Marlis

My Time in Tanzania... An Experience Report

Seeing Africa... someday, when I grow up. That was my dream as a youth.

"Pole, Pole – slowly, slowly," I read many years later in a weekly magazine. The decision to finally put my plans into action had been made.

Julia Lantschner from Steinegg founded the PA1 Together for Africa association in Tanzania about ten years ago. Here, young women are given the chance to live independently. At the affiliated school, young girls learn to use their craft skills and receive a holistic education that opens up new paths to independence. I could easily imagine contributing to this. Julia's positive attitude and her warm personality reinforced my decision.

After several hours of flying, landing in Dar es Salaam—Tanzania.

Unfamiliar warm, humid air hits me. I am in Africa.

Despite the early morning hours, there is a bustling activity on the streets. It’s a big city, after all.

Everything is perfectly organized. My taxi is already waiting to take me to Gezaolole/Kigamboni, where Julia’s school is located, and where I will also be staying.

My fatigue is gone, and wide awake and curious, I take in the new sights. My first impression of Africa is pleasantly surprising.

This did not change in the following months.

Pole, pole... For me, as a European, it was initially not easy to stay relaxed and patient. It was not my usual rhythm, but I was a guest in a foreign country and tried to understand and adapt. This process was quicker than expected.

I learned to follow a work rhythm during “my time in Tanzania” that has become foreign to us in Europe. It allowed me to organize and enjoy my day without haste and tension.

What wasn’t possible one day could be possible in the coming days, and that, without feeling “behind schedule.”

"Tomorrow or... after tomorrow – don’t worry."

I remember my first impression of the sewing school. I had expected to find the students lined up at the sewing machines. The sewing machines were lined up, but some girls were sewing, others were chatting and laughing, two were taking their afternoon nap, and two small children were racing between the sewing machines. Fabrics were spread out on the floor, and spools of thread were scattered around "within reach." For me, it was a somewhat unfamiliar way of working.

I also quickly adapted to the relaxed and cheerful working atmosphere with "my students" while pottery, my main area of work, was being done. Together, we cleaned, kneaded, and shaped the clay. Some girls discovered unknown abilities while working and were happy and a little proud. Others did not find themselves suited to vigorous kneading or cleaning the clay, and preferred to leave this work to others. However, everyone showed enjoyment and commitment to their work. Together, we built a simple kiln, carried bricks, collected wood, obtained sawdust, and loaded the oven. Although the results were sometimes not exactly as expected or hoped, the joy on each girl's face regarding the created pieces was evident.

I was able to spend carefree days in Tanzania over the two months and learned a lot; both with the girls at school and in my free time with Julia's family or while independently exploring the country on weekends.

Of course, as a white person, I was closely observed and perhaps even scrutinized in the village. However, there was never a situation where I did not feel comfortable. A friendly, respectful smile facilitated communication even with language difficulties.

On the way to school, I encountered more or less the same people every day. It didn’t take long before I felt like I belonged. Some children waved cheerfully, others acknowledged me with an almost imperceptible gesture. A usually friendly "good morning" or "jambo" was a good start to the day.

Leaving Tanzania was not easy for me.

I felt immediately at home with Julia's family, and the girls at the school welcomed me with openness and warmth. I looked forward to my work with them every day. I learned from them, among other things, how to prepare chapati, the local flatbreads, extract coconut milk, cut vegetables "Tanzanian-style," and, above all, that there is always a solution for everything. ... don’t worry …

I learned to be more patient and empathetic in Tanzania. But I must also admit, it was not always easy for me to wait under the scorching sun for the ordered moto-taxi that would arrive pole, pole, perhaps in half an hour or pole, pole, only after an hour...

I am already looking forward to the upcoming months in Tanzania…