Asante Mama Africa, Mungo Ibariki Tanzania!

Misty, chilly morning along Tan-Zam Highway in the Southern Highlands

Spring flowers in Katavi National Park

It has been months  that I left the beautiful African continent exactly at the strike of midnight of May 30, 2015  that the Emirates whisked me from the Swahili Coast of  East Africa for home that I can now  manage to say " asante Tanzania, ta rudi!".  Up to the least minute, I can say that my time in Tanzania is time well spent. A time that teaches me to be humble, patience, resilient, optimistic and to face life challenges with  more courage, a time that inspires me more and best of all, to appreciate more  the beauty of life. 

 It was a seven fruitful years of learning and sharing, building relationships and most of all meeting people of courage and inspiration despite of what they are going through, they manage and still inspire to be better and better. Tanzania, is one of the most peaceful countries in the world that the crime rate in New York City or other cosmopolitan cities around the globe with eclipse it. However, the African brand of negativity persist due to the a negative pre-conceived idea of Africa, bleak, black, disease laden, conflict and chaos! The world must know that it is an opposite,

Tanzania in particular is now one of the leading countries in the continent with a stable and secure government where everybody aspires that this nation will be a major global player. We have lots of things to learn from Tanzania. Tanzania has it all, from the azure coastline of Zanzibar, to the plains of the Serengeti, to the fertile highlands of Iringa and the snowcapped Mt. Kilimanjaro, to the waters of  Lake Victoria that serves as the source of great Nile River, or canoeing in one of the largest and deepest lake in world, Tanganyika or simply  walking in the vast expanse of  natural gardens of  Kitulo or just resting with the with animals of Ruaha, you will always encounter a welcoming Tanzanians.

Privilege enough, while in the Pemba, i am well taken cared of Said Daudi who is untiring always to see that I am well and my guests are well taken cared of,  my Filipino friends were always amaze how he will cooked sinigang, paksiw, abodo and  pakbet, as he regaled them also by his pilau, mzuzi and kamchumbari. Baba Seif and Kamis, who were always there for me, to keep my bustani ( gardens) and to secure our house after the eleven house break in. In the town of Wete,  I am always surrounded  not by people but a family. Bi Fatma Mageni for his motherly advises, The Razaks Family especially  Ma'am Rita always make sure that I have the best  food, sending Mohammed, Abdul, Sameer or Anil to my house carrying a heaps of delicious dishes and Indians sweets. And nobody will forget Hajj Hajji who always serve as a big brother to any guys who get lost in Pemba! Of course where on earth you will find the best seafoods, from the mud crabs up to all kinds of fishes, but you will be amaze by the taste of supu ya pweza! But as always, Mr Sharouk and Bi Kamaria  I am forever grateful, they were my fortress in the island. It was an amazing for years in the Isle of Zanzibar!

But the call of duty brought me  to the mainland  Tanzania and privilege enough to work almost all over the country but the Southern Highlands serve as my residence in my final years in the country. With  workload that almost will not allow you to stay home   even for a week, I am forever grateful. My stay in the stay in the town of  Iringa, I know further how the  Tanzanians take care of others, they treat you like  no other except as a family member, there  was Kadugo, a very brave and courageous  Masai  who always make sure that safety and security is in place,  Not everyday is a Sunday though but Mama Lemeka always serves as an inspiration and a source of joy nourishing  me not only of her delicious cooked food but always shares encouragement  to feed my spirituality since I am not religious .My few days off in Iringa, Shaffin and his Mom and sister Zainab, make sure I am rested and feed with their delicious food. The Roussos Family, especially the family of Griet  and Nikko and three wonderful children always welcomes in their vast farm that reminds me of home back in the Philippines.  But Dar es Salaam,  the place where my weary soul always stuck, living in city is not complete every time  I am there in residence as I divide my time between work in the field and in the city, Hafidh Issa, Baba  Rajab and Kaka Rasta make sure that I am on time in my appointments  by untiringly navigating the snaking traffics of the capital. It is through them that I am always on time in the JKNIA, Port of  Dar or in Ubongo bus station.

However, things will not be complete with out the people behind my stay in  Tanzania, my VSO Tanzania family,  blessed enough to work with two country directors during my stay, Kieran Breen and  Jean van   Wetter, they  are one of the most supportive people but also workaholic people that I meet that  you will inspire you more to do your best. My SPM Douglas Taylor, for the seven straight years he is not only a boss but a friend, where you can find a very busy family still manage to squeeze his  time just to bring  and surprise me with a Filipino food in my hospital of confinement? It is only Douglas  Taylor. To the PMs and Project Managers in the  Tanzania  my asantes for letting me work with you and for your trust, I am forever grateful, Delfina, Dada  Mina,  Rose, Rose Tesha, Imisa, Fortunata, Vero, Farida, Ronnie, Elvis, Frank, Aloyce, Lina, Haidari, Mariam, Mary, Flavina  but   my visit in the office is not always complete without  Mama Janet asking me,  unapendiza kahawa ndugo? while giving me a hug. Of course there is  kaka Tom whom I have rely on my logistics and house repairs while Kaka "chichino" Richard have to drive me   and regal me with his jokes especially when days were rough. To all of you asante sana.But in every place, you will find a home, I am forever grateful to the  Hassanali's for welcoming me in their home and for treating me as part of their family,  filling my homesickness  Baba Mohammed and Mummy Hussiena (Rest in Peace) make sure I am alright, thank you always not only for words of wisdom  but most  of all for taking me into your wings especially during one the lowest moment of my life. Mustafa and Durriyah, you guys are more a siblings but our adventure is not complete with out Fahim and Khadija and Hozefa, Adnan, Murtaza and  Abisek, Things are not the same without you guys.I left my heart in Tanzania. Africa, the joy of my grieving heart, I shall return,  I left  part of me there.

Tanzania in photos below.

A masai mama preparing  milk as a morning drink

Kadugo ( Masai) and Mama Lemeka ( Wahihi), two lovely individuals that makes my stay in Iringa a very lovely one.

My occasional house visitors and "family" friends, the blue vervet family.

Common highway incident in Tanzania highways,  road accidents.

Baobab forest  along the Ruaha River

Indian Ocean Coast of East Africa, Seacliff  in Dar es Salaam.

Flightlink Airlines in dirt tarmac of Sumbawanga Airport, sometimes I am a lone passenger.

Yellow mountain rock of the Roussos Family Farm

Crystal clear water of the Indian Ocean in Wete port.

Wading in the coast

Cycling in Kitulo National Park, Tanzania's only botanical park 

Simply bliss

Serenity

Plains of Iringa

Manual corn grinder is still used to make food among the Datooga tribe 

Mustafa clowning around in Natron Resto

Majestic ol donyo lenggai ( Mountain of the Gods)

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Cycling in the flood plain of Lake Manyara 

Visiting the Datooga tribe of Lake Eyasi

Goat whisperer...LOL

Wim Griep and me in Iringa Marsh

Iringa marshland

Children playing in my former house.

Calmy morning in the port of Wete

Freedom

Seacliff

Cooking  food in Tandala Teachers College kitchen

Carla Griep, goofing around

Sisters  acts when we are visiting schools... they walk faster!

At the Roussos tobacco farm

Welcoming Les Fry in Wawi Airport of Pemba in Chake chake

Academic gown 

Two punctures in less than thirty minutes

Bamboo wine is  common beverage in  Rural  Tanzania 

During one of the visits in Impoguso Teachers Training College

Clowning around with Carla Griep

Fishing in the lake

Bricks making

ah, kiti moto!

Delicious tomatos are freshly sold along the highways

Tea farm

Royal Family

Durriyah, my foster sister @ Lake Tanganyika

boating

Blissful morning

Bading goodbye to Judith Kok, one of our co-volunteers in the project

Sunset in Ruaha national  park

Buffaloes

Sahim

Pemban  bat

Cheerful masai mother and child

Talking and sharing a laugh with a Masai boy cow herder

 Sukuma lad herders in Lake Rukwa

Best Husband and Lover, Worse Father

They say there is nothing wrong to have a harem of women as long as you can afford it. Well, that is fine!  Weak women always look for men who can provide their materialistic desires as their “savior” and  thinks that having a man is heaven.

Pride of Lions in Katavi National Park

A bachelor friend once told me, it is difficult now to find a woman of virtue to be a wife and a mother to his children. He is not a poor man but an eligible bachelor, a lot of women where after him especially when he drives his fancy car or when he hangs out in the bars where women flirt likes flies. Is this because our women are not smart or empowered? Or simply they think that their physical beauty is their greatest weapon to the man’s pocket and men are idiots. But physical beauty wane, man’s desire always have its own limit and in the end men will leave them.

I am always felt sorry and sometimes angered when I meet people who has the potential but unfortunately they are miserable and  could have a better future. It is just because they have fathers that abandon them.

Early this week, a baby was found in one of the out skirts of Dar as Salaam, too good that a Good Samaritan notice the newly born wrapped in the kanga abandoned. When the news broke, many blame the mother but rarely blames the father. Í hope the baby is now fine and will have a place where someone will take care of her.

Why always the women who are to blame, one of my male friend said, he just go out for fun but women are idiots. What? Blatantly, I answered I felt sorry for him because he was born from an idiot! Women are known for details but why they always fell in love with man who is married because they simply felt in love without knowing the man better. As one of my women friend,  simply put it, it is transaction  business that becomes personal.  One case in point is a woman who works in a casino, felt in love with man and when she found out that man was married, she decided to get pregnant from the man on the precept that the man will leave his family and will stay with her because she is a foreigner and that is her advantage from the real wife, and siring a child from him, she thought she can have him completely.  When she told him, she was pregnant, the man reacted, you are an idiot, I have a family and I have a reputation at stake.  The man will not own responsibility that he suggested to the woman to abort the child. Period, the woman had an abortion but still always run after the man as if the man owns her life.

A young woman come to me while visiting one of   the centers, she said, if my father did not abandon us, maybe I am not in this situation.  I hate him. And I answered her not hate her father, but learn to love him. But she answered back, how I cannot hate him when I am in this situation now. He abandon us, he abandon also the first family. He did not support us but he is now with his new girl. Once I come to him for help, he said he do not have enough because he has money only for his new girl. Besides he said my mother is a whore.

With our carnal desires, we always have to find a way as men, but women thinks that they are weak and not empowered that  they use their physical beauty just for a short gain. Real men, no matter how hard and difficult always find way for their children but never abandon them. A man who cannot control his carnal desire because of his macho and chauvinistic attitude is always defeated. Masculinity is not define only by our physical strength and material wealth, it is define on how we are  responsible and control ourselves.  As men we must face our consequences of our actions that instead of helping to have an empowered individual, we will be having a society that is full of hatred and disappointment individuals. Do not only be a good lover, husband,  but be a good father to your children. The greatest achievement of man is when his children pays tribute to him how good he is as a husband to their mothers  and as father.to them.

IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTEERISM FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

INTRODUCTION

The Ubuntu spirit is  an integral part the African society. Tanzania’s development relied on the spirit of volunteerism for the implementation of its activities. Volunteers in all aspect of nation building are the pillars of our society today. They are acutely aware of the needs (of the society) and are always in search of solutions (to challenges). The unselfish and often selfless work of our volunteers cannot be quantified, but must be extolled as a priceless possession of the Tanzanian experience. The national development of Tanzania has, over the years, been facilitated and energized by voluntary service. The social and economic development of Tanzania is among other areas that rely on the spirit of volunteerism for (the) successful implementation of their programs. Tanzania needs it and we are challenged to respond. National development work with communities involves organizing, influencing and taking action. It also includes promoting active participation of people within communities, using the power of collective voice and of collective action and empowering communities to recognize existing skills, knowledge and expertise.  However, the following points that I will share below are my reflections on how volunteers can cultivate culture to National Development particularly in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.

VOLUNTEERISM CONTRIBUTIONS TO NATIONAL MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Culture of Self Reliance and Sustainability

The late Mwalimu Nyerere envision the goal of self-reliance in its mission to end rural poverty, supports a project that creates jobs and contributes to local industries and culture by bringing sustainable development to the community. Self-reliance is defined in three ways, knowing that people can solve a problem for themselves, ensuring that they have the resources and skills to do something about it, and granting them freedom from external obstacles. Giving people money doesn’t necessarily solve a problem.  People don’t want to be dependent; at least not for a long time and communities should be the masters of their own.

The culture of dependency is very evident, people always demand that even for their good, they must be paid or given a setting allowance for trainings but do not see the benefits of the training that will help them improve. I have nothing against getting a setting allowance but I am against the wrong motivation that it brings to people. People just want the money, who does not want money by the way? However, they are keen enough to acquire skills that will help or benefit them in the future.

Culture of Transparency and Accountability

Tanzania should not be discussing about the escrow scandal now  if the culture of transparency and accountability is practice and observe in all levels of the Tanzanian society.

To ensure an ethical organizational culture deeply rooted in the values of honesty and integrity, and committed to accountability, collaboration and innovation in all its activities. He detrimental and draining effects of corruption, it is a huge problem and it is a serious challenge that affects and should unite us all.

Corruption defies and undermines fundamental human rights.  It exacerbates poverty.  It deepens inequality by diverting money sorely needed for health care, education and other essential services in our societies.  It increases the costs of doing business.  It distorts markets.  It impedes economic growth.  It is driven by and feeds criminal activity.  It results in malfunctioning State institutions and weak governance.  A barrier to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and our work for a more equitable and prosperous world.

It is clear that corruption is a challenge that not one segment of society can solve alone.  We have to do it together.  Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something.  To achieve sustainable results, we all must take up the fight — business alongside with governments, civil society, the United Nations and other international organizations.

Culture of Empowerment for Personal and Professional Development

Through mentoring and role modeling, volunteers will provide new skills and experience to the communities. The once inexperienced community members through their newly acquired skills, help them find employment or they will generate   employment for the others members. With the confidence that they acquired and the financial benefits that they are enjoying will help increase their social inclusion social inclusion, physical and psychological wellbeing and career opportunities. And also this will help build to bridge the gap of inequality.

Sad enough to say, that so many Tanzanians are not employed but the country is host to a lot of expats both from East African hubs and from the rest of world. It is due to the demand of the market for skilled labor that the Tanzania society cannot provide as of the moment. To ensure   economic growth, then Tanzania should invest more in education and skills development training to meet the demand of the market.

Culture of Innovation

Being able to accept that the world is changing and being open to more changes to come, the communities will often have tremendous insights and ideas that lead to new innovations.  And these ideas and innovations don’t always come from experts. Sometimes the greatest innovations come from novices and backroom tinkers.  It is also a fact that no one holds all the cards in developing new innovation and it often brings new perspectives and ideas to the innovation process. Most often, I observed that rarely I can find individuals trying to innovate to lessen the work or burden to increase productivity. Tanzania has an edge in terms of the resources. However, due to the lack of innovation, they lagged behind their   neighboring countries. One example of this is the packaging of the finish products or the innovation of post-harvest technology to lessen the spoilage or to reduce the cost of the finish product   instead of importing from other countries.

Culture of Learning through Reflective Practice

Reflective practice is a key business strategy. It encourages workers to reflect in meaningful ways on what is and isn't working in the society.it provides a natural structure for mentoring and peer feedback to the citizens to work together to solve individual and collective problems and find solutions to nagging questions.

The heart of reflective practice is a spirit of inquiry, of asking "Why this happening is" and "what can we do about it?" This art of questioning is critical to both individual and organizational improvement. Without it, we stagnate and fail to adapt to change.

Learning through reflective practice is also a key talent management tool. It helps individuals identify opportunities for growth and skill-building. It also helps the nation determine gaps in knowledge and skill, as well as where there are pockets of innovation, creativity

Conclusion

Volunteering has and must continue to be a fundamental part of effective community development work.  Volunteer involving organizations have demonstrated the contribution being made towards core values of developing cultures importance in national development. The government  that clearly recognize that they could not offer services to the extent that they do without the gift of time, knowledge and skills offered by volunteers.

Studies have shown that there is a lot that the volunteering can offer to any proposed community development framework. There is a wealth of good practice knowledge and experience which can support groups who are aiming to engage local people in meaningful ways through community development programs. This includes guidance on how local people can be attracted, trained, properly managed and retained. Furthermore, it can also offer guidance in how complementary relationships between paid workers and volunteers can be formed. There are many communities in Tanzania which can benefit from national development work which includes volunteers who are willing to offer their help. It is important that time is given to considering and clarifying the relationship between national development and volunteering.

Therefore, be part of the story on change and development, continue to share your skills, you are changing lives for the better. Be a volunteer.

¹ Panel Presentation, International Volunteer’s Day. December 5, 2014, National College of Tourism, Dar Es Salaam

INSPIRATIONAL SPEECH : 116th Philippines Independence Day and VSO Tanzania Docufilms International Launching

Speech delivered  last June 14, 2014 @ Golden Tulip Hotel, Dar  Es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania

His eminence, the Papal Nuncio Francisco Montecillo Padilla,Your excellencies, the Ambassadors, Head of Missions and Consular Representatives,  our corporate sponsors, our international and Tanzanian friends, and fellow Filipinos here in Tanzania, magandang gabi po!

First, I would like to acknowledge my VSO International family especially VSO Bahaginan and  VSO Tanzania for producing these documentaries  and  I hope these films  will continue to inspire everyone, that each one of us in our own little ways  can  do something to make our lives better whether in the foreign soils or in our native land, the Philippines. I would like to express also our special gratitude to the Filipino Community of  Tanzania  for their support to us Filipino volunteers especially for launching these films and  for engaging us also in their community outreach programs like the annual  medical missions where we volunteers were able to participate. FCT maraming salamat po,  you continue to inspire us volunteers

The comedian Russell Peters once commented that Filipinos are well scattered around the world, and that even in hell you will find a Filipino!  It indicates we Filipinos are all over the world, like any other nationalities. But what makes us Filipinos distinct from rest of our international brethren aside?  Once I   was seated between my two volunteer  friends,  a Japanese,  and a South Korean sipping our   kahawas   in one of the café’s in Zanzibar talking about the famous Petronas Towers of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. My Japanese friend  said that they help build one of the towers, and my South Korean friend claimed too that they too also help to build the other tower  while both of them keep looking at me. And I asked them why there is  a bridge  between the two towers? Both of them answered in Swahili, sijui!  I told them that  the two towers cannot stand alone independently, that the Filipinos  build the bridge to connects these two towers to support to let the building stand majestically!

It is innate for us peace and freedom loving Filipinos to always consider everyone as part of our family  by providing a bridge  to  support and connect  everyone to the make the bond of unity  stronger  and deeper.

We work with passion and compassion, and it is evident in the excellent service provided to you when  you will meet  Filipinos  from the different service industries like health care, hospitality, and  development work.  We are always there with a  smile, and ready with words of comfort, empathy, understanding, and love.

Thus, volunteerism is manifested in our culture and engraved in  our genes, the Spirit of Bayanihan.  As volunteers or as an expats, anywhere and whenever, we always  willingly  lend a hand  with passion and commitment that makes us distinct from the rest, and we offer it with a smile!

Mga kakabayan,  ang dugong Filipino ay maharlika, thus we have to continue  giving our support  and lend our talents in the world stage whether as a volunteer or as expat to promote global unity and understanding   while respecting   and safeguarding human rights  and  freedom as peace  loving Filipinos.

Magkaisa po tayo para sa karangal ng Inang Bayan, at ipabunyi ang Lahing Filipino! Viva Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang  Lahing Pilipino!  Muchas gracias and good evening everyone.

Docufilms launched during the event were  SI JUANITO SA TANZANIA (Juanito Estrada - Education), ED and the GREENHOUSE IN ZANZIBAR ( Eduardo Juacian - Secure Livelihood) and RIZ: Volunteering In Tanzania ( Rizalito Hizon Rectra - Health).