It's getting close. I can feel it. TANZANIA.
When I decided to take the leap and enroll in the Volunteer Abroad program with Cross-Cultural Solutions, I had no idea the process would move as fast as it has. I enrolled in February. Here is May, and the flight is booked, program fee paid (thanks student loans, and your housing and food provisions!), and most of the paperwork done... I am about to apply for my visa, get hooked up with a yellow fever vaccination and malaria meds (prerequisites to enter Tanzania... those darn mosquitos), and get my volunteer placement. And in a little more than 7 weeks, I will be on a plane and headed toward one of my ultimate dreams. Most ultimate. Ever.
Most people I know understand that I've been plotting and scheming to end up somewhere on this continent for a long, long time. Fewer people understand exactly why. I have trouble explaining it. The reasons are both selfish and unselfish. Partially, because the things I choose to read gravitate toward Africa. I studied it in college, and wrote papers on the breakdown of government in Somalia, the civil war and diamond trade in Sierra Leone, the resettlement conflict between the United States and Liberia and subsequent status crisis for Liberian refugees, the genocide in Rwanda. Many of the personal stories I hear are stories from friends who were born in Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Sudan. The diversity of cultures, the histories of conflict, the strengths and weaknesses of its many peoples--and how all of these elements intersect, influence and enmesh--are absolutely mind blowing. So much of global human history stems from the African continent, and I truly believe the future integrity of the human condition is utterly dependent on what happens there.
I am fascinated. I am addicted.
Even though I haven't been there yet. But I already feel like I have a strange connection to this place. I also feel that to start the process of fully appreciating and better understanding another culture, you must step out of your comfortable college classroom, away from the books, and really just LIVE in it. Exist. For a while; the longer the better. I'm not sure 28 days will even begin to do this justice, but it's a step. A small taste. I would love to come away from this experience with a renewed sense of purpose and direction, and devote that to my goals and commitments here. It would certainly reaffirm all of the critical choices I'm making lately in terms of a future career.
Lastly... if two years in AmeriCorps has taught me anything, it's that we are a small, small part of a bigger community. And a lot of people in that bigger community have a lot less than we do. If you can't step away from your own privileges in order to help someone achieve their own, what is the point? The lack of opportunities weigh on people in any country, on any continent. Africa's bloody conflict histories and disease epidemics lend credibility and urgency to current efforts at addressing humanitarian crises in places like Darfur, Niger, and Somalia (to name a very small few). I'm done reading about it. It's time to do something. The biggest (and most important) reason I chose to go to Africa is to help. However I can, and in whatever way I am needed and/or wanted. Period.
Done preaching. So, barring any unexpected, last-minute problems or delays... like any more of that eruption nonsense (hear me, Iceland volcano? Just calm down for a few months)... I should be Tanzania-bound on July 16th.
That said, and as excited as I am... a few lingering worries. Not of the full-on freak-out nature, but are definitely making me go 'Hmm.' Obstacles, if you will:
The flight. This marks the second international flight I've ever taken, and the only international flight I've ever taken alone. Last time, I was a high school junior and I was with my entire French class and two adult chaperones. This time, I'm by myself and will be for 24 hours, changing planes in Amsterdam. I can't WAIT to see what the aftermath of 24 hours on a plane looks like. Also, they tell me someone will meet me at the airport when I land, but wouldn't it just be hilarious if I had to find a way to make the 50 km trek from Kilimanjaro International to my program site in Karanga... on my own? Ha ha. Ha.
My job responsibilities. This one isn't too worrisome. I don't know them yet, and will be finding out a few weeks before I leave. I'm fairly confident I'll be working with youth, since that is what 90 percent of my work experience is. However... put me up in front of a class and tell me to teach a formal lesson, and I won't have the slightest clue what to do with myself.
The batsh*t crazy dreams from taking the malaria pills. I don't want to be tripping out all night and then have to teach a classroom full of kids the next day. Bad form.
The language barrier. Swahili is hard. I'm studying what I can, and will be able to participate in language training onsite, but my current library of words and phrases is woefully small. I'm hoping I'll have enough to get me through Customs and out of the airport. Can you say, "Which way to the baggage claim" in Swahili? Or how about, "Yes, I am allowed to enter your country... no, I am not bringing any dangerous or illegal items with me." Yeah... me neither.
Like I said, I'm concerned but confident. Ask me again on July 15th.
A few final notes about this blog:
1. I hope to write as much as I can leading up to my departure. If you have questions, let me know! I will have internet access while I'm in-country, but it may be somewhat sporadic. Thus, I will be keeping a paper journal of pretty much anything and everything I can. For those of you following this, don't be surprised if you see multiple posts on one day, after a week or so of nothing.
2. In addition to my journal entries, I'll be posting current events, interesting articles, pretty pictures, and other Tanzania-related goodies.
3. To the right are some links to Tanzania/CCS-related websites. Enjoy!
Salaam!
~Jen
