Karibu

Our trip started on Friday afternoon with my dad taking us to O’hare airport. The hop over the Atlantic was fairly uneventful, but regardless, I was so stressed I made myself sick. We spent twelve hours in London’s airport before departing for Dar es Salaam. From there we took a 50 seat plane with two propellers to Kigoma. The take offs and landings were rough. I use plural because we had to stop in Taborah to refuel and get more passengers.
Once we arrived on the dirt runway in Kigoma, Lowell, Claudia, and Mwenge were at the gate to great us. There really wasn’t much of an airport just a small building for people to gather and wait. The drive from the airport to our compound was astonishing. I have never seen anything like Kigoma. Most houses are shacks, and there were children, animals (chickens, goats, etc), and garbage everywhere. The amount of poverty is overwhelming. Everyone stops to look at the white SUV and many children and people waved. During the drive I doubted the fact that I could live here for six months, but I know that we will just have to take it one day at a time and it will be fine.
When we got to our compound, things were very different. Everything was simple, yet clean and well kept. The compound consists of 5 buildings at this time: 2 guest houses, a computer school and the construction of a community center and a utility building. Two families can live in each guesthouse and each has their own bedroom and bathroom but share a kitchen/dinning room/living room area. The facilities are similar to those in the US, however the electricity and Internet are very erratic (as we experienced with our fan turning on and off multiple times throughout the night) The compound is very safe (safest in Western Tanzania, according to Lowell) as it is surrounded by tall brick walls has 24 hours guards, and has watchdogs at night. At first I thought all this to be a little too glamorous, since the Africans live in very different conditions, but I am sure I will come to appreciate it. I think it would be difficult to pour everything into everyday and not have a decent shower and bed to come home to, so I can imagine that we will be much more helpful (and physically and mentally healthy) with these amenities.
Our first full day in Kigoma was both exciting and overwhelming. It didn’t actually start until noon, because we slept in (jet lag is taking its toll). The compound was already bustling with people, mostly construction workers and grounds keepers. Everyone was so nice, shouting “Jambo” and “Karibu!” (hello and welcome). We walked with Kimberly and Daniel (Lowell’s daughter and son-in-law who live in the other guest house) and their 6 month old daughter down the road to Lowell’s house for lunch and afterward they took us to the market. Wow. Very tightly packed stalls, people everywhere, and merchants calling out to us to buy things (mostly calling us mgeni- foreigners). Paul and I were overwhelmed and very grateful Kim was there to negotiate prices and buy produce for us. The exchange rate is very good and produce is cheap. For example we were able to buy a kilo of potatoes for 1,000 shillings, or less than $1. Packaged food is not so cheap and comparable to costs in the US.
After the market we went to help with the feeding project Joy runs Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Again, overpowering. Hundreds of children, as well as adults come to eat beans and rice. They sing and prey before the meal and wait until everyone has food before they eat. Paul and I helped distribute the food and all the children wanted to touch us and talk to us (although most do not speak English so there was a major language barrier). I couldn’t believe how many people where there, and for many, this is the only meals they have throughout the week; yet they all preyed and sang and were patient to be served. I can’t believe the amount of street kids in this city and wish more could be done for them. But after a lengthy conversion with Lowell and Claudia, we realized things are much easier said than done. Not only does finances get in the way of giving these children food, education, housing, etc, but so does the government, corruption and other major problems. Besides, it is clear that what these children most desperately want is love….
Well that is all for now. And a lot to get you started with! I am supposed to be sleeping but am too jetlagged and have to much on my mind, but I will give it a try again now… I know tomorrow will be another very busy day.