Weeki Mbili (Week Two)

Conveniently, a few hours after George’s visit, Alex (George’s top student who will be working closely with the project) was passing through Mlango Moja (our area) and dropped by to see us. He had just returned from visiting the Yogurt Mamas at the Yogurt Kitchen (jiko ya maziwa) in Mabatini. He and the Mamas discussed his roles and functions relating to the project and also touched on the priorities of the Mamas, including their needs, goals, objectives and future plans. As a group we decided to set up a meeting on Monday with all of the Mamas so that we could collectively explain our individual and group objectives, project needs, goals, and future plans. My internship objectives include 1) monitoring and refining the financial reporting and record keeping for the project 2) assisting with the production and marketing of the probiotic yogurt including refining the documentation process of the yogurt that is given to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWAs) 3) inquire about other possible grants for the project (through TASAF etc.) 4) to assist the mamas with the progression (building, organization, set-up etc.) of the new probiotic yogurt kitchen in Nyamhongoro area 5) to assist the Yogurt Mamas with any other necessary project matters. I was excited to meet with the Mamas on Monday to explain my purpose in being here.

On Saturday morning Ashley and I headed to Mabatini wearing our beautiful new kangas for the Freedom Torch Ceremony. Jon was still unable to join us due to his illness (malaria). When we had arrived to the kitchen the Mamas were setting up a tent-covered area for the government officials that they were welcoming. Government officials joined by youth leaders travel with the FT to various communities sending a message of national unity and at the same time, often deliver a message regarding a chosen theme for that year. This year, the ceremony in Mabatini was to focus on HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness. The government representatives (one of who we believe to be the Vice-President) specifically honored the Tukwamuane Women for their work in the community and unveiled a plaque that is now on display outside of the kitchen. The women were extremely proud of their honorary mention as community members recognized them as significant leaders in the community. The people in the Mabatini community spent the rest of the morning celebrating by dancing and singing in the streets. It was really funny because many community members encouraged Ashley and I to dance with them and everyone seemed to be staring at the silly Mzungus dancing. Even though many people laughed and stared at us, they really included us in the celebrations. In fact, they would not let us stop dancing for three hours lol! Later on in the celebrations, a group of residents from the Mahina neighborhood (a nearby neighborhood that is closely involved in the project) sang a song about the health benefits of the yogurt and the community seemed to be very receptive. Many people came to buy more yogurt that morning compared to the other days we had been to the kitchen. This ceremony affirmed the Mamas prominence in the community and the progress of the project. We were quite proud of them. Unfortunately, to our displeasure, we were not allowed to take pictures when the government officials were present so we only have pictures of the celebrations before and after their arrival.

We spent Sunday relaxing and recovering from our busy week.

On Monday, we met Mama Paskawlina and Mama Sabina at the daladala station to take a trip out to the new kitchen site in Nyamhongoro. When we got to the new kitchen site, Mama Paskwalina and Mama Sabina showed us their large piece of land and explained some of their future plans for the site. At the time, 3 men were working on an almost completed banda (cow house/hut). The frame and foundation of the banda was complete but the men were still working on finishing the walls, the water (maji) trough and the cow (n’gombe) sheds. The Mamas also mentioned that they would be purchasing 5 cows in the next little while so that they will be able to produce their own milk to make the yogurt. After taking a look at the new site, we went with the Mamas to meet with the Chairman of the Nyamhongoro community. The mamas and the Chairman had a lengthy discussion before we headed back to Mabitini. Later that day, 8 of the mamas and Alex came to the apartment for our first meeting with everyone. After some formalities the interns, with the help of Alex, communicated to the Mamas our project goals and the reason why we are here. The mamas communicated their own goals, and we modified our objectives to meet their current needs.

On Tuesday, we visited Mtoni high school which is located just around the corner from the yogurt kitchen. As mentioned before Mtoni high school is ‘twinned’ or partnered with Clarke Road high school in London. The students correspond back and forth via letters and pictures sent through the WHE interns. Unfortunately, more than 90 percent of the students are on summer break right now so we could not meet with them. But instead, we met with the headmaster and his assistant along with some of the remaining students. Clarke Road had donated 6 soccer balls to Mtoni and we delivered them to the remaining students. They were so excited that they finally had some sports equipment. We spoke with the headmaster for quite a while and then headed on our way. We decided that we would come back in July when all of the students return to possibly help out with some lessons and activities and to collect the letters that the students will be writing to the Clarke Road students. At this time we will also meet with the headmaster to decide what items may be purchased for the school from the students at Clarke Road. He mentioned that there was a need for teaching materials, books and science equipment.

On Wednesday we went to the Ygourt Kitchen to meet with the Mamas. Later on that day, we took two Mtoni studetns (Lugembe and Donald) who had been helping us translate at the kitchen out for lunch. We talked about our favorite music, our families, school and our future plans. It was really interesting how many things we had in common with the boys but also how many differences there were between the five of us. The boys expressed their thanks to us as they don’t often have the opportunity to go out to eat due to a lack of finances. We also thanked them because the experience was just as enjoyable for us. After lunch, Jon took the two boys to an Internet Café to teach them how to type and access e-mails while Missy and Ashley went home to work on a work plan and budget for Tukwamuane.

On Thursday we worked on creating templates for a work plan and budget that the Mamas could work on. In the afternoon, we finally got to visit Forever Angels Baby Home! I was so happy to see that about 10 out of the 16 children that were here 2 years ago when I was here were still around and one of the older ones (Charlie) remembered me! It was also nice to meet the other children as the total number of babies and toddlers now sits around 50! I was impressed with how much the children have grown, learned and progressed since I saw them last. They now speak both English and Kiswahili! I had fun practicing my Kiswahili with the older children while they spoke to me in English. We could only stay for about an hour as visiting hours were coming to an end so we headed off to Tunza for some relaxing sunset yoga on the beach! I can’t wait to go back again to play with the kiddies! I already miss them.

On Friday we worked hard to complete more sections of on budget and work plan. On Friday we also took another trip to the market. It was packed! The market is quite an interesting place to be. There are so many people and so many vendors that it is hard to get around. At the same time it is quite hot and smelly so it is always an adventure. Although there are a few ‘Mzungu’ grocery stores that sell imported luxuries from home, we are trying our best to shop locally because the foods here are organic, cheap and delicious. We are also trying to be cautious of our social and environmental footprint so we do most of our shopping at the market. It is quite difficult to shop in the market though, being a Mzungu and all, because people sometimes try to charge you much higher prices but I have become quite good at knowing the prices and bargaining until we get a fair price. I often tell people, ‘Mimi simzungu, Mimi Nimbongo, ni ghali mno’ (I’m not a Mzungu, I’m a local, that’s too expensive). The vendors often laugh and are impressed with my attempts at speaking Swahili and often lower the prices for us.
In the evening on Friday we went to one of our favorite hotel/ restaurants (Tilapia) and spent some time with some friends. also trip to market for some hard core bargaining.

On Saturday morning Mama Asha invited us over to her house for a visit. We had a really great time with her and her family. It was nice because this gave us the opportunity to practice our Kiswahili. We spent about 4 hours chatting and eating delicious food (scones, vegetables, plantains, fish, fruit etc.) with the whole gang. Mama Asha also got us to sign her guest book as she always does with all of the interns and we took some fun pictures of us to bring to her later. On Saturday night we had another fun night hanging out with friends at Tunza Beach and Villa Park Club.

On Sunday we spent some more time at Tunza Beach to relax but we didn’t end up relaxing much because our friend Jan set up a gigantic blow up slip and slide (you know those things you go on when you are a kid where you run and slide into a pool at the end) and we ended up appending all afternoon on that. Can you believe it, a slip in slide in Tanzania! What a great end to the week! :-)