Volunteered January 2017
MONIQUE FROM THE NETHERLANDS
Report from Monique:
Hello Herman,
Sorrie for my very late reaction but i had no time before , busy busy and busy.
You asked me in Karatu if i wanted to send you a mail what about my experience at the monastery it was my first time. My experience was very good, but I see a lot of things what they can changed . This is no critical but only to help them with a better life still, also about communication. The big problem is the communication what to do. What they expect from you, what is forbidden and what is aloud. Example sister [i forgot her name] told can you do the hedge, got no tools and she doesn’t show me how to do. I know how to do my own hedge but here perhaps it’s different. So she can first show me how she wanted. Then I can do it for her.
This was also a problem with the flowers chrisant that a typical Dutch flower. I know how I do it at home ,but when I do it here it didn’t work. so what I want to tell please show it first and when it’s not correct show it again but nobody shows me how to do and what the really mean. I can do gardening but everyone has their own way. Also what very frustrated was for me .... they had very nice calendars from 2017 show these where the tourist can see them but now they are lighing on the lasted table in the diner room. and it took i think almost 3 weeks when the italian volunteer and i made a nice table in the front of the door [hall]
Past communication:
On 2016-11-19 14:56:02, Monique wrote:
Hi Anna,
Can you describe as clearl as possible how many children are really in need of clothes? I have some 6kg of children's clothing here but I need to make a clear selection of who needs what and in which size.
For example: 3 children new shirts, 2 with long sleeves, one without, and the sizes.
En who really needs long pants or shorts, for boys or for girls.
This is because it too much luggage to take with me. And I can't afford the extra costs for Zanzibar, I can take a maximum of 15kg. I am also bringing pens/pencils/notebooks for another organisation and that weighs a lot.
So I would rather take 6 dresses or 3 shirts, in the right sizes. That would make it easier for me.
I hope you understand that I need to make choices, it is simply too much for me to take it all. I can make pictures and show you what I have when I see you. It is all going fast now!
See you soon!
Greetings,
Monique
Hello Herman,
How are you? I’m busy arranging the last things before my trip. I wanted to check with you what we arranged. I will be coming to Arusha and stay you for a while (3-4 weeks). I will be supervised by Herman, teaching him yoga, meditation and massage.
What I wanted to ask you Herman, is if you have ever done yoga in the past is it the first time you will be doing it? I want to prepare a few things in advance and it would be good to know this in advance.
I will be sleeping and eating in the convent with the nuns. How many hours do you want me to do things for you? I would prefer to work outside, rather than inside. I prefer to teach yoga outdoors as well or in a quiet place, in the early morning or in the evening. For the rest, I prefer to work with animals, I think I had already mentioned that.
I would like a little time to myself so that I can maybe visit a park.I will be taking clothes for the children staying there. Is it correct that they are between the ages of 8 and 12? And can you let me how many boys & girls, so I can take that into account.Another question I have, is there a pool in the area? And is it right that it rains in December, do I need to take warm clothes?
My plan is to fly from Brussels at 6:20 and (via Hurgada) fly to Zanzibar where arrival time will be 20:35. I have an apartment there until the 19th so that I can relax a little bit (it has been a busy period for me) and then I will make my way to you.
My question is how to go from there. I know there are flights, but can you tell me which airlines I should look at, and if I can buy a ticket at the airport in Zanzibar? How long will the flight be?
I can also take a ferry, that someone picks me up. It is a long way, so would take a lot of time, so I would like to discuss this with you. I will be going back to Zanzibar on January 20th for another project. If you want to know anything more, or if you have questions, let me know.
I’m looking forward to it.
Thank you & see you soon,
Monique