Habari,
I can’t believe it’s been a month since I stepped off the plane into Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. It felt so much different than four months prior when I landed in Delhi, but the anxiety and nerves were still present. After a fairly quick line, I had my second visa stuck into my passport, which would allow me 90 days of tourism in Tanzania. After spending the night in Dar; Jack, Colleen, and I hopped into a taxi headed to Morogoro, approximately four hours from the populated city of Dar Es Salaam. When we reached Morogoro, we unloaded in front of the language school, which would be our homes for the next seven nights. We spent our days mastering the very basics of the Swahili language; by mastering I mean being able to say, “what’s the news”, and formulating a choppy response. After our experience with the language school came to a close, we boarded a bus, Jack and I headed to Mafinga, and Colleen continuing on to Njombe.
For 8 cramped hours I battled the man sitting in front of me for control of the window. See, he wanted the window closed, but a boy like me from the Pacific Northwest, definitely needs a breeze in this African heat. We compromised eventually, and by compromised I mean the window remained shut. The bus finally rolled by a sign titled, “Mafinga”, and my excitement couldn’t be contained. However, I’d have to say goodbye to my dear friend Colleen, who I’d experienced India with. After a tight hug, and our good lucks exchanged, I hopped off the bus, where I was instantly greeted by a man named Sele.
Somehow, Sele picked Jack and I right out of the crowd of Tanzanians, I guess we stuck out. A long bumpy ride followed before we finally reached our destination, Mufindi Children’s Village. When I arrived, the wonderful Jenny Peck was outside waiting to greet me. Jenny took me to the “big boys house”, also known as house three, where she instructed a boy named Kastory to introduce me to everyone. Little Kastory is such a leader, and totally embraces the role. He gave me a plate of beans, ugali, and a chapati. He took me around introducing me to the older boys. Eventually, he took me to my house, just the next house over, and told me it was a good idea to get some rest. Now, let’s fast forwarded three weeks to the present.
My mornings are taken up teaching English class to the sewing school students. I shadow an incredible British woman named Julia, who has been coming to Mufindi for 3 years. She lets me shadow her, and regularly includes me in the lessons. She is a grandmother, but truly is one of my good friends, and I visit her for tea and conversation quite often. There are so many great programs that this orphanage provides, and it truly does wonderful things for the entire community surrounding it. Dr. Bodil, a dentist from Sweden, volunteers 6 months a year in Mufindi! Dental hygiene is a huge problem here, and there aren’t any dentists aside from the very few that volunteer their time. I got the privilege of shadowing her at the clinic for a few days, where I saw her pull 35 teeth!
I love my FVP placement, and the community I’m surrounded by. I came to Africa with the intention of teaching these kids things they’d never otherwise learn, but the reality is, they’re teaching me. Their stories of overcoming obstacles and traumatic events are truly inspiring. They have so many reasons to have given up, but their hearts remain golden. They smile so bright, that you can’t help but smile back, no matter what has happened previously in your day. I truly couldn’t have picked a placement that suits me better, and I am forever grateful for the lessons Africa has taught me. Through Carpe Diem, I have had the opportunity to see so much of India, and now I’m in the beautiful country of Tanzania, getting a truly unique experience! I’ve taken 14 flights in 4 months, and been to places around the world I never imagined I’d reach. Deciding to become a Latitudes student half way through my India semester way the best decision I’ve made in my entire life. I’ve learned more about myself and the world outside of the United States, more than I ever imagined possible. I couldn’t have done it without Carpe Diem Education.
— Luke Follett