Hey all,
I'm Sarah. I have access to the ASAP blog now. Ryan sent some pictures of his trip and here they are for you to view.
Later days-

November in Oxford

Although it feels as if we are moving along slowly, it is already November, and the semester is growing short. For the last few weeks, several ASAP members have worked hard to recruit a new group of students to travel to Tanzania. The EDL course that we organized last year is also in the works of being revived. This week we have interviews, and all participants will know before thanksgiving break whether or not they will have the opportunity to travel to our school in Tanzania. We had so many applications, I was blown away. Sometimes I have to kick myself, and realize how far this organization has come. In terms of who to pick, these decisions are extremely hard for the interviewers to make.

On one hand, we want strong and experienced leaders like the ones in the past who are able to carry on the difficult mission we face. On the other hand, we want young energy and new ideas. Who on earth will be willing to dedicate as much time and passion into this? Frankly, I wish I knew the answer to that. Leadership is something that I have come to treasure. I regret that I will leave this close knit group I rely on at Miami, but I do have unrelenting faith in the next generation of ASAP volunteers. I wish I could stay....

By the way, here are some pictures of Richard Allen Academy where we are conducting a 4-week after school program to send letters to Ngyeku Primary School in Tanzania.


It has proved to be a great way to engage volunteers in meaningful and semi-local work.
It is also a new way to benefit our school in Tanzania as well.
Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive of our work!



ASAP Love,

Meredith

Semester Update

Tuesday of this week we will have elections for the new Executive Board.
The nominations are as follows:
President - Alyssa Gordos, Kelissa Hieber
Vice President - Tim Wietlispach, Alyssa Gordos
Treasurer - Katie Kraska, Laura Vrana
Secretary - Rachel Napoli

We are working with Ambassadors for Children to host the event:
"Speaking of Africa..." September 26 1-5 pm Shriver Multipurpose Rooms (B and C)
We will have 2 speakers, and then both organizations will have a powerpoint presentation about our trips to Tanzania and Malawi. We are happy to be working with AFC to showcase the wonderful work that has been done this past year.

Our committees so far this semester include:

Media and Documentation - contact Laura Vrana vranala@muohio.edu
Fundraising - contact Rachel Napoli Napolirl@muohio.edu
Donor Letter Writing - contact Courtney Tucker Tuckerc2@muohio.edu

These next few things are all just ideas at this point, but they are well on their way to being planned for this semester and next.
1) Invisible Children - speakers and documentary
2) Charity Dinner with a speaker from Sudan
3) Silent Auction
4) A.S.A.P. - the movie ;)

We hope to see even more new members come to our meetings this semester, thank you for your time and help!

Meredith Poff
Outgoing A.S.A.P. President

A New Year

ASAP's meetings will be Tuesdays from 530-615 pm in 18 Laws Hall

Goals for 2007-2008 School Year

1) Build a base of students who are committed to shaping a better program with a greater interdisciplinary focus on improving education in sub-Saharan Africa
2) Raise support within the Miami and Oxford community
- pen pal system with school from oxford(Bogan Elementary, in the works) and a school from Tanzania
- raffle with prizes from around town
- coalition of organizations willing to participate in our next trip
3) Enjoy what we do as people hoping to enhance cross-cultural awareness on campus

These goals are not simple, but they are not unattainable either, especially goal #3.

If you have any questions or goals to add, email me at poffme@muohio.edu

Places and Faces of Tanzania

Wildebeast

Twigga




East African Rift Valley


Sweet Safari Cars and Rugged Paths

Elephant in the Ngorongoro Crater


Lake Manyara

Tanzania 2007

"Everything you never knew that you always wanted..."




Located between the breathtaking views of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro.



Among the rural communities of Ngyeku and Sakila



A.S.A.P. discovered its new home in Tanzania this summer



For one month, we lived at Holy Mountain Lodge, so named after the small mountain that the locals hike up regularly to camp and pray.



Six or seven of the volunteers hiked up Holy Mountain, and one stayed overnight. It is a steep climb, and there isn't a whole lot to see, but we considered it a victory to get to the top nonetheless. It requires endurance and arm strength to launch yourself up this big hill using roots and weeds so you don't slide back down. If you stay overnight, you will hear many locals coming to pray out loud and theres potential for loud drumming as well. Don't plan to get much sleep, because there are an abundance of noises and small critters to keep you company.


Sakila Secondary School, where TJ, Alyssa, Charlotte, Jessie, and Chris taught - is located at the foot of Holy Mountain. It has approximately 300 students.


Maggie, Kelsey, Meredith, Lynn, and Hilary all taught at Ngyeku Primary School. It has 13 classrooms, and 1000 students from grades 1-7.


It was at Ngeyku that we taught valuable lessons such as "How to Limbo"...and English Instructional classes as well ;)



The staff and all of the locals added a very positive element to our trip, as they were more than willing to take us on walks, show us how to make food and wash clothes, braid hair, carve and collect food from the surrounding areas. They truly won our hearts and we will never forget the energy that they put forth every day to make our experience memorable.