Mariah Goes Abroad:
Jesuit lessons: Meeting with the Jesuits from the East African Provincial Kangs and Cypriano showed me so much about life here and the connection of the Jesuit communities around the world. So much similarities between the hospitality i’ve felt connecting with the Jesuits at SLU is mirrored here. But, if anything the lessons I’ve learned are more tangible and applicable to the life I’m living here as Cypriano reached out and explained my life should be in Africa where I originated as opposed to spending so much time in the states. All in all he said “Don’t be too hard on yourself for classes here, after it ends you’ve seen some animals, learned some things, and been with your brothers and sisters in Africa…” Such simple things that resonated so much with me as I’ve been welcomed me home in Tanzania and even the Kenyan scholastics who have invited me to their homes near Nairobi.
Even being here for two months its so clear that Tanzania is forever a part of my life and the woman I’m growing to be. All the mamas at TGNP have embraced me and remind me daily that I must come home to Tanzania even after the program ends. I’m certainly going to take them up on that and spend time with my Tanzanian brothers and sisters.
Reminding myself of my goals for the semester I am reflecting on how I want the next two months in Dar to look like and what type of experience I’m going to take back to the United States for my last year at SLU.
In Peace,
mariahgoesabroad 