Board Bio: Bethan Crisp

My name is Bethan Crisp. I am 21 years old and I am currently studying Anthropology at Brunel University in West London.

In the Amazon!

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to pursue my studies and career in Law. That was until I began planning some time out of studying in order to travel to Tanzania. Suddenly, my head was filled with adventure, spontaneity, getting ‘out there’ and experiencing the world, (as cliché as that may sound!)

I visited a few universities  and it was during one visit that the realization fell upon me that spending the next, however many years in a dull, brown bricked classroom, (which is how this one particular Law department looked!) was just not for the person I was becoming.

I changed my course and I could not be happier with my decision. I have been on an inspiring placement to Ecuador where I lived in an indigenous Quichua community in the Amazon for 6 months and the confidence it has given me is brilliant and extremely encouraging.  

Anyway, how did I get to Tanzania? I originally went to Tanzania through the organization “Oyster Worldwide” in September 2010 as part of my gap year between college and university. I taught English at a primary school to a class of 70 students for 6 months, until meeting some amazing volunteers in Nkoaranga, also there through Oyster, who took me on a visit to the Orphanage. I fell in love with the children and from that moment, I just knew it would be impossible for me to keep away.

Big Franky with Pray and Fillipo during music class

Such happy faces make working for The Small Things and being a volunteer at Nkoaranga so rewarding!

I was nervous at first to meet the children. Before Tanzania, I had never really been a ‘children person’ or very natural with babies. The children at Nkoaranga completely changed me. They were so welcoming and full of love that I had no time to be shy. They were just such brilliant characters and made an immediate impression and I suddenly felt like I had come to the place that I was destined to go to since arriving in Tanzania. Something had always been missing and until I met these children at Nkoaranga, I didn’t know what that missing thing was.

This year whilst I was back in Nkoaranga, I saw the arrival of baby Hope. It is a very bitter sweet situation to witness the arrival of a new resident of Nkoaranga Orphanage; to be able to hold and interact with such an amazing form of life but to have to wonder about the tragic circumstances that have brought him or her to us. It was fascinating looking at such a small bundle of 'Hope' in her blankets with her eyes closed and thinking about her future. It was very emotional for me as I stood in the baby room looking over at all of the small, sleeping little people. I can only be glad that they are in a safe place surrounded by love and people who will be there for them for years to come.

Baby Hope in her bundle of blankets, the first day I met her. 

I didn’t expect to become so involved and connected to the orphanage. I think that may have been due to every time in England if I was given a baby to hold, he or she would immediately cry their eyes out! Here, at Nkoaranga, a baby would stop crying and feel content if put into my arms. I felt needed. I felt infinitely responsible to care for them and ensure I could be a part of their lives and a part of giving them a future they deserve; a future that any child deserves.

This is why I now work for The Small Things. It gives me the opportunity to do just that – have the ability to contribute to the livelihoods of these beautiful individuals from England when I can’t physically be there with them. I was first in Tanzania for 10 months and I returned for the Christmas and New Year of 2011. This year, after 18 months, I made my third return and saw such a wonderful difference. Such big, gorgeous, healthy children! I had the opportunity to visit the older school children at USA River Academy who had been at the orphanage on my previous visits. How amazing to see them as such flourishing individuals, learning, happy, running around on the grass together and absorbing life.

Visiting the older children at USA River Academy this year. I first met them in 2011 in Nkoaranga Orphanage. It is so great to be able to see such wonderful, physical changes and pure proof of development.

Life at Nkoaranga Orphanage is tough, to say the least. The mamas and, not forgetting, big Franky, do outstanding work. I'm sure many parents would say that looking after one or two children is hard enough. But imagine two mamas a day with over 20 babies, toddlers and young children craving their attention, not enough toys to go around, or not enough of the same toys to prevent any arguments! Sounds challenging, right? 

Loveness taking care of Isaac. The older children can be so helpful when there aren't enough hands to feed a hungry mouth or to sooth a crying baby.

I grew very fond of big Ebenezer. It seems so ironic for him to now be named 'big' Ebenezer (now that we have another little Ebenezer in the orphanage too,) considering he was so tiny and so sick when I first held him back in 2011. I feared for his life. So to see him again this year was indescribable. He is such a funny boy who absolutely loves a cuddle and although he seems relatively sweet and innocent, he definitely has his cheeky moments! He certainly knows how to win your heart, even after you send him to bed and wait for an apology after he has misbehaved, he quickly makes it up to you with a kiss on the cheek!

A tiny, premature baby, Ebenezer,  who became so sick that it was touch and go as to whether he could pull through. 

....But he did! And he is such a fun, lovable, beautiful and, most importantly, healthy little boy today! 

I love a good challenge and what better motivation to complete one, than to do it for the kids? Upon return from Tanzania my first time, I conducted 'Project Maji' which raised over $1,000 for water filtration systems for the orphanage and hospital. 
Then, I went a step up and in December 2011, planned for myself and 4 other previous Nkoaranga volunteers to jump out of a plane and skydive! I still to this day have no idea how I managed that. I not only have a fear of planes, but also of heights! So if THAT wasn’t a challenge, I don’t know what is!
This April, I also took part and completed a sponsored half marathon in aid of The Small Things. I’m not a huge fan of running, especially a run that goes on for more than 2 hours! But I did it and I would do it all over again for the children.
I am of course now thinking and planning my next challenge; something bigger and better. Ideas are on the cards so you will have to keep a look out to see what I plan to get myself into next time!

Success of Project Maji! Stevie, Andrea and David drinking safe, clean water.

High up in the air! A terrifyingly amazing experience.

At the finish line! My first half marathon which I plan to do again next year and beat my time.

  

There are too many amazing memories of the children and Nkoaranga Orphanage for me to go into here. This is why I would tell you to go to Nkoaranga and experience it for yourself and to make your own memories!

 
I am very grateful to be a part of The Small Things because it allows me to play a part in the continuing development of the present and the future of these children. I am a member of the communications, fundraising and volunteers committees and I love being able to assist and help prepare new volunteers who are set to travel out to Tanzania. I am thankful to have met such devoted people and to work as part of a team where our strength grows immensely due to the support of all of you who take the time to read our blogs, keep updated on the children, provide feedback and donate to our projects.

Thank you everyone for your support and encouragement to The Small Things but also to the steps of my past that led me to where I am today. 

This is what progress looks like! Happy Birthday Simoni

Today our amazing little man Simoni turns four - I can hardly believe it! When I met him, he was two and a half and couldn't walk at all, just scoot across the floor, because his rickets were so bad. This was him a few months in, when he still needed a hand just to get across uneven ground.

And take a look at him dancing and playing this past December! This change is DIRECTLY attributable to the kids getting vitamins with iron every day, a healthier diet, and more attention because more mamas have been hired - ALL things that you have helped us to do. Look at the change in Simoni's demeanor - he used to be such a sad, scared little thing. He has blossomed into the funniest, cheekiest little boy you could hope to know. Thank you so much for being part of it!

He's such a smart and funny little guy - here is him singing the Nakupenda song (I love you), although he gets a little distracted along the way - he likes the camera! - then moving on to his very special rendition of "Head, shoulders, knees, and toes."

Happy fourth birthday little guy, I am so insanely proud of you!

PS: If you can't get enough Simoni (and who could?), his adorable (and hysterical) singing talents are also showcased here with the Em-bily song and his actually really impressive duet with Mama Pendo. 

Growing up Nkoaranga

It's been a long few months. I have some ongoing medical issues that are being frustratingly evasive, and it's not clear whether I'm going to be able to start LSE this year or not. Which would mean that I'd be another year out, and the kids another year older, by the time I could conceivably return full time to Nkoaranga orphanage and to Tanzania. I get scared thinking how big my babies will be by the time I return - and it breaks my heart into tiny pieces not to be there to see it.

Stevie's big mouthed grin

Dainess's expectant, "Don't you want
to play with me?" face

Little grandfather Simoni's appraising look 

Dainess's melodramatic,
the-world-is-ending face

I try to remember, that getting older means getting stronger - Ebenezer is a strong, healthy baby, not a vulnerable preemie. Zawadi, who at a year couldn't even crawl, is walking and talking in full sentences. Simoni is running and jumping, when a year ago, because of his rickets, he could only scoot across the floor.

Simoni's cheeky grin

And then I see these. Pictures of our "big kids" now, back when they were little - and their personalities shine right through every pore. The same kids, with the same hearts, the same strengths, and the same weaknesses. And I know that even as they get bigger, they'll
still be my babies, always.

Tumaini (left) and Dainess (right),
giggling their faces off. 

I miss the babies they were. But I could not be prouder of the kids they are becoming.

Help us continue Stevie and Dainess's journey by contributing to get them into school this January.

Yes, I'm up at 4 am making videos of the kids.

Just a little something I thought you guys might enjoy - I was looking through the photo albums of some volunteers who have gone back to the orphanage several times over the years, and found some gorgeous baby photos of the kids. I thought you might like to see how beautifully they have grown!

Updates soon with our new project, the school situation, a reorganized site, more details on the board, and much more!

Walk it off, babies, walk it off

According to reports on the ground from the lovely and talented Emily Butler, Miss Zawadi is officially WALKING! The video below is from when I left, and apparently now she's going with no help at all. Just to remind you how far we've come... From wriggle worm to spiderbaby, to walking with help, to overcoming those rickets and walking it off!

Look at her go!

Meanwhile, Simoni, who has even more severe rickets, couldn't walk at all when I arrived, and dragged his legs when crawling. Since then, look how far he's come! Apparently, since I left, he's been up and down stairs with no help, even trying to jump, which is a HUGE accomplishment. (Please excuse my screeching in these videos, it had been way too long since I'd been around adults.)

Still struggling a few months into the trip...

...And happily herding his imaginary cows a few months later

It just goes to show how far the kids can come with the dedication of the volunteers and staff - besides getting them medical care, we were working with both kids every day to push them to exercise the legs, to go a little farther each day. The truth is, without effectively utilized volunteers (which is why we need a manager) or more staff (which is why we need to pay a living wage), there simply isn't time for the mamas to give this kind of one on one attention to the children. So hooray for volunteers and fundraising!

Spiderbaby, spiderbaby, does whatever a spiderbaby does...

From a wiggle-worm to a spiderbaby in five short months

Also - darn kids got bubble gum all over their hair, ears, and forehead, and peanut butter failed to alleviate the problem. I don't know whether it's the Tanzanian bubble gum or the natural peanut butter, but Stevie and Ericki will be walking around with pink heads and ears for a few more days. I'd be lying if I said I don't think it's hysterical, but Stevie is not. happy.

Remorseful and pissed

Not even a little bit sorry. Kind of likes the peanut butter process.

 Other than that, things are pretty calm, albeit in a things-are-always-insane-so-slightly-less-insane-seems-downright-peaceful kind of way. I'm taking a mental health break and going on a super low budget trip back to Zanzibar for a week, which is leaving me deeply conflicted - I really want to spend all of my last five weeks with the kids, but I also recognize that being there every day and then leaving suddenly is probably the most traumatic possible method. I'm hoping that the week away will give the kids a chance to disconnect a tiny bit, and, I might as well be honest, reassure me that yes, they will survive without me. I'm pathetic. But I'm going to miss them so stinking much.

How could you not?

And then a carnivorous monkey leapt through my window and attacked my cat

Ok, before I get into all kinds of medical supply information and updates on the kids, breaking news: at ten o'clock last night, what I assume to be a monkey because there are no other reasonable candidates LEAPT through the bars in the window (4 inches by one and half feet, maybe?), aggressively attacked Paka and ripped out large patches of fur, leaving no scratches but huge dirty streaks through her fur like really dirty hands had been, well, ripping it out. I heard horrible yowling from the next room, opened the door expecting to see another cat, instead saw a flash of white as Paka STREAKED past me into my room and a flash of brown/black fur as something else leapt out the window. Poor Paka took me ten minutes to find, in my own room while I was calling her name, because she was so freaked out she was cowering behind a curtain. Obviously I spent most of last night comforting her and/or rolling over on her in my sleep. Poor Paka. She seems a little better today but still pretty jumpy, and I can't say I blame her. The moral of the story is, a carnivorous monkey leapt through my window and attacked my cat. At one point last night I suspected accidental LSD ingestion, but the fur tufts remained in the morning as evidence that I didn't hallucinate the whole episode. Just when I think I can handle whatever this country wants to throw at me, THIS happens. What the hell, Africa?

Ok, onward and upward.Good news on the medical supplies front: A huge shipment that had been held in Tanga for about six months finally arrived from Global Health Ministries in the US, which included quite a few items on the list. So the updated list looks like this:

Medical Supplies

Used laptops of any description or vintage (Thanks to those who have already offered, we can still use more!)

Stethoscopes, preferably Litmanns 

Forehead or ear infrared thermometers that take AA or AAA batteries

Children's vitamins with iron and Vitamin D (Taken care of!)

Medications - particularly diabetes, hypertension, and antibiotics

Braces, particularly ankle and knee (thanks Dory and others!)

Microscope (thank you!)

Colorimeter

Glucometer and other diabetic testing supplies

Field stain

Water bath machine

D/C kit

Lab tiles for blood typing and Widal tests (glass tiles with six circles)

Urine test containers (pref plastic)

The reason it is crucial for the hospital to have good facilities was brought home hard this past week, as literally over 50% of the orphanage has had fevers, coughs, and others symptoms that have primarily turned out to be malaria. Poor baby Frankie was so bad he was in the hospital for two days - he is out now, but still has to go to the hospital every 6 hours for injections of antimalarials, since the oral medication apparently wasn't strong enough with his bitty immune system. It was really tough for me to visit him without thinking constantly of Reziki, who was the last kid I saw in the hospital - three hours before he passed away. Thankfully, Frankie is doing much better, and hopefully he will be back to his normal smiley self in a few days.

IV pole to the right

Meanwhile we've had a rash of an even more serious medical condition - spontaneous male child pregnancy. Yes, a whole flock of our babies have decided that the time is right to become fathers, despite our pleading with them to wait until they hit puberty. Alas, all for naught.

The proud father

Andrea and his daughter, Mama Jacob. A grandparent already!

Meanwhile, Zawadi has taken a leap in the direction of healthy toddlerhood, and I couldn't be prouder. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting.... drumroll please... Z's first thigh roll!

Thunder thighs ahead!

I know it sounds silly, but she was so incredibly tiny when I arrived - look at some of the videos here - and I'm thrilled.

Ok, that's it for the important stuff - now here's your daily dose of obscenely adorable.

Baracka the Cirque du Soleil clown

Aaaand my favorite picture of all time. PS: Maureen, you're a girl. Sorry.

Wedding

So last Sunday the other volunteers and I were invited to a wedding by Mama Gladness, and of course we couldn't say no. The bride is employed by Mama Gladness, and she and the groom have been living together for many years and have three children - this was just to make it official. First, we had to climb a mountain in a distinctly unimpressive car to get to the church, which turned out to have only about 15 people in it, including the three of us and Mama Gladness. Slightly intimidating.

Beautiful church, though.

The inside during the ceremony

The priest stopped on several occasions to translate for us mzungus, which was nice, although the whole thing was fairly simple.

Afterwards, we got a ride with the pastor to the bride's house, where the party was being held. I then got a lot of awkward questions about whether I was Christian... always interesting. The party itself was nice, lots of food and dancing. The KKKT on the back of the chairs refers to some kind of community organization that rents them out - I still have a moment of double-take every time I see the logo, though. Then an, oh right, I'm in Africa moment.

Partytime!

Feeding each other the first bites of cake

African wedding cake - and they do refer to it as such - is, um, a little different than what we're used to at home. In fact, it consists of a whole goat, with head and hooves left intact, the rest skinned and cooked. Honored guests are brought up to the front to be personally served a piece. Thankfully, Christine's vegetarianism saved the day and gave us a convenient out.

Sorry, Meghan! Also that guy's face pretty much sums up how I felt.

Dancing the presents up

I really liked the way the presents were done - instead of being heaped on a table, the presents, mostly unwrapped, were danced to the front of the tent and given directly to the bride and groom. Lots of beautiful fabric, some furniture, cooking pots, and a big old pot for money.

Our white horse?

So remember how I mentioned the not exactly totally confidence-inspiring car ride up? Well, turns out that the car wouldn't actually start for the way down. So instead Mama Gladness sent Eric, her other son, to get another vehicle. This is what arrived. Oh, and the ground? At least 6 inches thick with dust the consistency of flour. This picture is, in fact, the car while it was stuck in said dust. I don't have pictures of us all in our wedding finery getting behind to push, but I can assure you it happened.

Upon climbing into the van, we realize that seats are for sissies, and this ride is going to be a little bumpy. And did I mention dusty?

Hakuna Matata?

All in all, a truly unique wedding experience, one that there is not the slightest chance that I will ever be able to forget. Note for the future: When/if I ever get married, definitely want a mzungu wedding cake.