Hello and welcome to my first blog from Tanzania. The last couple of weeks here have been a whirlwind. When I arrived I went to the VSO country office in Dar Es Salaam I met loads of other volunteers from all corners of the world; the Philippines, Holland, Quebec, Uganda, Kenya – a right international amalgamation. We received our Tanzania induction, which included getting a local Vodacom sim. Now we can make free calls to other VSO staff and volunteers, which I think will be invaluable. Steve and Roger, my co volunteers, came to pick me up from Mtwara airport and took me to Lindi which will be my home for the next two years!
My house is not quite ready to move into, though I have seen the outside and after its new paint job of lilac and green it is looking luridly impressive. Apparently the painters are from Dar Es Salaam and they have their finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest coloured masonry fashions. So, I am currently staying in a hotel around the corner, which is clean, tidy and air conditioned.
My new home
Meeting my new colleagues
It was great to be met by Steve and Roger, the two volunteers who are also working on the project I’ll be starting on. Their steep learning curve has certainly made my arrival a little easier. A priority for a Lindi induction is to be shown the local beach, about two minutes from my door.
They were almost apologetic for the cloudy sky and said they’d never seen it looking so uninviting. I was ecstatic! I particularly like how natural it is, passing from fine white sand through a narrow band of grass and shrubs over a dirt track and into Lindi town. However, I can’t help but think it is ripe for a Tsunami disaster, but perhaps that is just a hazard of being a geography teacher. I have already planned my escape run to the hills. Unfortunately this will involve getting fit! Hopefully the plates on the other side of the Indian Ocean will stay quiet!
The beach at Lindi
Creating a ripple effect
I’m already starting to get to grips with my project and the task ahead for the next two years. My official title is Teacher Methodology Advisor, which put simply means I’ll be working with small groups of ‘focus’ teachers from different schools in the region in order to help improve their teaching. The idea is that these ‘focus’ teachers improve their knowledge and skills, so that they can go on and share that knowledge with their teaching colleagues. In turn, those teachers can spread that knowledge even further. By creating this ripple effect thousands of young children receive good teaching, giving them a far greater chance at overcoming the poverty they were born into.
I can’t wait to get stuck into my work and being able to tell you about the impact your gifts are having on the teachers and children here in Tanzania. Thank you again for your support.
Best wishes,
Paul
