Welcome to CHETI

A day or two after my arrival in Africa, I learned I would be placed at a school outside the town of Arusha. CHETI, it is called. "CHETI. What does it mean?" I thought, and "How old are the children?" I couldn't WAIT to get started with the little buggers, but I knew it was important to prepare for their age and level of understanding. "They mainly range from 3-7," I was told. I smiled with excitement and anticipation inside, not just because I love children, but also because I knew this would be a challenge - for them and for me - for they would not know as much English as some of the other locals. I frantically tried to learn as much Swahili as possible and as mentioned before, I had wonderfully encouraging people eager to help.
I rose the next morning, ready to be picked up at home by the head of the school. Zuma, is his name. One of the most remarkable people I've ever met. Even as I say his name now, I feel empowered and strengthened. The doors opened and there was Zuma... beaming with one of the most infectious, enlightening smiles I have ever seen. He apologized for not having proper English (his English is excellent) and I responded by telling him he can't apologize again until I use proper Swahili! "No, no! I want to know better English. I need to know better English," he said as he grabbed hold of my arm and hand, leading me through town to the dala dalas. In America, we have a hard enough time bumping shoulders with someone or getting too far into their "personal space". Now, I had a total stranger, a beautiful soul grabbing hold of my hand and anxiously pulling me through town. I loved every moment of it. It was a comforting invasion. Contradicting? Maybe. But something I could argue we all desperately need.

"There are 4 centers to CHETI," he explained. "I shall take you to all."

"What does CHETI stand for?" I asked. "CHETI." He smiled. "Children Health Education Team Inspiration."

I couldn't think of five better reasons for having come there.

Two dala dalas later and a long walk down a dirty, muddy road, I turned the corner through a rusty painted gate and heard the most beautiful voices I've ever known. The children...

"Come! We cannot waste a minute," said Zuma. He asked me to hop onto the back of his motorbike so he could take me out to the farthest CHETI center... and now I know why... it is far. The centers of CHETI are called C1, C2, C3 and C4. "We shall go to C4," he explained.

We drove a bumpy ride through muddy trails and rocky hills until we reached C4.

Where. Do. These. Kids. Come. From. ... that was all I could think to myself.
The school is in the middle of nowhere. Yes... this is school...And I walked into a classroom to find this...


A child was teaching the class. They could not yet find a teacher. Still, the children straggle along to school. They want to learn. They have such hope and potential, yet there is a lack of resources, supplies; there is a lack of trustworthy and determined teachers. Why? ... I will explain in posts to come.
Their dirt filled shoes...

They don't have lunch...If they break for lunch, they go home and most likely don't come back. If they do come back, it is likely that they didn't eat when home. Why? They have no food there...

Their "blackboards"... Pieces of wood that can't really be erased OR boards of wood which serve as the "walls" of their classroom.

Their supplies? A single pencil they take from a bucket. They are ALWAYS broken; NEVER sharpened. The children spend half the class begging to have them sharpened. There are no erasers. Perhaps one or two per class. No books. Each child has ONE booklet of blank paper. When they run out, that's it. They must sit and watch for the next few weeks or months until they get another... so frustrating. Although some centers have a few more supplies, it is pretty similar within C1 through C4. The biggest frustration is the lack of food...

If they do not eat, they have no energy. If they have no energy, they cannot retain anything. But they want to learn. Why must we always complain when we have so much. They are so malnourished...






























This time around, words just won't suffice for me. I'm praying these images can help you see. I'd spent the first weekend with so many excited children in the streets, running; laughing; playing. But when I came to C4... I genuinely had to work to get these kids to smile; resorting to tickling; tossing them; everything I could think of. These children are just plain hungry. I look at them and see an old soul when I ought to be seeing a vibrant, vivacious child... but they've experienced more than I'll ever know... We are blessed with bountiful opportunities. They need us. I'm supporting these children, but I cannot do it on my own. A few dollars a day, a week, a month can help me to feed them for months. A little can go such a long way! Can you please help?

I'll show you how. Contact me: britni.tozzi@gmail.com

Thank you for being here... You are a blessing. Never underestimate what you are capable of doing. More to come soon.