I have been so preoccupied with Africa and my trip next week that I have hardly posted on the Italy board! I am bringing two large duffel bags of things donated by my running club(shoes,clothing)to give to our porters and any worthwile charity along the way.Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world with a annual per capita income of 200-400 dollars! I really don't know how i will feel about this but I anticipate I will be overwhelmed.RR
I have never been to Africa, but even going to Mexico or Europe or (insert country) it is always disturbing and eye-opening to visit those places coming from the LAND OF PLENTY! It will touch your core.
I went to Cuba a few years ago and we took clothes and medicine...it was the most eye opening experience of my life. When I got home I gave away half my belongings, feeling sheepish for having so much when others have so little. Enjoy and savor ever moment, really meet people and see their lives, that is what we did in Cuba and it has made me a better, wiser person.
Glad that you are bringing stuff too, every little bit helps, they will be so happy!
A few years ago, coming back from Italy, I sat next to a young man from Tanzania who was just returning from an economic conference in London. We got into a very interesting conversation, and I asked him what was the most useful thing we Americans could do to help countries less prosperous that ourselves. Money? goods? policies? communication?
He said he thought the most important thing we could do was to visit. Once you have been to a country, met and lived with its people, he said, both your world and theirs have already become different, and you can never see each other as inhumans again. (I wish that were always true, but it certainly seems to take some roundabout turns in war.) Financial aid was secondary compared to a real understanding of its purpose.
Some time after a I got home, I received an invitation to his ordination, and only a couple of months ago he wrote to me: "I came back to Nairobi after worked with refugees in Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. Now I am starting a new center for the underpreviledged families in Nairobi...welcome to Kenya, you will see by yourself what we are doing."
If you are going to be in Kenya and have any interest in following up on this, I will be glad to write to him on your behalf, or to send you his email address by Private Message.
Where in Tanzania are you going? We spent about 12 days in Kenya in 2000 and ever since I've wanted to go to Tanzania to see the Serengeti and view Kilimanjaro from the south side.
ellen
Posts: 2998 | Location: mahwah, new jersey, usa | Registered: 10 December 2003
We fly la to london,spend almost 24 hours there where we will take a bus tour,staying at the holiday inn at Heathrow (one of the 3).Fly to Nairobi overnight there,shuttle to Arusha-Hike up Mt Meru which is 15000 feet(don't want my wife to get poss. altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro,she is very prone to that and migraines.Then Sarengeti,Tangeriere(sp?) and a few days at Norogogoro crater.Then a hike across the crater highlands to a volcano which we climb on new years day(last new years was the Grand Canyon)back through Nairobi to home.RR
Robert, it sounds like a great trip. I am curious - Can you tell us more on how you arranged the trip? I'm starting to plan our trip to South Africa and I could use advice. Also, have you found any other internet boards that are useful for planning? Right now, I'm using Fodors.
You also asked about South African wine in another thread. I've been drinking and enjoying the SA sauvignon blancs. They are starting to do them in the New Zealand style which I like. I haven't tried too many reds yet. I want to learn more about Pinotage which is a grape that SA has specialized in. It is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault and originated in SA. I currently have a bottle of Warwick Pinotage and I'll try it tonight and report back.
Robert, you are going to have a spectacular experience. Of all our travels, the trip to Tanzania remains the most incredible. You may want to check out my report and photos from our trip. I think you will enjoy it--at least the pics. Tanzania I really look forward to your report when you return.
I absolutely loved Kenya and, as I said, I really want to see Tanzania and South Africa, but I have conflicted feelings about it. We stayed in expensive, well appointed camps clearly established for western visitors. I know that our money helps sustain their economy, but I couldn't help feeling uncomfortable when comparing all that I have with how little the average Kenyan has. The worst part of the trip for me was a stop our guide (Otette, a native Kenyan with a Masters degree who had been educated in Europe and drove tourists around for a living) arranged at a Massi tribal home. While I understood that our money helped to sustain them, I couldn't help feeling like an interloper in their homes. Very uncomfortable. Catholic guilt, perhaps? Even so, I'd go back in a heartbeat.
ellen
Posts: 2998 | Location: mahwah, new jersey, usa | Registered: 10 December 2003
Yes,I will feel a triffle colonial esp. as we hve our own guide and cook etc.But as you say it does support the economy.It is incredible but the vast majority of american tourists don't even make the connection of these vast economic differences!I have seen questions on boards about staying in a "non western-boutique luxury african accomodation" Get a clue a african native would be staying in a hut with no running water or toilet and living for a year on what it costs for one night in your "boutique hotel".We are staying in some fancy places it is almost unavoidable.But we are also camping for more than half the nights. I choose the itinerary based on the fact that I didn't want to sit in a car for two weeks loooking at animals from a car.I wanted to get out and walk,we will go through small villages that most tourists don't even see.I planed with the Lonely Planet Trekking in East Africa and the rough guide to Tanzania and the help of
Tropical Trails. The lonely Planet board for /africa is very active.Many people have been to Africa and like our Italy board ask advanced questions.
So,I am taking two duffle bags full of shoes,clothes etc about 100 lbs, and someone told me to take pens of all things,any other ideas for small items to take? RR
A list of stuff to take with you could get quite expensive, so it depends on how much you want to spend. I'll make some suggestions just to get your creative juices flowing.
Free stuff
Your smile.
Making an effort to remember the name of each person (cook, porter, etc.).
Thanking them for their assistance.
Listening to however much of their life stories they feel like sharing with you around the campfire at night. (I have not been to East Africa, but in Southern Africa questions are considered to be intrusive. I suppose it would be okay to ask simple questions, like where in Tanzania a person had been born and perhaps how many children (s)he had. I'm guessing it would not be considered polite to get very detailed in one's questions. One could give some details about one's own life, like how many siblings one had, and leave it up to the other person to decide how much (s)he wanted to reveal about himself.)
In Southern Africa (and so I'm guessing in East Africa too), it's considered polite to give something to another person with both hands, not just one hand. This would extend even to handing over cash for a purchase and so on. You won't be considered impolite if you don't know any better, but the other person will be surprised and delighted if you do this.
Sorry, I don't mean to sound patronising in providing the above list. It sounds as if you already are attuned to the fact that there will be cultural sensitivies. It's just that I'm very aware of Africa's history, in which black people used to be the workers and white people used to take the workers for granted. These days some well heeled American posters seem to betray some of the old colonial attitudes. When I read their posts it makes me wonder how they behave towards their guides and the other staff at the game lodges. I know it means a lot to a worker if (s)he is recognised and appreciated as an individual.
Small gifts
Collapsed soccer ball (can be inflated locally)
Inflatable globe that can be used to teach geography in a classroom
Toothbrushes
Soap
Bandanas (have dozens of uses, both as clothing and non-clothing)
Sarong (essentially just a long piece of cloth, also has dozens of uses from acting as a woman's skirt to a sling in which she can carry her baby on her back)
Unbreakable mirror
A small musical instrument, such as a xylophone
Take a photo of a person. If you have a Polaroid camera, give him/her the photo right away. If you don't, mail the photo when you get home.
Money. In my opinion, the gifts of clothing, etc., should not be a subsitute for tips to your cook, porters, etc. I'm not saying you don't intend to give tips, but just in case this somehow has escaped your attention, I'll mention that it is customary to give tips. Perhaps this is something you've already researched at Lonely Planet, or perhaps the company or companies with which you're dealing have provided you with guidelines of what's considered appropriate.
Stuff not to give
Candy. It ruins kids' teeth, and they don't receive dental care.
As in any underdeveloped nation, some of the most valuable things that we can bring are school supplies of all kinds. The schools in Tanzania are very primitive with up to 70-80 kids in small rooms, 3 or 4 kids to a desk/table meant for one. The rooms are stiffling hot if they are enclosed--some are opensided which is fine except when it rains. Pencils, pens, crayons, tablets, little books, chalk, erasers, rulers, etc. are all appropriate and much needed by the young generations which are being schooled in increasingly larger numbers.Children must wear uniforms which parents must provide--this is difficult as most parents are very poor. I'm not certain how to help with this situation unless money can be given to villages to help with this cost. Soap is another commodity that is good to offer to schools as many of them are developing programs to teach improved hygiene. I know that you have more ideas than you can manage--anything you do can be helpful.
So far I have 9 dozen pens and our two large duffle bags of clothes and shoes etc.about 100 lbs worth! If we were to give money in a village who would be a trustworthy person to give it to? RR
quote:If we were to give money in a village who would be a trustworthy person to give it to?
If I were doing this in Southern Africa, I would ask the opinion of my local guide. I might take his advice or I might not, but I would use his opinion in weighing my decision.
In the absence of advice from my guide, I would entrust the money to the principal of the local school. Another option would be the director of a town's hospital or clinic. Still another option, if there was a church or mission station in a town, would be the priest or minister.
This strategy seems to have worked for me in Southern Africa and in Mexico, so I'm guessing it would work in East Africa too.
But I think you have to wait and see what situation you find once you're on the ground, and at the end of the day trust your own gut.
Robert, if you are looking for an outlet for money to help Tanzanian kids, this is a reputable non-profit organization that works with the schools there. As you will see, it was established by people who visited Tanzania using Thomson safaris; however, the organization is not connected to Thomson. If you contacted them before you go, they could set you up with visitations, etc. Then you could give money without fear of it being misdirected. This is the website Friends of Tanzanian Schools
Jane,I would like to visit but we have such a short Time in Arusha.I will donate to this group it sounds great.I am begining to get excited,I will keep a journal and should have about 800 photos when I get back. RR
Robert: I visited northern Vietnam in August. They, too earn less than $400/yr. Monitarily they have little. But they have much in terms of pride, integrity and history. They alway have a smile for you and welcome you into their home to share what they have. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I will be returning there again in April.
Pat
Posts: 56 | Location: Temecula, CA | Registered: 18 January 2004
Robert, 800 pictures--can't wait to see them. That is great that you may contribute to the school organization. I can attest to their integrity and intent. We have considered going and volunteering for a while as in one of our lives we were educators. Have a great trip! You are going about the same time of year that we went--a little earlier.
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