fields , cooking over braziers , carrying loads on their heads or just sitting in the shade with their laundry drying on the grass ; barefoot children dressed in tattered shorts and T-shirts , playing with sticks in the dirt . The men often worked in the city , leaving their families for months at a time .
We attended a traditional dowry party , which celebrated a couple ’ s
engagement . What an incredible , unique celebration ! We also attended an anniversary of a church , a wedding , a funeral and a baptism , each with its own unique customs . Graceful , agile , strong dancers and drummers performed at most of the celebrations .
Sunday was a great day to spend on the beaches of Lake Tanganyika , the third deepest lake in the world , with a view of the hills of The Republic of Congo to the northwest .
I went back again in 2009 for another three months , this time with another teacher friend who implemented the Grade Two program . This time it was easier because I already had my shots , I knew what to do , what to pack , what to expect . It felt like I was going home . This time I enjoyed watching my new partner experience Africa for the first time , and I was very pleasantly surprised to see how much the students had learned from the time I left in November . They grew some more during the three months we spent with them .
Participating in an opportunity like this has many perks : a wonderful holiday in a warm , tropical setting ; a chance to be pampered making one feel like royalty ( wholesome , nutritious , meals cooked for us using natural , locally grown foods ; very comfortable lodging ; laundry and cleaning done ; with the added bonus of losing at least ten pounds — it just happens ). There are also opportunities to extend your travel to unique places you might not go otherwise . After all , you ARE in Africa . For me it was a visit to Egypt and a safari in Kenya .
We never know what life will bring us . I did not wish for this experience : it happened because it was meant to be . I am hoping that reading this article will move you to respond as I did . We are always looking for volunteers for projects both at the school in Burundi at any time during the school year and summer school in July and August , and in Tanzania to deliver math and English workshops at any time of the year . If you would like more information , please contact the TAAS project coordinator , Diana McIntyre at dianamci @ shaw . ca or at 780-469-4140 .
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ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS ’ ASSOCIATION News & Views Volume 19 21 , No . 32