Hey Everyone,
The realization that we would be living in Tanzania for two months working on A Path Less Traveled hit as we took off from the Amsterdam airport. Rising above the clouds, we headed for Kilimanjaro airport leaving a disappointing and overpriced airport breakfast in our wake. After arriving in Tanzania, there were a lot of thoughts and questions racing through our minds regarding our project. We raised the typical questions about whether this project would be successful and whether or not this database is a type of service that will be utilized. On top of that, we asked deeper questions that are more troubling to confront…is the success of the project even going to make a difference in the impoverished Tanzanian community that we are so motivated to help?
Now, as we write this blog after being acclimated to our new life here, we have begun to develop a deeper understanding about some of these questions. A theme has certainly become clear during the short time in which we have been here, interacting with NGOs and forming relationships with Tanzanians. We have realized the importance and value of fully understanding both the situation and context before attempting to answer and solve problems. For us, this process has just begun.
We are not attempting to fool ourselves and think that circumstance can be understood in a week or a month, but at the same time we are not giving up simply because true understanding of a different culture may never be achieved.
In the next week we plan to visit six more NGOs, start private Swahili classes, and try to become well versed in maneuvering the Dala Dala, which is the Tanzanian minibus and primary form of transportation. As the adventure continues, we will keep you updated!
