American politics in Tanzania

Editor’s note: This picture was taken by Jennifer R. who is currently an intern in Global Service Corps HIV/AIDS education and prevention program. Thanks for the photo Jennifer.

Everyone seems to be involved in American politics during this election year. Even in Arusha, Tanzania the local Daladala (mini bus taxi) drivers are getting their opinions heard. Daladala’s are usually decorated in some form by their drivers, but this may be the first time a US presidential candidate has been featured on one’s rear window! 

Fun Facts about Arusha

Editor’s note: Jennifer R. is a current participant in the HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention Program in Tanzania. She will be working with us for the next six months. We look forward to receiving more posts from her throughout her time in Tanziania! Thanks for the post Jennifer!

 

Fun Facts about my new life and home…

Arusha has definitely been an interesting place to live in. I have only been here a few weeks now, but here are some first impressions:

• The amount of dust is outstanding, it covers everything. Because of this, I have severely changed my view of cleanliness.
• Almost everyone, EVERYONE, knows how to say “Good Morning” in English. This is how I am greeted all day and night, no matter what time it really is. I found out it is because these are the first words kids learn in English, so they can go to school and say “Good Morning Teacher”.
• Tanzanians talk very softly, sometimes I have to make the students stand up and ask them to yell just to hear them. But on the street, everyone here also LOVES to say hello to the Muzungus, or white foreigners. They will yell “hello” or “Mambo” at you and get louder and louder until you just go ahead and answer back “Hello” or “Poa”. They seem to get a huge thrill from this. It is normal and customary for Tanzanians to always greet each other, but we are the only ones who get yelled at. We are truly fish out of water here, I am enjoying being different, but it is definitely an eye-opening experience.
• The students in our class move their desk forward instead of their chair back when they are called on to stand and read or come to the board.
• Herds of goats wander through our field next to our classroom, it is surreal to watch out of the classroom window.
• We run on an entirely different schedule here, on African time, which usually means everything is always late and you can’t seem to help it. They are even worse than New Orleans people, my friends and family at home you have met your match!