A RIFT VALLEY WALK

Mto wa Mbu is a home for more than 120 ethnic groups of tribes;Comprises of Bantu, Nilote,Cushites and bushmen. Mto wa Mbu means "mosquito creek" in swahili. The land of Mto wa Mbu is famous also for her nice red bananas-very sweet banana to eat. There is even Banana beer,maize beer,banana wine and honey beer. Rice is grown there also. To the south there is a marvelous lake that hosts more than 350 different species of birds including lesser flamingos that gives nice pinkish colour at the lake. further west lies the astonishing wall (escarpment)of the rift valley. The escarpment enjoys a variety of vegetation. Trees such as gerrard's acacia,white thorns acacia, Wild sisal (oldupai)Giant seage and baobas. Even aloe vera and lion's ear is found there. along the escarpment is a cave in the baobab used by poachers to hide. More t5then 6 people cn hide in the cave.The baobab is still alive. when descending from the rift valley ,One will be amazed to see a huge strungler fig tree grown on a huge volcanic rock during hunting where leopards use for viewing animals At the place where caved baobab nestling there are beautiful sounds of diff30 different species of birds that makes up unexplainable wild music while guinea fowls fly. African hoope, blue naped mouse,spotted morning thrush,little bee eater,fischer mouse bird,variable sun birds,red chested cuckoo,amethyst sun bird,white browded scrub robin are available. More spectacular is a nice view of mountameru before reching "mawe ya mungu" - the stones of god. Any one interested please contact: abrathomm@yahoo.com +255 786 373 099

RISING OR FALLING?

Education is most important thing in our life.I remember my father used to tell me stories on how he volunteered at the Portuguese church during colonial period in Mozambique for three years so that he can get education and be baptized. He always told us about the importance of education And how he struggled to get education.during their time (our parents or grand parents) they struggled very much to get education which was traditional:It went practically and fits their needs and environment. Nowadays accessibility to education is easy but very expensive and it is available in difficult condition in some places .It is not free any more like it was when Tanzania was under the late Julius Nyerere during socialism.Primary education has been declared free.But there are lots of contribution that pupil has to pay and this is a huge burden to their parents.Pupils must have uniforms,exercise books,pencil,and other supplies.Not only that,they have to eat at school and they must pay for that. Our leaders claim always through mass media that education has been improved and the poverty is decreasing.But to be honest,this is propaganda.If you compare 10 years back and now there is is huge difference in educational aspects and life aspects.The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.Society is getting selfish and few gets benefit and enjoy the national share.Solidarity and majority hood is disappearing. If we claim there is free education and primary education is compulsory then it has to be true and not lying.Tanzania should not be like that and should change her way. "Together we can make changes and we have a role to play"

HEMINGWAY IN EAST AFRICA

Professor Joseph L. Mbele is a professor of English at St. Olaf College in Minnesota, USA. I first meet him in 2007 when he was with Professor William S. Davis. For me it was a remarkable step to meet this ambitious man. As we were having barbecue in local restaurant we talked and discuss lots of issues regarding culture, economy and even political. Prof. Mbele is a person who has a strong solidarity for his country. I remember met him for the first time, He told us a lot about life in the USA and why he decided to write a book known as Africans and Americans –Embracing Cultural Differences. The book is very informative and helps people to understand each others especially between Africans and Americans. Mbele left two books for us: Matengo Folktales and African and Americans Embracing cultural differences. I f any one get a chance to read these books, please do. I can say that Mbele is a good example to be followed by any one in Tanzania or elsewhere. Most people think of moving to Europe or America to have better life. Even intellectuals, then the country like Tanzania remain to have brain drain. Just think about this: For 16 years living in USA and teaching but Prof. Mbele will come back to Tanzania. He still has his Tanzanian passport. As best example. This year on June I meet him again and guided his students in my home village of Mto wa Mbu. On this tour student from Colorado College study the book known as Green Hills of Africa written buy Ernest Hemingway. In this course known as Hemingway in East Africa there were 12 students in 2007 and this year, 2008 there were 19 students. Students are on the steps of Hemingway in east Africa. Apart from reading Ernest Hemingway writings in the book-the green hills of Africa, they also visit people through programmes such as Cultural tourism Programme and they even visit national parks. In that case they contribute to the economy of our country-Tanzania and share the experience and ideas with the local people. To us Tanzanians we learn to colonize our minds not to be dependent. As through what Mbele is doing we get interaction with people from abroad and understand what we should copy or not to copy from them. This course helps students to understand Africa-her people, culture traditions, norms and everyday life. Hemingway in East Africa courses, it is the literature study in the field not only in the class. Let’s read the book “Africans and Americans –Embracing Cultural Difference, then no one will dream to have better life in USA or Europe. Let’s remember life is how you make it. In our motherland we can make it. We have a role to play in our country. We are the one to build our country and no one else.

IS IT POSSIBLE?

It is 9th of may 2008, Wesley;the director of Mto wa Mbu Cultural Tourism Programme asked me to accompany him to the fund raising in the Masai village. He has been contributing for the Laibon school for sometime now. Wesley pays strong attention to education. Thus whenever there is education support needed if he can he do it.With no hesitation I picked up my camera,pen and note book: ready for an adventure. Laibon is a title leader within the Masai society.he is responsible for the spiritual power and religiou power. He is very respected. Laibon Ole Mapi has more than 80 children and 300 grandchildren and unclear number of wives. Tall, health man who smile most of the time. When you drive from Arusha to Ngorongoro,on the right side after Makuyuni boys secondary school sign board you will see many round manyata on a hill.That is Laibon Ole Mapi compound. Hendry Nantire Sikoi, Liberati Maiko and Lusinde Nyingo were with us. Upon arrivals the area was filled with Masai people with their spectacular clothes, "rubega"in Swahili.Also swahili people (non Masai) were there. children with their school uniforms sang welcoming song once a car arrived.Immediately I grab out my camera ready for action. Everyone was anxious to see guest of honor,Edward N.Lowasa-MP of Monduli in order to start fund raising. While I walk around,the warriors welcomed me warmly to join them processing barbecue. The red colour of the meat made me felt somehow gleed and wanted to grab a piece. Some women were decorating their hair.At least busy,busy. Warriors "Morani" in Swahili and women started to sing majestically and form a line to receive the guest of honor. Wariors jumped high as they can. Lowasa gave his speech by emphasizing on education. "we are very good and sensitive in contributing lots of money for wedding and other ceremonies But now it is the time to turn our back to education" Fund raising continued, Masai men and Women contributed. A young boy of about 19 years old named Otimbalo Lekaura gave 20,000/=. ART IN TANZANIA,CULTURAL TOURISM PROGRAMME,ORETETI CULTURAL DISCOVERY,MANYARA RANCH, and TEACHERS from various schools also contributed. Oreteti Cultural Discovery will give 10% of the income generated from their company. In total 16,506,000/= million shillings was raised,14 cows,30 iron sheet,20 bags of cement,breaks to fit two in one teacher's house gravel of about 500,000/= Until fund raising day the building cost 9.5 million. Up to the completion 26 million is needed. The building has 2 class rooms and 2 office. There are 80 pupils until now. SCHOOLING IDEA CAME FROM WHERE? In 2005 ART in Tanzania came with that Idea of establishing a school in the Masai area with the intention of providing education to the Masai communities around the "Laibon"area.In 2006 school started under the tree.In 2007 the current school which is on construction was stared. Heriel Mbowe-Northern Zone director sayed " the organization is supporting also by paying teachers and they plan on the future to have nursery school,primary (it is on the process now) and secondary school". "Yes it is possible to hold the spear and books".