Work in progress...

30/12/09

So finally, two weeks to the day after leaving the cold climes of England I have actually started to work. The first project that I have is to assess the efficiency of the Bukoba Development Agency. I have to make sure that loans are being given to the right people, and to make sure that the process is fair and has a significant impact on the way of life of people in the local community.

I arrived at the office of the BDA at just gone nine, and the weather was soaking me from head to toe. It was a delight. Upon arrival into the office it became apparent that I had been here before...this was the nice office that I had visited with Audax when we were doing interviews. So as a temporary base, I have a nice little office to get on with my work. Not too shabby.

One problem with this is the issue of work. I am meant to be assessing this organisation, but I have no criteria to judge this against. I have no frame of reference in this field and I am still not quite accustomed to how business in Africa is conducted. I am sure that I will be able to blag something though. I am fairly sure that no one will be reading the report anyway!

I spent most of the morning and afternoon working out how the agency runs; I was interviewing a guy called Justin who explained to me the processes in broken English. As it turns out, following a discussion with Professor Maliyamkono, that most of the details that I had been provided with from Justin were not quite accurate. This is going to make the next few days a bit more complicated. Alas, we shall have to take it one day at a time.

So after several hours of misinformed fact collection, the Professor and I headed to a political rally. Hon. Kagasheki was involved with a handing over ceremony. He had recently purchased an ambulance for the Kashai ward, and this was the official hand-over. This is the first time in the history of Tanzania that a ward has been granted its own ambulance. It is normally the case that ambulances are owned by the district or town authority so this was quite a big deal. A good two hundred or so local residents came to listen to the politician speak, and he was able to really rouse the crowd. Although I don’t understand Swahili, it was obvious that what was said by Kagasheki was definitely something that pleased the crowd. The Professor and I arrived shortly after the opening of the speech. As time went on a number of people tried ushered us to the front. I assumed they meant the front of the crowd so that we could have a better look. This was not to be the case. As we inched a bit closer one of the crowd control people came over to us, pointing to a gap in the crowd. Still thinking that this was a voluntary option, I was soon corrected when I heard Professor Maliyamkono’s name, followed closely by ‘Mr. Stephen’ (apparently Geraghty is tricky to say). We were moved forward through the crowd to sit on the makeshift stage, in the front row no less. I felt like I was being used for political gain, which I should really have expected, but this was quite excessive. I did get a big clap when I went up to the stage, apparently employing a white man to do some research warrants a hearty welcome. This was all being filmed by someone, who I think may be a member of CCM, but the thought did cross my mind that I could be on local TV. I really hope that wasn’t the case!

After a long series of speeches from three or four different people, the ambulance was started up, it drove away and the crowd dissipated. The Professor and I were invited back to Kagasheki’s house. We first of all had to pick up a present for his wife as she had given grasshoppers as a gift to the Professor. When we arrived at his house we were greeted by several pairs of shoes. As it is a Muslim household tradition dictates that shoes must be removed. We sat on some beautifully coloured and designed mats (I am sure there is a real name for these, but I am not sure what that would be). After a lot of discussion in Swahili, with a couple of words being picked up here and there we said our goodbyes. The house was packed full of Kagasheki’s supporters and family, so we weren’t missed. In fact, as we left a troop of about 20 people came in to say thank you for the ambulance, and to offer best wishes.

It was just about 8:30 when we got in, and I was shattered. I had no idea that work would be so demanding, and then the excitement of the ambulance unveiling, and a trip to Kagasheki’s house...it all added up and I felt totalled. I had a glass of wine which almost sent me straight to sleep. An eventful day...not too bad for the first day of work!