As seen by my multiple posts, I have been in town for a few days. It was monthly meetig. It was rather uneventful and unhelpful, but I was able to have a few nights on a bed that has a matress thicker than 1 inch (no exaggeration-my villagematress has been reduced to a 1 inch nothing...hard to sleep well).
I hope you are enjoying them more to come very soon.
We are finishing up the final big things--Environmental Day and Sports League etc.
I am feeling well and can't wait to see you all!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Vacation Slowly Closing
Sadly vacation is coming to a close. I am in Dar es Salaam after a great few days in Zanzibar lounging on the beach etc. I will be here for a night then Iringa for a night then...BACK TO KIJINI (village).
This vacation has been a relaxing and enjoyable time which was necessary as I head toward beginning the second long round of village work. With a fresh mind and new perspective, I will be returning to village to focus on the things that work...not those that are frustrating as mentioned previously. I am going to take on a more observatory role to look at this small example of how things are in rural Tanzania and take note of the cultural and foreign causes of the good and the bad. Also, I will be working on a new approach for myself toward the situations that have failed previously and caused much of the stress and disappointment prior to vacation.
Deep Breath!! (haha)
Just letting you all into my new plan of attack and the plan for the next few weeks!
I will probably check the blog and my email one more time before heading to village. Ask away about the safaris, Zanzibar, the great pilau and food in Zanzibar, (spices everywhere), the city of Dar and more...then i am out of reach via computer for 3 weeks!
This vacation has been a relaxing and enjoyable time which was necessary as I head toward beginning the second long round of village work. With a fresh mind and new perspective, I will be returning to village to focus on the things that work...not those that are frustrating as mentioned previously. I am going to take on a more observatory role to look at this small example of how things are in rural Tanzania and take note of the cultural and foreign causes of the good and the bad. Also, I will be working on a new approach for myself toward the situations that have failed previously and caused much of the stress and disappointment prior to vacation.
Deep Breath!! (haha)
Just letting you all into my new plan of attack and the plan for the next few weeks!
I will probably check the blog and my email one more time before heading to village. Ask away about the safaris, Zanzibar, the great pilau and food in Zanzibar, (spices everywhere), the city of Dar and more...then i am out of reach via computer for 3 weeks!
Monday, June 29, 2009
ZANZIBAR!!!
I spent today at the beach in zanzibar today. White beaches warm water and more!!! I may go diving soon which would be great since it has been a long time since I've been underwater like that and you know how much I love diving!! Even if not, this is going to be a great part of vacation just relaxing and figuring things out beofre taking the next step whereever it leads!
I will check in soon and try to do photos later but many issues have come up with that and it is not easy to do on slow internet etc.
Hope all is well...write some notes and keep me informed!!!
Bye
I will check in soon and try to do photos later but many issues have come up with that and it is not easy to do on slow internet etc.
Hope all is well...write some notes and keep me informed!!!
Bye
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Infamous and Invisible Mount Kilimanjaro
So I walked 7 kilometers yesterday to go to the hotel outside of Moshi which the great Lonley Planet of my friend said had a great view of the mountain. Of course I was concerned already as from town this great mountain could not be seen and, well, it should have. We walk and walk and finally reach there, the waiter at this empty and overpriced outdoor restaurant pointed to where Kili was supposed to be.............nothing but clouds. So sadly I expected that maybe I would have come all the way to Tanzania and to the town that Mt. Kili supposedly "hovers over" (Lonley planet) and yet never see the thing....luckly and ironically we return to our hotel I look off the 3rd floor balcony and wow...there is the peak just showing itself over the clouds. We went to dinner and then returned and then i saw a little bit more. I can now say I have seen the snows of Kilimanjaro. Do you remember that short story? I don't either exceot for its title...maybe I should read that one again.
Hopefully this evening will bring another short viewing of the mountain, but before then, I will be looking around, maybe shopping (I know I really must have lost my mind if I talk about shopping) and enjoying an avacado milkshake. If you have never had one, wait until I return, I love them!!
I will be leaving tomorrow to head to Dar es Salaam for a few days before heading to Zanzabar for a really relaxing few days.
Loving the posts...they make my day. Keep them up. I want to hear from all you followers about life and everything else!
I just figured out how to do this thing with pics ...it takes forever but...now you can see them!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Arusha Safari and Moshi
Just another quick one.
I went on a safari in Arush...I arrived on Thursday night at 1:30am (or Fri morning) after a long 15 hour bus ride...Arusha is fine...unexciting. It really is only a hub to go on safaris etc.
We left Sat morning to go to Lake Manyara National Park. We saw lions lazily sleeping in trees. Giraffe sleeping on the beach, thousands of Flamingo, elephant, hippos, buffalo (not that kind!) and more. It was great! We slept in a tent for the night and after a long day on the road...it was great sleeping.
We woke up the next morning and went to Ngorongoro crater---hyena, a whole prode of lions (cubs and all)...wildebeasts, hippos, elephant, another cool kind of wild cat, zebra, and the crater itself was beautiful! many pictures!
TIme is running out but I wanted tyo keep you updated..
hop[e all is well and I'll give more details soon!!!
Bye
Seeing Kilimanjaro tomorrow
I went on a safari in Arush...I arrived on Thursday night at 1:30am (or Fri morning) after a long 15 hour bus ride...Arusha is fine...unexciting. It really is only a hub to go on safaris etc.
We left Sat morning to go to Lake Manyara National Park. We saw lions lazily sleeping in trees. Giraffe sleeping on the beach, thousands of Flamingo, elephant, hippos, buffalo (not that kind!) and more. It was great! We slept in a tent for the night and after a long day on the road...it was great sleeping.
We woke up the next morning and went to Ngorongoro crater---hyena, a whole prode of lions (cubs and all)...wildebeasts, hippos, elephant, another cool kind of wild cat, zebra, and the crater itself was beautiful! many pictures!
TIme is running out but I wanted tyo keep you updated..
hop[e all is well and I'll give more details soon!!!
Bye
Seeing Kilimanjaro tomorrow
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Umwa Sana
Well...right now I am writing a blog in between runs to the choo (toilet) to allow my body to expell something by whatever means necessary!
It came on rather quickly...I hope it leaves that quickly too!
There is little else to say really...I will be fine and it's not malaria so haina tatizo (no worries), but I could really go for some saltines and ginger ail right now!
It came on rather quickly...I hope it leaves that quickly too!
There is little else to say really...I will be fine and it's not malaria so haina tatizo (no worries), but I could really go for some saltines and ginger ail right now!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Almost Vacation
I am currently in Njombe for 2 days of training and check-in before my vacation begins on Wednesday. These few days here should be quick and easy and then I am off to Arusha in the North of Tanzania where I hope to go to the Serengeti and Ngorogoro Crater. Then I will go to Moshi and see Mt. Kilimanjaro...I do not believe I will climb it, but the sight should be pretty spectacular. I will then head to Dar es Salaam and Zanzabar to lounge on the beach for a few days and nitapumzika (I will relax!)
This will probably take about 2 weeks or a little more so I will be much more reachable by email and reading the blog and writing on the blog so check in more often and keep in touch!
I hope all is well at home and everyone is doing well.
I look forward to hearing from you all!!!
Off to do a little work and then Lions and giraffe and zebra and...tutaona (we will see)
I'll keep you all informed!
This will probably take about 2 weeks or a little more so I will be much more reachable by email and reading the blog and writing on the blog so check in more often and keep in touch!
I hope all is well at home and everyone is doing well.
I look forward to hearing from you all!!!
Off to do a little work and then Lions and giraffe and zebra and...tutaona (we will see)
I'll keep you all informed!
Monday, May 25, 2009
6 Weeks of Crazy Village Information
I am so sorry that I have not blogged or written but I have been in village for 6 weeks without internet or any semblance of society. I first would like ot say how much I miss you all and hope all is well back in the States!
Village has been...village. it has its ups and downs and I have leanred a lot about myself, Tanzanian culture, and foreign financial aid as a means to progress in this part of the world! I will try and explain more as we go!
1. The GOOD:
I live amongst crazy animals. The chickens and roosters which defacate all over my courtyard (or TZ equivalent of a courtyard), the cow which angrily moos all the time (Unhappy cows come from tanzania), lizards which fall from the roof of my house into the living room, giant poisonous spiders that inhabit the choo (bathroom) and come out at night, and my personal favorite, my dog. Take the word "my" with a grain of salt as he is not really mine, but one day he just started following me all around village and 1 hr and 45 mins away to a seminar etc. He is tri colored Black tan and white and has true dredlocks (sp.) in his tail. He is a real character and we are great friends now. He picks random days to hang with me, but we have gone on adventures into the hospital and to school etc. everyone thinks he is mine which is not a problem until in the middle of one of my seminars on HIV/AIDS he runs after a chicken and almost kills it. Just imagine 80 face turning to the "owner" of that pup...ooops! (Chickens are obviously rather important here, eggs, food etc)...So the animals are fun.
I have figured out ways to make tortilla chips and salsa or as close as I will get here which is a highlight from the beans and rice, or potatoes and rice, or beans and potatoes, rice and rice or..I think you get it!
For 3 of these 6 weeks I worked alone. My partner had to go home to fill out applications for college and loan forms which was supposed to take 4 days...3 weeks later, he pops up! As difficult as it was to try and explain, HIV transmission, vyungo vya uzazi (sexual organs of man and woman), puberty, sperm, and eggs, where babies come from, and why we grow hair in our "special places" all in Swahili...I succeeded and ran a lot of classes, seminars, meetings, etc all by myself. My Swahili, needless to say, has improved a lot, and I am a lot more confident now knowing my abilities in the language and working with people in the community.
THE BAD:
The leadership of Lugarawa, as I believe I have written about, is very uncooperative and unhelpful. Not only do hey show up to every meeting at least 1 hour late, but after that meeting, there is little achieved. Overall there is an apathetic nature to so many of these people. Of course they are extremely poor, living day to day, working hard harvesting whatever they can grow and making whatever money that can from that, if not just using it to feed their families, so can you blame them...but there is a lack of coorolation here between hard work and dedication and success and this ultimatley has resulted in people relying on begging. As one of 3 internationals living in Lugarawa ward, we are seen as banks. Everyone begs and everyone wants money. we offer seminars and education, but they want money. It is engrained even in the children as they see me and beg for candy or balloons, for year olds yell "Mzungu, naomba....White man, I beg for...". What is so difficult to come to terms with is that these children will have an extremely difficult time getting out of this cycle that has established itself in the village. The education system is entirely flawed. In Secondary School all classes are in english. I have begun teaching an English class, Form 3 (out of 4 at this school) and I was supposed to teach phrases like "Although, Unless, In order to..." but I quickly realized, these students do not know how to make a simple sentence Subject Verb Object. They don't know what a noun is a verb, adjective, adverb...So I started over. I began teaching the basics....sadly when exam week came around...last week, the teacher put on all the info I had not taught. I told him not to as they needed to review basics, but he did it anyway. Of my 150 students maybe 10 passed, I had scores like 6%, 2% 16%...teahers in this school give their notes to students to write on the board and then go get a beer. They show up late or never. There are 5 permanent teachers for 600 students. I walked into school one day and more than half we in line waiting to received their punishment...a beating on the butt or hands. That continued through the first period of class and all students watched. Of the 600 students in my school 1% may move on to form 5 and 6, but even that is unlikely, as all national exams are in English.
It is very disheartening to be faced by people who don;t want to help themselves. I have learned, we can send so much here, money people etc, but if they have no drive to even learn to be healthy, can we actually succeed in helping them. I realize how I must sound...when someone said something like this to me before I left, I thought he was a prick (excuse my language). How dare he say that about people who are in such need and are struggling every day! Seeing it, which is what I told all of you I wanted and why I was coming, defiantely changes your perspective, then trying to help, changes it again. To realize your help is ignored is the hardest lesson of all. I have come to terms that, due to the failures of SPW's program, I will not be leaving any huge mark and any program I start is unlikely to be sustainable. So I have changed my perspective again. Help one person. Help one person and if I can help 10 great, but the small successes are what will keep me sane. The disdain of the general population and village leaders is something I must take into account, but I must focus on helping those students so maybe one more will pass the exam, and break the cycle.
Sadly the same issues that I face in village, failed communication, poor organization, apathy, and laziness are qualities found in my direct contacts of SPW, so with HUGE program changes coming half way into our placement and failed promises coming regularly, it is hard to see how an organization like this could combat larger problems than poverty and HIV--apathy towards fixing those problems.
I do not mean to sound cynical, angry, or sad. I am coming to terms with the facts surrounding aid to the developing world. I saw an interview with an author who wrote Dead Aid. My mom bought the book and I look forward to reading it. It is about the crisis surrounding the Western World pouring money into the developing world and how it has actually caused more problems than help. Call my mom or look into it too. I think this will be one of the biggest things I discuss upon my return; In my plays and work at Emerson I criticize apathy on the part of the Western World---so the new question is, how do we combat apathy in those toward whose problems we are apathetic.
I hope this blog starts a great debate in the comments section. I want to hear your perspective on this issue.
This is probably hard to hear, especially for those who were generous enough to donate to this organization. I can't thank you enough though because this experience has been and will continue to be a great lesson for me, and i hope you too can be more than satified with helping even one person.
Village has been...village. it has its ups and downs and I have leanred a lot about myself, Tanzanian culture, and foreign financial aid as a means to progress in this part of the world! I will try and explain more as we go!
1. The GOOD:
I live amongst crazy animals. The chickens and roosters which defacate all over my courtyard (or TZ equivalent of a courtyard), the cow which angrily moos all the time (Unhappy cows come from tanzania), lizards which fall from the roof of my house into the living room, giant poisonous spiders that inhabit the choo (bathroom) and come out at night, and my personal favorite, my dog. Take the word "my" with a grain of salt as he is not really mine, but one day he just started following me all around village and 1 hr and 45 mins away to a seminar etc. He is tri colored Black tan and white and has true dredlocks (sp.) in his tail. He is a real character and we are great friends now. He picks random days to hang with me, but we have gone on adventures into the hospital and to school etc. everyone thinks he is mine which is not a problem until in the middle of one of my seminars on HIV/AIDS he runs after a chicken and almost kills it. Just imagine 80 face turning to the "owner" of that pup...ooops! (Chickens are obviously rather important here, eggs, food etc)...So the animals are fun.
I have figured out ways to make tortilla chips and salsa or as close as I will get here which is a highlight from the beans and rice, or potatoes and rice, or beans and potatoes, rice and rice or..I think you get it!
For 3 of these 6 weeks I worked alone. My partner had to go home to fill out applications for college and loan forms which was supposed to take 4 days...3 weeks later, he pops up! As difficult as it was to try and explain, HIV transmission, vyungo vya uzazi (sexual organs of man and woman), puberty, sperm, and eggs, where babies come from, and why we grow hair in our "special places" all in Swahili...I succeeded and ran a lot of classes, seminars, meetings, etc all by myself. My Swahili, needless to say, has improved a lot, and I am a lot more confident now knowing my abilities in the language and working with people in the community.
THE BAD:
The leadership of Lugarawa, as I believe I have written about, is very uncooperative and unhelpful. Not only do hey show up to every meeting at least 1 hour late, but after that meeting, there is little achieved. Overall there is an apathetic nature to so many of these people. Of course they are extremely poor, living day to day, working hard harvesting whatever they can grow and making whatever money that can from that, if not just using it to feed their families, so can you blame them...but there is a lack of coorolation here between hard work and dedication and success and this ultimatley has resulted in people relying on begging. As one of 3 internationals living in Lugarawa ward, we are seen as banks. Everyone begs and everyone wants money. we offer seminars and education, but they want money. It is engrained even in the children as they see me and beg for candy or balloons, for year olds yell "Mzungu, naomba....White man, I beg for...". What is so difficult to come to terms with is that these children will have an extremely difficult time getting out of this cycle that has established itself in the village. The education system is entirely flawed. In Secondary School all classes are in english. I have begun teaching an English class, Form 3 (out of 4 at this school) and I was supposed to teach phrases like "Although, Unless, In order to..." but I quickly realized, these students do not know how to make a simple sentence Subject Verb Object. They don't know what a noun is a verb, adjective, adverb...So I started over. I began teaching the basics....sadly when exam week came around...last week, the teacher put on all the info I had not taught. I told him not to as they needed to review basics, but he did it anyway. Of my 150 students maybe 10 passed, I had scores like 6%, 2% 16%...teahers in this school give their notes to students to write on the board and then go get a beer. They show up late or never. There are 5 permanent teachers for 600 students. I walked into school one day and more than half we in line waiting to received their punishment...a beating on the butt or hands. That continued through the first period of class and all students watched. Of the 600 students in my school 1% may move on to form 5 and 6, but even that is unlikely, as all national exams are in English.
It is very disheartening to be faced by people who don;t want to help themselves. I have learned, we can send so much here, money people etc, but if they have no drive to even learn to be healthy, can we actually succeed in helping them. I realize how I must sound...when someone said something like this to me before I left, I thought he was a prick (excuse my language). How dare he say that about people who are in such need and are struggling every day! Seeing it, which is what I told all of you I wanted and why I was coming, defiantely changes your perspective, then trying to help, changes it again. To realize your help is ignored is the hardest lesson of all. I have come to terms that, due to the failures of SPW's program, I will not be leaving any huge mark and any program I start is unlikely to be sustainable. So I have changed my perspective again. Help one person. Help one person and if I can help 10 great, but the small successes are what will keep me sane. The disdain of the general population and village leaders is something I must take into account, but I must focus on helping those students so maybe one more will pass the exam, and break the cycle.
Sadly the same issues that I face in village, failed communication, poor organization, apathy, and laziness are qualities found in my direct contacts of SPW, so with HUGE program changes coming half way into our placement and failed promises coming regularly, it is hard to see how an organization like this could combat larger problems than poverty and HIV--apathy towards fixing those problems.
I do not mean to sound cynical, angry, or sad. I am coming to terms with the facts surrounding aid to the developing world. I saw an interview with an author who wrote Dead Aid. My mom bought the book and I look forward to reading it. It is about the crisis surrounding the Western World pouring money into the developing world and how it has actually caused more problems than help. Call my mom or look into it too. I think this will be one of the biggest things I discuss upon my return; In my plays and work at Emerson I criticize apathy on the part of the Western World---so the new question is, how do we combat apathy in those toward whose problems we are apathetic.
I hope this blog starts a great debate in the comments section. I want to hear your perspective on this issue.
This is probably hard to hear, especially for those who were generous enough to donate to this organization. I can't thank you enough though because this experience has been and will continue to be a great lesson for me, and i hope you too can be more than satified with helping even one person.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Village and Lake Nyasa/Malawi
Hi everyone! I am back to civilization from village and can use the internet so here it goes.
Lugarawa is a beautiful village surrounded by amazing mountains. As the rainy season comes to a close, the village is all mud all the time. The main road down the village is dirt and when it rains which so far is everyday for a few hours, that path becomes the equivalent to a slip and slide. My house is great! I am living in a brick house with a kindergarten teacher named George, originally from Kilimanjaro. He is a great guy and a pretty good cook, or as good as one can be with rice and mboga (a tomato based (sometimes) sauce with potatoes to meat which we never have or some vegetables).
I have started the programs in my three schools, 2 primary and a secondary school. We share the secondary school with the other volunteers from Mdilidili so there are 4 of us in that school. Some people were happy to see us, others, not so much. It seems a few people including the teachers at one of our primary schools are angry at the way certain topics of the Sexual Reproductive Health curriculum were covered. We have had a few issues with attendance of the Village Executive Officer (VEO) to the meetings we schedule with him. We had 4 scheduled and he did not show up to any! The appointment is a concept that is rarely if ever utilized in my village and much of Tanzania, according to many sources, including the Peace Corp Volunteer in my village who will be a great resource as we begin to face the challenges we encountered in the Situational Analysis (these last2 and a half weeks).
The kids are great and I am excited to begin working with them regularly. We have a lot of work to do with them as many (according to a question box for anonymous questions we used to answer initial questions about SRH) do not know what HIV/AIDS is or sexual reproductive Health. We have a lot of challenges to face. One primary school does not want us to teach about puberty to kids who are 11-14, the kids going through it now. The IRC in my village(Information Resource Center where people have access to books about health) closed since the last volunteers left as the books were stolen. The main goal that my partner and I are working toward is sustainability of the things we are starting or re-starting in Lugarawa. It is an exciting challenge which I am excited to attack when we return . We have to work hard to get the people involved and excited to work toward what Alex and I have planned based on what we have been asked to do by the community and leaders we were able to meet with. Even in two weeks my eyes have been opened to many of the challenges that face the development/NGO world and its workers, but now refreshed from a short break (read about below) and with more perspective from the distance and stories from fellow volunteers, I am ready to get back to work.
I am now in Mbeya. We just returned from Matema Beach on the shores of Lake Malawi/Nyasa. It was amazing and was a great release from the rather difficult first few weeks of village. We swam in warm lake water with waves...it is the second largest lake in Africa on the boarder of Tanzania (where it is called lake nyasa) and Malawi (obviously who call it lake malawi). We are heading back now to Iringa where we have Top-Up Training before we dive into the five months ahead of us!
Lugarawa is a beautiful village surrounded by amazing mountains. As the rainy season comes to a close, the village is all mud all the time. The main road down the village is dirt and when it rains which so far is everyday for a few hours, that path becomes the equivalent to a slip and slide. My house is great! I am living in a brick house with a kindergarten teacher named George, originally from Kilimanjaro. He is a great guy and a pretty good cook, or as good as one can be with rice and mboga (a tomato based (sometimes) sauce with potatoes to meat which we never have or some vegetables).
I have started the programs in my three schools, 2 primary and a secondary school. We share the secondary school with the other volunteers from Mdilidili so there are 4 of us in that school. Some people were happy to see us, others, not so much. It seems a few people including the teachers at one of our primary schools are angry at the way certain topics of the Sexual Reproductive Health curriculum were covered. We have had a few issues with attendance of the Village Executive Officer (VEO) to the meetings we schedule with him. We had 4 scheduled and he did not show up to any! The appointment is a concept that is rarely if ever utilized in my village and much of Tanzania, according to many sources, including the Peace Corp Volunteer in my village who will be a great resource as we begin to face the challenges we encountered in the Situational Analysis (these last2 and a half weeks).
The kids are great and I am excited to begin working with them regularly. We have a lot of work to do with them as many (according to a question box for anonymous questions we used to answer initial questions about SRH) do not know what HIV/AIDS is or sexual reproductive Health. We have a lot of challenges to face. One primary school does not want us to teach about puberty to kids who are 11-14, the kids going through it now. The IRC in my village(Information Resource Center where people have access to books about health) closed since the last volunteers left as the books were stolen. The main goal that my partner and I are working toward is sustainability of the things we are starting or re-starting in Lugarawa. It is an exciting challenge which I am excited to attack when we return . We have to work hard to get the people involved and excited to work toward what Alex and I have planned based on what we have been asked to do by the community and leaders we were able to meet with. Even in two weeks my eyes have been opened to many of the challenges that face the development/NGO world and its workers, but now refreshed from a short break (read about below) and with more perspective from the distance and stories from fellow volunteers, I am ready to get back to work.
I am now in Mbeya. We just returned from Matema Beach on the shores of Lake Malawi/Nyasa. It was amazing and was a great release from the rather difficult first few weeks of village. We swam in warm lake water with waves...it is the second largest lake in Africa on the boarder of Tanzania (where it is called lake nyasa) and Malawi (obviously who call it lake malawi). We are heading back now to Iringa where we have Top-Up Training before we dive into the five months ahead of us!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
My Partner and Placement
Last night partners and placements were announced!
My partner is Alex...he is originally from Dodoma (the capital) and went to secondary school in Dar es Salaam. I am very excited! He is energetic and enthusiastic about SPW and I think we will really get along well.
We will be going to a rather large village in Ludewa which is the Southern most district of Iringa region and the closest to the country of Malawi and Lake Malawi which is supposed to be absolutely amazing. The village is called Lungalawa. I really wanted to see a new part of Tanzania so I am very excited to be in one of the farthest villages from where we are now (Iringa Town).
I have a lot of learning to do with my Swahili. I can easily get around socially but I have to learn more of the Sexual Reproductive Health terms in Kiswahili. The journey will be very long (probably 8 hours) to Ludewa and then after three weeks we return to Iringa to discuss the needs etc of our village. We leave Iringa on Friday and return in mid-April. Then we will head back to village for 2 and a half months beginning the festivals, community seminars, and teaching. I will come to town once a month at the least! I will be in Iringa (as I said) for another week so send me emails and post on the blog because I will not be online as frequently!
Check out a map of Tanzania...Iringa is in the South west region of the country and Ludewa is the district just East of the big lake to the South of Tanzania.
Things are going well...we are slowly but surely getting through this training, but last night definately made us all more excited and ready to hit the road!
Ask questions etc! I will be on-line again soon!
My partner is Alex...he is originally from Dodoma (the capital) and went to secondary school in Dar es Salaam. I am very excited! He is energetic and enthusiastic about SPW and I think we will really get along well.
We will be going to a rather large village in Ludewa which is the Southern most district of Iringa region and the closest to the country of Malawi and Lake Malawi which is supposed to be absolutely amazing. The village is called Lungalawa. I really wanted to see a new part of Tanzania so I am very excited to be in one of the farthest villages from where we are now (Iringa Town).
I have a lot of learning to do with my Swahili. I can easily get around socially but I have to learn more of the Sexual Reproductive Health terms in Kiswahili. The journey will be very long (probably 8 hours) to Ludewa and then after three weeks we return to Iringa to discuss the needs etc of our village. We leave Iringa on Friday and return in mid-April. Then we will head back to village for 2 and a half months beginning the festivals, community seminars, and teaching. I will come to town once a month at the least! I will be in Iringa (as I said) for another week so send me emails and post on the blog because I will not be online as frequently!
Check out a map of Tanzania...Iringa is in the South west region of the country and Ludewa is the district just East of the big lake to the South of Tanzania.
Things are going well...we are slowly but surely getting through this training, but last night definately made us all more excited and ready to hit the road!
Ask questions etc! I will be on-line again soon!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Stage 2
We have just begun HIV/AIDS training yesterday. We moved down the hill in Iringa and are living on a campus like thing. I am staying with teh 70 Tanzanians and taking class learing about Sexual Reproductive Health. It is rather interesting to see what they know and don't know and also how they perceive "Wazungus" white people. They have some crazy things to say about us and man does Mass Media taint our image...but they are getting to know us better I think.
My Brother from Iringa did not get into SPW which was rather sad, but there are a lot of really great potential partners. As the only guy on the trip, I am the only oppurtunity they have to go to villiage with an International Volunteer. I am getting to know a lot of them and look forward to villiage even more. Now that I know there are some great potential partners, I am ready to get moving.
The classes are fine, but obviously there is some very basic review going on. These 3 weeks will be great for my Kiswahili and I am sure there will be a lot of benefit once we get past the basics. I had my first acting experience in Tanzania yesterday doing a role play of how we perceived the Tanzanian Family. I played the father and it seems I got it right... there were many laughs as I sat watching TV and saying "nzuri"-good- to almost every question I was asked. It was a lot of fun and I think they appreciated the comedy and spoof on their lifestyle (although that was not far from the truth with my Njombe family where Baba (father) was on the couch rather silent and demanding food). I am getting along really well with the National Volunteers!
I am sure you want to know about the safari as well. IT WAS AMAZING!!! 8 of us got a truck and a great guide recommended to us by some local ex-peace corp and headed to RUaha National Park. We say 3 simbas...no I am not making a bad Lion King reference, lion in Kiswahili is simba...punda milia (zebra), twiga (giraffe)...tembo (elephant)...warthogs, hippo, crocadile, crazy looking birds and so much more...it was great and I have some good photos...We were so close to one lion it was amazing!
I am living further from Internet so blogging will be harder so be sure to post a lot and I will answer questions etc when I can... Post a lot...I love to read your comments... aslo if you have gmail and can go online around 10ish that is when I am on so maybe we can g-chat!
bye
My Brother from Iringa did not get into SPW which was rather sad, but there are a lot of really great potential partners. As the only guy on the trip, I am the only oppurtunity they have to go to villiage with an International Volunteer. I am getting to know a lot of them and look forward to villiage even more. Now that I know there are some great potential partners, I am ready to get moving.
The classes are fine, but obviously there is some very basic review going on. These 3 weeks will be great for my Kiswahili and I am sure there will be a lot of benefit once we get past the basics. I had my first acting experience in Tanzania yesterday doing a role play of how we perceived the Tanzanian Family. I played the father and it seems I got it right... there were many laughs as I sat watching TV and saying "nzuri"-good- to almost every question I was asked. It was a lot of fun and I think they appreciated the comedy and spoof on their lifestyle (although that was not far from the truth with my Njombe family where Baba (father) was on the couch rather silent and demanding food). I am getting along really well with the National Volunteers!
I am sure you want to know about the safari as well. IT WAS AMAZING!!! 8 of us got a truck and a great guide recommended to us by some local ex-peace corp and headed to RUaha National Park. We say 3 simbas...no I am not making a bad Lion King reference, lion in Kiswahili is simba...punda milia (zebra), twiga (giraffe)...tembo (elephant)...warthogs, hippo, crocadile, crazy looking birds and so much more...it was great and I have some good photos...We were so close to one lion it was amazing!
I am living further from Internet so blogging will be harder so be sure to post a lot and I will answer questions etc when I can... Post a lot...I love to read your comments... aslo if you have gmail and can go online around 10ish that is when I am on so maybe we can g-chat!
bye
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Southern Hemisphere
So I had my first experience of a difference between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere...the BIG DIPPER is upside down...now some of you may not know the significance of this constellation in my life and the many arguments I have had regarding its name and size...but I thought it would still be an interesting concept for those whom won't get the joke.
I am back in Iringa and loving it. I have only 4 more Swahili classes before HIV/AIDS training begins and I will be in village starting the 20th of March. My Swahili is coming along well, but I expect when we are joined my the National volunteers and of course when I go to village, it will get even better.
I am still enjoying the amazing hike to Gangalonga rock which has a spectacular view of Iringa and, of course, my home-stay family is amazing. We've been watching the African Soccer Championship thing...I try to explain how unpopular soccer is in the US, but I am surprised to say I am really enjoying it!
Otherwise things are great! 2 have fallen to Malaria, one amoeba and an ear infection, but I am happy and healthy (with a slight cold)
I am sure I will have much more news next week and will get you all up to status on the National volunteers, and I will tell you as soon as I do the village I am going to and any other news.
Hope all is well in the US and life is good!
I am back in Iringa and loving it. I have only 4 more Swahili classes before HIV/AIDS training begins and I will be in village starting the 20th of March. My Swahili is coming along well, but I expect when we are joined my the National volunteers and of course when I go to village, it will get even better.
I am still enjoying the amazing hike to Gangalonga rock which has a spectacular view of Iringa and, of course, my home-stay family is amazing. We've been watching the African Soccer Championship thing...I try to explain how unpopular soccer is in the US, but I am surprised to say I am really enjoying it!
Otherwise things are great! 2 have fallen to Malaria, one amoeba and an ear infection, but I am happy and healthy (with a slight cold)
I am sure I will have much more news next week and will get you all up to status on the National volunteers, and I will tell you as soon as I do the village I am going to and any other news.
Hope all is well in the US and life is good!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
The Waterfall
Here in Njombe there is a huge beautiful waterfall! We went there the other day with my homestay brother and had a wonderful time. The other day, however, I met a few Tanzanians Israel, Mark, and Eric who decided to take me and a few friends to the waterfall again, but they took us on a great adventure into the brush and down stream. We had such a great time. We were climbing trees to cross the river and jumping rocks! It was a lot of fun!
Njombe is a smaller town with many less mwazungus (white people) so we are a bit more of a surprise to the children and some adults too. There are quite a few Peace Corp people here as well but they do not come to town very often. I leave here tomorrow to return to Iringa where I will live with my homestay brothers for another 2 weeks. Then we have the HIV/AIDS training with the Tanzanian volunteers before we head to villiage. I am getting a bit antsie (sp. sorry) but having spoken to Peace Corp people, they say it is natural and to use this time wisely so villiage will be even better.
Now I though I should answer your questions:
Does anyone have pets?- yes but they have dogs but they are treated poorly- cats very few...pigs kuku (chicken) ng'ombe (cow) all for milk or food
Have you been out in the wilderness? yes-ish I have been hiking a lot to the waterfall in Njombe and the big rock in Iringa which was absaluly beautiful as well
Do people have gardens? yes, but my families do not
Are there markets for buying food? all over the place! the market is crazy and a lot of fun but I as a mwazungu must beware of being ripped off...they have fruit, fish, spices 2nd hand clothes (A LOT) all sorts of fresh great stuff
How is your solar panel? I don't know yet!
What does your house look like? they are nice...no shacks like you may have been imagining at least not in town! Here they have the drop toilets and multiple rooms my home in Iringa is an apartment and in Njombe it is house- rather large actually I will take pics...I should be expecting a lot less in villiage though especially the toilet situation
How often will you be moving around? 2 weeks Iringa then I was in Njombe for 2 weeks 4 weeks in Iringa again...then i will move to village but I have no idea where that will be !
How is the Swahili coming? Mimi ninafurahi. Nitapoenda Iringa, nitakuwa na wiki mbili kwa Kiswahili. Halafu nitakuwa fluent? (I am happy. WHen I go to Iringa I will have 2 weeks of Swahili then i will be fluent). OK...I can get around
Are you going to come back married with a clan or should I not hope for that? I am leaving my options open...haha...unlikely
Have you seen zebras? NO...not yet maybe next week I will go to Ruaha national park near Iringa...they have the largest population of tembo (elephant) in Tanzania.
Have you eaten zebras?? Kitimoto(pork) ng'ombe(cow)...na kuku(chicken) not zebra
How many cars are there? in town quite a few but there is no rush hour or anything
How safe is it to go out at night? Irninga is fine Njombe is a bit creepy, but it is fine...we go in twos...if we are to many people we stand out BADLY
Do you stand out? ummm.....YES
Do you still have hair? yes I have not shaved in 2 weeks and my hair is still growing
Where do your internets come from? cafes around town
Do people make fun of your nub, and are you telling inaccurate but daring tales of how it was lost (because I won't tell)? yes I had a few people whop fell hard for the shark dving story!
How do you spend your afternoons? school...talking...walking around town...and HIKING YEAH
What time does everyone wake up? me: 630 aahhh them: earlier How hot is it? wet and rainy and cold-er in Njombe...Iringa is rather hot
Is there a Tanzanian bobsledding team, and are you helping them make a big Hollywood movie? I wish....
What does your bed look like? a bed
Njombe is a smaller town with many less mwazungus (white people) so we are a bit more of a surprise to the children and some adults too. There are quite a few Peace Corp people here as well but they do not come to town very often. I leave here tomorrow to return to Iringa where I will live with my homestay brothers for another 2 weeks. Then we have the HIV/AIDS training with the Tanzanian volunteers before we head to villiage. I am getting a bit antsie (sp. sorry) but having spoken to Peace Corp people, they say it is natural and to use this time wisely so villiage will be even better.
Now I though I should answer your questions:
Does anyone have pets?- yes but they have dogs but they are treated poorly- cats very few...pigs kuku (chicken) ng'ombe (cow) all for milk or food
Have you been out in the wilderness? yes-ish I have been hiking a lot to the waterfall in Njombe and the big rock in Iringa which was absaluly beautiful as well
Do people have gardens? yes, but my families do not
Are there markets for buying food? all over the place! the market is crazy and a lot of fun but I as a mwazungu must beware of being ripped off...they have fruit, fish, spices 2nd hand clothes (A LOT) all sorts of fresh great stuff
How is your solar panel? I don't know yet!
What does your house look like? they are nice...no shacks like you may have been imagining at least not in town! Here they have the drop toilets and multiple rooms my home in Iringa is an apartment and in Njombe it is house- rather large actually I will take pics...I should be expecting a lot less in villiage though especially the toilet situation
How often will you be moving around? 2 weeks Iringa then I was in Njombe for 2 weeks 4 weeks in Iringa again...then i will move to village but I have no idea where that will be !
How is the Swahili coming? Mimi ninafurahi. Nitapoenda Iringa, nitakuwa na wiki mbili kwa Kiswahili. Halafu nitakuwa fluent? (I am happy. WHen I go to Iringa I will have 2 weeks of Swahili then i will be fluent). OK...I can get around
Are you going to come back married with a clan or should I not hope for that? I am leaving my options open...haha...unlikely
Have you seen zebras? NO...not yet maybe next week I will go to Ruaha national park near Iringa...they have the largest population of tembo (elephant) in Tanzania.
Have you eaten zebras?? Kitimoto(pork) ng'ombe(cow)...na kuku(chicken) not zebra
How many cars are there? in town quite a few but there is no rush hour or anything
How safe is it to go out at night? Irninga is fine Njombe is a bit creepy, but it is fine...we go in twos...if we are to many people we stand out BADLY
Do you stand out? ummm.....YES
Do you still have hair? yes I have not shaved in 2 weeks and my hair is still growing
Where do your internets come from? cafes around town
Do people make fun of your nub, and are you telling inaccurate but daring tales of how it was lost (because I won't tell)? yes I had a few people whop fell hard for the shark dving story!
How do you spend your afternoons? school...talking...walking around town...and HIKING YEAH
What time does everyone wake up? me: 630 aahhh them: earlier How hot is it? wet and rainy and cold-er in Njombe...Iringa is rather hot
Is there a Tanzanian bobsledding team, and are you helping them make a big Hollywood movie? I wish....
What does your bed look like? a bed
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Some News Short and Sweet
I killed a chicken yesterday...yes a real chicken for my dinner. It was crazy and there is footage!!
More to come soon.
More to come soon.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
The food!
I realize I have not told you all much about my living conditions and life in general. So starting now I will tell you about a few things you may wish to know about.
The food is interesting. Rather repetative, but good. Except of course the most recent meal I had at a restaurant that caused me to have two days of close contact with the choo. (I am feeling better now!) We eat a lot of rice and ugali which is a rice like carb made from maize. Here in Njombe there is a lot more food since I have a mother where in Irtinga it is just my brothers. They do not like how little I eat which is difficult especially when you are ill. PLEASE NO MORE! In Njombe they use a lot of curry and peppers. The other day I hade ndizi soup...banana stew. It was not sweet and looked more like bodily fluids of the bad kind than anything else. (Sorry for those with weak stomachs.) Other things like goat and chicken are rather good just beware of the bones. Everything is cooked peanut or sunflowwer oil and often tastes greasy. Also there are things cause chipate which are corn flower pancake like things...they are good when made well and difficult to swallow when too greasy. They make a lot of things in this sauce which is basically tomatoe onion peppers and oil...then they put potatioes, fish, chicken, or the meat of choice in it! That is where the repetition comes in. There is a lot of great fresh fruit, passion fruit, pineapple, mango, etc. It is great! I am liking it but definately losing weight.
Feel free to drop in any question you have about the food!
Also let me know what else you want to know about fro future topics!!!!
The food is interesting. Rather repetative, but good. Except of course the most recent meal I had at a restaurant that caused me to have two days of close contact with the choo. (I am feeling better now!) We eat a lot of rice and ugali which is a rice like carb made from maize. Here in Njombe there is a lot more food since I have a mother where in Irtinga it is just my brothers. They do not like how little I eat which is difficult especially when you are ill. PLEASE NO MORE! In Njombe they use a lot of curry and peppers. The other day I hade ndizi soup...banana stew. It was not sweet and looked more like bodily fluids of the bad kind than anything else. (Sorry for those with weak stomachs.) Other things like goat and chicken are rather good just beware of the bones. Everything is cooked peanut or sunflowwer oil and often tastes greasy. Also there are things cause chipate which are corn flower pancake like things...they are good when made well and difficult to swallow when too greasy. They make a lot of things in this sauce which is basically tomatoe onion peppers and oil...then they put potatioes, fish, chicken, or the meat of choice in it! That is where the repetition comes in. There is a lot of great fresh fruit, passion fruit, pineapple, mango, etc. It is great! I am liking it but definately losing weight.
Feel free to drop in any question you have about the food!
Also let me know what else you want to know about fro future topics!!!!
Monday, February 2, 2009
40 Adults 3 babies 2 kids and a rooster
I arrived in Njombeyesterday on a bus which normally could comfortaby hold 25 people maybe 30 we had 40 Adults 3 babies 2 kids and a rooster. Yeah the bus pulled over for a minute at one point and a lady handed the driver a rooster...I don't know why! I had butts in my face...feeding babies to my right and anotyher seat in front of me which made my knees very unhappy...quite the adventure for 5 hours! It was a blast lookingt back on it.
Njombe is a very neat town as I have seen so far...I have a mother and father figure in this house so things are a lot different. Ihave 2 brothers one is 23and the other is 11. I will e learing how to cook a lot more here. It is oing to be harder much I will be experiencing a lot more. My "brother" Kevin is very nice. He has shown me around a lot and will be great for my Kiswahili learning which is going well for me.
Things are crazy havin to readjust to a new family again., but I think I will settle in soon. I cooked eggs this morning...yes and I do not like eggs so....whoopie! My family said they were veryu good (thanks dad! I learned that from you!)
I will check in soon when I have settled in.
Sorry for spelling errors...this keyboard is rather bad
Njombe is a very neat town as I have seen so far...I have a mother and father figure in this house so things are a lot different. Ihave 2 brothers one is 23and the other is 11. I will e learing how to cook a lot more here. It is oing to be harder much I will be experiencing a lot more. My "brother" Kevin is very nice. He has shown me around a lot and will be great for my Kiswahili learning which is going well for me.
Things are crazy havin to readjust to a new family again., but I think I will settle in soon. I cooked eggs this morning...yes and I do not like eggs so....whoopie! My family said they were veryu good (thanks dad! I learned that from you!)
I will check in soon when I have settled in.
Sorry for spelling errors...this keyboard is rather bad
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Week 2
Hello from Iringa...all is well here. Class is going well and I am learning quickly...we do have class 6 days a week and it is rather demanding.
I went for my first hike and the view was absalutely beautiful. Today, I am going to my homestay brother's graduation adn taking photos for him. He applied to be an SPW national volunteer and, if he is accepted, we will probably be partner so I am excited about that.
I have been searching for some other things to do here in order to prevent repetative days ( I know many of you know what I mean) During this school part of things it is easy to settle into a reutine. Later obviously it will change up, but during the school part...ahhhh!
We leave this upcoming weekend for Njombe, a smaller town 3 or 4 hours south...that is really all I can tell you as we have little information coming from the SPW office.
I am taking lots of photos and all seems to be going well! Hope all is well with you...post about new things. I would love to hear about life at home!
I went for my first hike and the view was absalutely beautiful. Today, I am going to my homestay brother's graduation adn taking photos for him. He applied to be an SPW national volunteer and, if he is accepted, we will probably be partner so I am excited about that.
I have been searching for some other things to do here in order to prevent repetative days ( I know many of you know what I mean) During this school part of things it is easy to settle into a reutine. Later obviously it will change up, but during the school part...ahhhh!
We leave this upcoming weekend for Njombe, a smaller town 3 or 4 hours south...that is really all I can tell you as we have little information coming from the SPW office.
I am taking lots of photos and all seems to be going well! Hope all is well with you...post about new things. I would love to hear about life at home!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Kiswahili
Kiswahili training began today. Masomo walianza leo. (I think that is how you say it)
Hujambo! Habari za kutwa? (How was your day?) Jana nilikula ugali. (Yesterday I ate ugali) Ugali is maize flour in water boiled into a thick rice-like food that you dip into whatever else you have. It is rather nice.
My host family is great. I am with a family of 4 guys whoa re 19, 20, 21 and 27. All brothers. They said I am lucky because I do not have to worry about strict conduct around parents. they took me out for a drink the first day and said we will "go to the dance" on Saturday (Disco party!)
All is well. I am very happy and relaxed and have set into "Africa time"!
To answer some questions:
the currency is the Tanzanian shilling aroun 1300 shillings makes a dollar! SO Lauren I understand 40 shillings will get you nothing! Literally.
The phone situation is still at hand...it won't charge ...Blogging will have to do for now and I will get a phone later if this phone does not pan out.
Hope all is well with you all! Keep your notes coming they are great to read.
Guaheri (goodbye)
Badaye (later)
Hujambo! Habari za kutwa? (How was your day?) Jana nilikula ugali. (Yesterday I ate ugali) Ugali is maize flour in water boiled into a thick rice-like food that you dip into whatever else you have. It is rather nice.
My host family is great. I am with a family of 4 guys whoa re 19, 20, 21 and 27. All brothers. They said I am lucky because I do not have to worry about strict conduct around parents. they took me out for a drink the first day and said we will "go to the dance" on Saturday (Disco party!)
All is well. I am very happy and relaxed and have set into "Africa time"!
To answer some questions:
the currency is the Tanzanian shilling aroun 1300 shillings makes a dollar! SO Lauren I understand 40 shillings will get you nothing! Literally.
The phone situation is still at hand...it won't charge ...Blogging will have to do for now and I will get a phone later if this phone does not pan out.
Hope all is well with you all! Keep your notes coming they are great to read.
Guaheri (goodbye)
Badaye (later)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Iringa Tanzania
Day three...I am here and alive and loving it. Tanzania is absalutely beautiful. Dar es Salaam, the capitol, like most capitols was big dirty and crazy...we did not really get to see any of it but it was fun to get to know the people here and get some sleep.
We travelled 8 HOURS AHH yesterday on a hot bus to Iringa. Iringa is significantly higher in altitude and was much cooler when we got here. I learned today that it still is very hot! The mountains around Iringa are absolutely beauiful. I cannot wait to go hiking! I have not gotten much of a chance yet to go around the town...that's later today just before and after I meet my homestay family. A little nerve racking since I know very little Swahili, but they know that and it should be fun to meet the family and learn that lifestyle!!
The people are great so far...we, the SPW volunteers, got a warm welcome from 25 or so Peace Corp people. They gave some advice and we will probably see them around more.
I hope you are all doing well. I am working out the kinks with my cell phone and will text later when that is all settled.
Have a great day!
We travelled 8 HOURS AHH yesterday on a hot bus to Iringa. Iringa is significantly higher in altitude and was much cooler when we got here. I learned today that it still is very hot! The mountains around Iringa are absolutely beauiful. I cannot wait to go hiking! I have not gotten much of a chance yet to go around the town...that's later today just before and after I meet my homestay family. A little nerve racking since I know very little Swahili, but they know that and it should be fun to meet the family and learn that lifestyle!!
The people are great so far...we, the SPW volunteers, got a warm welcome from 25 or so Peace Corp people. They gave some advice and we will probably see them around more.
I hope you are all doing well. I am working out the kinks with my cell phone and will text later when that is all settled.
Have a great day!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Qatar
I'm in Qatar and left the airport...yeah! already had my first crazy story.
We were going to try and see Qatar, but Liz, the girl I left with, couldn't get through because of her passport, but her friend, the one who was supposed to show us around, made a call to Abdul Rahman who has lots of "wasta" which means influence and power in Qatar. He got us through customs and we are now enjoying great food, company, and ...Family Guy... Qatar is great and we went to a market called "souq waqif" also know as the old souq and saw shops and people and a guy selling donkey rides and a guy showing a crowd Facebook on a projector...it's absolutely crazy. We saw some beautiful architecture and the new Museum here in Doha. I leave here tomorrow at 655am my time (8 hours later than you) and head to Tanzania...the adventures have begun!
Be sure to use the word WASTA a lot...
We were going to try and see Qatar, but Liz, the girl I left with, couldn't get through because of her passport, but her friend, the one who was supposed to show us around, made a call to Abdul Rahman who has lots of "wasta" which means influence and power in Qatar. He got us through customs and we are now enjoying great food, company, and ...Family Guy... Qatar is great and we went to a market called "souq waqif" also know as the old souq and saw shops and people and a guy selling donkey rides and a guy showing a crowd Facebook on a projector...it's absolutely crazy. We saw some beautiful architecture and the new Museum here in Doha. I leave here tomorrow at 655am my time (8 hours later than you) and head to Tanzania...the adventures have begun!
Be sure to use the word WASTA a lot...
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