TZ: Up Close and Personal

The transportation system I described in one of my earlier posts became a lived experience for me this afternoon. We stood by the side of the road and hailed an oncoming 'basi' or 'ice', squeezed into the remaining seats and headed to our first transfer station. A large part of this system is unofficial with no bus stop signs, very little signage on buses, and no real bus shelters. You have to rely on the direction the bus is coming from, the colour of the stripes on its side and the hurried cries of the 'conductor'. Personal space is not an option with everyone crowding in and more passengers trying to secure a spot, even if it means hanging out the window! At one point, our 'basi' had 30 people squeezed into it, the only way all of us fit in was with the sliding door open. I was so grateful that Lucia, one of the local MCCers, was along for the ride, making certain we got on and off the right buses. Tomorrow, we make the drive on our own...

This past weekend was a nice break from daily Kiswahili lessons and meetings/ orientation we've been having so far. We had an opportunity to visit the St. Joseph orphanage outside Arusha, a project supported by MCC and run by Sister (as everyone calls her). She started the orphanage single-handedly in 2000 and is now caring for 40 children who have lost both parents. The property the orphanage is located on consists of two dorms (one for the girls, one for the boys), a three-room schoolhouse, a dining hall and semi-outdoor kitchen, a large garden, and a hand-dug well. The progress made is impressive but once you meet Sister you understand why the place has come so far. She is a diminutive woman, barely 5'4", and a fireball of energy and enthusiasm, overflowing with love for 'her' children. She is an awe-inspiring example of the people who care deeply for Tanzania and her future.