COUNTRY: Tanzania
PROGRAM: GapBreak
PROJECT: Building, renovation & construction
WRITTEN BY: Sybilla Galvin
Jambo!
This week has been what I would describe as completely out of the ordinary for every one of us. Half of us were farewelled by our family from home, while the rest of us said our goodbyes to the countries we had previously been travelling in. Lauren and myself boarded in London and- meeting Annabelle in Doha- were the first arrivals of the day in Tanzania. I expected to step off the plane and into extreme heat but instead donned my jacket as it was cold and drizzly. At the airport we were greeted by Ella, Paris and Hannah and together experienced some confusion as to who was picking us up, as the man (now known as our wise, hilarious, booty-shaking leader Eliphas) didn't seem too certain that we were the Caucasian teenagers he was looking for-until he finally produced a list of our names and everyone was at ease.
Our first experience of Tanzania began with some friendly men helping load our bags into the bus. Well, they seemed friendly, until they demanded 10 US from each of us, to which Lauren quickly handed over a 20 for the two of us (which they all swooped on). Only when we were on the bus did we realise and laugh at how much we had just given (this soon became a bit of a running joke at Lauren's expense- but we all learned something from it). The drive from the airport to Moshi took an hour, where we met Rozi and Rory and other volunteers who will be with us for different periods. In total we are 14 made up of 10 Aussies, 2 Poms, a Scot and a Dutchman.
We arrived at Camp Tanzania (after 7.5 hours) in Mwambani village a day later and were greeted by the smooth sound of Bob Marley, a panoramic view of the ocean and 7 British uni students here on a sports aid program. We only had 4 days together but that was enough time for them to show us the ropes and most importantly the way to the nearest pizzeria!
To our great fortune the house we are working on is only a 2.5 minute walk away from the gates of camp. What began as a bare mud house (started by the last group of volunteers) has become- in 5 days- a plaster house and in the next 2 weeks we hope to have made it into a painted, fully functioning home. I think the whole team was slightly taken aback by the sheer scale and effort required by each single task handed to us, not to mention the direct heat we have been subjected to most days.
Monday morning saw us digging clay out of a pit 10 minutes away and transporting it in sacks to the mud house. This work was so demanding and extremely tiring due to the lack of shade and 30+ degree heat. By the afternoon we were onto mudding. This consisted of us removing our shoes and squelching together the morning's collection of mud with water. The fun part came next- tossing the mud at the walls and eventually at each other. We returned to camp in the afternoon, skin hardened by mud and spirits high, keen to continue the next day.
By Thursday morning we were back to the pit but instead were digging around the surface to collect sand for plastering. I think many of us who are uncertain of our choice of uni course may turn to plastering as we have, as a group, become quite apt.
Every morning I wake up to the sound of the ocean. A run on the beach or on the soccer field across the road seems the perfect way to adjust my body to the cold shower- something I perhaps should have tried at home, but am slowly getting used to. To the dismay of some, every breakfast, lunch and dinner so far has consisted of carbs, carbs and carbs. It can get a little repetitive but at least it's good.
Earlier in the week we drove into town to hit up the western convenience type supermarket for other essentials including peanut butter, nutella, vegemite (yes, they have vegemite!) and some Tanzanian cider called 'Savannah'.
Thanks for reading!
Sybilla x
No comments:
Post a Comment