Ian, a former teacher, has worked on the Mikindani project, in Tanzania,
for nearly two years and was responsible for the transformation of the
Education section of Trade Aid. The legacy he leaves behind is one of
sound training and education structures as well as a vision for the future
conservation of the Mikindani area and its natural resources. Ian was
responsible for creating the enormously successful Mikindani Tree Nursery,
which, in conjunction with the local primary schools, is helping to halt
the massive soil erosion problems in the area, through education and replanting.
The Beetle met Ian and shared a few beers when she was last in Mikindani
and can vouch for the terrific job that he and the other volunteers are
doing in Mikindani.
Well about a year after I intended to leave, I'm finally going to
escape the grip of Mikindani. What a place and what a project. The one
thing I've found here is that you exist on two levels, high as a kite,
exhilarated by the place and some small achievement that has been made
or deflated and worn down by the frustrations of living and working here.
There is rarely a happy medium, which is annoying as that is the state
that the majority of the people in Mikindani seem to be able to achieve.
I have stayed this long for a number of reasons. The people at the Boma
and in Mikindani are almost to a man and woman friendly and welcoming,
though I would not pretend to be closely integrated into the village even
after 20 months. Language aside, the cultural and economic gap is massive
and I would suggest insurmountable. Mikindani has a lovely ambience and
is visually quite stunning. However to the casual observer it may appear
more like a malarial infested swamp, its people living in mud huts, dressed
in rags with cholera a recurring problem. You have to look beyond that
though.
The project and the work have been a constant source of frustration though
I think many worthwhile projects have been initiated and are now producing
results. The renovation of the Boma is an awesome achievement and we must
continue to spread the word of its existence to a wider audience both
in Tanzania and beyond. The new volunteers have been fantastic company,
have managed to keep themselves more or less healthy and achieved a great
deal for Trade Aid and the Boma. Our returned volunteers Len and Alex
continue to provide a vital input both on the ground in Mikindani and
in the UK. It's proof of the fact that this place and project does
change lives. We now have a rolling three-year plan that provides some
direction for Trade Aid and should keep the volunteers gainfully employed.
A couple of pet projects of mine have taken off. I'm proud of the
Information Room and delighted that the tree nursery will continue to
run next year and hopefully for years to come. In addition, many of the
staff have developed beyond all recognition learning new skills in computers,
English or other vocational activities. Developments on the hotel management
side also bode well for the future.
I have also had the opportunity to travel in one of my favourite parts
of the world, spending plenty of time bird watching, game viewing (which
on a good day surpasses anything else the World has to offer) and generally
being a natural history anorak. I've met so many great people, friendly,
interesting and good company. Even the less savoury characters that occasionally
pass through here have on reflection provided me with an endless source
of amusement.
And finally I have had the company of the canine duo, Chagga and Diablo.
Everyone says they're mad, but what I've come to realise is that
you have to be mad to live here for an extended period. It's Catch
22; they are in fact superbly adapted to have a long and happy life in
Mikindani. I'm sure some time in the future, I'll come back and
share a small piece of that life with them.
Thanks to Sherie at Trade Aid. For more information on the work carried
out by Trade Aid in Tanzania, see their website www.mikindani.com
