran the shaking-hands gauntlet with the dignitaries and gave their children decorative wreaths, gifts and flowers and lots of hugs. It was very moving to see the joy and pride that everyone felt. Completing secondary school here is no small task for the students or families, making this graduation very special to everyone involved.

Following the ceremonies came the food. Great pots of rice, beef, chicken, bananas, and lots more that we didn't eat arrived. There were about 300 guests attending, and we were fortunate to get our meals from a side kitchen which we really appreciated because lunch wasn't served until 5:00! After eating we proceeded to take photos of the graduates and to top off the day, as we left the school at 6:30, Mount Kiliminjaro was out it all its majestic glory and we got lots of pictures of it. The mountain is mostly hidden from view by clouds; I have only seen it three times since I have been here.

So it was a wonderful way to spend ten hours here in Tanzania. Nick and I are developing very close relationships with our students now and it's going to be real hard to leave them in a month. I may have to come back next year.

This afternoon I am off to interview my prospective French instructor, and if all goes well, I'll start class on Tuesday afternoon.

Kwaheri (Bye) for now.