Update #1

Arrival

On Monday morning, at half past 5, I landed at Kilimanjaro Airport. My concern about the visa, I hadn't printed out the confirmation for my departure, was completely unfounded, because all the paperwork ends up in piles anyway. A visa for 90 days costs $250. Finally, I grabbed my things and left the airport. The airport is very small, and there were two other girls from World Unite waiting there, so we could wait together for George, the driver. After 1 hour, he arrived, but the car was broken.. During the waiting time, we talked to a Tanzanian ranger who had been waiting in vain for his Swiss guests. Coincidentally, he had seen a lot of Germany and could speak almost fluent German.

When George arrived, he first took me to my host family.

Family

My family consists of Dr. Mosi (doctor) (Baba Hope), Mama Hope (teacher), daughter Hope (11), son Abdeli (9), and the youngest Patricia (6). There is also the housekeeper Oceana and the niece Diana, who spends a lot of time there and practically supports Oceana all the time, but actually lives next door.

The house is better than most in the village, I guess. There is a living room with a dining table and a television that is always on during meals, then 4 small bedrooms, one for the parents, one for the children, one for Oceana, and one for me. And on the same hallway, there is a shower and a toilet cubicle (squat toilet) with a sink in front of it.

When I arrived, there was no running water, then it came back, and now it's gone again. But it's not that bad.

Everyone is very nice, but you can tell that it is a strict hierarchy here, men before women, then old before young. And Oceana really does everything. That's strange and also quite uncomfortable for me. She also does my laundry, I only do my underwear and then hang it up in my room.

We have chickens and the house is surrounded by avocado, banana, papaya, mango, and coffee plants. It looks very jungle-like and cool, but dry because Tanzania is currently experiencing a severe drought.

As neighbors, there are many animals (and people) that are loud in the mornings and evenings for a long time. I'm sure I'll get used to it.

Food-wise, it's fine, everything is always very greasy, which is not so great. But it's okay. And a lot of it is eaten with the fingers.

In addition, I'm going through chocolate withdrawal! I only opened the only Ritter Sport today..

In the morning, Baba Hope (the parents are also called by the name of the oldest child) has breakfast with me, and at some point, I have to say that I have to leave, otherwise, we would have breakfast for two hours. In the evening, we all eat together.

Sanya Juu

It's not that small. The center is, but there are smaller villages around it. From here, you definitely have a breathtaking view of Mount Kilimanjaro. So big and majestic, you can't even imagine. Really unbelievable!

Orphanage

The Hope Evangelistic Missionary Orphanage Center is a 15-20 minute walk away.

In the morning at 9, when I arrive, only the babies are there because there is also a kind of preschool there. But the children are still very young. And soooooo cute! They stay at the center until 2 pm. I help with teaching, playing, cooking, washing (I got blisters on my fingers on the first day), and just messing around. Everything is very relaxed. There are two teachers for the babies, then there's Wity, who speaks very good English and is actually a teacher, but can't find a decent job. Wity is also there all day and takes care of all sorts of things, in the afternoons she teaches English for an hour.

Naomi is the matron, the mother figure, and also sleeps there. She speaks English well too. Then there's Mama Karen, who lives on the premises with her husband and takes care of things. The older lady who used to take care of everything hasn't been there yet, but she comes in from day to day. But she is still the boss.

The house is really small and the new extension is not finished yet, it only goes on when there is new money...

On the first day, a grandmother came with two children, I think 3 and 5, and said she couldn't take care of them anymore, the mother hadn't been around for a while. So now they also live there, of course, there were lots of tears and attempts to run away at the beginning, and then that sad look..

All residents have their tasks, they have to help with everyday life, take care of the pigs, chickens, and goats. They are supposed to be sold at some point to earn at least a little money.

Just now I saw all the donations that are still there. They often don't even know that themselves, so now I'm trying to build a shelf so that everything can be organized a bit better.

Moshi

It's so bustling. But exciting. And colorful! I will go into many stores, visit markets, and bars. I think there is a lot to discover. It took me 1.5 hours by daladala and a one-way ticket costs €1. However, at 6:30 pm, everywhere, you have to be back home or take a taxi because then it's dark and too dangerous to walk around outside.

Today, there were 16 people in the daladala, it was quite cozy. And on the way back, the driver forgot about me, but fortunately, a woman knew Dr. Mosi and then sent two boys back with me to find my way back. It wasn't far, but it was dark. Mosi was already waiting and was worried because it took me so long. But it was all very funny because in the morning he told me that it had happened to the former volunteer too, to be forgotten, but it doesn't usually happen. And then, poof, right the first time..

Anni

I'm doing well, but the first evening was really difficult. Culture shock, existential crisis, and missing home were quite a lot for one evening. But it gets better every day, and I have to practice Tanzanian patience!

P.S. Of course, I forgot to take the malaria tablets in the past few days, but I haven't seen a single mosquito yet!