Mambo! (you say 'Poa'....it means 'cool'...essentially) Anywho, let me first take the time to thank all who commented on my first post; your words made me laugh and cry all in one breath and I am pleased to hear that you have taken an interest in my blog. I would've thanked you in my last post, but I didn't realize until after I had posted it that I had 7 new comments on my first one (most props goes to kevin for being the first one......i love you like sexy time). Dad, in answer to your question, I decided to use that particular picture for my blog because it happened to be the only decently frequent one of just me on my computer at the time. Pretty sweet if I do say so myself........sidenote: that picture was taken just before Eda shaped my hair into the sweetest Mullet in history. Megan, I'm not exactly sure whether you asked me in your comment or in a personal email, but unfortunately I do not yet have a mailing address as we are only going to be here in Arusha (technically just outside of Arusha) until Sunday. I promise I'll let you know as soon as I am aware, but like I said before, Tanzanian mail is sketchy and I wouldn't suggest sending me anything of value.......and don't send weed, they'll smoke it. Since I never really fully eplained where I am right now and what exactly it is that I'm doing, I will take the time now to hopefully clear some things up.................after landing in Kilimanjaro Intl' Airport last Thursday night, we were met by our program coordinators Terry Ulinhake and Barbara Temple-Thurston (Terry is from Luther and Barbara is from PLU) and the TCDC Coordinator (Training Centre for Developement Coordination in Tanzania), Mzee Steven Ndosi, and were taken to the Centre which was about 30-40 minutes away. Since then we have been staying here at TCDC, where students ranging from age 3 to 76 (by the looks of this one guy) are here in order to study kiswahili and international developement studies. We're (LCCT) here as part of our program orientation. With the help of Mzee Steven (Mr. Steven) we have been exploring Tanzanian history and culture through various classes, discussions, and safaris (journeys) to surrounding areas. We have spent a condsiderable amount of time with local Tanzanians in their homes, churches, schools, and villages, and have had the opportunity to take a closer look at what REAL Tanzanian life is like, both urban and rural. The sad reality about tourism in Africa, and especially Tanzania, is that tourists often don't get a taste of what the average African's life is really like; most really have no idea what it means to be African and are entirely more interested in seeking thrills on Mt. Kilimanjaro, or on one of the very expensive and very touristy safaris......traveling on paved roads from airport to hotel and hotel to attraction. Not to say that it's not exciting and fun in its own right, and not to say that I'm an expert by any means on what it means to be African and what life is like here in Tanzania, it's just that I can't help but feel very fortunate and often times overwhelmed by the unique cultural opportunities I've had thus far. Another depressing concept about African tourism, at least in Tanzania, is that the average Tanzanian does not benefit in the slightest from the country's progressively booming tourist industry. One would imagine that the country's economy would certainly be doing better as a result of a continued increase in a growing tourism industry, but alas it is not the case. One interesting sidenote: most safari company's and all entrance gates into National Parks only accept US Dollars or Euros.......which makes me wonder where all that American money is going........especially since the dollar is worth 1250 shillingi...? but anywho, on to other business. Let's talk about yesterday and today.......whew, what a topic aye? So yeah, yesterday: We started off the day at 8:00 am sharp when we loaded ourselves into the vaneep and headed for Nkoanrua Community Hospital and joint Orphanage. There we were given a tour of the very small, but homely hospital where they had been treating a number of orthopedic surgery patients. A number of orthopedic doctors from Germany have been working at the hospital for the past few weeks in order to provide some orthopedic instruction to the Tanzanian doctors, and treat a large number of patients while they were there. To give you an idea of how packed they were, the hospital only has only 80 beds and it seemed as though they were forced to double up on some of the beds due to the large number of patients. After our tour we headed up the hill to the ajoining orphanage where we were very desperately greeted by 24 smiling little faces. I'm not kidding you when I say that the minute we walked in the door we were stampeeded by these little angels whose arms were emphatically outstretched in hopes of being comforted and loved with new energy and fresh arms. 1000 props to the 3 amazing women working in/running this small orphanage who were noticeably at their wits end, and equal amounts of support to the two American women who were volunteering and will be contining to do so for two weeks. Those 24 small children were so full of life, so full of love, and so eager to receive the same in return, and because of the tireless and persistent efforts of these incredible women, these watoto (children) have at least been given a chance. And while opportunities in this developing country may elude them, everyday is a miracle and everyday is a reward. Most of the childeren had been left at the orphanage by their biological parents shortly after they were born (one child was 1 month old, and was practically the size of my freakin hand), while others belonged to parents who had died of various causes like Malaria and/or HIV/AIDS. One little girl named Mary thoroughly enjoyed the large bouncy ball I gave her, while another young lad named Baraka refused to stop nuzzling my shoulder. I think the most frustrating thing about the whole experience, is that while I was there and I while we were allowed to play with the kids for awhile, I really felt so disconnected. I have so much more respect for individuals who make that sort of work their life, and it's a shame really that most are so poorly compensated. I've become even more disgusted while in Africa with our values system in America, most specifically with the way we compensate our workers who seem to have the biggest impact in our children's lives (ex: teachers, caretakers, job coaches, nannys etc. .....they're paid shit), and the sad reality is that it seems to be a reocurring problem all around the world (in fact, regional politicians are often paid more than doctors in Tanz.). I guess i just felt intirely too priveleged, and slightly helpless. Priveleged in the sense that we had the privelege to leave and the privelege to continue on with our lives while these women and these poor children were absolutely confined in every way to this reality, and quite frankly a fate that had already been decided for them. The toughest part is admitting that there really isn't much that I can do right now. And while there are plenty of little things each one of us can do everyday, I'm so dissatisfied by the reality of my inabilities. My job here is to be a student, to observe, to take as much in as possible, and to hopefully create a lasting empression of Tanz. that will hopefully stick with me for the rest of my life. Yet I wish that I could just throw all this aside and get my hands dirty NOW, and take everything in while being a part of it.........I don't really know where I'm going with this.........just trying to purge my feelings from these experiences via keyboard and bright screen that is making my eyes hurt. Man I wish I could just talk to you all........ but yeah, anyway, after we left the orphanage we went to Nkoanrua Secondary School where Mzee Steven is the Chairman of the School Board......or something....... It was definitely very interesting to sit down with the teachers and administrators and talk about the similarities and differences in education between Tanz. and America. For example, Tanzanians take 7 years of primary school, 4 years of secondary school, two years of A Level Training (what they call high school), and then, if they're lucky, go onto a University or College for four years. Students start taking English lessons in primary school, but are not heavily toutored until Secondary where English classes are required and English is actually spoken very well by many of the students. One unfortunate thing about the Tanzanian education system, is that on top of the reality that not all children in Tanz. are originally given the opportunity to go to school, the vast vast majority never make it past secondary, if not primary for some. Students after certain levels of their education are required to take Gov't administered complaceny tests (that no one has any idea of what's on them) that decide whether a certain student will be allowed to continue on with their education due to the lack of funds, teachers, and facilities. It's something like 60% of the students at each testing level arn't allowed to go on, making the final number of students who are allowed and can afford to go to college very small......just something to think about i guess. It's very interesting because the students here obviously value their education more than we do in America, and I feel like it creates for a fairly competitive environment for the students, which is arguably good or bad. Anywho, after talking with the teachers we were escorted into some of the classrooms and were allowed to talk with and ask questions of the students, who were in turn allowed and encouraged to ask questions of us. Man were some of there questions intense. All the students seemed very in tune to the domestic and international affairs of their country, which prompted questions about foreign policy, health care (in response to our approach to HIV/AIDS as compared with theirs), crime, and education in America. They were also quite interested in our dumb-ass of a President and were eager to understand why we as Americans had allowed him to continue to make so many horrible dicissions.........a very good question I might add. Basically, they were all mostly questions that I was unprepared to answer, unable to answer, and consequently ashamed at my inability to talk in-debth about........as I'm sure most Americans would have been. I don't think it's that I am unfamiliar with the policies and happinings of my our gov't, I think it has to do more with our common complancancy as Americans to really want to do anything. Life for the majority of us has little to do with what Bush and his cronies work out in Washington, and while we would like to think that we have an effect on our "Democracy", sometimes I wonder if we do at all (bear with me, I'm just thinking out loud here). In Tanz., everything affects everything and everybody affects everybody, in one way or another. Citizens, and especially students, are interested and involved in what goes 0n in their country because they have to be. Their livelyhood depends on it and without their input their voices might go unheard. I guess what I'm trying to say, and believe me I am guilty too, is that we are not as involved, not as informed, not as concerned, and not as troubled because at the end of the day little or nothing has changed for us. We still have our big house, our nice car, our 4 TVs, and the security and comfort of our family and friends, without having to worry that anything serious is going to change.........not to mention we've never had to worry about whether or not we would get an education. And don't get me wrong, I realise that there are many people within the United States who don't have these luxuries and who do have to worry about their access to education (which is also part of the problem), I'm just pointing out the vast majority. But yeah, on with my day (man this post is freakin long...) So yeah, next we actually went to a funeral. Not something that was planned obviously, but the interesting thing about Tanzania is that when someone dies, anyone and everyone who even remotely knows the family or at least knows of the family or knows someone who does is in many ways obligated to come. It was one of the most beautiful things that I've ever seen and I'm not exaggerating when I say that there must have been over 600 people at this young man's funeral (he was 20 and had died from complications resulting from throat cancer). The service was done in a small catholic church above the Secondary School, and the entire lot and surrounding mountainside was practically full of people in greiving. After the service everyone was entreated to walk by the open casket (which took a long time if you can imagine) and were then ushured outside where the entire burial congregation made its way up the side of the mountain to the family burial plot while the church choir sang the boy's favorite song. Absolutely amazing and forgive me in saying that I really can't quite find the words to describe it. After the boy was properly buried the church bells continued to ring until 12am last night, so that everyone would know that one of their brothers had died..... On a lighter note, after the funeral I had the chance to talk to some of the older secondary school boys about the differences/similarities in our cultures, and was particularly intrigued by the concept of dating.......which Tanzanians don't do apparently. They were rather shocked that American men didn't pay dowries for their brides to be, and we similarly intrigued by the concept of "buying a girl flowers and taking her out to diner." All four of them (Ridhione, LeMac, Eddie John, and Godi) were very very empressed by all the "lovely 'merican girls" that I had "brought" with me. After some innocent laughing and teasing I taught the boys how to properly compliment and "swoon" an American girl as they were all very interested in getting the LCCT girls' email addresses. Unfortunately, Kristin (from Concordia) turned them down, but one of them had some better luck with Leah (from Luther....who ironically is a lesbian). Haha, good times..... Well, as this is a tremendously long-ass post, I am going to end it here. I know I had promised to tell about my adventures today, but unfortunately it is getting late and I have to get up early again tomorrow morning. I will say one thing though.......Zebras are the coolest fucking animals I have ever seen. Sidenote: I apologize for note informing you about my Shutterfly account. It exists and I do have many great pictures already, but the computers are very slow and are usually in use and I'm having some trouble finding the time to upload them. Pole Sana. Lala Salama (good night sorta, like sleep with peace or something.......whatever).
3 Comments:
Zach, it sounds like you are having your shit rocked like mine was in Brazil and China. Going to a place like Tanzania shows you, as you described, how ridiculously self-centered and extravagant we are in the United States, and with an experience like that, you can't help but want to turn your life upside down to make the world a better place. I only hope that you can do a better job than me in keeping that focus after your experience because that is one of the hardest parts. Though I try, I constantly can do more that I do not do to improve our world and make life better for those around me (in the broadest sense). I miss you, Man.
Jamie
7/27/2006 12:34:00 AM
That was the LONGEST blog post EVER! And I thoroughly enjoyed every word of it! You are crazy busy...that's a good thing...less time to miss me(I know you do!)haha! Jokes, but anyhow...wow, huh? That's all I can say...what a trip(in more ways then one)! I love you buddy, take care and live it up!
Eda
7/27/2006 07:59:00 AM
Hey Zach,
It's your old Honors Geography teacher. How did you do on the Subsaharan Africa map test? Your mom, working at the Health Club, told me all about your blog. Enjoy Africa. I was off the coast of Africa (Somalia) during the Arab Oil Embargo back in 1972 while on an aircraft carrier (USS Hancock CVA-19)defending the country, serving in the US Navy. Be safe...
Mr. U (Unverferth, GJHS
8/27/2006 08:15:00 AM
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