Since I last wrote I took an unexpected trip back to the Nairobi Hospital for some medical treatment…nothing serious just a little minor surgery and some tests that were unavailable here in Tanzania. It makes you appreciate the health system in Canada when there is not one Ear Nose and Throat Specialist in all of Tanzania (at least not one my doctor was comfortable referring me to).
I was treated to warm hospitality from a previous MEDA intern now living in Nairobi which made the week much less expensive and much more comfortable – I am very grateful to the MEDA network for continuing to be warm and welcoming to me.
Now that I am back in Dar things have started to wind down as my contract wraps up in a few short weeks. It is amazing how time has flown by but when I think back to when I first arrived it also seems so very long ago. I feel as though much has changed for me over these last six months, both personally and professionally.
So looking back, what are the highlights?
Settling in with my fellow housemates. Looking for a place to live and dealing with the wildlife in our house, black outs and water shortages would not have been nearly as much fun on my own. It’s interesting how circumstance throws people together who perhaps never would have met otherwise. Now I am not sure what I would do without you in my life!
My colleagues. Who have taught me so much about life in Tanzania, debated controversial issues, shown great patience with my Kiswahili, answered my endless questions and always, always looked out for me in true Tanzanian style! Ahsante SANA!
I was treated to warm hospitality from a previous MEDA intern now living in Nairobi which made the week much less expensive and much more comfortable – I am very grateful to the MEDA network for continuing to be warm and welcoming to me.
Now that I am back in Dar things have started to wind down as my contract wraps up in a few short weeks. It is amazing how time has flown by but when I think back to when I first arrived it also seems so very long ago. I feel as though much has changed for me over these last six months, both personally and professionally.
So looking back, what are the highlights?
Settling in with my fellow housemates. Looking for a place to live and dealing with the wildlife in our house, black outs and water shortages would not have been nearly as much fun on my own. It’s interesting how circumstance throws people together who perhaps never would have met otherwise. Now I am not sure what I would do without you in my life!
My colleagues. Who have taught me so much about life in Tanzania, debated controversial issues, shown great patience with my Kiswahili, answered my endless questions and always, always looked out for me in true Tanzanian style! Ahsante SANA!
Opportunities for professional development. I have been blessed with an amazing supervisor (Melanie Newman) who has always been receptive, supportive and encouraging. Melanie has allowed me to work quite independently, trusted me with representing MEDA in various capacities and pushed me to develop new skills and experience while trusting that I would deliver. I have especially enjoyed helping to see the development of the Youth, Livelihoods and HIV Prevention concept through to its final draft. From establishing partnerships, to brainstorming with stakeholders and doing background research I have thoroughly enjoyed contributing to this initiative. We are now in the process of looking for funding and I am hoping to stay in the loop as things proceed over the next few months.
Unexpected moments. One thing that I appreciate most about living here is the unexpected, sometimes ridiculous, sometimes funny, sometimes difficult moments in which you are abruptly reminded that you are somewhere very different from where you grew up. These sometimes involve random interactions with strangers on the street or misunderstandings with friends or colleagues and are usually followed by my seeing something in a whole new way.
Exploring Tanzania. Last time around I climbed Kilimanjaro, toured the northern Safari circuit, lounged on the beach in Zanzibar – pretty much the top tourist activities…and yet there is so much more to do here! Exploring Islands off the coast of Dar, wandering Stonetown, hiking mountains, exploring Lake Victoria, going south to the less traveled parks or coastal towns, chimp trekking or heading north to enjoy cooler temperatures (and rumor has it great cheese) in Lushoto. So much to see and do still (and don’t even get me started on all the countries surrounding Tanzania and the many adventures to be had there).
Meeting really interesting people doing really interesting things from all sorts of interesting places. I have met a lot of people here over the last few months and the folks I tend to hang out with are doing similar work or research. Sometimes I take a step back and do a mental count of how many nationalities are in the room – and there is much to be said for the commonalities among us. It’s hard to understand sometimes why we are always focusing on the differences!
The call to prayer and the silhouette of a palm tree against the setting sun. Gets me every time and I think to myself, how lucky am I to be here in this very spot at this moment.
So I have decided to stay.
I have been offered a short term contract at Helen Keller International, which I will be starting at the beginning of April and will keep me here till July. I will be working in the area of blindness prevention and eye health, specifically supporting the school health program that HKI runs focused on nutrition and eye care. This opportunity will allow me to go out into the field and do school visits which should be very interesting. I will continue to keep updating the blog while I am in Tanzania, so stay tuned! I am looking forward to the new experiences ahead.
However, at the same time it’s hard to say goodbye. Goodbye to my good friend and housemate, goodbye to my colleagues and Melanie, goodbye to our lovely house, wildlife and all. So it’s on to a new chapter in a few weeks. Until then I am appreciating my last few days at MEDA. I have included some photos above of the MEDA Microfinance Team for your enjoyment!
Unexpected moments. One thing that I appreciate most about living here is the unexpected, sometimes ridiculous, sometimes funny, sometimes difficult moments in which you are abruptly reminded that you are somewhere very different from where you grew up. These sometimes involve random interactions with strangers on the street or misunderstandings with friends or colleagues and are usually followed by my seeing something in a whole new way.
Exploring Tanzania. Last time around I climbed Kilimanjaro, toured the northern Safari circuit, lounged on the beach in Zanzibar – pretty much the top tourist activities…and yet there is so much more to do here! Exploring Islands off the coast of Dar, wandering Stonetown, hiking mountains, exploring Lake Victoria, going south to the less traveled parks or coastal towns, chimp trekking or heading north to enjoy cooler temperatures (and rumor has it great cheese) in Lushoto. So much to see and do still (and don’t even get me started on all the countries surrounding Tanzania and the many adventures to be had there).
Meeting really interesting people doing really interesting things from all sorts of interesting places. I have met a lot of people here over the last few months and the folks I tend to hang out with are doing similar work or research. Sometimes I take a step back and do a mental count of how many nationalities are in the room – and there is much to be said for the commonalities among us. It’s hard to understand sometimes why we are always focusing on the differences!
The call to prayer and the silhouette of a palm tree against the setting sun. Gets me every time and I think to myself, how lucky am I to be here in this very spot at this moment.
So I have decided to stay.
I have been offered a short term contract at Helen Keller International, which I will be starting at the beginning of April and will keep me here till July. I will be working in the area of blindness prevention and eye health, specifically supporting the school health program that HKI runs focused on nutrition and eye care. This opportunity will allow me to go out into the field and do school visits which should be very interesting. I will continue to keep updating the blog while I am in Tanzania, so stay tuned! I am looking forward to the new experiences ahead.
However, at the same time it’s hard to say goodbye. Goodbye to my good friend and housemate, goodbye to my colleagues and Melanie, goodbye to our lovely house, wildlife and all. So it’s on to a new chapter in a few weeks. Until then I am appreciating my last few days at MEDA. I have included some photos above of the MEDA Microfinance Team for your enjoyment!
