Students for Development blog | Étudiants pour le développement

I had an interesting day today. This morning, I had a Swahili lesson, which proved to be a lot of fun. First, I had to translate the Tanzanian National Anthem – which is a beautiful piece. Mungu ibariki, Afrika, Wabariki viongozi, Afrika. Hekima, umoja na amani, Hizi ngao zetu. Ibariki! Afrika Ibariki! Afrika Tubariki! Watoto was Afrika Mungu ...

Category: On location, Tanzania, Uncategorized Add Comment »

I am a storyteller. As such, language has always fascinated me. The rhythms of speech cascade up and down the scales, creating harmonies which are beautiful to listen to. Many times, it is not what is said, but how it is said… and even what is not said which becomes ...

Category: On location, Tanzania, Uncategorized Add Comment »

It is almost impossible to talk about East Africa without giving some mention to the Wamaasai. The first thing many people seem to think of when one mentions Tanzania or Kenya is an image of the Maasai warrior standing in the Serengeti Plains; herds of cattle moving before them. Perceptions ...

Category: On location, Tanzania, Uncategorized Add Comment »

It was a long bus ride from Arusha to Nairobi, Kenya. The first (and scariest) transition was at the border. Our shuttle bus pulled in at the border, and we all piled out to go through the Tanzanian customs office. Passports checked, fingerprints taken – and we filed on out ...

Category: On location, Tanzania, Uncategorized Add Comment »

The past few days and been a flurry of activity. This trip has been primarily planned due to the expiry of our visas on February 28, 2012. We obtained a three month visa in Ottawa while attending a CIDA cultural awareness training in November. Unfortunately, the Visas were dated for ...

Category: On location, Tanzania, Uncategorized Add Comment »

Hello, The people at CHD are very friendly and let me contribute in various different projects and meetings.  They encourage me to participate in all different aspects of their organization, and not just the ones that were part of my learning plan when I arrived.  It is nice to get to ...

Category: Kenya, On location Add Comment »

Hello, Here is a brief description of Mombasa to give you an idea of where I live. Mombasa is a city in Coast Province, Kenya.  It is right on the coast, and the city centre is actually an island. To get from the North Coast (where I live) to the town centre ...

Category: Kenya, On location Add Comment »

Hello! My name is Emily and I am a University of Alberta student. I am currently doing a practicum to complete my Masters of Public Health, specializing in Global Health.  I am doing my practicum in Mombasa, Kenya at the Community Health Department (CHD) of Aga Khan Health Services – Kenya. ...

Category: Kenya, On location Add Comment »

As darkness has fallen, and I write by candlelight, I am left to ponder many things after yet another day with no electricity. Today has been one of those days in Afrika that reinforces the idea that many Canadians take much for granted. One simply cannot come to Afrika and ...

Category: Category, Country, On location, Tanzania, Uncategorized Add Comment »

I’ve gone 5 days without showering, I think I have finally passed the “adjustment” phase in my culture shock experience. It’s like a right of passage- the more local I become the more I feel comfortable working in Gulu, Uganda. Access to water in northern Uganda is an experience in itself. ...

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