Blogs from West, Tanzania, Africa - page 4

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Africa » Tanzania » West October 11th 2012

The Groundbreaking Program moved forward. Directly following me was Kjell Bergh, introduced as the Honorable Kjell Bergh, Ambassador to Tanzania, USA. Kjell looked very ambassadorial and greeted the dignitaries and all others in the proper, official but not pretentious way. He then teased that he had climbed Kilimanjaro 3 times but that his most demanding time in Tanzania so far was his ride on the bumpy, unfinished road to KARUCO. He kiddingly said that if the road is not finished next time he comes, he will have to fly his plane to Karagwe. Kjell applauded the good work of those in various places coming together to help build KARUCO. He encouraged all to continue the solid work and remain in roles that ensure contributions to KARUCO. One spontaneous speech came from Mr. Gozibert Blandes, member of ... read more
Educate Tanzania
Hon. Minister of Agriculture
Guests of Honor

Africa » Tanzania » West October 11th 2012

The Touchstones Presenting Touchstones. I took time to share that the Oswald Family Foundation of Minnesota was the first large donor to invest in ETI and KARUCO. Julie Oswald, who is the Executive Director, met with me in 2011 when we were just 5 months old and encouraged ETI to apply for a start up grant. The Oswald Family Foundation believed in the vision of KARUCO before ETI had any track record of achievements. When I shared that the Oswald Family Foundation donated even more than the initial grant, the people clapped with joy. ETI's hope is that Julie Oswald and her family and friends will find their way to Tanzania and touch the stones that honor the ideals of the Oswald Family Foundation and the difference they make through their support of educational ... read more
In Memory of Jacqueline Nolte Jones
Educate Tanzania
Hon Kjell Bergh (Consul Tanzania)

Africa » Tanzania » West October 11th 2012

The Hon Kjell Bergh (Consul Tanzania) and I were escorted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) Karagwe Diocese General Secretary, Mr. Erasto Kamihanda who showed us the place reserved for us--a table under one of the tents. We sat, got a program in Swahili from Brighton, and just took in the sights and sounds. I am glad to have had this experience with Kjell- he is in his element with official and ceremonial tasks and is calm company. He is also ever mindful of the presence and mindsets of politicians and is diligent at encouraging them to do more. My style is informal so I had to deal with my discomfort, trepidation about making mistakes and reminded myself to not take myself too seriously. Either of us could have done it solo, but together ... read more
KARUCO Groundbreaking
Tower Point
KARUCO Tower Point

Africa » Tanzania » West October 11th 2012

The groundbreaking began with a worship service to thank God for all He has done and to ask His blessing on KARUCO. Bishop Benson Bagonza, Brighton and the choir got things started. The honored guests were welcomed. The list was long and in typical Tanzanian fashion, each of the 13 special guests and groups were carefully thanked. Brighton prepared an English version of this introduction that included the honored guests (attached at the end of this report). I was happy have it to help get a bigger picture of all those who care about KARUCO. I caught just a few words in Swahili but couldn't follow along, but the liturgy was similar to other Lutheran services so the rhythm and flow made sense. The Honorable Vice Chancellor of Tumaini University Makumira, Rev. Professor Joseph Parsalaw, sat ... read more
Groundbreaking Dedication Service
Educate Tanzania on Groundbreaking Stone
Dedicating the Groundbreaking Stone

Africa » Tanzania » West October 11th 2012

The Groundbreaking Program was begun when Bishop Benson Bagonza welcomed and introduced the honored guests. After more welcomes and thanks, the speeches began. I had braced myself for this part so that I could sit patiently and listen to the four speeches before mine, and the two after, and perhaps a few more if conditions were ‘right’. The first four speeches seemed motivating and lively although I had to rely on Brighton's 'real time' translation for the actual content (I really must get better at Swahili)! The Vice Chancellor from Tumaini finished and then it was my turn. I went to the podium- with a small frontal cloth. I arranged my notes and saw that Brighton had joined me to translate. ETI board member, Gracious Msuya had translated my speech and helped me practice Swahili. But ... read more
Honorable District Commissioner
Honorable Vice Chancellor of Tumaini Makumira
Dr. Katabaro Translates

Africa » Tanzania » West October 11th 2012

Meet Those Who Walked 14km to Witness the Groundbreaking: They left their homes before the sun was up. With fourteen kilometers to walk -one way- they had to get an early start in order to arrive at the Groundbreaking site in time for the service and program and festivities. Jonathan Katabaro and his two friends - all in their late seventies - were determined to be present at this historic event and witness for themselves, the unfolding of the dream. With pride and determination, they made clear their commitment to Karagwe's youth. A heartfelt investment in tomorrow. Hope is palpable.... read more

Africa » Tanzania » West » Sumbawanga July 23rd 2012

I had a tough time this morning finding a bus from Sambuwenga to Kasesha. I guess that's because most people go down to Mbeya and cross to Zambia from there. I was considering doing that, but ... I really wanted to try and see Kalambo falls tomorrow, and the best chance of doing that is from Mbala in Zambia, which is not that far from this border post. I was told by numerous people that there are a couple of buses to Kasesha, but they leave at noon or 14:00 and not from the main bus stand. I checked out all the booking offices in the main bus station and outside ... I went as far as a 4 street radius from the bus station to try my luck, to no avail. It was now about ... read more
Guest house at border showing cooking hut
Inside Guest House at border

Africa » Tanzania » West » Sumbawanga July 22nd 2012

Since the bus to Sumbawanga left at noon, I had time to walk around the Sunday market at Mpanda. Dr. G.T. and his new friend I.. joined me in the walkabout. The bus trip to Sumbawanga was shorter than advertised, in that it was only 5 1/2 hours, not the 6 I'd been told. No breakdowns, no ticket mix ups. No armed guards needed. No mechanic needed on the bus. And the ride was actually comfortable. I had leg room to spare. Dr. G.T. talked to a little boy who was standing up in the bus next to him, and soon the boy was sleeping on Dr. G.T.'s lap. I'm still not sure who the boy's mother or father was, but it's nice that everyone is quite willing to take care of other people's children. The ... read more
Sunday Market
Sunday Market
Sunday Market

Africa » Tanzania » West » Kigoma July 21st 2012

Yes, I'm definitely off the beaten track. Most visitors to Tanzania concentrate on the northern circuit of game parks, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar. Not that there aren't game parks here on the west of Tanzania by Lake Tanganyika - there's Gombe NP and Mahale Mountains NP both known for their chimps, and Katavi NP, the 3rd largest NP in Tanzania. But since I'm not planning on visiting any national parks around here ... I'm just travelling down to Zambia to meet up with my family ... I haven't met any other travellers ... there's been the occasional safari 4x4 ... but very few in number. I expected to meet some hardy souls in Ujiji or Kigoma ... but, I was the only Muzungu. There would likely have been some travellers on the MV Liemba travelling down to ... read more
Vista
Bus stop

Africa » Tanzania » West » Kigoma July 20th 2012

Ujiji has a nice ring to it. I wanted to come here for the same reason I visited Wawa, Ontario and Kalamazoo, Michigan. I liked the name. Well, unlike those two places Ujiji has some interesting history ... ok, it's not "history" yet ... "current affairs" then. This guy named Livingstone had been poking around Southern and Eastern Africa in the mid 1800's. He'd gone on 3 missions ... the 1st one to Southern Africa to convert the inhabitants to his form of monotheism ... the 2nd one up the Zambezi and been shown the "the Smoke that Thunders" by a local chief. Well, this guy Livingstone just renamed it right then and there - after his Queen in a far-away land. Personally, I think "Smoke that Thunders" is a far better name than "Victoria Falls". ... read more
Monument where they met with grafted mango tree nearby
Exhibit at sorry museum
The sorry museum




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