Unlike the past couple of days, today was more focused on observing and understanding the Tanzanian health care system. I was really excited about this for obvious reasons. The main one is that I would like to pursue some type of health career especially within the public health sector. Needless to say, today we visited a district hospital in the outskirts of a town called Iringa. It’s a hospital clinic in partnership with Doctors with Africa that was founded by this AMAZING talented Italian doctor. The main objective of this hospital is to provide prenatal and postnatal care. The second big thing it deals with is aiding kids with severe malnutrition. This hospital was so inspiring because it honestly was a great way to see the various problems people here have. The one thing that made me really sad was the fact that a lot of these pregnant women were really young–20 to 21 year olds. It made me so sad because my only were most my age, but I also felt so helpless. Even writing about it brings me to tears since I’m reflecting on my life and education. Today was just another reminder that I need to help out and give back to this continent because it is such a huge makeup of who I am.
Author Archives: Farnese Motto
Jambo Tanzania!
Officially in Tanzania! I cannot begin to express the excitement I have when it comes to expressing how I feel about being here. First thing first, it’s amazing how friendly the people of Tanzania are. I expected myself to be very nervous and anxious because I do not speak Swahili nor do I understand it. I will admit that the very first night spent (which was in Dar es Salaam) here, I did feel conscious about the language barriers. But Lately, everything has really been turning around. I am so proud to say that I have picked up a few terms! For example, I know that if I wanted to say, I would like some water then it would be “U-ni taka Majhi.” Well I least I hope that’s it (in my defense, I’m still learning so cut me some slack!).
There is so much I want to say and write about but don’t even know where to start especially because the access to internet here is very limited so in a sense, I have to pick and choose the most exciting parts of my day to share. I will say that so far, what my group and I have been experiencing is incredibly cool. Just yesterday, we slept for a night in the “Mikumi” national park of Tanzania. It’s the third largest park here and it was great seeing animals such as elephants, zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, warthogs, and elands. Oh…don’t even get me started on the different type of birds I saw. I typically don’t identify myself as a bird fanatic but yesterday, you should have seen me. My favorite one by far, was the lilac breasted roller. The different hues of this bird were just breathing. A Google picture definetely can’t do it any justice. It was just so refreshing seeing these animals in their naturals habitats without the constraints of being in cages.
Pre-Tanzania
After months of planning, the day has finally come for me to start my journey in Tanzania. I haven’t even arrived at my final destination yet but I am already tired! I am currently, impatiently waiting for my connecting flight to Tanzania in Nairobi. By now, the people I’ve met in this transit, that reside in Tanzania, are most likely annoyed by me because of all the questions I am asking them. But I just can’t help it. I’m just too excited, anxious, and nervous at the same time.
As I am writing this, my thoughts are all over the place because I’m wondering if I packed too much, didn’t pack enough, how the culture and the people are, how will I fit in or not fit in. Even thisbeing said, I’m just going to take it all in and enjoy every moment.
Sadly, I have to board now so can’t say more but I be continued! 🙂
Location: Nairobi, Kenya