Mambo

So here we are, I have made it, I am in Africa Baby!

I started writing this entry on the 10hrs bus journey to Mtwara but quickly decided I needed to keep my eyes on the road as.it was quite frankly the most terrifying journey of my life. So week 1-


After an immensely long flight and interesting landing we arrived in Dar Es Salaam. We got taken to the bus which was going to be taking us to our hotel, now I would describe this bus as a 15seater minibus- 25 people and suitcases later we headed off into what can only be described as organised chaos.

We did make it to the hotel in one piece to be greeted by our smiling, cheering Tanzanian counterparts. Wow what a welcome after we had settled in we got an incredible traditional welcome. This involved an awful lot of singing and dancing- something we are having to become accustomed too.

The week has involved many sessions on a variety of topics to prepare us for our time in our communities. The main thing I learnt is that my Swahili is seriously sketchy- they seem to have about 7 different words for everything. One thing which has really stuck out this week is that everything really does work on African time-i.e. very late and remaxed. Eventually I am sure I will adapt to this.

The week went very smoothly and was rounded off by a talk by the British Ambassador and a very pleasant meal out. However on the way back from the restaurant our Tanzanian friends turned our bus into a party bus, I have never seen such crazy dancing before!!! They were all stone cold sober as well...

Today we travelled 10hrs down to Mtwara, as mentioned above this was a terrifying journey but also a beautiful one, I have never seen such sights, this really is God's Garden.

I am now sat in my host home in Mtwara with my counterpart Nicholaus and ready to throw myself into this culture fully. I am fully prepared for this to put me a good mile outside of my comfort zone but you only live once. So here goes...

Here we go

So I thought I would fill you in on a few things before I go. I head in less than 24hrs. I have spent the last week frantically packing. Finding things, losing them and then finding them again. Safe to say right now adrenaline is sky high and excitement doesn't cover what I am feeling. I first applied for this 7 months ago. It has been quite a journey since then. I have been truly humbled by not only people's genouristy but also by the amazing amount of lovely cards, presents and texts I have received over the last 24hrs.

A lot of people have been asking me what am I doing out there. I will be working on a Livlihoods project, more specifically, working with two organisations called VETA and EEVT both of which focuses on vocational training.

Our mission on this project is: To ensure the provision of quality VET (vocational educational training) that meets labour market needs, through effective regulation, co-ordination, financing and promotion, in collaboration with stakeholders.

Our vision on this project is: An excellent VET system that is capable of supporting a national social economic development in a global context.

So all in all very exciting and certainly it looks as though there will be lots of opportunities to develop a lot of skills.

I fly tomorrow night from Heathrow. Next stop after that is Dar Es Salaam for four days and yen Mtwara.

I will update this when I can. Until then if you want know anymore just let me know, but I thought I would leave you with a corker of a photo.