Mexican Food, Team 100, and Donations

My days at the Team 100 training camp in Arusha are quickly winding down, and before I left, I wanted to do something special for the girls. So today, after much planning and a marathon trip to the produce market and Shop Rite, the only supermarket in town, I chopped, sauted, mashed and mixed my way to a Mexican feast. The girls were enormously helpful, cooking nearly 100 chapatis, otherwise known as the tortillas, while I made refried beans, Spanish rice, pico de gallo, and guacamole. Starting before 9am, we didn't sit down to eat until after 2pm, all 35 of us. The food was a huge hit and everyone seemed to get a good laugh out of trying to prepare and eat a taco. The whole taco concept was a little too foreign, so after just a tentative bite or two, most conceded to eat their chapati, rice, beans, and toppings mixed all together using their fingers as utensils. The girls appreciated getting to try some new foods and of course, I absolutely loved sharing a little piece of my home and culture with them.

We leave on Friday for Regionals in Babati (just south of Serengeti National Park) and head further south to Singida for Nationals. Unfortunately, we under estimated the cost that both competitions would incur and now have to make the difficult decision of who to leave behind. Transportation alone, due to gas prices that are now up to $9 a gallon here, is going to cost over $500! Thankfully the generous donations of my friends and family will help to lessen the burden that the Gwandu's will incur and without which, participation in either of the competitions would not be possible this year. I'm sad to have to leave 4 of the girls behind though, especially after they had gotten their hopes up about seeing their families.

A big THANK YOU to Irene Hatsu and Paula and Matt Dillon for the final contributions to Team 100. I have now exceeded my goal of raising $400!