The Kindness of Strangers

This blog entry is dedicated to everyone who has invested their time, money, and entushiasm in Mhaji village. Our cyberspace bridge connecting America and my tiny, beautiful corner of the world in Tanzania is incredible. Think about it. When we mention the problems in Africa, it's vague, sad, and faceless. Choose a country-Tanzania. Tanzania has a population of 36 million. Still vague, faceless. Choose a region-Iringa, population under 2 million. Now a town-Njombe. Population 50,000. Surrounding Njombe are over 100 villages ranging from a population of 500-several thousand. Now look at Mhaji.

3,861 villagers. 2 primary schools. 5 churches. About 20 small shops. A swamp for fishing. Rolling tea fields nearby. No electricity. Community water spickets (unreliable water availability). Main crops are potatoes and corn. A 2 room health clinic. 18% orphan rate in primary school. Approx 15% AIDS rate. 1 resident white girl. Quiet students in uniform. Ancient women farming acres of land with a hoe and hand. Kind eyes and dirty feet.

Doesn't that just change everything? To see my little pocket of the world makes it real. It also makes philanthropy, empathy, and reality infinitely closer. When we donate to a cause, the money drifts into an abyss. Where does it go? Who does it help? It's important to me that you really see Mhaji. The faces, the drive for self-improvement, the humor, determination, and struggle.

It's a daily privilege to work and live in the thriving/struggling/dying/living/happy/hungry community of Mhaji. It's a community on the brink of unprecedented progress. Mhaji is 25km from Njombe town and within the year electricity will be available. By early 2010,an Italian NGO is bringing clean, flowing water to the village. Living on the front line I see who is motivated, who has potential, and which demographics are alienated or underresourced.

My job is to connect people with education and opportunities. This is where you come in. With the overwhelming enthusiasm of friends, family, and often perfect strangers, WE'RE building sanitary and long-term toilets, raising chickens, starting a women's business orginzation, teaching dental hygiene to students, and planting gardens for orphans and people living with HIV/AIDS. All of these projects have been boosted financially by Americans. And while saying thank you can't suffice, THANK YOU.

Thank you for crossing the bridge. You've reached out, reached so far that your voice is heard in Mhaji every day. Your dollars are an investment in the unending potential of Mhaji village. $150 can start a batik clothing business that may carry on for years. $3000 can prevent a cholera outbreak by maintaining sanitary toilet facilities. $500 can raise 60 chickens and through their eggs, it will support orphans and the school. $50 in seeds can feed a village after a few seasons and change the very face of healthy eating. And your words of encouragement, well there is no price I can put on that. Just know that it's these words and the passion behind them that keeps me motivated. Sure I may physically be in Mhaji, but really, I'm only a liaision. I assumed being a Peace Corps volunteer meant 2 years of isolation and independence. Now I see, the more the merrier! Who knew that a veritable army of American philanthropists could live in a rural, African village. Well, you do! AND you get to skip out on the less glamorous aspects like poop holes and biting army ants in bed!

In the coming weeks, the tangible progress is going to be huge. Deliveries of rocks, bricks, and cement are being made each day for the school toilets. Today, I ordered 60 chicks and purchased all of their vitamins, food and water dishes, and food. The chicks should arrive early August. I promise to heavily photo-document the entire process for your viewing pleasure.

I'm headed off to Tanga in a week to be Peace Corps Volunteer of the week. People have been asking if that's a prize, and while a trophy would be cool, no, it's not a prize. The new health and environment volunteers are at their training site now getting adjusted to TZ culture and learning language basics. My job includes presentations on teaching life skills in the classroom and community and how to work with orphans. More importantly, I'll be there to answer questions, listen to woes, and hopefully make a few new friends. The journey is killer. 1 day of a 12+hr bus ride and the second day a 5 hr ride. But it's worth it!

And now, because my mom will quit my blog if I don't mention it, a quick review of our vacay.
My parents arrived June 13 looking dazed but great! I surprised them at the airport and found so much joy in their questions and 'concerns'. Okay, less joy in the concerns, but it's probably true that I'm so adjusted to the culture, I simply see nothing wrong with a plane that has no gas (It'll work out..) or eating food off the ground (hey, it cost $2!! can't waste)...or forgetting toilet paper (really!).

We spent the first few days in Zanzibar, and it was excellent foresight on my parents part not to let me plan the trip. I would have gladly spent the entire time at the resort. And whoa, resort it was. Our rooms were upgraded, and due to the romance of the beach, atmosphere, and suite, I felt like I was on a honeymoon with myself. I schmoozed it up with the staff, and was offered a job that included food and accommodation once I finish my PC service. Let me just say, TEMPTING. We snorkeled, we ate, we drank, we swam, and we savored. I introduced my dad to Tanzania's famous Safari Lager. You never quite know the alcohol content per bottle and it's not too surprising if a fly is floating on top. Beers here are 500ml, which is about 1.5 the size of American beer. Let's just say after a few Safaris, my dad and I were running around on the beach at 9pm chasing crabs and truly considering a midnight swim. If you know my dad, talk of any activity at midnight is only talk.

After Zanzibar and a cool tour of Stone Town, we headed up to the northern parks for about 75 hours of safaris. Oy. As we say in Swahili...inatosha! ENOUGH!!! It was beautiful however, and even the 10 seater planes of impending death offered nice scenery. After meeting up with my boyfriend in Dar es Salaam we continued together to a final safari and my village.

The final and undisputably best part of the adventure was Mhaji. My counterpart, who is essentailly my TZ father, is also the pastor of the Baptist church. He organized a huge celebration of food, singing, dancing and presents. AMAZING. I'll include those pictures soon. But for now, check out my facebook album.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2607936&id=2205190&l=55a65be2e7

On a final note, I want to give a very, very big hug, round of applause, 1st place medal, and all around THANK YOU to Janet English. She found my blog through a friend's mom, and has been an invaluable resource. Her efforts have so far collected 500 toothbrushes and 500 tubes of toothpaste for my students. She also has raised the money to supplement the villagers payment to build toilets. She infuses me with hope and optimism. It's people like Janet that encourage and help us to dream bigger and better in the scheme of grassroots development. So Janet, thank you for your heart and total kindness and selflessness. You are an honorary PCV in Mhaji!

And thank you to everyone that has contributed to my projects. You are all heroes.

Love,
Kate