Anything is possible, if you just Believe!

A few weeks ago I returned home from, yet, another unforgetable journey to Tanzania. And for the past few weeks I have been looking for the right words to write, that would express what I am truly feeling in my heart.  I am lost for words!  Maybe because of the jet lag or maybe because I still find it hard to believe.  I sit and look at all my pictures and videos,  over and over again, shake my head and think  'did this really happen?'  Then I look across the room and see Salma sitting on my couch watching TV with me or I watch her dance in my kitchen as she helps me cook dinner.  My eyes fill with happy tears, I smile like crazy and I think  'Yup .....  this really did happen!'

the first day I met Salma was September 12, 2008

I met Salma almost 9 years ago when she was only 10 years old.  She was such a happy, young girl and so smart. She was the only one of the ten children we met at Karim Orphanage that was in school.  I watched Salma grow from a cute young girl into a beautiful young woman over the past 16 trips to Tanzania.

For the past few years I have been trying to get Salma  a birth certificate, a passport and a visa.  I surprised Salma at her graduation 1 1/2 years ago and after graduation I promised her,  for working so hard and graduating,  that she would come to Canada and go to college.  Salma looked at me surprised and said  "Really? I can come to Canada and go to College?" I said of course 'anything is possible, if you just Believe.'  Salma smiled and said  "Mama, I believe!"

It was a long process.  The passport took forever!  Then Salma had to be accepted into the Lethbridge College before I could apply for the student visa. Thanks Erin, for your patience and all your help.  I applied over and over again for Salma's visa.  So much paper work and so many letters, medicals, etc but I finally got the visa.  Thanks to Daniel at Bridges of Hope and his encouraging words,  I never gave up. 

Salma with her Baba & stepmom

I received Salma's visa just before I left for Tanzania but I decided it was best if it was kept a secret.  Salma knew I was trying to get her a visa and every time I spoke with her she would ask "did I get a visa yet?" I would never lie to her. I just told her she needed one last document, the most important document that would get her to Canada.  Little did she know that she had a passport and a visa and that her last document was her plane ticket to Canada. 














It was so hard to keep this secret.  It was something I worked so hard for and finally my dream had come true.  I  knew I couldn't change the world,  but I knew I could change the world for someone.  And that someone was going to be Salma.  

one happy girl that giggled and cried at the same time

I waited until ten days before I was to return home to Canada to surprise Salma with the great news.  It was a small gathering of only 12,  close friends and family,  at her Baba's (father's) home. I told everyone that I just wanted to get together and visit before I return home.  We all gathered under the banana trees,  talked and laughed and drank soda.  Then I brought out a brand new set of luggage that I was hiding in the trunk of the car.  

Baba was so happy for his daughter that he
could not hold back the tears

Salma sat still with this blank look on her face as I told her she still needed that one last document to get her to Canada.  I told her the luggage was a gift for her just in case she got that last document one day.  Then I said "oh ya, there's  a little note inside for you to read."  Inside the luggage was an envelope with her passport, visa and a plane ticket to Canada.  On the plane ticket it read  "Dear Salma, this is your last document and in ten days you will be on a plane to Canada with me." When I saw Salma's Baba crying, I went over and gave him a big hug.  He said "Thank you from my heart." I promised him that Salma would come home in two years when she graduates from college. 

Salma's family

For the next ten days Salma never stopped smiling or even slept. It was an emotional few days as well.  Happy and giggling one moment knowing she was getting on a big plane for the first time, then tears knowing she had to say good bye to her family and friends.

saying goodbye to her dada (sister) Saumu

The hardest goodbye was to her sister, Saumu, who is also her best friend. She wasn't going to her for two years. It was also the hardest goodbye for me.

our goodbye lunch with our dada's

hugs from Mama Irene

Saying goodbye to Mama Irene was difficult. Mama Irene has been her Mama,  her rock,  her shoulder to 
cry on for the past year. 

finally..... the airport!

the waiting was exciting

OMG ~ I'm getting on this big plane!

As we sat on the plane waiting for take off,  Salma giggled and smiled and asked a lot of questions. "What is this? A TV! WOW I have my own tv to watch movies!" 'OMG I get a pillow and blanket!" Then the engine started and the plane started to move. I could see the tears coming as she looked out the window. She held my hand as the plane took off. I started to cry and said "I can't Believe that you are on a plane to Canada with me." She looked at me with the tears pouring down her face and said "Mama, you told me anything is possible, if you just Believe.' 

tears as she watches us leave Tanzania

giggles & excitement on the plane

airport fun ~ what is this? a moving walkway!
this was fun watching her get off and on this thing.

wow, another a big plane, the one to Canada

we made it to Canada and a big smiley welcome from little Cooper

her first family dinner with the kids

her first brain freeze

her first drive thru


 

I'm in Canada! I am now a 'Tanzanadian'

Salma will be here for two years as a student of the Lethbridge College.  For all of those who have visited Tanzania with me over the past years and met Salma,  please come by and visit. She would love to see you all again. For those of you who haven't met her please come by, she would love to meet you. 

*A big Thank you to all of you who helped to make this possible and to Bridges of Hope for helping me make this dream come true.

*And of course, a big Thank you to Mama Jody.  She was Salma's sponsor and helped Salma finish secondary school. 
If it wasn't for her, Salma may have been one of those statistics from my previous post.

Welcome to Canada, my Salma. I know you will be a true Canadian Ambassador and will aspire only greatness!

Mama Linda 
Tanzania Project Manager
Bridges of Hope