After returning back to our reality, I have taken the last two days to reflect on the last two weeks experiences. Not only was this the best experience of my life, it was a phenomenal learning experience as well. The giving to the village was not only about physically giving a home we built with our hands but the experience of living in their foot steps and sharing experiences together as one. I am torn understanding who learned more from one another until remembering what Mother Teresa once said “The poor give us much more than we give them. They're such strong people, living day to day with no food and they never curse, never complain. We don't have to give them pity or sympathy. We have so much to learn from them.”
I must first thank our amazing Developing World Connections Team Leader – Rick Kurzac who lead our team from preparing for the trip and the trip itself. Rick made the trip seam flawless to all by his countess hours behind the scenes planning and the countless hours during the trip even before our day began and the hours after our day ended. I am sure it was not an easy task managing us all and keeping us all happy. Thank you for allowing us to share in your vision and valuing our contributions. Thank you for your daily goal setting and guidance to the team. You are a true leader!
Thank you to my teammates for participating on the journey we just embarked on. The majority of us met for the first time half way around the world as strangers to one another. With a common vision, we became a team. Caring and supporting one another through the journey. Inspiring one another. (Who would of thought I would be teaching the children cartwheels and dancing with the locals at the final ceremony.) Even though our time in Tanzania had ended, as we said our bond of friendship has just begun. A true friendship does not consist of a huge number of friends you keep but it is valued by its worth and capability to hold you and stand by you in all phases of life. I feel honored to have met you all.
Thank you to Kisampa, Dr. Rob, Jeanann & Richard, Sarah and James, Raymond, Ashley and the entire Kisampa team. What an incredible sanctuary you have built. Words cannot describe the experience to live under the stars with the wild life so close and no running water, electricity and walls. Your hospitality was first class. At times I am sure it was trying to please us all (especially Kenny and Mark! LOL) and deal with us on our “on” nights and the new animal noises that could be heard from afar (hmmm…sounds from Doug and Ralph’s banda)! Adjusting your schedules so we could have an early start on the jobsite and ensuring we had lunch packed. Jeanann & Richard you should be congratulated on the fine individual you raised in Dr. Rob. He is an inspiration to us all. Thank you for sharing your vision with us and allowing us to contribute in building a sustainable future in the village of Matipwilli.
To the village of Matipwilli, thank you for welcoming us into your village with open arms. Thank you for allowing us to build the much needed doctor’s home for your village. Thank you for allowing us to learn from your tradesmen. The passion they have for their craft was evident. Thank you for allowing us to learn about your culture and language. Thank you for allowing us to love your children during our stay. They have touched our hearts more than we could ever imagine. To see them waiting for us each morning as we approached the jobsite and watch them waving profusely as we left each day will be a memory we will never forget. Thank you for the beautiful ceremony thanking us for our contribution and for asking us to come back again to your village.
Thank you to my family, friends, Alexandria Moulding and my colleagues who supported me on this journey. Thank you for your well wishes and the inspiring e-mails during my trip. No matter how sore the muscles were, your messages encouraged me to work harder.
Giving back is an area too many of us do not excel in. It is the understanding that experience teaches us to pay life back along the way with small acts of kindness. It is a reciprocal arrangement with the world, give a little and get a little. It keeps the blur of the world in focus. Giving back keeps your mind in tune with others, our perception of ourselves and how others view us.
Business, like life, is a reciprocal arrangement. You have to give something back in order to makes things move ahead. A constant attitude of "taking" leaves emptiness with all parties, whereas "giving" translates into concern and effort for all involved. It provides a mutual success that is reciprocal. Be vigilant watching for ways to give back in those chosen areas of your life. The rewards will be many because inevitably, you get back what you put in.
Our intent was to leave a small foot print in the village of Matipwilli but with the feeling that I have in my heart from this experience I feel that we left a larger foot print than intended. I know that I am a better person today because of this experience. Thank you!!!
Marianne
DWC Participant
Tanzania 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Matipwilli, Tanzania: Departure Day
We woke to say good bye to this amazing sanctuary where we stayed and to our wonderful hosts.
Our departure from Kisampa was a different experience than the 5 hour trek in by road. We are flying out on a charter plane back to Dar Se Saleem.
Kisampa's dirt road runway was built by hand. As we gained speed down the runway, some baboons crossed in front of us. A sight not seen by many.
The view was beautiful. We could see the Indian ocean out the left side of the plane. What surprised us was how many remote houses there were and not in close proximity to water. We also saw so many foundations built but not completed as we got closer to Dar.
From wheels up to wheels down our flight time was 25 minutes.
It was here where I said good bye to the rest of the team. They headed on a 5 day excursion to the Serengetti and the Crater and I was embarking on my 40+ hour trek home.
Until we meet again...safe travels my friends!
Marianne
DWC Participant
Tanzania 2010
Our departure from Kisampa was a different experience than the 5 hour trek in by road. We are flying out on a charter plane back to Dar Se Saleem.
Kisampa's dirt road runway was built by hand. As we gained speed down the runway, some baboons crossed in front of us. A sight not seen by many.
The view was beautiful. We could see the Indian ocean out the left side of the plane. What surprised us was how many remote houses there were and not in close proximity to water. We also saw so many foundations built but not completed as we got closer to Dar.
From wheels up to wheels down our flight time was 25 minutes.
It was here where I said good bye to the rest of the team. They headed on a 5 day excursion to the Serengetti and the Crater and I was embarking on my 40+ hour trek home.
Until we meet again...safe travels my friends!
Marianne
DWC Participant
Tanzania 2010
Matipwilli, Tanzania: Our last night...
Our night began with a traditional celebratory dinner which is eaten by hand sitting on the floor. After dinner we gathered around the fire and brought out the talking stick like we did most night to share experiences from our day. This night though was more about sharing the entire experience.
Many of us shared the stories of the little one's that captured our hearts. Bill (from Kingston, Ont.) talked about a special little girl named Shan and the opportunity to meet her father. Before we left the village Bill ordered the local seamstress make two dresses for her.
We came from different parts of Canada barely knowing each other to come together, unite and help to build a sustainable future in the village of Matipwilli, Tanzania, Africa with the goal of only leaving a small foot print. We have enabled the village with the foundation of a brighter medical future. Not only did we physically build a house but we built friendships with the community and amongst ourselves. These relationships have just begun and won't end as we depart...
Marianne
DWC Participant
Tanzania 2010
Many of us shared the stories of the little one's that captured our hearts. Bill (from Kingston, Ont.) talked about a special little girl named Shan and the opportunity to meet her father. Before we left the village Bill ordered the local seamstress make two dresses for her.
We came from different parts of Canada barely knowing each other to come together, unite and help to build a sustainable future in the village of Matipwilli, Tanzania, Africa with the goal of only leaving a small foot print. We have enabled the village with the foundation of a brighter medical future. Not only did we physically build a house but we built friendships with the community and amongst ourselves. These relationships have just begun and won't end as we depart...
Marianne
DWC Participant
Tanzania 2010
Matipwilli, Tanzania: Our last day of celebration & reflection
Driving into the job site this morning was a much quieter ride than usual. I think we were all reflecting in our own way the past couple of weeks and what lied ahead on our final day.
We knew it was going to be a day of many emotions. We knew that we worked hard over the last two weeks on the job site but the project for the doctor's house was enormous and we were unable to finish it 100%. Even though we had regret of not completing it entirely, the village was elated with our contribution and the opportunity we brought to this small village in remote Africa.
Our morning consisted of cleaning up the site and sweeping out the house. We then had a meeting with the local village construction crew that worked by our sides during the build. We thanked them for their hard work and supporting us coming into their village. We shared our appreciation for them teaching us their craft and their patience while allow us to learn even though they knew they could probably get it done faster. To us, many of their building methods seemed primitive but we had to remind ourselves that we were there to build using their tools and methods. For a by stander watching from the sidelines, they would not have seen any language barrier between us and the workers. Despite some of their hesitation in the beginning, we became a solid team and friendship bonds were built.
Shortly after lunch was the ceremony with the village. It was much larger than we anticipated. The entire village came to a stand still and gathered together for the ceremony including the school. The ceremony began by them entertaining us with music and dancing. They encouraged us to participate in the dancing so I give it a shot. (Boy was it harder than it looked.) Each of the village community committee members spoke expressing their sheer gratitude for our work and the opportunity this house will bring to their village. Without having a proper residence for a doctor, there community has suffered by not being able to ensure they have a fully trained physician to aide them. The current local resident doctor's training is not much more than the first aid training we are familiar with back home. Our Developing World Connections team leader Rick Kurzac then spoke on our teams behalf thanking them for the opportunity to come and work in their village. We then proceeded with showing the village the donation we brought as well. From soccer uniforms and balls, toys, clothes to school supplies, the village applauded with appreciation. The young children tried their best to get as close as possible to the donations. Their facial expressions reminded us of our children on Christmas morning. The village committee will disburse the donations to the villagers in a fair manner ensuring those in most need are helped first.
Once the ceremony was over it was time to say good bye to the village and the people and children whom we have gotten so close too in such a short time. It was at this moment when we realized we were going to leave a much larger foot print than we intended. This experience was live and there were high fives, hand shakes, hugs and tears. When we drove away the children were waving good bye and we wondered if they realized that we would not be back in the morning. We wondered how many would go to the job site the next morning out of routine as they were always there every morning to greet us upon our arrival.
As we drove out of the village our guide Raymond had arranged a special treat. The Maasai people put on a special dance just for our team in their traditional dress attire. It was an amazing sight to watch.
Our drive back to the Kisampa camp was one of reflection. We shared the stories and experience of the day with one another and we were looking forward to our last evening together as "Team Kisampa" in Tanzania, Africa.
Marianne
DWC Participant
Tanzania 2010
We knew it was going to be a day of many emotions. We knew that we worked hard over the last two weeks on the job site but the project for the doctor's house was enormous and we were unable to finish it 100%. Even though we had regret of not completing it entirely, the village was elated with our contribution and the opportunity we brought to this small village in remote Africa.
Our morning consisted of cleaning up the site and sweeping out the house. We then had a meeting with the local village construction crew that worked by our sides during the build. We thanked them for their hard work and supporting us coming into their village. We shared our appreciation for them teaching us their craft and their patience while allow us to learn even though they knew they could probably get it done faster. To us, many of their building methods seemed primitive but we had to remind ourselves that we were there to build using their tools and methods. For a by stander watching from the sidelines, they would not have seen any language barrier between us and the workers. Despite some of their hesitation in the beginning, we became a solid team and friendship bonds were built.
Shortly after lunch was the ceremony with the village. It was much larger than we anticipated. The entire village came to a stand still and gathered together for the ceremony including the school. The ceremony began by them entertaining us with music and dancing. They encouraged us to participate in the dancing so I give it a shot. (Boy was it harder than it looked.) Each of the village community committee members spoke expressing their sheer gratitude for our work and the opportunity this house will bring to their village. Without having a proper residence for a doctor, there community has suffered by not being able to ensure they have a fully trained physician to aide them. The current local resident doctor's training is not much more than the first aid training we are familiar with back home. Our Developing World Connections team leader Rick Kurzac then spoke on our teams behalf thanking them for the opportunity to come and work in their village. We then proceeded with showing the village the donation we brought as well. From soccer uniforms and balls, toys, clothes to school supplies, the village applauded with appreciation. The young children tried their best to get as close as possible to the donations. Their facial expressions reminded us of our children on Christmas morning. The village committee will disburse the donations to the villagers in a fair manner ensuring those in most need are helped first.
Once the ceremony was over it was time to say good bye to the village and the people and children whom we have gotten so close too in such a short time. It was at this moment when we realized we were going to leave a much larger foot print than we intended. This experience was live and there were high fives, hand shakes, hugs and tears. When we drove away the children were waving good bye and we wondered if they realized that we would not be back in the morning. We wondered how many would go to the job site the next morning out of routine as they were always there every morning to greet us upon our arrival.
As we drove out of the village our guide Raymond had arranged a special treat. The Maasai people put on a special dance just for our team in their traditional dress attire. It was an amazing sight to watch.
Our drive back to the Kisampa camp was one of reflection. We shared the stories and experience of the day with one another and we were looking forward to our last evening together as "Team Kisampa" in Tanzania, Africa.
Marianne
DWC Participant
Tanzania 2010
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