The Maasai

Happy Easter everyone!
We've been asked to research the Maasai Tribe of Kenya and Tanzania. I found this very interesting in that I hope to meet some of the people from this tribe. From what I've seen on the internet they seem like very interesting people. They where bright colors and have an interesting culture.
The people of the community often times get their ears pierced and stretch their earlobes. More women get their ears pierced than men. All sorts of materials are used to pierce and stretch ears.
Their are many other cultures within this tribe. Many young men train to be soldiers.
If I could ask a woman in the Maasai tribe anything I would ask about their life and what they do on a regular day. Maasai women are often under appreciated. I personally love attention and expect so much for everything I do. Although I am not proud of this I think it makes me work harder and I wonder how these women feel about how they are treated.
Being asked to research this tribe not only intrigued me but also made me think of how different so many cultures are from our own.

Inspiration

Inspiration
: something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create
: a force or influence that inspires someone
: a person, place, experience, etc., that makes someone want to do or create something
Three people who inspire me are Kerri Walsh Jennings, Mary Witt, and my mom Holli Snyder.  None of them are completely the same but they all have something to do with each other: Children and Passion.  I chose Kerri Walsh because she is an amazing volleyball player.  I love the game, especially beach.  Kerri Walsh idolized Misty May Treanor and then won Olympic Gold as her partner.  Also, she has two kids and is married to another volleyball player.  In a way it seems so stressful to not only have to raise two young children but to have to balance working out, training and doing summer camps as a job as well. To me Mary Witt is inspiring because she lost her leg to a battle in cancer and still manages to coach soccer, ski and enjoy life.  Mary Witt has children of her own and that is one of the reasons she is so involved in the community. But despite everything she has gone through she still manages I be so happy anytime you see her. For example, yesterday, at physical therapy, she had tape on her wrist.  I asked her what had happened and she said the sometimes her wrist just hurt.  Then she said “I can afford to lose my leg, but my hands are part of my job and what I love to do.”
My mom is another inspiration in my life. In 2010 my mom fought a hard battle with Breast Cancer. She recovered very well and thanks to the Shaw Regional Cancer center is continuing to feel better every day. She works everyday, deals with irritating people, and some how manages to raise a crazy volleyball player going half way around the world and a second daughter who's struggling with the things growing up entails.

Roar. If I could be an animal I would most definitely be a tiger. To me tigers are graceful, and beautiful. To any person they are fierce and strong. That's what I want to be. Strong yet beautiful. Fierce but Graceful. And anyone can admit an animal that can rip it's own food to pieces is probably one of the coolest things ever!!

Tears, Fears, and Changes

Letting someone into your life is difficult.  But even so knowing that you might not ever see them again once you get close to them is terrifying.  People I know who I have gone on previous trips with CGA said when they had to leave, the tears came streaming down their face.  And when they talk about the memories and the time they had there, they still tear up.  They fell in love with the kids and I am scared to do that. To me the most difficult part of this experience is letting the people of Tanzania into my heart.  I don’t want to lose them, and most people on going on this journey are just as scared as me to open up our hearts.  So although it seems scary to lose my new friendships, I think it's just going to be extremely difficult.  And it's hard for me to cry so that's even harder.

 

On, a brighter note, my biggest fear is the food and new cultures.  I am used to eating cereal for breakfast and don’t have a huge variety of food that I like.  Although I can’t wait to try the food, I also am scared I won’t like it.  I’m not a big fruit and tea person and those are large parts of their diets.  So I guess my taste buds will have to deal with the new menu options.  I am also afraid of seeing people without much of a house or even a bed and some blankets.  That's one of the reasons I can't wait for this trip, to see the smiles when we help improve the children's ways of living.

I think after this trip I will be more thankful for what I have.  I wake up in the morning and I get out of my bed like its nothing, when for them it would be everything.  For some of the kids without parents they would love to have someone who bugs them about what they did at school and why they got a low grade on a test.  I am so used to having my nagging parents and my bed that I don’t realize some people don’t have that.  I believe when I get home I will stop taking things for granted and start being thankful for everything that I have. 

I know that this trip will change my life for the better.  And as I am learning Swahili and working towards my fundraising goals, I am also finally understanding how lucky I am to have what I have, and also how scared I am to change my diet for two weeks.  I hope everyone has a fantastic new year, I know I will!

Let's do this!

Hi, my name is Evan Wetzel.  In the summer of 2014 I will be traveling on a service trip to Tanzania with the Children's Global Alliance.  With this program, we will be teaching 150 students how to better read and write.  32 of these 150 are living in an orphanage connected to the school.  Also, we will be improving the living conditions for them.  We will provide needed supplies and love for the children.  I believe that this is a very eye opening experience and I know that this is a once in a life time opportunity.  I can not wait for this amazing experience and I am so lucky to work with such fun, amazing people.