Just when this place is starting to feel like a home, I have to leave. I left this morning among friends and family. I had people come to carry my bags, want photos with me, giving me gifts and wave me off on the bus. I felt so lucky and only just managed to hold back the tears. I was told by all to greet my friends and family, to have a safe journey and was assured God will be with me on my travels to my home. It was also mentioned that i musn't forget my people here in Africa and that i was welcome to come again. I was also lucky enough to have a small party with the women's group which … read more »

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The chickens or the house ?Well for now it’s got to be the house. We are now on a time limit to finish the house as I have ordered the chickens for the 18th Oct and the house needs to be finished by then. Good incentive I thought.At this exact moment people should be working on it while I am in Singida with three of our women's group members training in chicken keeping and rearing. We have two days training in Singida with a chicken expert at VETA (Vocational Education Training Authority) and then two days in the village with all the members. Doricus Mbura, Fatuma Ali and Mirium Monko are … read more »

Well an exciting and dare I say productive week this week in little Ilongero. The women's group involved in the chicken buying and selling business are buying chickens and are just waiting to have enough to sell in Singida. They are excited about the big project of chicken rearing, and especially after our little field trip on Friday. I took six members of the group (some could not make it due to family and religious duties) to the project I saw in Ntonge the week before. We rang ahead to ensure we were given the grand tour. The chicken rearing team in Ntonge were extremely helpful to say the … read more »

Over the last few days, I have learnt a lot about chicken rearing and building kibandas (that’s Kiswahili for a chicken house). But we haven't got any chickens yet or a complete building to put them in. We are so much closer to it though. Having Angelo and the car for two days was amazing. He is so helpful and motivated and has great ideas. I think between the two of us we managed to get much done. Poor man, he must have been so tired. And then had to get up at 4 this morning to go to work. So wonderful that he uses his time off to help the project.As well as sorting out some materials for … read more »

I have been making some bricks for the girls’ hostel. People are amazed that I know how to make them and that a woman can do such manual work. Actually I should rephrase this. Of course women do manual work, just not the “high tech” one reserved for men, like…., well, brickmaking. They are impressed and most days I enjoy the attention and sometimes I just want to be left alone. They mean well. Some of the men even come over and take over for about 5 minutes to show me how it is done, usually doing the same as I was or a worse job. But if it makes them feel better, I appreciate the … read more »

Well, as the people who know me will know, I love motorbikes. And I was determined I would get a ride on one in Tanzania before I left. So when I got an invitation to join my friends at another village, I thought this would be my big chance. So I organised through a friend in town to hire a motorbike for 10000 Shillings (about ten bucks). The man happened to be a bit drunk when I gave him the money and then he proceeded to buy us a beer with it. Not a good start cause the money was for fuel. I was a little worried but excited none the less. So I waited for him the next morning, imagining a … read more »

My name is Jane Davis, I am 27 years old and from Australia. I have just spent 10 weeks working as a volunteer with Volunteer Africa and have had an amazing experience. Hereafter is what I wrote to my family and friends and that made the first part of my trip so special.Things are going great here and African life is starting to feel normal. sights that were so weird and novel a few weeks ago are just part of my days now. Such as 5 year old hearding cows, carrying water and their younger siblings, kids in clothes better explained as rags, being contsantly stared at, the beautiful and welcoming … read more »

For the last three weeks I have been doing volunteer work for the Rural Women Development Association, after meeting Gloria Nkungu who founded the Association. They are financially supported by The Kanga Project, a UK charity and as I understand The Kanga Project was set up exclusively to help this association. Since KP has got a website, I thought it would be good to make it lively with a blog.Now things are not always (often, more like) easy in Tanzania. They do have internet cafes, but the connections are not always reliable and as I have to wait to be in Singida to post, don’t expect me … read more »