Blogs from Tanzania, Africa - page 357

There is currently a big controversy over here about the film ‘Darwin’s Nightmare’ which was Oscar nominated for best documentary this year. An Austrian journalist started to investigate the Nile Perch trade in lake Victoria in the north west of Tanzania. What he exposed has enraged politicians and environmentalists alike. He claims that the area is poverty stricken, due to the over-exportation to the West, leaving locals to eat only the unsanitary fish heads that are left behind. The director, Hubert Sauper, also points out that the area is a hotspot for arms trade, with Russian planes unloading cargo of kalashnikovs and ammunitions in return for fish all sanctioned by world banks and politicians. Saupers’ accusations that the nile perch trade is fuelling Africa’s conflict has enraged many. The Tanzanian president is furious and there is ... read more

Brought to Tears ….by Julie Richardson In our decision to make the journey to Africa for the first time, Cy had told me to read a book called, “I Walked By His Side” written by Mrs. Claudene Connally. When I read it I laughed along with the stories, I cried along with the pains, I began to see a side of becoming a missionary’s wife that I hadn’t even begun to experience at that time. They endured so much more than we have had to these days, with the modernization of the world around us growing even over in Tanzania. But the simple things, the love of the people, the hearts of the people are all still the same. . It gave me a little insight as to the struggles others faced before us to ... read more

9th August Wednesday DAY 19 NAIROBI to ARUSHA A great way to start the morning is being forced to have a cold shower when you have to also wash your hair. Brrrrr. Good news was that the radio on the truck was now fixed so the new group jammed along, passing into TANZANIA and had our lunch stop in Arusha where I pigged out on a massive macon, egg, beef, hash brown burger and chips. Tried to get more money again and got a photo in the centre of Africa, between Cape Town and Cairo! The name Tanzania comes from the joining of the two former countries of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. (The two united in 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which later the same year was renamed the United Republic of ... read more

A great big "Good Job" to all of us! =) A big shout out to my family who were kind enough to contribute genes that allowed me to climb to 19,164 ft without Diamox! =) How it all began.... Wake-up call at 10pm, tea and cookies at 10:30, and at 11pm we started our final leg of the voyage up. The night was clear, and thankfully there wasn't much wind. the clinking of our steps and trekking poles on the slate sounded like breaking glass or clinking chimes. All I saw was the ground in front of me, Paul's back, and occasional tents set up along the route. We started our ascent with our guide Godi in the lead and the assistant guide, Phillip in the rear. Vaughn and Laura quickly started to pull away, so ... read more

After a surprisingly comfortable 8 hour bus journey from Dar, I reached Moshi to the warm welcome, embraces and laughter of ‘Mama Veronica’ the Executive Director of KINSHAI - the NGO who had agreed to take me on. I couldn’t have had a warmer welcome and it didn’t just stop at the bus station. From Miko the security guard at the hostel, to the local shop owner, everyone is overwhelmingly friendly. Smiles, hugs and laughter abound and any encounter involves a lengthy exchange of ‘how are yous?’, and hand clasping and hi fives and hugging. Each morning in the office I am welcomed with sugary tea and cakes and chappatis (though not quite the Indin version I am used to). “I see I will get fat here” I laughed on my first morning. “What?” exclaimed Mrs ... read more