Here it is. The first post. It began as an email to Chris to reply to her SMS message. But after a few lines I thought "I need to start the blog. Here goes:
I am sitting in the administration room of the Umoja Center ("Centre" for those of you in the UK). A light bulb dangles above from the ceiling in what is a nicely appointed, colorful room with heavy wood furniture. The call to prayer has just ended (or maybe it was the neighbor, no it is back) and the askari (guard) has just hacked up a big one and is spitting it out just outside the window. I've received a few more mosquito bites in the last 30 minutes.
I am in Arusha, Tanzania.
I've just devoured a 1/2 chicken cooked on the gas stove with some veggies and red beans. I passed on the rice tonight as the rice is beginning to collect around my gut. So, enough of this Facebook type of "what are you doing right now" and on to just how I am surviving and getting along here.
I arrived in Tanzania (TZ) just three weeks ago tonight. I spent a day in Arusha with Gary and the following day we took off with a couple friends' of Gary and headed to Lushoto. Just up the mountain from Mombo on the highway to Dar es Salaam (Dar) lies this beautiful little village high up in the Usumbara Mountains. I will post some photos of the mountain retreat outside of Lushoto because the views and natural beauty were breathtaking!
We broke down on the way to Lushoto. Roman, Gary's buddy from France and his girlfriend Bianca, were with us which helped. Bianca is from Uganda and was able to ride into the next town on the back of a motorcycle with Gary as well and Roman and I stayed with the vehicle. Did I mention it appeared we were in the middle of nowhere? A boy passed from one side of the road to the other with his cows wondering as much about what I was doing there as I was about him. We also were left behind with Gary's BIG, MEAN, dog named "Chewy". This is Africa! This is my Africa! The car was fixed with some clutch fluid, I took a Xanax and we were off to the dark mountains for a night drive.
Roman and I returned to Arusha by KLM Express Bus. I am certain KLM has no idea how their name is being used in this country. If it was truly a KLM bus I want a refund because it, too, broke down. Roman and I ended up on a bus that made a lot of stops. Gary and Bianca went on to Dar es Salaam; Gary to take care of business and Bianca for a check up.
Back in Arusha and staying on my own except for Amir, Gary's housekeeper, and his girlfriend and year-or-two old daughter. I think it was fairly quick just when I realized transportation was going to be a challenge. Gary's place is out in Njiro which is known to be a very nice area to live. Amir helped me to the market and I was happy to hang out at home in a peaceful environment. Amir is a body builder so I was happy to have someone to workout with and to visit with a bit. I laid in the sun and networked on the phone everyday. The internet connection at the house did not work and it took nearly 2 weeks to sort it out. In the end I went to the Vodacom shop where I was told to see someone by name for help. Elifuhari sorted me out in no time.
Gary broke down on his way back from Dar to Arusha. He was somewhere on the Dar side of Mombo. The transmission was bad and would have to be replaced. At least 2 days. 5 days later Gary made it home. I was happy to see him and that he was OK. He left Chewy in Dar and returned with a 7 month old puppy of the same breed called "Meru" after the mountain that truly towers over Arusha.
I met a lady by the name of Dolygene through Gary on my first day in Arusha. We had lunch. Dolygene works for an NGO here in Arusha that does a lot of networking with other NGOs. She was helpful and said she would check with some people to see if there was anyone in need of a newly arrived mwazungu. Dolygene sent me the name of Caroline Goody (UK) who is the director of the Umoja Center (www.umoja.com.au) just about 15 minutes from Gary's house. Caroline was facing some volunteer turn-over issues just as I was feeling the need to make a move from Gary's. Meru was peeing the floor at night and Amir the housekeeper had made off with $1500 in cold-hard cash from my wallet in the closet in the bedroom. Amir had been with Gary for 11 years. "I can always get home" I told myself, "but the problem is", I continued, "I really want to stay"! Yes, I did say it outloud! I was panicked but at the same time I got this really philosophical feeling and thought "No need to trip out, its gone. Make a plan". The plan was to act quickly.
So things are running together a bit.
I am now living at the Umoja Centre in accommodation below the house which holds the IT room and administration offices. I am now the Project Manager of the center and tasked with building a donor data base (the lifeblood of any NGO), building the resource library and doing outreach to other NGOs for partnering options. I like Caroline a lot as she is also becoming a friend. As I just started I have yet to see where things will lead but it gives me an opportunity to help Caroline and teach an English speaking course twice a week to disadvantaged teens and young adults some without primary education. It will keep me busy at a time when staying busy is important. I have a couple of leads for permanent work with the Aga Khan Foundation and I learned today that there maight be something opened at the Hakikazi Catalyst organization. Tomorrow.
I have just over an hour of battery charge on my trustworthy MacBook. The power cord has melted or frayed so I have to find a new one, send for one or go without my computer so not sure when I will be signing back on. A few random thoughts to leave you with:
I have seen a Tanzanian Police Station enough for the rest of my lifetime.
You might leave home clean but when you get home you are dirty.
Carbs rule in Africa.
Day or night (usually night) when one dog barks all dogs bark. The neighborhood comes alive!
There is a lot to be done.
Loyalty means nothing when poverty rules.
A bike will do just fine.
I've been bit by the red ants!
Investigator Winnie Britha rocks at Arusha HQ!
No comments:
Post a Comment