RIDE TZ!!

Many of our readers know about this already, however I would like to officially introduce RideTZ, to our blog! We are also on Twitter @RIDETZ and on Facebook if anyone would like to see more regular updates!

The Foundation For Tomorrow has launched RIDETZ, a 10 day, 400 mile adventure ride across Tanzania in July 2010. With a maximum of 35 riders and 21 crew, we will be riding rugged African roads from Mount Kilimanjaro to the Indian Ocean to raise money and awareness to improve the education of orphaned and abandoned children in East Africa. At the same time, RIDETZ will provide participants from the US and Europe a unique opportunity to learn about the educational system and orphan crisis as they are giving back.

RideTZ is an unbelievable opportunity for donors to see rural Tanzania, as well as visit some of the projects TFFT is involved in. Before the holidays, Ake Lindstrom of Summits Africa (our Tanzanian outfitter) and I headed out to determine our official route. I think we spent 2/3 of our trip telling each other how gorgeous, amazing, and fun this ride is going to be! This coming from two people who already appreciate the beauty of Tanzania’s country and people. It will be difficult at times, no doubt, but for those willing to put in the training, the reward will be unforgettable covering mountain ranges, Nyumba ya Mungu lake, Mkomazi Game Reserve, and the Indian Ocean. This trip covers so many diverse areas, all showcasing the beauty of this country.

We are still accepting riders! To register visit: http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1754000

or for more information email me: emily@thefoundationfortomorrow.org or Kristie: info@elevatedestinations.com

and of course…to donate visit: http://www.active.com/donate/TFFTRIDETZ

Here are a few pictures of where we’ll be riding. I’ll be following up with a day by journal of our time in the bush.

Nyumba ya Mungu (The House Of God)

The open road!!

Our road through the Usambara Mountains

First Week Down as Member of The Foundation For Tomorrow Staff!

Hi all. Well, the first week of the term is down here in Tanzania and we are almost done with week two. I can't believe how fast it is going by. It has been a swift introduction to The Foundation For Tomorrow for the children and myself, but I think we have embraced it wholeheartedly. My first day in town we visited the students at Usa River and given that these photos were taken within 5 minutes of arriving I think we should get along great!

It was great to learn that I was not nearly as interesting as the books. As soon as they came out everyone scattered.


Fratern with the girls

Josh with Rachel and Rosie

Ndera

Daniel and Mathayo

Glory latched on and hardly let go!

Cheri and I read with the kids

All in all it has been a wonderful first week and a half. Many thanks to the TFFT team! Special thanks go to my awesome new roommate Emily who has taken on a second full time job getting me settled and showing me the ropes.

Team TFFT

Happy 2010! Hope everyone rang in the New Year in some fun way. I spent it in the snow of the Rocky Mountains with my family, skiing, relaxing and eating delicious food! I’m thrilled to be back in Tanzania now, where the kids are back to start a new school year; the rain is still coming, and my new roommate is getting settled in!

That’s right…new roommate! Anne Palmer joined TFFT in Tanzania on Monday night. She arrived at about 10 pm to Fratern and me waving a sign with her name on it and acting totally “professional.” Anne is here as our resident EMT, as well as the new Program Director for TFFT’s Full Circle Afterschool Program. She seems to be a freak of nature as well, seeing as she’s jumped right into things with only the slightest signs of jetlag! Our askari Lazaro, my dog Henry and I are all thrilled to have the extra company in the evenings as well (I’ll let everyone picture the funny trio we made on their own).

So, with Anne’s addition, Josh Nassari (our Scholarship Program Director who is absolutely amazing and has probably learned the kids names and personalities faster than any other TFFTer), Fratern, and myself I’m feeling like we’ve found ourselves a nice little team!

Last night, we were invited to dinner out at Rivertrees with Dr. Betsy Glasser a volunteer with Nkoaranga Orphanage and wonderful TFFT supporter. So, at about 7pm last night Team TFFT along with Cheri Sims (a TFFT volunteer who is spending 2.5 months working out at Matonyak as well as Usa River Academy), piled into our Subaru Forester and cruised out to Rivertrees. Along the way, I played DJ, and tried to play a little something for everyone, so after Hakuna Matata, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and John Denver we found ourselves all singing and dancing to Sweet Home Alabama. Everyone agreed / told me I needed to blog about the moment...to which I happily agreed. A great team, a beautiful Tanzanian night, some good tunes and mini dance party in the car…who could ask for more??