Moshi, Tanzania (part 1)
The first few days at the CCS (Cross Cultural Solutions) home base in Moshi have gone by quickly. Everything so far has been free time and orientation, so I’m not sure exactly what my days at placement will be like, but we’ll know soon enough. I’ve gone from being somewhat concerned to cautiously optimistic about my placement at Tanzanian juvie. I think it will be fun and rewarding, from what I’ve heard from other volunteers. Even if I strugle to overcome the language barrier or come up with interesting and engaging activities for the kids, my presence alone means that some kids who would otherwise be kept locked in their rooms will get to head outside and play some soccer. It’s nice to know I’ll be having a guaranteed impact.
I haven’t ever felt unsafe since I got here, but that’s mostly because CCS does a good job of providing a safe environment and the other volunteers here have done a good job of showing us the ropes and connecting us with trustworthy people. In reality, Moshi isn’t all that safe. As long as you stick to walking around during the day, especially if you’re alone, and you’re careful about who you you associate with and where you go, I get the impression it’ll be fine. But every year there are a few Mzungas, mostly drunken Brits, who end up hacked to death by machetes in the Moshi area. Yikes.
Another issue around here, but one that actually makes me feel safer (even if I’m completely agast at the practice), is Mob Justice. If someone is caught stealing on the street, or somethif similar, people will shout “thief”, surround him and beat him—often to death. So much or the rule of law. At least petty thievery is very uncommon? This happens at least a few times per year in Moshi, but seems absolutely medieval to me and almost unfathable in the modern world.
