T.I.A. - This is Africa

Amongst the English speaking people in Africa, there is a common saying….This Is Africa (or T.I.A.). Everyday we experience something that makes it easy to just smile, nod your head and say “This Is Africa.”


Today was our 2nd day at placement, and 1st day to actually do some work. Mama Mrema was out sick (she is diabetic and recently had eye surgery), which actually made things much easier. I started off the morning by teaching some of the more advanced girls how to use excel. They have used it before, but have only copied tables of data from other documents. They did not really understand what they were doing with the tables.

I worked with them to build a table to determine how much they could profit on sales of the clothing they are sewing in tailoring class. It was VERY tiring work, as their Engilsh is not very good, and nina sema Kiswahili kidogo sana sana sana (I speak Kiswahili very very very little). The girls, however, were very happy with the lesson. I spent the rest of my time there working on excel templates they could use for their individual businesses. They include worksheets to determine the cost to make each piece of clothing, information on the number sold, and how much it was sold for. I also started to put together a budgeting template, as budgeting is a foreign concept for many of these girls. This is Africa.

The afternoon activities included another Swahili class where I learned to say the following:

Jina langu ni Jessica - My name is Jessica

Mimi ni Mmarekani – I am American

Ninatoka California – I come from California

Ninajitolea WEECE - I am volunteering at WEECE

Nina sema Kiswahili kidogo sana – I speak Kiswahili very little

Ninipenta chokoleti – I like Chocolate



The remainder of the afternoon/early evening included a trip to the Macheme area (the Kilimanjaro route I will be climbing) to visit an orphanage. The orphanage is only 4 years old, and I was impressed by the quality of the facilities. We spent a little over an hour playing with the 1-2 year olds, then spent another ½ hour playing with the 2-4 year olds. Such cute little kids! Almost makes me want to pull an Angelina! ;) Just kidding.

On our way home, we almost hit a herd of cattle and goats that were in the middle of the street in the middle of the village we were driving through. Not every day do you see that! This is Africa!

First Day of Placement.....and then some

We finally had our first day at our placements today. As mentioned before in a previous blog post, I am volunteering at WEECE (Women’s Education and Economic Centre), an organization that trains women in skills they can use to run their own businesses. These women are between the ages of 13 and 23, and do /did not have the money to attend secondary school. The organization also provides microloans to qualified women that are already running a business.

I am volunteering with two other women from my CCS homebase. Marcia (Mar-see-ah) is a 46 year old woman that was born in London and raised in Jamaica. She attended college in London, and has been working as an accountant in the New York City area for the past 10 years. She’s also my roommate here at CCS, and pretty damn cool! Chris is a 59 year old woman from Texas. She is a talented artist who also teaches at a college in the Dallas area. She is a former hippie, pretty liberal, and has been telling funny stories about what happens when the “nudes” come in for her figure drawing classes.

When we arrived at WEECE this morning, we learned that we’d be working with one other volunteer, Melissa, who was there volunteering on her own and staying in a local hostel. She had already been at WEECE for 2 weeks. She is a health/phys ed. Teacher in Perth, Australia. I learned today that she is planning to climb Kilimanjaro starting June 5!!! I FINALLY have a group to climb with!!!

The four of us, so far, seem to make a pretty great team!

The leader of Weece is Mama Valeria Mrema (or just Mama, as all “older” women are called). She is a very strong female who came from a poor family. As a young child, she protested her womanly duties and fought with her mother to play with the boys rather than work in the kitchen. Because of her daily attendance at church, the local Catholic diocese noticed her and provided the funds for her to go to primary school and secondary school. She was able to go on to college, and after working with the diocese for 15 plus years, she left to form WEECE. She is a wonderful woman, but pretty forgetful and disorganized.

The idea of WEECE is fantastic, the organization and execution of the group, however, needs a bit of work. Well, a lot of work. Here’s a list of things the four of us discussed today that could use our help

Education Items:

• The “school” for the girls does not run on any specific schedule (remember when I mentoined Tanzanian time? They’re not really good at using schedules here). More could be accomplished with the girls if time were more structured and used more effectively.

• The computer teacher is not really that skilled on the computer. We will be working with the girls on computer skills, and will work 1 on 1 with the computer teacher to introduce her to new ways to use Word and Excel

• Health Education – When the people at WEECE learned that Melissa was a health teacher, they asked her to teach health classes. In her first class, she first asked the women what they already knew, and what they wanted to know. She was shocked to learn that none of them really knew the basic biology of the body, what things were in the body, and how the body worked. None of them knew how or why they menstruated! We were shocked when we heard this and are very happy that Melissa is teaching this information to the class. In a country with such a high incidence of HIV/AIDS and unwanted pregnancies, this information is a good building block for women to have as they become more independent.

Business Items

• Marketing brochure and website need to be updated. WEECE needs some “branding” to help raise recognition. We hope to work with the team to create a logo we can use on marketing materials.

• Staff education – Work with Jenny and Joanna (local staff) on computer skills (i.e. building letterhead templates in Word

• WRITE DOWN PROCESSES! Much like my former life at GE, many processes used to be what we call “tribal knowledge.” Passed down from one generation to the next. For this organization to become more successful, it needs very clear, transparent information available for how the organization works.

• Help Mama Mrema organize her office/duties/etc.

I’m sure there are many more things I am leaving off, but with just this we have our hands full!

After placement and lunch, a doctor from the public government hospital came by to talk with us about HIV/AIDS within the country. She then took us on a hospital tour. I HAVE NEVER FELT SO LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN BORN IN THE USA!!!

The hospital is made up of a 20 or so small buildings. You use dirt paths or sidewalks to access each of the buildings, each of which is a different department. All buildings had open doors/windows (talk about being unsanitary!) We first went into labor and delivery. Many women live in areas far away from the hospital. Their local clinic doctors send them to the hospital when they are close to giving birth, where they wait until they actually go into labor. There were 10 beds for “pre-labor,” some of which need to be shared by 4 women. Through one curtain was the active labor area, and through the other curtain was the delivery room. Nothing was clean, nothing was sterile. It was hot and crowded.

We visited many other departments – pediatrics, burn area, fracture area (interesting to see people in traction), and the psych ward. We didn’t get to go into the surgical theater, but it was a small building surrounded by windows so you could partially see inside.

I feel VERY fortunate that if I were to get sick or injured in Africa, I’d get to go to the private hospital, St. Josephs. I do not know how much better this hospital is, but I am assured it is a couple steps above the public hospital.

It was DEFINITELY an eye-opening experience, and something I will remember when I get frustrated with the health care system in the US.

The day ended with our first view of “Her Majesty,” Mt. Kilimanjaro. While we have had sunny days, the peak has been covered with clouds since we have been here. I jumped out of my seat in the van yesterday when I finally saw it. Absolutely beautiful! Very high! Absolutely frightening as well…2.5 weeks until I start my climb!

Habari Za Asubuhi?

Our 2nd full day at the Karanga house has come and gone. Most of us were feeling a bit more ourselves today as we had another full night’s sleep in a bed . This was a good thing as today was very busy as well as mentally challenging.


We started the day off with cultural lessons. These included learning some basic greetings, handshakes, and formalities to use when meeting people in Tanzania. The process of greeting someone is taken very seriously in this country, and can sometimes last more than just a few minutes, with a feeling that the “conversation” is going in circles. Granted, it may feel that way since our Swahili and their English is limited to a few words.

We also learned about Tanzania time vs. Mzungu (foreigner) time. First, there is the difference in how to tell time. For instance, Tanzanians call 7am the 1st hour (after sunrise), 8 am the 2nd hour, and so on. Since we are basically on the equator, the sun rises and sets ~6am/6pm every day, which makes the Tanzanian way of telling time a “little” more accurate. We’ve been waking up at 6am for breakfast and activities everyday, and we are starting to learn that we really don’t need an alarm. At 5am you can hear the Muslim call to prayer. At 6am you can hear the church bells ringing….and then there are the roosters. Lots of roosters! The CCS-Karanga house is about ¾ of a mile down a dirt road, and families all around us have their own small farms with goats, roosters, chickens, lambs, etc. We get a whole chorus of roosters cock-a-doodle-dooing all morning long.

Tanzania time is much like Island time. Unless you specify that something starts at Mzungu time, you could be sitting and waiting for quite a long time. People tend to get delayed (probably due to the extended greetings mentioned above).

Our next activity was a scavenger hunt in order to use our new understanding of Swahili greetings. My team had to turn left out of the CCS gate, find a house on the right hand side of the road, greet the family, and ask to see a few pieces of kanga (decorative cloth used by women for skirts, head wraps, aprons, baby “backpacks”, etc), and write down the words we find on the Kanga. This was a little more difficult than imagined. The family (mostly kids) thought we wanted to buy kanga, so they took us to the corner store (another one of the neighbors living in a mud hut). We found a Kanga, and the words on it.

We got most of our scavenger hunt help from Patric, who is 16, and spoke a decent amount of English. We were also accompanied by Evon, Regina, Augustino, and little Brenda, who is the biggest ham of a 3 year old I have ever seen! I’m sure I’ll be posting plenty of pictures of her over the coming weeks!

It was then time for our first “formal” Swahili lesson. Here’s a sampling of what we learned:

- Hujambo? (How are you?)
- Sijambo (I am fine)
- Habari za asubuhi? (How is the news of the morning? - i.e. How are you?)
- Nzuri (Good)
- Mambo (What’s Up? How are things going? Slang)
- Poa (cool!)
- Teno (Give me 5 – in which you give knuckles to each other)

I still have a ways to go, but at least I don’t look/sound like a complete idiot as I walk down the street anymore.

Our last activity of the day was to meet with our placement directors to discuss our volunteer work (which starts tomorrow morning). Unfortunately, Mama Mwema (the WEECE director) was sick today, so she sent representatives (local volunteers) to come speak with us. It wasn’t a very productive meeting as neither of the other volunteers knew much English, and did not know much about our assignments. Mama Mwema should be there tomorrow to help us out…we hope!

Ok, Tanzania bedtime is finally kicking in. Keep your fingers crossed that the crazy Bush Babies stay quiet tonight!

Half the Sky

5/16/2010

I have arrived in Tanzania!!! It took 27 hours and stops in Minneapolis and Amsterdam to fly half the sky – from San Diego to Kilimanjaro. It is currently 4:30 pm on Sunday, May 16 in Tanzania, which is 6:30 am in San Diego. Needless to say, I’m a little out of it. Tonight will be an early night for sure!

Surprisingly, my flights were not too bad! Other than the VERY talkative lady on my flight to Minneapolis, I had good seat mates, and good entertainment. I think the personal TVs on flights are the most amazing thing ever….it really makes the time go fast. I was able to watch Invictus, Up in the Air, and Gran Torino…more movies than I have seen in the last 3 months!

I also had the opportunity to read the first half of the book “Half the Sky,” which has really helped to get into the mindset for my placement at WEECE here in Moshi. (Thanks for the recommendation Emily!!!) The book is about “turning oppression into opportunity for women worldwide” and tells stories of the horrors experienced by women in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, and how they have overcome. It is stories like these that make me feel so lucky to have been born in the US, and so grateful that I am here in Tanzania where I have the possibility of making a difference in women’s lives.

If you have any free time this spring, please read this book!

Myself and about 10 other volunteers arrived in Tanzania around 8:30 pm on Saturday night, and were greeted by the CCS drivers and our vans to our home base. If you thought Roman cab rides were scary, this was a whole new level. Driving 70+ mph down a narrow 2 lane street in an old van with no seatbelts. The 40 minute drive was very dark appeared to be in the middle of nowhere, however there were hundreds of people walking up and down the streets! They were everywhere! And it was close to 10pm! I can see now how auto accidents are a major cause of fatality here!

We finally made it down the dirt road to our homebase in Karanga Village in Moshi. We were greeted with hugs and kisses from Mama Lilian (our program director), and fresh squeezed mango/passion fruit juice. We went through quick introductions and then made our way to bed. Rest was necessary for the weary!

Today consisted of more introductory activities. We were shown around the homebase (see pics below), filled out our residency permits (as we will be here longer than 2 weeks), and took a quick tour of Moshi town. We stopped by a little artist village to see some of the beautiful canvases and carvings (Mandy and Ben…we need to talk), and then stopped at the central market. Everyone is so friendly! Some people (especially the men as most of them have had secondary education) speak English. For the rest, my favorite phrase was ‘asante hapana’ which is ‘no thank you’ in Swahili. Despite the haggling, the market was pretty amazing. Can’t wait to go back!

We’ve had free time most of this late afternoon as we wait for dinner. Some of us took a walk down the dirt road (3/4 miles?) to the main highway and back. It is amazing how many people live off of this seemingly unpopulated area. So many people walking around, in both leisure clothes as well as some in their Sunday best. We stopped to say hi (habari) to some neighbors that live in mud /wood huts. Kids, at ages of those in the US who watch incessant amounts of TV and play hours of video games, were so excited to meet us, say hi, and shake our hand. With limited means of entertainment, they really look forward to interacting with the Muzungo (foreigners). Hopefully those I meet at my placement tomorrow feel the same way!

Tutaonana baadaye (See you Later!)

My Volunteer Placement - WEECE

Blogging while overlooking the Grand Canyon!  Isn't technology great?!?!  Anyway, I Wanted to do a quick post on my placement over in Tanzania so you would all have a chance to see what I will be working on over the next 3+ weeks.  I am VERY excited for this opportunity!!

Your Volunteer Placement

Community Development - WEECE

Mission and Needs of the Partner Program

To support the marginalized women in Kilimanjaro region to achieve economic stability and gender equality through micro business loans, education, counseling and advocacy. Women Education and Economic Center (WEECE) is a non-profit organization started in 1999 by 3 women from the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. Currently the organization consists of 126 members.

Primary Projects of WEECE

Providing women who are operating existing businesses with financial assistance through micro-loans. This includes the provision of financial and small business education. Businesses include poultry and livestock keeping, tailoring, grocery and clothing shops, restaurants, street vendors and fruit and vegetable sellers.

Counseling and legal advocacy to lead towards gender equality to educate marginalized women in their human and legal rights. (e.g. inheritance rights, business training, advice on personal relationships, domestic violence, etc.)

Associated Activities

Tumaini Women’s Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (SACCOS)

This is a Kilimanjaro branch of the Tanzanian SACCOS set up by WEECE for its members which aims to provide a vehicle for women to save (which most have never experienced) through the repayment system of the micro-loans

Once a required amount of money has been saved, the women are then eligible to move their account from the local Tumaini SACCOS to the national SACCOS allowing them to borrow larger sums of money

Provision of a network of business women

Monitoring and provision of on-site business consultation

http://www.weece.org/


Volunteer Activities/Duties of Working Toward Women’s Empowerment

• Editing and distribution of the WEECE brochure
• Identification of where to distribute the WEECE brochure
• Marketing and selling of WEECE Cook Book of Tanzanian dishes to raise funds
• Working with the chairperson to contact potential local, national and international supporters
• Research and identification of potential financial donors (National / International) for WEECE to follow up with
• Editing 2005 – 2007 Strategic Business Plan

Other potential volunteer projects to be discussed with the chairperson could include:

• Informal marketing sessions with the women via brainstorming in small groups
• Informal basic English lessons
• Teach basic computer skills particularly Excel
• Assist the chairperson with ideas for Women’s Liberation booklet
• Future endeavors for eco-tourism and road planning

Goals of the Partner Program

Long-Term
To empower women through participation in economic development and education.

Short-Term
Assist Director with daily office functions of WEECE, help to identify new ways to improve systems.


I've included a few pictures from the WEECE website.  Please check out the website when you get  a chance to find more information about the organization.

Beauty Parlor Owner with Mama Mrema

 

 

Owner of Chicken and Duck Business

Pain is Temporary, Pride is Forever - Wildflower 2010

Wow! 2010! It is crazy to think that this year is my 7th season racing triathlons, and my 5th season racing long course. I would've never thought that a little boredom in Ohio would lead to the thought of doing A triathlon, let alone moving to San Diego, meeting some great friends, and completely changing my lifestyle.



Over the years, I've had the opportunity to compete in some amazing races: Free TCSD races, KOZ series races, a half ironman in Baja (my first HIM), scattered half marathons, 10K's, 5K's, O'Side Half Iron (x2), Big Kahuna (x2), and Ironman Arizona. Missing from this list was a little race called Wildflower.

Held the first week of May, Wildflower is considered the "Woodstock of Triathlon." While the Woodstock comparison comes primarily from the fact that most racers camp on-site - the race is still quite a fun party. Unfortunately, for the past few years, Wildflower weekend has corresponded with finals at school. Now with graduation behind me, it was my chance to take a stab at this race.

Stacy Schlocker and I left bright and early Friday morning for the trek up to Lake San Antonio. About 15 miles or so from Paso Robles, the Wildflower race area was a beautiful mix of lakes, hills, vineyards, and of course, fields of wildflowers (sorry allergies)!

TCSD once again showed that they were the best club around, as we were able to turn in our tents the week before so they would be set-up when we arrived. AWESOME! Thanks to the Hays family!


Race Day


9:15 race start time for my wave meant that I got to sleep in until 6. That is unheard of on race day! Awesome! Not so awesome was the sub 40-degree temps outside at 6 in the morning. Did I really have to jump into a lake in 3 hours?


In summary - the race was not my best. Not even close to my best.

The swim was ok. Freshwater and flat. I came out exactly where I thought I would (~46 mins).


The bike is where the real "fun" began! Hills, hills, and more hills. My glutes were cramping and my back was hurting. The ride was not fun, and pretty slow (~3:45...ouch!). I kept on muttering to myself as I went up the hills "Pain is Temporary, Pride is Forever. I can do this." That got me through, but barely. In the picture below, I was yelling to Shawn "I hurt! This sucks! Do I really have to run?!?!?" I was NOT looking forward to the half marathon ahead.
The run turned out to be more of a walk. My glutes were tight, and I could not get my heart rate down. Add a bright sunny and warm day, plus hills around every corner, this run was more like a death march. I just couldn't get it together to run more than a quarter mile to half mile at a time. Not fun at all. Even walking hurt! What should've taken me ~2:15 on a good day, took me ~3:00 on this day.


Overall time: ~7:45! Eek. Considering my best half ironman time is 5:49, this was tough to swallow. This race, although half the distance, was harder for me than Ironman Arizona! The race was so painful, that all Saturday night, I was swearing off all long courses. No need to put myself through that pain!


After a good dinner, lots of water, and a night sleeping in my compression tights, I woke up on Sunday morning feeling....pretty good! The pain WAS temporary! By the time Stacy and I reached our breakfast stop in San Luis Obispo on our way home on Sunday morning, she had convinced me to take another stab at the race next year. Am I crazy? A glutton for punishment? Who knows! I think I need to start doing some hill repeats now! :)

Yellow Fever, Typhoid, and Malaria - Oh My!

Forget the lions and tigers (note: uncapitalized means I am not talking about my Detroit sports teams). The most dangerous creature in Africa is the mosquito! Bacteria in the water are not so nice either.

Here's what it takes to **hopefully** stay healthy in Africa:

• Yellow Fever Shot (See pic below)
• HepA/HepB Shots (never finished these in college, so got to start all over again)
• Vivotif Oral Immunization for Typhoid
• Cipro (for a not so happy stomach)
• Z-pak (just in case, for flu, cold, sinus infection, etc)
• Doxycycline (prophylaxis against malaria)
• Diamox (don't have yet, but will probably get for climbing Kilimanjaro. It accelerated acclimitization...just hoping the sulfa allergy won't be bothered by it!)

I'm going to feel like a walking clinic heading into Tanzania, but I think taking these precautions is well worth it.

Countdown: 33 Days!