This post is more personal than any other probably will be. This is the reality I have already experienced here, and it may be the reality one encounters upon arrival.
When I decided to come to Tanzania, I’ll be honest with you, I did not have a first clue where I was going. It was more or less a 5-second decision. I had an idea that working here would be completely different from what I am used to. Back home, one usually has a plan A and maybe a plan B, but typically, there is only one job at a time, and you do it, then move on to the next one. When you come here, be prepared that the first week or two may be spent primarily on figuring out what you will do for the rest of your time. After this, you may think you know what you’re doing, but then again, we’re not at home, and things will change.
What I have learnt here is that if you have to use the internet, make sure you have a plan for what to do when the connection is off or it runs so slow that using it is next to impossible. Additionally, it is beneficial to have plans A, B, C, D, E, F, and probably G, because at least A, B, C, and D are unlikely to occur when you assume they will or hope for them to happen.
There are several mentions about the importance of being self-sufficient when coming here, and that is true. You have to be able to do things solo or at least you have to kick some ass if you want something done. If you come here expecting the same kind of structure back home, you will end up doing nothing, and that is hopefully not your goal.
So you might feel very frustrated on many occasions when it comes to work, but then again, there is one thing that you cannot find anywhere else, and that’s the people. One of the volunteers said, ‘You have to be a certain kind of person to be able to come here.’ We all have something in common, and although we may not be the same outside, some things unite us into one very complex, ever-changing “family”. The old saying that people make the place is very accurate. You will live with people you hardly know, and odds are that you will experience things that you will remember for the rest of your life.
I have been here 44 days, and I still have 50 days to go. I have already met people who have given me more than they probably even realise. I am not very good with spoken words, so I hope that most of you will read this, as I want to thank you. Special thanks for making my birthday so awesome!
By:Tia Maria(Mary Poppins)
