Our Story, thus far

We wanted to make a blog so that all of the wonderful friends and family members back home that supported us, painted with us, cleaned with us and prayed with us, could see where their generosity has led.

Hans arrived August 10 and hit the ground running.  He will be Head of the Science Department as well as teaching Biology.  African Leadership Academy (ALA) uses the Cambridge Curriculum so Hans has been busy getting a handle on a whole new curriculum, as well as duties as Head of the Department AND all the other responsibilities expected of the ALA staff.  ALA is a boarding school for students all over the continent of Africa, and, in order to support their academic career,  ALA is very intentional about creating a sense of community and the staff play a big role in that.  ALA’s mission statement says it all: To transform Africa into a peaceful and prosperous continent by developing and supporting its future leaders.

Nate and I arrived Sunday, Aug 20, after a missed flight in Doha, Qatar!  It wasn't all bad, missing that flight, as Qatar Airways put us up at a very fancy hotel and Nate and I were able to enjoy the luxury as well as catch up on some sleep.  On Monday, we both jumped right in.

Monday and Tuesday were an off-site staff orientation for ALA "Staffulty” (term ALA uses for “staff and faculty).  It was a great chance to learn about the vision of ALA (no less than creating future leaders throughout every county in Africa!) and meet most of the staff and faculty.  This, undoubtably, has to be the most diverse place we have ever, ever been.  There are staff and faculty members from all over the world, and all coming with a background of excellence. It is truly humbling to be here.

Monday night was also our first night experiencing parenting from half-way around the world.  Hans got a call that Maggie got in a car accident somewhere on a Connecticut freeway, returning from visiting my family in PA to Boston.  While it is not a good feeling to be so far at a time like that, it was also good that with technology we were literally with her in that moment.  Maggie is fine! It's just an expensive fender-bender and a good lesson for all of us.

While we were at the all-staff meeting, off-site, Nate spent his first night at ALA.  There is a small group of non-English speaking first years who come early to work on their English before school starts.  Nate joined this group to "help" with their English -- but it was really a great opportunity to meet some of the kids in his Y1 class.  They are from the Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Burundi and other places and they are all fast friends of Nate.  What a praise that he has already started to feel welcome in this amazing community!

As for me, my work begins next week.  I will be trained as Hall Mistress here at ALA and will also be working as a kindergarten teacher (grade R) at a nearby primary school, called Nova Pioneer Jackal Creek.  Jackal Creek is the gated subdivision/gold estate that houses a number of staffulty (that's the term ALA uses for staff and faculty) so I may have a few ALA parents!

We are still in temporary housing (in Jackal Creek) and are looking forward to our little apartment here on campus to be finished so we can move in and start to feel settled.  Hopefully, this coming Monday.

Thanks again for all your help and support and prayers!  I'll send more news next week.