A Successful Inaugural Year

With the beginning of every new adventure, there comes a struggle. A struggle to adapt to what is new, a struggle to understand other cultures and phenomena, and a struggle to give time to yourself. With the initiation of our Bagamoyo Campus, we had some not so little bumps in the road along the way, yet those could not deter from the unimaginable success we have had in the first year.

On the first day of class, we knew it was going to be different. We were not familiar to these young kids; many of them have not ventured beyond the borders of their community. But with a few awkward games, the uncontainable energy of these beautiful children could not contain itself. These kids were happy beyond any other students I had met to be wearing a uniform, sitting in a desk, listening to their teacher.

I will not forget March 27th. It has no significance to the school, nothing more important than another day in the Bagamoyo community. But to me, it was something different. I had received some unfortunate news from my family the night before, and the next morning I awoke exhausted and unexcited. I made my way to the school, and before I even arrived I could hear the enthusiasm of the students. Without even understanding the difficulties my family and I were facing at home, I arrived to a hug from Badru, a kindergartner at the school. No where have I felt the true love more from a community than in Bagamoyo, and no where will ever have such a large place in my heart.

Every day has been a gift, and the team and I are so glad to have been able to spend it with the wonderful people of Bagamoyo. We cannot thank the community enough and we are excited for the years ahead!