Hi. I’ve been in my placement a month now and it’s kind of hard to describe what it’s been like. It’s pretty overwhelming; life is so amazingly different here. I don’t know what I was expecting with rural Tanzania, but I guess you have to actually experience something before you can really know what it’s like. I’m staying with a host family who are totally lovely and welcoming. I think one of the hardest parts is not speaking the language. I am learning Swahili slowly, but i still don’t understand most of what is being said! Anyway, it’s a bit of a cop out, but to give you an idea I’ve just written a list of things that I and people here experience.

1. Some of the most beautiful happy children I have ever met in my life.

2. Dead relatives (most people seem to have lost someone in their family and many are caring for their relatives’ children).

3. Malaria

4. No doctors

5. Close families

6. Amazingly beautiful landscapes

7. No running water

8. Outside toilets!

9. Big rains

10. A fierce sun

11. Lots of laughter

12. No toys

13. Bad TV

14. Bad roads

15. Rats, mosquitoes, cockroaches and flies

16. A desire for change

17. A desire for things to stay the same

18. A sense of not belonging

19. A sense of being needed

20. Masai with goats on strings

21. Moon Shadows

22. Ugali and Beans

23. Lots of music and dancing choirs

24. A million greetings

Things I thank God for:

1. Marmite Chipattis

2. English speaking friends

3. Girly chats with my host sisters (part Swahili, part English, part sign language).

4. When I understand a joke

5. The BBC

6. Hot water

7. Soap

8. News from home

9. Manchester United

10. Many prayers answered every day.

My top 5 Swahili words:

1. Tangawizi (ginger)

2. Twiga (giraffe)

3. Lala (sleep)

4. Bongo (brain)

5. Mdodo (insects)

Where I am staying is actually a beautiful place in the hills and I am starting to feel much more at home. It’s great to hear from you and hey, you are all welcome (karibu)!