Independent Study Project

10-hour bus ride to Dar es Salaam
4 day waiting period for permit
2-hour flight to Tabora
1-hour flight to Kigoma
Trip to the Ministry of Home Affairs in Kigoma
Aimlessly wandering around in Kigom attempting to find bus station
3-hour daladala ride with 19 people squished in to Kasulu region
And finally I arrive in the beautiful Kasulu region of Tanzania.

Wow I thought Northern Tanzania was beautiful, this place is AMAZING! When I exited the plane in Kigoma I was overwhelmed by camera flashes, video cameras and news crews. I noticed two HUGE (biggest planes I have every seen) United Nations planes. Turns out that the minister of Tanzania was on my flight and because of the refugee situations around the Kigoma area the UN planes are always there. But wow, I’m definitely moving to the Kigoma area, it is beautiful. It is green everywhere and the people here are even nicer than the ones in Arusha and Dar es Salaam. I met this lady on the plane who drove me to the Ministry of Home Affairs. I needed to get papers signed to confirm exactly what I was doing. I met with the director of home affairs, and after talking with him I didn’t think he was going to grant me permission. After waiting for 4 days in Dar es Salaam I finally received what I needed and traveling this far I was not going to let him turn me down. Turns out he allowed me, but on various conditions which is no problem (hamnashida). My next task was to find a bus station to take me to the Kasulu region of Kigoma, this is where the 1993 Burundi Refugees are. It was quite a task, but like I said the people are extremely friendly and I was able to find my way. I drove 3 hours in a daladala filled with 19 people. For those of you who don’t know what a daladala is, it basically is a Tanzanian version of a minivan, but a little different. It’s there taxi/bus service and their motto is “There is always room for one more in daladala.” And let me tell you that is no lie. It was jam packed, and our driver was absolutely insane, but what a great experience. Everyone was so friendly and surprised that Mzungu was taking a daladala to Kasulu. Usually the white people who come to the Kigoma region are involved with NGO’s and have cars that pick them up. They were stoked that I spoke Swahili and were talking with me the entire way, which was awesome. When I finally arrived in Kasulu James picked me up. James works for Woman’s Legal Aid Services, nicest guy I’ve met thus far in Tanzania. Took me to the office to discuss what I was doing here. Booked a hotel for me, but I told him it was too expensive so he welcomed me to his house for dirt-cheap. He hopefully is going to be my translator for the refugees. What a past couple days it has been, but the awesome thing is that God has never let me down. I arrived in Dar es Salaam, but had to change my flight because of logistical issues. That got worked out. Flew to Kigoma, had no idea where I was going, but ended up meeting Gema who gave me a ride to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Got worked out. Almost got denied access to the refugees, but a change of heart allowed me to press forward. Got worked out. I had absolutely no idea how to get to Kasuslu, but thanks to the helping hearts of Tanzanian people I found my way. Got worked out. Crazy fun ride to Kasuslu. And James allowed me to stay at his house for cheap and is going to act as a translator. Got worked out. I’ve known since the beginning that this study was going to be logistically challenging, but God has taken me this far I know that everything else is going to fall into place! Next task is to get the 100-dollar fee for transport to the refugees waved. Knowing that I will be going there everyday for the next 20 days I need to come up with something, hmmm. Any ideas! =) I’m stoked to get the interviews started tomorrow! Please continue to pray for my success with this study. Thanks.