August 2014
20 photos for 20 years: Amizade celebrates two decades
Amizade was officially incorporated 20 years ago today. Amizade is the brainchild of founder Daniel Weiss; the result of never-ending efforts by communities around the world; and it is an ongoing global movement by over 7,000 volunteers, staff, and board members. Amizade will mark its 20 years with its Celebration and Fundraiser event on November 1. But for today, we here at Amizade scoured the archives and found 20 pictures from our vibrant 20 year history, ranging from epic, funny, bizarre, and beyond. We hope you enjoy and we will see you on November 1!
+ READ MORE
Leaving Tanzania: Katy Merckel
The problem with travelling is that in the end, you are always just a visitor and you must go home. The world may be small, but a lot of places are pretty far away. This is the reality I am currently confronting, and if I thought about it too hard, I would probably not be able to take another step towards the door.
+ READ MORE
Stories From Karagwe: The Search for Diamond
All throughout intermediate and high school, I considered myself a concert rat. At least once a month my friends and I would head down to Mr. Smalls or Club Diesel, usually being the youngest people in the crowd, to see one of the many bands we were infatuated with. These venues usually consisted of shoving crowds, mosh-pits, and crowd surfers. I’ve had my fair share of crazy adventures to faraway shows and completely ridiculous happenings, but none of these memories compare to our recent quest for Tanzania Bongo-Flavor Pop-Sensation: Diamond!
+ READ MORE
Stories from Karagwe: Honesty
Honesty and “Productivity” Didn’t Fit In My Backpack: The screams of the crows outside my window woke me up; I was a bit disoriented and my head felt as light as an air balloon. It was a Sunday morning and I was feeling the punishment from having too much fun the night before. My room was a warzone; a combination of clothes, readings and books covered the floor all the way from my bed to the door.
+ READ MORE
Stories from Karagwe: Karibu Chakula (Welcome to the Food)
Have you ever wondered where your food comes from? Do you know the farmers who grow it or the chef who cooks it? When going to a restaurant in the United States, one rarely has the chance to meet the chef or see the kitchen. Knowing the farmer who sweat over the crops which make up that meal has also become increasingly difficult in our complicated consumer economy. I do not know if I will ever have a relationship with a chef or farmer at home and as clearly see where my food is coming from, like I do here.
+ READ MORE
Stories from Karagwe: WOMEDA
This story begins with a woman sitting on a long, plain, wooden bench in an ordinary room in Kayanga town. The room was once painted a yellow-tan color but has since been decorated in scuffs, scratches, and dirt. The paint is rubbed off in places, and the ceiling is home to handfuls of wasps, migrating from their main colony to smaller ones nearby. The woman sits with her feet firmly on the concrete floor, her back to a wooden door latched with a silver and gold padlock.
+ READ MORE
Stories from Karagwe: My Tanzania Eyes
“The cloths are brightly printed and worn together in jangling mixtures that ring in my ears: pink gingham with orange plaid, for example. Loose-joint breaking-point colors, and whether you find them beautiful or find them appalling, they do make the women seem more festive, and less exhausted.” -The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver
+ READ MOREStories from Karagwe: Forever Young
This blog entry is part of an ongoing series from Amizade’s semester Service-Learning course in Tanzania. Today’s entry comes from Katie Wozniak, a sophomore biochemistry student at Duquesne University. Since coming to Tanzania, death has slapped me in the face three times
+ READ MORE
Stories from Karagwe: Supporting Girls Education through Access to Clean Water
Think for a minute about something you have that you take for granted every day. You probably thought of something like water,food, or shelter. These are all necessary for existence, but what about other things like having the opportunity to receive an education or have a job where your safety is a priority?
+ READ MORE