I had managed to get hold of the current funders for Sister felicity and arranged to meet them at 8.30 one morning. They are an American company who provides 300,000 Tsh for the FAWE centre. Due to other projects they cannot assist further with the current problems that face the centre. However after meeting Nick, the NGO founder, he came me some alternatives routes to consider if funds could not be raised. He also suggested looking at the local community to develop an initiative that will generate income. This was something I had already considered and planned as a back-up.
I also started my formal interviews of the Business group from Kwa Idd towards the back end of the week, the group leader had chosen a potential 20 to shortlist and our organisation to visit and assess. So after the first few visits I felt like this was going to be a challenge in only selecting half of them. As all of them had the motivation and drive to try and improve their current living conditions and better their futures. I feel like Kate has given me quite a lot of responsibility on this project, which is quite encouraging as I really want to do a good job in ensuring I select the right candidates. Although I have found myself asking how do I distinguish between the ‘right candidates’ and the ‘real poverty stricken’ ones…. ?? I soon came to the conclusion in order for this scheme to work successfully and enable further rounds of loans to be distributed it was striking a balance between ‘good income generation ideas’ and ‘those that also need the money’ to better their lives.
Monday, 25 May 2009
Midweek..... a good executive decision
Flora's is trying to expand the Chicken count to produce more eggs to help fund her childrens education. The shed is going to come out and built to 2 storeys with the grant.
the local people find it a breeze everyday!
young parv loving the hills..................shinsplints not so good!
the hills of NgaromtoniFor my 2nd project in Ngaramtoni -One of the grant recipients was presented with the monies to finance her business idea today. Flora is a widow with five children and is also a HIV patient; she was awarded the grant along with 4 other individuals from a selection of 30 people. She lives high up in the hills of Ngaromtoni so it took us 1.5 to walk to her house and present her with the money. We discussed when and how much the building work would cost for expansion of her chicken farm. She depends on this source of income to feed her family and attempt to get them some sort of an education. Currently only 1 child out of 5 attends a school, that itself is a very basic school that also has some nuns running it. Some dates were finalised for the building to commence and completion date, things move very slowly over here something which would take 2 days back home, can take up to 2 weeks in this village. We have arranged to meet in a week’s time to see how everything is moving.
I have figured I can visit all the 5 recipients in a day starting from 8am – 6pm, the only factor that can slow things down is the walking distance between the recipients and the weather. This village is very close to Mount Meru and I decided around 3pm to call it a day as we had some very unwelcoming clouds up above. I think I made a good decision as on our way down the hills we heard how a lorry had lost control and knocked three girls off the hill whilst driving up. The lorries breaks were non existence and the guy was using gears only!! Later we came to find out the 3 girls were the very ones that were walking up the hills with me and Dan!! They were local girls who were walking to their village where I and Dan had the luxury in turning around. I had a very sickly feeling in my gut that night as Dan knew the girls from his village and was rather upset about it.
I have figured I can visit all the 5 recipients in a day starting from 8am – 6pm, the only factor that can slow things down is the walking distance between the recipients and the weather. This village is very close to Mount Meru and I decided around 3pm to call it a day as we had some very unwelcoming clouds up above. I think I made a good decision as on our way down the hills we heard how a lorry had lost control and knocked three girls off the hill whilst driving up. The lorries breaks were non existence and the guy was using gears only!! Later we came to find out the 3 girls were the very ones that were walking up the hills with me and Dan!! They were local girls who were walking to their village where I and Dan had the luxury in turning around. I had a very sickly feeling in my gut that night as Dan knew the girls from his village and was rather upset about it.
Week commencing 11 May
Sister Felicity's office for the FAWE centre
The 3rd project FAWE supports - the local school for the HIV affected widows.Start of the week…
I had arranged to meet Sister Felicity today, having visited her 1 room office where everything is carried out we were set to the visit the school today. Which was the 3rd area of work she co-ordinated. When I visited I took some bananas for the little ones and wanted to see the state of the school. It turned out as I’d imagined after our discussions in the last week. We had agreed from all the 3 work areas of the FAWE project the school was in serious need of funds to provide basic desks/chairs for the children and to buy a blackboard which belongs to the school. It was difficult to prioritise the needs of this school considering the roof was incomplete too, however Sister insisted the desks/chairs were in desperate need. We have sat down and thought of a few avenues, firstly to approach the local businesses within Arusha for support. I have carried out some research to all the big businesses which seem to be mobile networks and the travel/tourism companies. We have drawn up costs for all 3 areas of the FAWE in order of priority. This will make it transparent to potential donors as to why funds are required and how they will be allocated. So the start of the week was spent trying to get hold of costing for materials, equipment, labour charges etc. I think from the 3 of my projects this will be the most challenging in terms of progress, considering so many organisations are fighting for aid and funds. The grants project has the funds allocated to the recipients already, and I need to work with the individuals in getting their little businesses set up and generating some form of income. For the business loans, the funds have been raised from international donors and I need to start by visiting all the individuals in the group from this village to get an idea of their income generating ideas before I make formal visits for assessments. So this project is going to require loads of research into who I can approach for funding. It really sucks as the families are mostly widowed women, who cannot even afford to feed these children. I have had an idea to consider ‘World Vision’ to see if they can sponsor a child for even a morning meal of porridge at school at a cost of 20p per day. World Vision appear to have similar schemes… so this maybe my first point of call. For the school equipment if funding fails we are going to discuss some form of income generating ideas within the village. So I will be carrying out some surveys within the local areas to get the ball rolling.
I had arranged to meet Sister Felicity today, having visited her 1 room office where everything is carried out we were set to the visit the school today. Which was the 3rd area of work she co-ordinated. When I visited I took some bananas for the little ones and wanted to see the state of the school. It turned out as I’d imagined after our discussions in the last week. We had agreed from all the 3 work areas of the FAWE project the school was in serious need of funds to provide basic desks/chairs for the children and to buy a blackboard which belongs to the school. It was difficult to prioritise the needs of this school considering the roof was incomplete too, however Sister insisted the desks/chairs were in desperate need. We have sat down and thought of a few avenues, firstly to approach the local businesses within Arusha for support. I have carried out some research to all the big businesses which seem to be mobile networks and the travel/tourism companies. We have drawn up costs for all 3 areas of the FAWE in order of priority. This will make it transparent to potential donors as to why funds are required and how they will be allocated. So the start of the week was spent trying to get hold of costing for materials, equipment, labour charges etc. I think from the 3 of my projects this will be the most challenging in terms of progress, considering so many organisations are fighting for aid and funds. The grants project has the funds allocated to the recipients already, and I need to work with the individuals in getting their little businesses set up and generating some form of income. For the business loans, the funds have been raised from international donors and I need to start by visiting all the individuals in the group from this village to get an idea of their income generating ideas before I make formal visits for assessments. So this project is going to require loads of research into who I can approach for funding. It really sucks as the families are mostly widowed women, who cannot even afford to feed these children. I have had an idea to consider ‘World Vision’ to see if they can sponsor a child for even a morning meal of porridge at school at a cost of 20p per day. World Vision appear to have similar schemes… so this maybe my first point of call. For the school equipment if funding fails we are going to discuss some form of income generating ideas within the village. So I will be carrying out some surveys within the local areas to get the ball rolling.
Saturday, 23 May 2009
Visit to Longido on the weekend
9/10 May 2009
I was very excited at the start of this trip. Caroline had arranged for me, her and Karen to go and visit John & Dee in Longido and also experience the place and real Masai culture. It is located 40 minutes to the border to Nairobi and on the outskirts of Tanzania, where the Masai culture is mostly found. We arrived just before it got dark, which was a relief. This place was so surreal we found a plank of wood to sit and wait after the bus dropped us off in the middle of the village. There was nothing else here apart from this village and it was deadly silent at this time of day. There was something about this which I liked very much – the sheer peace and quite and no locals harassing you or staring at you.
We were met by John and Dee, after spending a weekend with them; I definitely have loads of respect and admiration for them. They are real humble and open minded, which I came to like very much. We went to a local place for food – beans and rice and then the guys had some beer. I came to find out you can be anywhere and there will always be beer on sale lol!!
The 3 highlights of the weekend were visiting a Boma (the mud huts where the Masai’s lived in) and being introduced to the family and their way of life. It was extremely fascinating to learn the different and isolated lifestyle they lived. They were so welcoming and proud of their culture and really excited about wanting to visit them. It was really odd how a family of 10 could sleep and live in this 2 roomed mud hut and still be so content and happy, I now know that they choose to live like this as maintaining their tradition and culture is almost equivalent to their dignity. The 2nd was walking to visit the Masai caves, these were situated about 2 hours outside the village by foot. We set off very early on Sunday, which was painful after the 9 hrs of climbing on Saturday! But it was really worth it when we got there, as these caves are still used in the months of June/July when males are circumcised. This is the place where they come to have it carried out and where they remain till they are naturally healed! It is somewhat considered a masculine and test of strength to survive this in these conditions, no women are aware of the location and are not allowed to ask any questions regarding this when the men leave for the caves.
The last one was climbing Mount Longido, considering my fitness was non existence with my ankle injury from back home I made it up! Only just though, it must have been the hardest climb of my life…it was the steepness of the mountain that nearly did me over. I started off quite comfortably in the first hour, but after that I had to stop every 15mins to stop and breathe and then start again! It took nearly 4 hrs to get up and one up I just lay on the rocks looking into the distance with Mount Kilimanjaro in front of us and Mount Meru on the right it was a gorgeous view. We all sat there in silence for a good 15 minutes trying to get out breath back and just relax. It was such a relief and I could have had a nap up there, was totally exhausted but was so chuffed to make the summit.
The weekend finished with the 3 of us trying to hike a life back into Arusha, as there were no means of transport out of this area. So all visitors stand on the side of the village and wait for vehicles that go past for a life out of this place!! I got lucky as the girls decided to make me stand and get my thumb up. What an experience and it worked first time round too.
I was very excited at the start of this trip. Caroline had arranged for me, her and Karen to go and visit John & Dee in Longido and also experience the place and real Masai culture. It is located 40 minutes to the border to Nairobi and on the outskirts of Tanzania, where the Masai culture is mostly found. We arrived just before it got dark, which was a relief. This place was so surreal we found a plank of wood to sit and wait after the bus dropped us off in the middle of the village. There was nothing else here apart from this village and it was deadly silent at this time of day. There was something about this which I liked very much – the sheer peace and quite and no locals harassing you or staring at you.
We were met by John and Dee, after spending a weekend with them; I definitely have loads of respect and admiration for them. They are real humble and open minded, which I came to like very much. We went to a local place for food – beans and rice and then the guys had some beer. I came to find out you can be anywhere and there will always be beer on sale lol!!
The 3 highlights of the weekend were visiting a Boma (the mud huts where the Masai’s lived in) and being introduced to the family and their way of life. It was extremely fascinating to learn the different and isolated lifestyle they lived. They were so welcoming and proud of their culture and really excited about wanting to visit them. It was really odd how a family of 10 could sleep and live in this 2 roomed mud hut and still be so content and happy, I now know that they choose to live like this as maintaining their tradition and culture is almost equivalent to their dignity. The 2nd was walking to visit the Masai caves, these were situated about 2 hours outside the village by foot. We set off very early on Sunday, which was painful after the 9 hrs of climbing on Saturday! But it was really worth it when we got there, as these caves are still used in the months of June/July when males are circumcised. This is the place where they come to have it carried out and where they remain till they are naturally healed! It is somewhat considered a masculine and test of strength to survive this in these conditions, no women are aware of the location and are not allowed to ask any questions regarding this when the men leave for the caves.
The last one was climbing Mount Longido, considering my fitness was non existence with my ankle injury from back home I made it up! Only just though, it must have been the hardest climb of my life…it was the steepness of the mountain that nearly did me over. I started off quite comfortably in the first hour, but after that I had to stop every 15mins to stop and breathe and then start again! It took nearly 4 hrs to get up and one up I just lay on the rocks looking into the distance with Mount Kilimanjaro in front of us and Mount Meru on the right it was a gorgeous view. We all sat there in silence for a good 15 minutes trying to get out breath back and just relax. It was such a relief and I could have had a nap up there, was totally exhausted but was so chuffed to make the summit.
The weekend finished with the 3 of us trying to hike a life back into Arusha, as there were no means of transport out of this area. So all visitors stand on the side of the village and wait for vehicles that go past for a life out of this place!! I got lucky as the girls decided to make me stand and get my thumb up. What an experience and it worked first time round too.
Saturday, 16 May 2009
My home stay family - The big move!
9/5/09
Today was an awesome day!I visited Ngaromtoni, another rural village where my 3rd and final project is based. I was suppose to stay here, but now I have moved in with Moma Aichee on the outskirts of Arusha (just outside of town). This big village is actually very very scenic , it is very hilly and quite reserved. The local people here are very traditional and a non-tanzanian always draws attention very quickly. This project is one whereby grants have been allocated to 5 recipients, these were chosen from a group of 30. To aid them in starting up small businesses to support themselves and generate an income of some support. I have been asked to work with them in using the grant to actually get the business up and running, so for most of them it is using the funds to purchase resources and actively get things moving. So this one is looking at supply and demand in the areas where all the individuals have decided to set up. As an initial starting poing for me.
Aside this today I moved into my new home! How exciting was this..I didnt know what to expect.I've met some other volunteers in the last few days which is great for support networks and social meetings. But sorting out a homestay was something I was eager to sort out asap. Hearing about the other guys home-stays gave me mixed thoughts on what to expect. Rory ( a volunteer from the US from another NGO) filled me in on his homestay with 2 nuns and how kool it was whereas Caroline ( from my organisation) was staying with a middle-class traditional family who where very open and warm to her. But moving in today came so natural, it felt like Moma Aichee was a long lost aunt in another country who was taking me home with her!! There are 2 daughters Noami and Upendo, who are the only ones at home. While Papa works in Dar es Salaam, so this is going to be great. My house is 45 mins walk from town and is smack bang in a village which is very lively and everyone knows everyone. The type of housing differed from one another so I was very curious to the drive up to the house. Although, it was very uncommon for a village folk to have a vehicle! so the fact that Moma Aichee owned one was an indication it was going to be one of the comfortable home-stays hehehehe. I got very lucky shall I say, the house is gorgeous and the layout is more or less similar to back home. Only difference is the rooms are very big and all on one floor and there is an outside area for washing up as well as a fitted kitchen!! This is very rare for a homestay family, I Have been told. Lets just say, everything has worked out very very well as the family are very traditional yet modern...a great balance if you ask me! a very happy parv.
Today was an awesome day!I visited Ngaromtoni, another rural village where my 3rd and final project is based. I was suppose to stay here, but now I have moved in with Moma Aichee on the outskirts of Arusha (just outside of town). This big village is actually very very scenic , it is very hilly and quite reserved. The local people here are very traditional and a non-tanzanian always draws attention very quickly. This project is one whereby grants have been allocated to 5 recipients, these were chosen from a group of 30. To aid them in starting up small businesses to support themselves and generate an income of some support. I have been asked to work with them in using the grant to actually get the business up and running, so for most of them it is using the funds to purchase resources and actively get things moving. So this one is looking at supply and demand in the areas where all the individuals have decided to set up. As an initial starting poing for me.
Aside this today I moved into my new home! How exciting was this..I didnt know what to expect.I've met some other volunteers in the last few days which is great for support networks and social meetings. But sorting out a homestay was something I was eager to sort out asap. Hearing about the other guys home-stays gave me mixed thoughts on what to expect. Rory ( a volunteer from the US from another NGO) filled me in on his homestay with 2 nuns and how kool it was whereas Caroline ( from my organisation) was staying with a middle-class traditional family who where very open and warm to her. But moving in today came so natural, it felt like Moma Aichee was a long lost aunt in another country who was taking me home with her!! There are 2 daughters Noami and Upendo, who are the only ones at home. While Papa works in Dar es Salaam, so this is going to be great. My house is 45 mins walk from town and is smack bang in a village which is very lively and everyone knows everyone. The type of housing differed from one another so I was very curious to the drive up to the house. Although, it was very uncommon for a village folk to have a vehicle! so the fact that Moma Aichee owned one was an indication it was going to be one of the comfortable home-stays hehehehe. I got very lucky shall I say, the house is gorgeous and the layout is more or less similar to back home. Only difference is the rooms are very big and all on one floor and there is an outside area for washing up as well as a fitted kitchen!! This is very rare for a homestay family, I Have been told. Lets just say, everything has worked out very very well as the family are very traditional yet modern...a great balance if you ask me! a very happy parv.
Introduction to my 2nd project
7/5/09, 10.42pm
gosh its been 2 days and I feel like a weeks gone by already!!in the last few days I have visted Kwa Idd, where my 2nd project is based. A group of small business minded individuals have approached out NGO for help and support. It was pretty amazing to see these individuals get together to create a community group. They meet up once a week to disucss the health problems of the members of the group and update each other on their efforts to raise finance. To meet such people in such rural areas was rather enlightening and impressive. They have so much aspiration to try and create their own little businesses and support themselves and their families. Which is great as they are not the kind of people who want handouts or sympathy from outsiders. No matter how small the business idea, just sitting and listening to their thoughts and idea was enough for me. For this project, our organisation has managed to locate some donors back home and raise 1.18 M TSH . The group consists of 31 individuals and we have calculated for the first round of micro-finance loans, we can distribute 9-10 loans for the group.Therefore the process will begin with me visiting all the 31 individuals and discussing their ideas to expand or start up small businesses.I have to sress this is not the small business's you may have in mind...after inital discussions these ranged from a individual selling 2nd hand clothes in a small built room and wanting the loan to purchase pashmina type scarfs from the Dar es Salaam to increase her profits by 35,000 Tsh.The most ironic yet not shocking discovery about this was the fact that these clothes are those very ones the external world donate to third world countries!!
I noticed how this was the norm all over Tanzania..you could walk through a village and see a clothes stall set up, these clothes all came from the big cities and sold to local villagers in bulk. Everytime i see a stall I get so angry...especially as they are donated to reach these people..not to be sold to them! although I always had doubts everytime I'd visit the recylce clothese bin in shopping complexes. Guess it's different when you see it in front of you where they actually go!!
gosh its been 2 days and I feel like a weeks gone by already!!in the last few days I have visted Kwa Idd, where my 2nd project is based. A group of small business minded individuals have approached out NGO for help and support. It was pretty amazing to see these individuals get together to create a community group. They meet up once a week to disucss the health problems of the members of the group and update each other on their efforts to raise finance. To meet such people in such rural areas was rather enlightening and impressive. They have so much aspiration to try and create their own little businesses and support themselves and their families. Which is great as they are not the kind of people who want handouts or sympathy from outsiders. No matter how small the business idea, just sitting and listening to their thoughts and idea was enough for me. For this project, our organisation has managed to locate some donors back home and raise 1.18 M TSH . The group consists of 31 individuals and we have calculated for the first round of micro-finance loans, we can distribute 9-10 loans for the group.Therefore the process will begin with me visiting all the 31 individuals and discussing their ideas to expand or start up small businesses.I have to sress this is not the small business's you may have in mind...after inital discussions these ranged from a individual selling 2nd hand clothes in a small built room and wanting the loan to purchase pashmina type scarfs from the Dar es Salaam to increase her profits by 35,000 Tsh.The most ironic yet not shocking discovery about this was the fact that these clothes are those very ones the external world donate to third world countries!!
I noticed how this was the norm all over Tanzania..you could walk through a village and see a clothes stall set up, these clothes all came from the big cities and sold to local villagers in bulk. Everytime i see a stall I get so angry...especially as they are donated to reach these people..not to be sold to them! although I always had doubts everytime I'd visit the recylce clothese bin in shopping complexes. Guess it's different when you see it in front of you where they actually go!!
Friday, 15 May 2009
5/5/09
Regardless of not moving into my home stay, we were still sticking to the original plan for the induction week. I visited Sister Felicity and Theresa; they are based in a rural village 30 minutes outside of town. For this week both Kate and Leonard, assistant country manager for the org, have arranged to take us and introduce us to the projects we will be working on. So today Kate assisted me, although the start of the day was a tad rocky. Especially as it was my first day on the dala dala, these are the local means of transport within the area and are minibuses which are charged by the seat but filled to the point whereby no man can even squeeze in! This ride was insane as I was seated next to Kate and 2 men. The one next to me decided to pull out his pen knife and work at my bag whilst it was on my lap…just as well I had a mango in there for lunch huh! Firkin nerd trying to get to my valuables, he tried getting through the side after failing to get to anything 1st time round and that’s when I noticed! By the time I could say or do anything the bus randomly stopped and off he flew! so yes an experience which freaked me out but made me realise how desperate some of these people are and the extent they would go to. Nothing like a settling in experience eh! This project in the village is called ‘The FAWE’ Faraja Women Empowerment and aims to empower and support Tanzanian women infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS by enabling them to support themselves independently. The organisation offers financial loans, counselling, and business advising as well as HIV’AIDS information and support, allowing women to live healthy and sustainable lives. My role with this project is to try and fundraise using the local businesses, look further a field for national and international support. I need to get cracking with this in terms of researching big enterprises in East Africa and maybe even consider international aid. I spent most of the day with Sister Felicity in terms of accounting for the 300,000 Tsh (£150) that she receive from ‘The Arusha Project’ an American NGO who support HIV affected Widows. We have also looked at which areas require urgent aid and finances and prioritised the needs of the centre, home care service and the pre-school for the children of the women.
4/5/09
Today was the official induction for me and Evelyn; she arrived yesterday, to go through our individual work projects, a quick Swahili lesson, an introduction to the culture and way of life in Tanzania, and some other useful information. Kate had confirmed that we will be leaving for our home stays later in the evening. I had discussed with Kate how far out I was going to be especially as I’d be on my own in the in the middle of nowhere. Unfortunately there was no other volunteers based in Ngaromtoni, this is a rural area which is around 40 mins out of town and I wasn’t feeling it anymore. I think after being here for 4 days I have realised my safety needs to come first therefore maybe staying just outside the town would be the right move. It wasn’t even that, but I’d be totally isolated in the evenings as it is not safe to go out when the sun goes down… so something inside just wasn’t like this plan. It was at the end of the day whereby I and Kate agreed maybe staying further away was not the right thing for me; it was here whereby I was to go back to the hotel. I was a little gutted as Evelyn had left for her home stay which was also just outside the town where I would have liked to have left for too. Kate has assured me that after a few enquires I too will have a home stay organised closer to town. I’m not sure if I made the right move, but if I had doubt’s I think I did the right thing. Although it was exciting to learn about the 3 projects I would be working on, something to be happy about!! I did feel totally homesick today but I think it’s the culture shock of the way of life in Tanzania and maybe there’s an element of fear that isn’t subsiding. I haven’t experience this kind of fear before so it has thrown me and I’m not entirely sure how to handle it or manage it…so not moving to the stick was a result of this fear. I know in the past ‘fear’ is something which has excited me or I’ve just shrugged it off but this time I need to act on it with careful judgement. Parv can be sensible when required!
3/5/09
Its my 3rd day in Arusha and boy am I slightly confused with the whole thing..there are street children all over the place then you have the 5 star Arusha Hotel on the other hand. Kate did warn me this would be the case in the town. As there are developed businesses right down to people selling nuts on the streets trying to make their daily income. Although I have learnt something and that is to be extremely safe if I’m on my own with my bag and belongings. As foreigners are the target for bag snatching and muggings. nice!!! This has definitely made me a little tad paranoid but I figure if they can see this then I will get my ass kicked!! Arusha is a base town for NGO’s projects and a hot spot for tourists, which explains the division between development and poverty.
I’ve spent time walking around the town, meeting Caroline (another volunteer from the group) and some other volunteers from other NGO’s. After 3 days I am feeling a little homesick and miss my family and friends already!! I think the whole issue about safety and being alert 24/7 has really thrown me as it’s something that isn’t a issue back at home. The locals also pay attention to non Tanzanians. I thought the fact that 30% of their population is made up of Indians..I may be ok to fit in. Definitely wishful thinking Miss Parv!! Since arriving here I have been called ‘Muzungu’ which stand for white person…considering I am not even white they just categorise everyone who isn’t the same colour as a white person!! So apart from have this shouted at me in the streets and folk trying to befriend me to buy something it’s been INTERESTING!
I’ve spent time walking around the town, meeting Caroline (another volunteer from the group) and some other volunteers from other NGO’s. After 3 days I am feeling a little homesick and miss my family and friends already!! I think the whole issue about safety and being alert 24/7 has really thrown me as it’s something that isn’t a issue back at home. The locals also pay attention to non Tanzanians. I thought the fact that 30% of their population is made up of Indians..I may be ok to fit in. Definitely wishful thinking Miss Parv!! Since arriving here I have been called ‘Muzungu’ which stand for white person…considering I am not even white they just categorise everyone who isn’t the same colour as a white person!! So apart from have this shouted at me in the streets and folk trying to befriend me to buy something it’s been INTERESTING!
1/5/09, 1.42 pm
Kenya to Tanzania
It was a 6am start this am, and 6 hours later we have crossed the border from Kenya to Tanzania. The journey tends to take around 3.5 hours so this has definitely turned into the never ending journey! I’m very much looking forward to meeting Kate, (country manager for the volunteer organisation) as I have a feeling she will be able to wave my fear about all of this. Since arriving in Kenya, I’ve had somewhat of an apprehensive sensation in my stomach. Something along the lines of this being a real test of character and inner strength for me.
Currently we’re passing through the rural regions of Tanzania….where mud huts appear from time to time in isolated areas where there is no sign of life. Especially as the ground is so dry it is grey in colour with trees that have shrivelled up, it looks like a sheet of grey dust has been spread across the land. After about 30 minutes, it amazes me how fields of crops come into sight with brick houses. So it looks a little more developed and actual people in sight in comparison to the mud huts before which looked deserted. I’m thinking we must be approaching the city…or is that me just getting excited? I have to say this journey on the bus has been a rollercoaster, it’s a good job I have an empty stomach as this could have gotten messy. The extremely uneven and rocky terrain is making it a struggle for the driver, whilst 4x4’s speed past us I’m thinking ‘plssssssss do not break down here!’ as we passed some buses that did! Wow this dude really likes to be fast and furious as you can’t even see through the windscreen due to the dust in the air…BUT I’m sure this is just normal to him. We continue on…….
Arriving into Arusha to meet Kate
Kate seemed like a very down to earth and relaxed person. We walked out to the main road where she negotiated a taxi ride to the hotel, her fluent Swahili made me envious! She asked me if I wanted to sleep and rest before the group volunteer meeting at 7pm. I hadn’t slept for more than 3 hrs since leaving Heathrow but I was keen to get out and familiarise myself with the surroundings. Hmm a good opportunity to throw some questions at her the first one being ‘am I really reckless for coming to volunteer her on my own!’. I’m taken back with the roads and backstreets where the hotel is located…endless amounts of people sitting on the floor with either fruit/veg for sale. All lined up selling the same type of stuff makes me wonder how they manage to sell when the person next to them is selling exactly the same?!? It is very lively and busy on the streets with almost anything and everything for sale on the muddy side streets. From 2nd hand clothes, fruit & veg, plastic slippers…loads of them in every colour you could imagine, loads of fried food from bananas to dough balls covered in sugar (J – You would love these !!) so the range of stuff is totally random and varied shall is say. The locals all pay attention to myself and Kate and try and ask us questions or sell us something as we pass through. I was expecting a somewhat traditional market place for food instead she takes us to the west wing (as they have named it!). I wasn’t going to complain at this stage as I was starving but it did confuse me as to how in the middle of all of this you find an area or complex which has been designed for the modern Tanzanians/Westerners. Kate said it was a good place to go and think and reflect and get away from the craziness every now and again…so a mixed salad it was!
It was a 6am start this am, and 6 hours later we have crossed the border from Kenya to Tanzania. The journey tends to take around 3.5 hours so this has definitely turned into the never ending journey! I’m very much looking forward to meeting Kate, (country manager for the volunteer organisation) as I have a feeling she will be able to wave my fear about all of this. Since arriving in Kenya, I’ve had somewhat of an apprehensive sensation in my stomach. Something along the lines of this being a real test of character and inner strength for me.
Currently we’re passing through the rural regions of Tanzania….where mud huts appear from time to time in isolated areas where there is no sign of life. Especially as the ground is so dry it is grey in colour with trees that have shrivelled up, it looks like a sheet of grey dust has been spread across the land. After about 30 minutes, it amazes me how fields of crops come into sight with brick houses. So it looks a little more developed and actual people in sight in comparison to the mud huts before which looked deserted. I’m thinking we must be approaching the city…or is that me just getting excited? I have to say this journey on the bus has been a rollercoaster, it’s a good job I have an empty stomach as this could have gotten messy. The extremely uneven and rocky terrain is making it a struggle for the driver, whilst 4x4’s speed past us I’m thinking ‘plssssssss do not break down here!’ as we passed some buses that did! Wow this dude really likes to be fast and furious as you can’t even see through the windscreen due to the dust in the air…BUT I’m sure this is just normal to him. We continue on…….
Arriving into Arusha to meet Kate
Kate seemed like a very down to earth and relaxed person. We walked out to the main road where she negotiated a taxi ride to the hotel, her fluent Swahili made me envious! She asked me if I wanted to sleep and rest before the group volunteer meeting at 7pm. I hadn’t slept for more than 3 hrs since leaving Heathrow but I was keen to get out and familiarise myself with the surroundings. Hmm a good opportunity to throw some questions at her the first one being ‘am I really reckless for coming to volunteer her on my own!’. I’m taken back with the roads and backstreets where the hotel is located…endless amounts of people sitting on the floor with either fruit/veg for sale. All lined up selling the same type of stuff makes me wonder how they manage to sell when the person next to them is selling exactly the same?!? It is very lively and busy on the streets with almost anything and everything for sale on the muddy side streets. From 2nd hand clothes, fruit & veg, plastic slippers…loads of them in every colour you could imagine, loads of fried food from bananas to dough balls covered in sugar (J – You would love these !!) so the range of stuff is totally random and varied shall is say. The locals all pay attention to myself and Kate and try and ask us questions or sell us something as we pass through. I was expecting a somewhat traditional market place for food instead she takes us to the west wing (as they have named it!). I wasn’t going to complain at this stage as I was starving but it did confuse me as to how in the middle of all of this you find an area or complex which has been designed for the modern Tanzanians/Westerners. Kate said it was a good place to go and think and reflect and get away from the craziness every now and again…so a mixed salad it was!
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