My next steps...

After registering for the program to Bagamoyo, Tanzania I had a short time to try and raise some money for this trip. I spoke to my program manager and friend, Libby Stanton from Cross-Cultural Solutions, a day or two after I registered. Over some wine over at the Gnarley Vine in New Rochelle, Libby not only briefed me on my program, she also gave me my first Swahili lesson.
Bagamoyo - Lay down your heart

Greetings:

• Habari -News (Like, what's the news?)
• Hujambo (Hamjambo if speaking to a group) - Are you fine?
• Sijambo - I am fine.
• Shikamu or shikamoo said to elders or persons of higher status than yourself. It is followed by the proper nouns
• Shikamu Bibi - Greetings Grandmother
• Shikamu Babu - Greetings Grandfather
• Shikamu Mama - Greetings Mother (The Tanzanians have a non-nuclear family structure; Mama is used to refer to any woman who is older than you.)
• Shikamu Mzee - Greetings gentleman
• Mambo (Slang) - What's up? (said to folks younger than you)

Numbers:

• Moja- one
• Mbili- two
• Tatu - three
• Nne - four
• Tano - five
• Sita - six
• Saba - seven
• Nane - eight
• Tisa - nine
• Kumi - ten
• Isharini - twenty
• Thelathini -
• Na - and (used in between single digit and double digit numbers. For example: Twenty One - Isharini na moja; Fifteen- Kumi na Tano.)

Libby was increble at helping me out with my first few steps in this process. We were also discussing fundraising ideas. Letters, hosting a bar night, parties, raffles were all discussed. Libby also hooked me up with a couple of handbooks so I can read to prep me further. Asante Sana, Libby!

I finally decided to have a fundraising party. Watch out for details...