Step by Step

No, the title is not referencing one of the many hits from everyone's favorite teenage band: NKOTB (I suppose when I say everyone, I specifically mean everyone who was a teenage girl about 15ish years ago). Step by Step is the name of a learning center here in Arusha. It is one of Omega's ongoing projects (Omega being Paul's NGO) and it is where I spent some time yesterday morning. The story of this school, and more specifically the mother who started this school, is remarkable. If you want a brief overview of the school you can click here. The website doesn't fully express the perseverance, intelligence, compassion, sense of humor and love for her daughter that Margaret possesses. I am in awe of this woman. She brings the idea of advocacy and passion to a whole new level.

Most of my time was spent yesterday morning reading with Umesalma. She is probably in her upper teens but has the mental capacity and social skills of a lower elementary student. Umesalma is quite intelligient, but lacks a great deal of social awareness. She, like all the students at Step by Step, is so full of love and wishes to share it with anyone who walks in the door. On one level, her ability to love and trust others is inspiring; but on another level it can to dangerous situations. Anyway, we spent most of our time reading to each other and doing written excercises on gerunds (quick: anyone remember what a gerund is?). She clearly knew how to make a gerund, but didn't always understand the content of the sentences. After gerund-ing the word "take" in this sentence, "Sheena does not like taking drugs," Umesalma turned to me and said, "what are drugs." I had about a 5 second string of panicky thoughts that ranged from, "Just Say No!" to "what if her parents need her to take medicine (and call them drugs) and I tell Umesalma that drugs are bad for you." What to do?!?! So I simply said something like, "Drugs are something that people take sometimes and they aren't always good for you." Nice and ambiguous. I was ready for further questions but Umesalma simply said, "Okay" and moved on to the next sentence, "Orango dislikes drinkig alcohol." Thankfully this one passed without any questions.

I am hoping to get to Step by Step regularly...I mean, I am Umesalma's "favorite teacher" right now. Flattering. But I quickly realized that her true favorite is Paul. When she realized I was leaving with teacher Margaret at lunch she looked disappointed. I thought, "that's so sweet." But then she said, "so that means Paul isn't coming to pick you up?" That was the source of her true disappointment. Oh well.

Currently I am sitting in Paul and Elizabeth's living room watching some "professionals" cut down trees in their back yard. It is going to be a miracle if they don't end up with an unwanted skylight in their house.

And finally, for everyone who was hoping this post was indeed a NKOTB reference...

Step by step
Gonna get to you girl
Step by step ooh baby
Gonna get to you girl
Step by step ooh baby
Really want you in my world

Hey girl in your eyes
I see a picture of me all the time
And girl when you smile
You got to know that you drive me wild

Step by step Ooh baby
Youre always on my mind
Step by step Ooh girl
I really think its just a matter of time