CPSOA's Project: Tanzania II

Personal commentaries by students and staff attending the trip as well as updated trip information.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Receiving a Gift

What we came here to do in Afrika was to bring joy and love to a community of children who don't have a lot. We accomplished our goal. Sunday was the day of the show. We were all stressing over the fact that we didn't get to rehearse with the children as much as we wanted to on Saturday. But, when we got to the orphanage on Sunday, it all worked out! The Team rehearsed what we were going to do. The kids came into the room and started to warm up their voices while some of us started to set up the Church where we were all going to perform. We got into the dressing room and there was energy in the room. You could tell by the children's faces they were all nervous. We gave them their costumes and they all started to giggle (LOL). But they were all excited. The CPSOA Team performed the first half of the production and the orphanage students joined us for the second half. They did an amazing job! They had an enormous amount of energy. They put out everything they had into the smallest motions. And just like us, you could see them reviewing their choreography to themselves in their heads before going on stage!! It made a difference. They sang as well. The songs we sang together were happy songs and Mr. Billy tried to make them smile, but they were too nervous. When they opened their mouths, you could hear their hearts in the song, full of joy & spirit! The Team learned a song they taught us and we sang it in the show. It felt as if all of us knew eachother from a past life. The Church was packed full of children and adults. The group of doctors were all in tears!

After the show we all had to say goodbye. The little ones were surrounding the Team. They were all smiling! To look at their faces with a huge smile was unreal! To think that we created this amazing event together was astounding!! We all started to go into our cars and we started to drive away. We waived our goodbyes! The drive back to the lodge was a silent drive. We all were thinking. We thought of all the work we had done and to know what we did, not any ordinary kids could accomplish in one week!

To go through Joshua Tree, all the shots, the meetings, the extra hours we put in, led up to this amazing moment! We wouldn't take back any of the pain, cuts, bruises, time because we got a smile from the children who hardly have anything, and THAT is a REMARKABLE FEELING! Afrika gave us a gift in return - a smile from their children!!

Love,
Sara

5 Comments:

  • At February 19, 2009 at 11:11 AM , Blogger Michelle said...

    Sara - What an amazing post. We knew you would grow and change during this experience...and all you need to do is read this post to see the fruits of your labor. :) This would be an amazing personal essay for your college applications. Travel safe...

     
  • At February 19, 2009 at 11:17 AM , Blogger Lucy I. said...

    I AM SPEECHLESS

    SO VERY VERY PROUD OF YOU


    LOVE YOU

    MOM

     
  • At February 19, 2009 at 3:43 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    All I can say is WOW!

    Safe travel back home.

    'Tia" Elsa

     
  • At February 19, 2009 at 9:12 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    OMG!!!!!!!

    can you tell me again how your not grown up????? That was the most moving post I have read. Continue to be yourself your post proves you've grown up to be a wonderful young woman. Thats not only because of Africa.

    Miss your smile
    Vickie

     
  • At March 1, 2009 at 4:05 PM , Blogger tom said...

    Sara,
    OMG what an incredible post from you. I am SO proud to be a part of this Tanzania trip--it was so much fun spending time with YOU and all the CPSOA team members--what a great, dedicated bunch you all are. And the most important thing, is the experience itself and how much of a difference you all made to so many people on the ground in Arusha. I am honored to have served with you all.
    tom

     

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