Aren't they precious? They are why we--Heifer donors AND staff--
do what we do.

Kelly's Tanzania Journal
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Day 2
Thursday, February 16, 2006

Today I learned it’s not easy getting to Mogabiri, Tanzania either. This morning, nine of us departed Musoma, having been told it would be about a 40 minute trip. Tererai had questioned the trip planner: “Is that 40 Western minutes or 40 African minutes?!” Everybody laughed then, and again later, when it turned out to be about an hour on the nice, paved highway, heading east to Kenya, across the Mara River, and then…! THEN you turn off the highway on a dirt road—beautiful scenery, but still, a dirt road—and follow that for an hour and a half! So 2 ½ hours later our potential project partner and potential recipients from three villages greeted us. (We were expecting to work with one village—word had traveled, obviously! I never got to the bottom of that.) In Africa, you learn to go with the flow.

The potential project holder, Heifer’s field partner on other projects, is Mogabiri Farmer’s Extension Service, supported by the Anglican church. For more than ten years they have been working in the highlands of this region, with much success. “They are not hungry anymore in the highlands,” says Rosalene of MFES. “Now we need to focus on villages in the lowlands.” MFES was our link to this village and how we came to be here on this sunny, dry day.

Slowly, but systematically, Heifer staff leads about 30 villagers through several of the new “tools.” First, we look at what they think determines different levels of wealth in their villages, creating a chart on the chalkboard. Since it was written in Swahili, I couldn’t read it, but one line had the numbers 0, 1-2, 3-5, then 6-12. “What is that category,” I asked? “The number of wives a man has,” came the answer. “OH!” I say, and they all laugh. See, the gender equity issue presents itself in several ways!

After the wealth rankings, the people draw maps of their villages (it raises questions like “where is the nearest water source? Health care facility?” Even toilets.) Next, staff gently leads the men and women through steps to identify their issues and prioritize their needs. For example, is HIV/AIDS or availability of firewood more pressing? HIV/AIDS is a bigger issue. HIV/AIDS or availability of water (maji)? A resounding maji; in fact, water was ultimately found to be their most consistent, debilitating problem. The gender equity calendar is a tool to document how the men and women spend the hours of their day. We repeatedly hear of women waking at 2 a.m. to travel 4 or more miles to get fresh water, and then have to wait their turn, returning about 8 a.m. Even the men agree this is so. The gender equity issue again.

Lastly, household inventories are done with a random sample of villagers, asking what they own, earn, spend, etc. Tomorrow we will compile all the data before we return (yes, another 2 ½ hours one way!) on Saturday to share with them the results of their work and to firm up plans for a project proposal, tailored to them.

These people are quick to laugh, smile and shake your hand. They are also serious about caring for their families and improving their lives. This was an all-day undertaking. We ate lunch with them (about 5:30 p.m.!) and got back to town and the hotel about 8:30. p.m. 

Man, am I tired! But a good tired. Having seen established Heifer programs, and knowing firsthand the positive changes Heifer can bring to a community, I can say the folks I met today are lucky Tanzanians. Lucky because Heifer, i.e. help is on the way. Heifer, because of its donors, is bringing opportunity and hope to these fine people, and today I was witness to it. 

I gotta sleep fast; tomorrow is another busy day.

P.S. If you want to lead a parade in Africa, take your camera out of its bag and snap one picture.

P. S. S. The vastness of this land, and the difficulty in getting from one place to another, is one of Heifer Tanzania’s real challenges. The country is made up of 26 regions, each region is made up of districts, districts of wards, wards are made up of communities, each community is made up of villages. Now perhaps you better understand, that while Heifer has been in Tanzania for more than 30 years, there is still much work to do here.

P.S.S.S. The power went out at the hotel again tonight—this time I was in the bathtub! Before I got aggravated, I remembered the villagers I had just shared the day with, also didn’t have power tonight-- or any other night, for that matter.

Thanks for reading! Check back next week for Day 3, when there was a change in my itinerary.

Kelly Ford
Communications Manager
Heifer Foundation

Read Day 1 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5