I've been away from Arusha for the last two days. I went on a trip to the school connected with the Joshua Foundation started by Lynda Steevenson, but run by Tanzanian teachers in the town of Magugu called The Joshua Primary and Secondary School. It takes about 3 hours drive to get there, and a lot of it on a gravel road. Magugu is a hot little town, filled with people and cockroaches. The school is a pre-school, primary and secondary school, with form 2 being introduced this year. I went down with Lynda and a girl called Justine, the main reason being to take photos of every student there to send back to their sponsers (just like world vision does every year). We didn't finish the job, but got through a huge hunk. Its was HOT down there, nothing like this rather temperate Arusha which gets the rains coming down off Mt. Meru.
So it was a couple of days of pure African meals, and the accomodation Ngorongoru Hotel was typical of an outback guesthouse, with cockroaches which hiss at you when you go to use the log drop, not running water, and is a little notorious for theives. I enjoyed it though. The best part of the trip was just to spend time with all the kids, and practice a lot of swahili, especially saying 'Cheka' which means 'smile'. The kids really knew how to smile, too. They kind of exploded with huge cheesy grins. The kids struck me as being so unaware and naive, very amazed at the sight of Wazungu (Foreigners), especially if they were just new to the school, as the little kids might never have seen a white person before.
One of my friends, Immanuel, who I made at En Gedi, who is training to be a teacher, lives very close to the school and he came over and invited Justine and I to go to his house. Before we knew it we were being fed a full on dinner, with Ugali, chicken, and all. Justine, who was quite aprehensive of the whole thing was doing very well considering, until Immanuel seemed to expect us to eat some of the little fish called Telapia his sister had cooked. I wasn't feeling hungry after eating the chicken's neck, but he was obviously expecting us to eat a fish at least, so I suggested to Justine we split it. She said ok, and I cut it in half with my spoon, and gave here the top half, which was mostly head. She looked at me with a fixed grin and wide eyes, as if to say 'what are you doing', but I paid no attention and just did my part of eating the bottom half. Immanuel had no idea that we were struggling silently, and the whole situation was so funny I just about burst out laughing.
Anyway, there were many more interesting situations from the trip which I won't bother posting up here because I'm not feeling that well today, and have a tummy ache. I've had the Runs again, and although I'm gulping down the Charchol tablets which often do a good job of corking you up, I haven't had much fun the last three days. I think I have a cold as well, which is strange because it's definitely not cold.
Oh, yeah, we saw a dead Hyena on the road on the way back home. We though it was a pig, but as we drove past it was obviously a not a pig. Hyenas are huge and when they hunt in packs are more effective at bringing down prey than a pride of Lions, mostly due to their reliance on endurance and their extremely powerful jaws. I was surprised to hear from Lynda that they used to get Hyenas on the base a recently as two years ago! They used to wander up from the stream, walk up the path and get into the rubbish. Man!
Another thing to note is that the minnimum wage has gone up 300 percent since the beginning of Janurary which is crazy. Actually Engedi was already paying staff that and a little more, but the over all effect will thing in shops and food etc becoming more expensive in general the the very poor who earn less than 1$ a day will have an even harder time at buying things, or at least much more limited. It may not seem so bad, but its sure to have significant effect.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Democracy by other means
Just read an interesting column by Aidan Hartley, of whom I read a great book called The Zanzibar Chest.. He gives a clearer perspective than most commentators, maybe because he has spent most of his life reporting all over the continent of Africa, here.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
life goes on
Check out this funny blog post from the Owens family who have recently moved here to en Gedi from Canada here under the post Wednesday, 19th of Jan. The roundabouts here are called keplefti...keep lefti? They also say 'I say' when they are making an exclamation in Swahili, but don't understand they probably got it from the British.
I've been going for runs with some of the guys on the base, and it is really challenging as we are 1000 feet above sea level, and the higher altitude is harder on your lungs. but at last i am getting used to it, and its just great to run through the farms and villages around and greet the people, pumping away on the red dirt and dust and dodging cattle and overloaded trucks on the road.
pity I can't post any photos, but the server won't allow me to :(
(if you leave a comment I will reply, Just check the comments section on the bottom of the post upon which you commented. Confusing?)
I've been going for runs with some of the guys on the base, and it is really challenging as we are 1000 feet above sea level, and the higher altitude is harder on your lungs. but at last i am getting used to it, and its just great to run through the farms and villages around and greet the people, pumping away on the red dirt and dust and dodging cattle and overloaded trucks on the road.
pity I can't post any photos, but the server won't allow me to :(
(if you leave a comment I will reply, Just check the comments section on the bottom of the post upon which you commented. Confusing?)
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Kenya - pray
On anther note from my previous post, please pray for Kenya. It really is getting pretty intense over there and it is effecting things here in Tanzania, as they are our neighbors. just check out this article from today:
here
Nairobi is literally two to three hours away from Arusha, where I am at the moment. We are their closest city outside Kenya, and there is a bit of a fuel shortage here in East Africa because of the violence. My ticket actually leaves from Nairobi airport, so there might be a problem with my flight home, I hope not though! The government is not being smart, and i was surprised to find that the Kenyan politicians are among the highest paid in the world! No wonder there someone is trying to hog he presidential seat. Needless to say the government is acting terribly, but there is a whole lot of cultural tension coming to the surface. Like people keep saying over here, we just "hope it isn't another Rawanda". We met some people who had been on a safari in Kenya and had to return through the streets amidst the gunshots, fires and angry mobs.
here
Nairobi is literally two to three hours away from Arusha, where I am at the moment. We are their closest city outside Kenya, and there is a bit of a fuel shortage here in East Africa because of the violence. My ticket actually leaves from Nairobi airport, so there might be a problem with my flight home, I hope not though! The government is not being smart, and i was surprised to find that the Kenyan politicians are among the highest paid in the world! No wonder there someone is trying to hog he presidential seat. Needless to say the government is acting terribly, but there is a whole lot of cultural tension coming to the surface. Like people keep saying over here, we just "hope it isn't another Rawanda". We met some people who had been on a safari in Kenya and had to return through the streets amidst the gunshots, fires and angry mobs.
§ Zanzibar §
Ah, its good to be back at En Gedi again, and have the internet working. I would have liked to post a lot more over the past week and a half, but the net wasn't working and then i went to Zanzibar and now, as happens, I have forgotten what I want to say. I find things come together in you head when you have time to ponder, but if you aren't quick to engrave them in your memory, or paper, they warp, slip this way and that and eventually escape the fingers of my mind. So...
Zanzibar! what an experience. It is a small tropical Island off the coast of Tanzania, which is on the east of the continent. The beaches are exquisite. White coral sand, blue and green water, tropical fish, snorkeling on the various reefs, sunbathing (and getting burnt), reading, eating quite a lot, sleeping quite a lot, swimming as much as possible due to intense heat, playing cards and talking with good company, all pretty much sum up the first five days at the norther end of the Island. I went with Jeremy (the leader of the Joshua foundation's son), Kendra (his girlfriend, and Joanna (one of the head teachers at the college). I am browner than i have ever been, although i don't think the tan will last until I get back, hheheh.
The fifth day day we went to a new hotel in Stone Town where we stayed for a day and a night. With it's white washed walls,winding alleyways, ancient, hand carved doors in Arabian style, beautiful mosques and cathedral, palaces, late night markets where you can fill up on a lot of fish for a cheap price, Stone Town has character. It has been around the block a few times, or maybe the block has been around it. It is also filled with tourists, but that can be positive because it means it is quite safe to walk the alleyways and basically get lost with no problems at all. I sat and drank some fresh coconut for amount 50 cents and had a good old chat with the locals, visited the site of the old slave market which was demolished and covered by a Anglican cathedral. It was just fun. I took lots of photos as well, although i wish i didn't have to and could just take photos with my eyes, because you never know how photos are going to turn out exactly.
Its good to hear home from family
-Hannah, I'm sorry to hear the bad news, but remeber i failed my restricted 3 time! Write me another email, I like the last one.
-Geoff, glad you are killing those cockroaches for me. I'm gonna bring home a mosquito net for sure :) Miss ya bro
-sorawit, are youi in Australia yet? How are ya man? whats been happening?
-Mum, good to hear from you, and to get some photos from the beach from aunti Toni, just to see you guys. Love and miss you.
-Dad, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!(sorry Im late)
-andy, good to her from you, thanks for reading. Hope you and family had a great Xmas. Thanks for prayers.
-theo, How are ya bro? Heard you got a new bike? awesome. I still haven't had a chance to dirt-bike. ~hope you plans for Japan are underway and going well :)
Zanzibar! what an experience. It is a small tropical Island off the coast of Tanzania, which is on the east of the continent. The beaches are exquisite. White coral sand, blue and green water, tropical fish, snorkeling on the various reefs, sunbathing (and getting burnt), reading, eating quite a lot, sleeping quite a lot, swimming as much as possible due to intense heat, playing cards and talking with good company, all pretty much sum up the first five days at the norther end of the Island. I went with Jeremy (the leader of the Joshua foundation's son), Kendra (his girlfriend, and Joanna (one of the head teachers at the college). I am browner than i have ever been, although i don't think the tan will last until I get back, hheheh.
The fifth day day we went to a new hotel in Stone Town where we stayed for a day and a night. With it's white washed walls,winding alleyways, ancient, hand carved doors in Arabian style, beautiful mosques and cathedral, palaces, late night markets where you can fill up on a lot of fish for a cheap price, Stone Town has character. It has been around the block a few times, or maybe the block has been around it. It is also filled with tourists, but that can be positive because it means it is quite safe to walk the alleyways and basically get lost with no problems at all. I sat and drank some fresh coconut for amount 50 cents and had a good old chat with the locals, visited the site of the old slave market which was demolished and covered by a Anglican cathedral. It was just fun. I took lots of photos as well, although i wish i didn't have to and could just take photos with my eyes, because you never know how photos are going to turn out exactly.
Its good to hear home from family
-Hannah, I'm sorry to hear the bad news, but remeber i failed my restricted 3 time! Write me another email, I like the last one.
-Geoff, glad you are killing those cockroaches for me. I'm gonna bring home a mosquito net for sure :) Miss ya bro
-sorawit, are youi in Australia yet? How are ya man? whats been happening?
-Mum, good to hear from you, and to get some photos from the beach from aunti Toni, just to see you guys. Love and miss you.
-Dad, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!(sorry Im late)
-andy, good to her from you, thanks for reading. Hope you and family had a great Xmas. Thanks for prayers.
-theo, How are ya bro? Heard you got a new bike? awesome. I still haven't had a chance to dirt-bike. ~hope you plans for Japan are underway and going well :)
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
boxing days day
At LAST! The internet has been really slow....
Well, Christmas in Africa was fun, and I was so full I didn't have dinner last night or breakfast this morning...We had a large meal on Christmas eve, waffles for christmas breakfast and a buffet lunch for christmas lunch.
Its strange celebrating christmas away from family, but not really sad. I think I missed home more in the days preceding christmas than on the actual day :)possibly because I was living with the Russells who are a family family.
I got some interesting presents including an awesome African Injambe drum from Owen and Lois here at En Gedi.
Just over a week and I'll be off to Zanzibar and snorkelling + wimming for six days! Can't wait. I've used my spare time reading a lot and spending time with the other missionaries here. Missionaries are so cool
On another note, I thought I might post up these quotes which are creating a lot of thinking for me about my heritage from the West. Please don't get me wrong, I love NZ in many ways but I think we really don't understand or can be bothered understanding what is going on outside the 1st world, and heve very little patience for understanding other cultures unless we are that way academically inclined. I see this in myself as well as others, and we are totally ignorant of our ignorance.
For one thing, we think the rest of the world is so different, but really it is quite the contrary, conpared to the rest of the world we in the West are the strange ones.
Look at our 'tolerance' ideals we expect the rest of the world to have, like us:
-Allan Bloom
(Now in the previous post I quoted a book who tried to show that this is how we are today, politically, and in a way I believe he made a good point, looking on from an aitheistic veiw point. But in a way we should also strive to correct wrongs, because there is a right way to run a government. We often have to support the lesser of two evils in a world of grey. What do you think?)
Citing a terrorist attack, Meic Pearse wrote
It is a choice not to take anothers culture seriously.
its so interesting, living here in Africa for a short time to see the good and bad effects of westernism (whatever that is these days). In some ways it is fantastic to see an attampt to advance the education system of Tanz, and a goal to push the millions of students to a high level of education, and to increase the number of children able to attend High-school (a tiny ammount at the moment). But, of course, it is also a danger as we will probably (unknowingly) impart some unhelpful parts of our culture onto them if we aren't not careful. Tanz is still a pretty poor country, although hugely rich in natrual resources. It is the raping of Tanz by other countries which adds hugely to the problems here, as well as the underlying corruption.
Anyway, my thoughts aren't that clear at the moment...but do you get my drift?
There are awesome things happening and great advancement going on due to missionaries in Tanz, and I'm excited to be a part of it. But, if you find it in your heart, please pray us westies would be sensitive, carefull and watchfull in this interesting culture.
Well, Christmas in Africa was fun, and I was so full I didn't have dinner last night or breakfast this morning...We had a large meal on Christmas eve, waffles for christmas breakfast and a buffet lunch for christmas lunch.
Its strange celebrating christmas away from family, but not really sad. I think I missed home more in the days preceding christmas than on the actual day :)possibly because I was living with the Russells who are a family family.
I got some interesting presents including an awesome African Injambe drum from Owen and Lois here at En Gedi.
Just over a week and I'll be off to Zanzibar and snorkelling + wimming for six days! Can't wait. I've used my spare time reading a lot and spending time with the other missionaries here. Missionaries are so cool
On another note, I thought I might post up these quotes which are creating a lot of thinking for me about my heritage from the West. Please don't get me wrong, I love NZ in many ways but I think we really don't understand or can be bothered understanding what is going on outside the 1st world, and heve very little patience for understanding other cultures unless we are that way academically inclined. I see this in myself as well as others, and we are totally ignorant of our ignorance.
For one thing, we think the rest of the world is so different, but really it is quite the contrary, conpared to the rest of the world we in the West are the strange ones.
Look at our 'tolerance' ideals we expect the rest of the world to have, like us:
Openness-and the relativism that makes it the only plausible stance in the face of various claims to truth and various ways of life and kinds of human beings-is the great insight of our times. The true believer is the real danger. The study of history and of culture teaches that all the world was mad in the past; men always thought that they were right, and that led to wars, persecutions, slavery, xenophobia, racism and chauvinism. The point is not to correct the mistakes and really be right; rather it is not to think you are right at all
-Allan Bloom
(Now in the previous post I quoted a book who tried to show that this is how we are today, politically, and in a way I believe he made a good point, looking on from an aitheistic veiw point. But in a way we should also strive to correct wrongs, because there is a right way to run a government. We often have to support the lesser of two evils in a world of grey. What do you think?)
Citing a terrorist attack, Meic Pearse wrote
Too many westerners take refuge in simplistic explanations: fanaticism, extremism, 'fundamentalism', insanity. Such dismissals advance the task of comprehension not one jot; they reveal more about the speaker than about the things, or persons, described. They indicate not so much an understanding as a refusal to understand. All these epithets indicate, in practice if not quite in theory, a mental banishment: "these things are so far distant from my own feelings or judgements that I shall make no attempt to understand why these people, in their own estimation, act or think as they do." And thus we are condemned...
It is a choice not to take anothers culture seriously.
its so interesting, living here in Africa for a short time to see the good and bad effects of westernism (whatever that is these days). In some ways it is fantastic to see an attampt to advance the education system of Tanz, and a goal to push the millions of students to a high level of education, and to increase the number of children able to attend High-school (a tiny ammount at the moment). But, of course, it is also a danger as we will probably (unknowingly) impart some unhelpful parts of our culture onto them if we aren't not careful. Tanz is still a pretty poor country, although hugely rich in natrual resources. It is the raping of Tanz by other countries which adds hugely to the problems here, as well as the underlying corruption.
Anyway, my thoughts aren't that clear at the moment...but do you get my drift?
There are awesome things happening and great advancement going on due to missionaries in Tanz, and I'm excited to be a part of it. But, if you find it in your heart, please pray us westies would be sensitive, carefull and watchfull in this interesting culture.
Monday, December 24, 2007
society
Society is, always has been and always will be a structure for the exploitation and oppression of the majority through systems of political force dictated by an élite, enforced by thugs, uniformed or not, and upheld by a willful ignorance and stupidity on the part of the very majority whom the system oppresses. - Thirteen by Richard k. Morgan
Society in the hands of a fail able human that is.
Society in the hands of a fail able human that is.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Woot. Christmas. Thoughts
Well, Christmas is here! Pretty much.
It was good to sing carols again at church and I have one more day of work before 2 days break for Christmas. And I'm going to Zanzibar in less than 2 weeks! woot.
Here are a few thoughts from the last few days (I've had some time to think).
-
I've been reading a book called 'Why the rest hates the West' and it really does have some great insights. The author is a christian, but is quite academically minded and has clear thoughts which are relevant to both believers and non-believers alike. The West is becoming less and less unified, he says. 'A 4th century Japanese, a 14th century English peasant, an 18th century Maori will all have more in common both materially and in their assumptions about the world, than any would have with a 3rd-millennium American, Brit or German...''...for these people, most of human history and culture is a closed book to them.'
And I must admit, coming from such a culture, the gap in our thinking is widening hugely, and we in the west assume so meany things we would think people would see as 'common sense' when it is really something very particular to our own culture. I'm only just through the introduction, but it should be a good read!
-
The Lamb
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee;
Gave thee life and bid thee feed
By the stream and o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight;
Softest clothing, wolly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Little Lamb, I'll tell thee;
Little Lamb, I'll tell thee;
He is called by thy name,
For He calls Himslef a Lamb.
He is meek and He is mild;
He became a little child.
I a child and thou a lamb,
We are called by His name
Little Lamb, God bless thee;
Little Lamb, God bless you;
William Blake
-
Tanzania is a country with a beautiful heart;
But on its face I often seen pain
And in it's eyes I often see fear.
-
Well, love to you all,
And Word to the Father!
Have a good Xmas!!!
It was good to sing carols again at church and I have one more day of work before 2 days break for Christmas. And I'm going to Zanzibar in less than 2 weeks! woot.
Here are a few thoughts from the last few days (I've had some time to think).
-
I've been reading a book called 'Why the rest hates the West' and it really does have some great insights. The author is a christian, but is quite academically minded and has clear thoughts which are relevant to both believers and non-believers alike. The West is becoming less and less unified, he says. 'A 4th century Japanese, a 14th century English peasant, an 18th century Maori will all have more in common both materially and in their assumptions about the world, than any would have with a 3rd-millennium American, Brit or German...''...for these people, most of human history and culture is a closed book to them.'
And I must admit, coming from such a culture, the gap in our thinking is widening hugely, and we in the west assume so meany things we would think people would see as 'common sense' when it is really something very particular to our own culture. I'm only just through the introduction, but it should be a good read!
-
The Lamb
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee;
Gave thee life and bid thee feed
By the stream and o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight;
Softest clothing, wolly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Little Lamb, I'll tell thee;
Little Lamb, I'll tell thee;
He is called by thy name,
For He calls Himslef a Lamb.
He is meek and He is mild;
He became a little child.
I a child and thou a lamb,
We are called by His name
Little Lamb, God bless thee;
Little Lamb, God bless you;
William Blake
-
Tanzania is a country with a beautiful heart;
But on its face I often seen pain
And in it's eyes I often see fear.
-
Well, love to you all,
And Word to the Father!
Have a good Xmas!!!
Friday, December 21, 2007
merry merry ...merry..
hey eveyone, thanks for your replies and comments. Jay, good to hear from you and from your mum. Hope you guys have a great christmas, and keep safe, thanks for the hug :) Hye Isaac, I hope you guys have a good one too.
Mum, its good to hear from you and get an ear into whats been happening arround the home. Its great Sorawti and Richard are going camping..when do you guys leave? will you be at home to skype on christmas?
Well, I am moving house again tomorrow, back to sally and PC's house. They are a very nice kiwi family with two kids, and I will be having Christmas with them and the couple from NC, America who are also staying there and also are very nice people. Everyone is nice here!
I had a few moments while sitting in the Russell's house and listening to carols in the background when I really did miss home. But its great that I'm going to have christmas with my extended family over here too.
We are going to a Christmas carol night tonight, after we have a carol practice for sunday at vineyard this afternoon. Confusing? Well, I think I'm going to be carol'ed out pretty soon -_- but not yet!
I've been working on this curriculum all week with a pastor who is also training here at Joshua, but is an artist and even used to work for a news paper company in Dar Es Salam a few years ago as a comic artist. Hes really good and its been fun just working together. I couldn't believe he hadn't watched Lord of the Rings which I think is compulsory for any artist to watch, or any creative person, so we watched a bit yesterday. He really liked it, but I had to pause a lot and explain what was going on. Having never come into contact with something so allegoric and complex in film I totally understand why it would be such a challenge. The people of Tanzania are educated strongly in non-fictional things, but not very much in non-fictional things, like poetry, short stories, film and novels. In some ways that reminds me of China.
I might get another post up before Christmas, but its going to be a busy few days, so no promises. Marry Christmas!
Mum, its good to hear from you and get an ear into whats been happening arround the home. Its great Sorawti and Richard are going camping..when do you guys leave? will you be at home to skype on christmas?
Well, I am moving house again tomorrow, back to sally and PC's house. They are a very nice kiwi family with two kids, and I will be having Christmas with them and the couple from NC, America who are also staying there and also are very nice people. Everyone is nice here!
I had a few moments while sitting in the Russell's house and listening to carols in the background when I really did miss home. But its great that I'm going to have christmas with my extended family over here too.
We are going to a Christmas carol night tonight, after we have a carol practice for sunday at vineyard this afternoon. Confusing? Well, I think I'm going to be carol'ed out pretty soon -_- but not yet!
I've been working on this curriculum all week with a pastor who is also training here at Joshua, but is an artist and even used to work for a news paper company in Dar Es Salam a few years ago as a comic artist. Hes really good and its been fun just working together. I couldn't believe he hadn't watched Lord of the Rings which I think is compulsory for any artist to watch, or any creative person, so we watched a bit yesterday. He really liked it, but I had to pause a lot and explain what was going on. Having never come into contact with something so allegoric and complex in film I totally understand why it would be such a challenge. The people of Tanzania are educated strongly in non-fictional things, but not very much in non-fictional things, like poetry, short stories, film and novels. In some ways that reminds me of China.
I might get another post up before Christmas, but its going to be a busy few days, so no promises. Marry Christmas!
Monday, December 17, 2007
fun
Last night we had a Christmas carol service which was really fun. Quite a few people from arround Arusha came and the families from joshua each led a few carols. It was a great night and awesome just to sing together in joy, you know?
I saw a little snake today! I was walking alone up frem the offices and something whiched looked like a big gecko skidded out in front of me. I tried to get a better look at it but it dissapeared under the grass. It was brown and a little green, and moved really fast for it's size.
well, gotta go!
I saw a little snake today! I was walking alone up frem the offices and something whiched looked like a big gecko skidded out in front of me. I tried to get a better look at it but it dissapeared under the grass. It was brown and a little green, and moved really fast for it's size.
well, gotta go!
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