The first things I want to do when I return to the United States is see my family and friends, have a manicure and pedicure and, lastly, buy a ticket to a movie theatre with 10 screens and come out a week later.
Tanzania Peace Corps volunteer Kay Oursler writes: On Nov. 3, I was officially married. The ceremony was absolutely unbelievable, beyond expectations
Letter: Community helped with trip
Bibi Kay,
Published Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Editor’s note: The following is former Cottage Grove resident Kay Oursler’s letter about her Peace Corps work in Tanzania.
On Nov. 3, I was officially married. The ceremony was absolutely unbelievable, beyond expectations. I became the bride of Uhekule during my farewell party. Many guest speakers were there, including the guest of honor, Mr. Lumato, the District Education Officer. He is a good friend, and I felt honored to have him at my big party.
The party lasted six hours and would have been longer if the rain hadn’t arrived. There were hundreds of villagers and students singing songs dedicated to me. One was even sung in English. A kind Tanzanian friend had a video camera, compliments of neighbors of mine in Arkansas, George and Nel, who had sent it as a gift. So I have many pictures and a DVD of the ceremony.
I received many gifts, mostly handmade or grown, ranging from 450 pounds of shelled-by-hand corn, 44 beautiful woven baskets to eight chickens and three guinea pigs, which I will not eat and promptly gave away.
The first things I want to do when I return to the United States is see my family and friends, have a manicure and pedicure and, lastly, buy a ticket to a movie theatre with 10 screens and come out a week later.
What I will miss when I return to the U.S.
1. The fact I’m the most intelligent person in my village due to having the opportunity for a good education. Back home in Hot Springs Village, Ark., I’m probably classified as mediocre in “smarts.”
2. I will definitely miss being treated as a celebrity not only in my village but also in the town of Njombe. (Njombe friends gave me a farewell party on Dec. 1. I finished my service with Peace Corps Friday, Dec. 7 in Dar Es Salaam.)
3. I will miss the quietness and serenity with no pollution and lots of peace plus the simple life of no electricity or running water in my house. Though a nice hot shower in my home in Arkansas will be a treat.
4. I will miss my many Tanzanian friends, my three cats and especially my four orphan children.
I am sorry that I did not get to take a picture of the library and classroom as the old school house is blocking the view of the new one, but when I return next October to begin building an orphanage, I will definitely send you a picture.
Just to let you know how fantastically the library and classroom turned out, a couple weeks ago 16 people from Sweden were brought to my little village by the District Officers of Njombe so they could “show off” the new building. Even the Swedes were impressed, thanks to all of you who donated.
Thank you, again, dear friends and family for your support and gifts these past two-and-a-half years.
Love and peace,
Bibi Kay
P.S. Let me know if you want me to speak about my experiences in Tanzania to churches, clubs, PEO chapters, businesses or schools. I will be touring the country to raise money to build an orphanage in Uhekule. Of the 420 kids in the village primary school, 116 are orphans. Also, it is not too late to sponsor a student who wants to go to high school and, if you know of a retired doctor who wants to help villagers in the bush, please e-mail me at kayhsv@earthlink.net.
Before her tenure in the Peace Corps, Kay Oursler was a Cottage Grove resident and president of the Cottage Grove Lions Club.
