The Beginning of Things

The count down is certainly on as there are only 10 days left until I leave for Tanzania. If goodbye parties haven't made it abundantly clear that I'm leaving, the fact that I've been buzzing around town getting pictures for visas and prescriptions for mefloquine has! I've always found the reality of a trip does not set in for me until the plane has landed but this time around I'm feeling the anticipation.
Last week I had the chance to meet with my professor and our partner from Tanzania, Dr. Mongula. It is great to know I'll have a familiar face when I arrive. And now that I have a clearer picture of what I'll be doing, I can share the details of my trip. First let me explain that this is a three month internship through the Students for Development program and graciously funded by CIDA. This program is offered at Universities across Canada so if this is something you're interested in you should talk to your counselling department!
My first month will be spent in Dar es Salaam, a major port city that functions like a capital city in everything but title. Here I will be meeting with faculty of the Haki Shiriki Katika Sera project to write up biographies that will be released in a media package. This task will allow me to become better acquainted with the various roles and tasks within  the project and of course produce an informative booklet on the NGO. In my time off I will be able to visit the craftsmen markets and go to the beach...which if you know me is a favourite past time!
November and December will be spent in the cooler airs of Monduli and Arusha, which I'm sure will be a welcome change after the hot days in Dar. Here I will be working on my main objective: the creation of a resource database. The Project asked Maasai leaders to identify the areas that need greater development for the benefit of their tribe. The following three areas were identified:
1. Maternity and Early Childhood
2. Livestock
3. Water Resources
There are dozens of NGOs and government projects that provide services in these areas but the key is connecting people to resources. So my task is to gather all the information imaginable on these resources such as when are clinics open? Which areas does the vet visit and when? What are the costs of available services? The list goes on...
Once this database is compiled we can set up something similar to a 'call centre' or 'information line' where people can call one number to find out information on multiple topics. Another opportunity to spread the information is through the local radio station. Perhaps they can have a daily topic that includes resource information and a chance for people to call in and ask questions. Don't forget...nearly everyone has a cell phone in Tanzania.
All of this will involve a lot of travelling around and talking to people, from which I anticipate gaining a fuller understanding of 'real' development work and the face of Tanzania.
So that's about it for now. You can expect these posts to be full of interesting stories and pictures and tales of the people I will meet. Oh the places I'll go!