TanzaNina returns!

Program Manager,  Nina Czitrom, writes about her upcoming trip.

Tomorrow afternoon, I will head back to Tanzania again. It's hard to believe that this will be my fourth trip there. I'm looking forward to seeing my friends, my colleagues, and returning to work with Mama Eva at the Kibo Hill Nursery School.

Mama Eva,
the head teacher at Kibo Hill Nursery School

My relationship with Tanzania began in 2007, when I first traveled there through an American volunteer organization. I made some lifelong friendships while I was there, with other volunteers and with the Tanzanian staff members. One of them was my friend, Peter. Peter loved working with volunteers, and felt that Tanzanians should be just as much part of the community service effort in Tanzania as international volunteers. He turned his vision into the African Community Exchange, an international volunteer organization, run by Tanzanians and for Tanzanians. At first, Peter reached out to me to help him with some of the English on his website. I soon went to experience the program for myself, and was blown away by the meaningful experiences he was able to provide for both the local rural community of Himo (pronounced HEE-mo), and for the volunteers.

Libby Parker (2010 volunteer) learned about the
unique issues of women in Tanzania by working alongside
them, making sandals, and exchanging stories.

The Home Base, where we live

Peter and the African Community Exchange asked me if I would be their U.S. representative in 2010. I have been working with them ever since to help attract volunteers, prepare volunteers before they travel, and continue my own relationships with the schools and teachers I work with in Tanzania.

Mama Eva and I often discuss what we'd like to learn from one another.
She often asks me to do art with her students, because she
 hasn't had much experience with art in education.
Mama Eva often does the art projects right alongside the children.

I'm looking forward to seeing my friends, Peter, Deo, Richard, Happy, Mama Love, and Mama Eva. I'm also looking forward to seeing old students and meeting new ones. Mama Eva and I have communicated about the activities she would like me to share this time, and I can't wait to learn new songs and games that she teaches the children. I'm looking forward to rekindling my attempts at Swahili (which I'm not too shabby at, if I do say so myself). And I'm looking forward to ushering in our two newest volunteers, Emma and Jillian. One of my favorite parts of the work I do with the African Community Exchange is sharing what I've learned about Tanzanian culture with other volunteers who are experiencing it all for the first time.

On safari with good friends


Asante sana (pronounced uh-SAN-tay SA-na, and meaning 'thank you') for reading. I'll be posting every few days once I'm there, so come along for the ride!

-TanzaNina

Cultural Immersion

Photo by Janet Nakano

Jill Smith took the time to reflect on her decision to volunteer with ACE. Here's what she had to say:

I have always been fascinated with other parts of the world and with cultures different from my own, but my experience studying for a semester in South Africa had sparked a strong interest and desire in me to acquire a more in depth knowledge about the country and the very many different cultures that populate it. I find it extremely important in life to be able to understand and connect with people from different backgrounds. During my stay in Africa, I was able to travel throughout the continent and meet so many wonderfully diverse citizens of the many countries I visited. I also made friends that will last a lifetime. And even though I was in country for well over four months, it was nowhere near long enough. I left knowing that I would return.

When I heard about the African Community Exchange program I knew immediately that it was something I would enjoy being a part of. It is a program that is important to me because it provides the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the Tanzanian culture and community. What better way is there to learn about another culture than to become part of their community? ACE’s hands on approach is a great way to form a deeper understanding of Tanzania’s culture and customs by living and working side by side with the locals of Tanzania!

This is the reason why I chose to become a volunteer with the African Community Exchange. I am excited to begin my journey with ACE because I see amazing potential for sharing cultures, ideas and values, all of which play a significant role in understanding where we all come from, and can contribute to positive change among individuals and communities. I cannot wait to begin my journey and if I could board the plane today I would!