The Group

Aaron Franczek, Collin Hartman,Monica Kling, Sarah Meleski, Claire Pattison, Amanda Schmidt, Becca Scholz, Alyssa Stuiber, Becky Thorn, Ryan Treviranus, Gracie Ventura Haas, Marcie Weiss, Jenny White, Robert Bhatia, Jill Braasch, Jenni Herrick and Laine Philippa

Thursday, May 24, 2012

New Friends - By Alyssa Stuiber

Close your eyes and picture blue skies, wind blowing in your hair, the smell of food, people waving to you with big smiles. This was the start of our day in Dar es Salaam. We were headed to beach for R&R. It was beautiful. The Indian Ocean, trees, and the warm weather. We spent a good part of the day there. After lunch we headed to some local market shops. It was exhilarating!! Shop keepers calling you, welcoming you, and shoving goods in your face. many of us knew the routine and bartered until we got the price we wanted.

In the market, I met a young women named Sonapie and her sone Mohamed. She was selling earrings. I didn't have any money, so I couldn't help. However, we talked about her and her life. She was born on May 23, 1980 and her son was born November 21, 2011. She even showed me her son's birth certificate. It's funny because when she first approached me, I didn't even realize she was carrying a baby on her back. He was a beautiful baby; short hair, chubby everything, and beautiful eyes that would melt your heart. In the mist of the conversation she told me "I want to be your friend." Now I could be cynical and think she was just trying to sell you something, but I am going to think that "yes, I want to be your friend too."

In the end, it was a wonderful beginning for my journey in Tanzania. I will never forget you Sonapi and Mohamed. You will always be my friends from Tanzania.



2 comments:

  1. LOVE it Alyssa and YOU TOO!!! Even though you are across the globe so many people at home are thinking of you daily....and praying for you too. I'm so proud of you and happy for you that you are having this lifetime experience!! Love you MUCH!! Xoxo
    Mom

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  2. Keep posting updates! Love ya, kiddo.

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