Why did you leave to Tanzania?

I have always thought that there is something bigger waiting for me in life. Things at work were changing and this was a good time to take a year off and think what I wanted to do with my life.

Do you get paid for what you do?

No. I am a volunteer which means that I don't get paid.

The plane ticket costs about EUR 1500, vaccinations EUR 1000, other supplies EUR 1000 and insurance EUR 900. That is what I invested for the year 2008.

So how do you get by?

I have rented out my apartment back home. Also the living expensives in Tanzania aren't that high, approximately 200-250 euros/month.

Where do you live in Tanzania?

At the beginning while doing the survey I was hosted by each school I was visiting. Their hospitality was well worth the visit.

After the survey I settled in Butimba in Northwest of Tanzania, Mwanza by the Lake Victoria. I share a house with Adolf Kanda, project manager for LiiKe.

Our house is newly renovated. It has two bedrooms, living room / dining room, kitchen, toilet and a separate shower room.

We have a "houseboy" Ali taking care of the house and cooking for us.

Do they speak English over there?

Yes some people do. However the most spoken language is Swahili. I have studied it but need more practise to be fluent. It won't take long I promise.

What is it that you actually do there?

I have written more information about my stay in its own page. If you have more questions. Feel free to contact me.

Where are you now?

First three months (January to March) I was on the road doing research. Now I am living in Butimba Teachers Training College in Mwanza.

Now I am teaching in Butimba Teacher Training College. My mom is coming for October so then I will be doing some travelling. Other than that you will find me from Mwanza. Karibu!

Can people come and visit you?

Yes. I would love that.

In June I will have a break from teaching. New students will arrive in July so then I have to be back in Mwanza again.

Just let me know when you are planning on coming and I will make sure that we will have a good time!

If I wanted could I do anything to help?

Yes, depending on whom you would like to help. To me it would mean a lot if you called my mom or spent a day with her. She is so worried about me. The only thing that helps is to keep her busy. So this would really make my life easier, if you made her think about something else for a change.

If you wanted to help things here in Tanzania, there are lots of ways to do so. There are a lot of basic things that I wish I had here to hand out. So if it is possible for you to send a package to Tanzania, I would be more than happy to pass it along. The most asked (not like they ask anything) things are pens, t-shirts and sports equipment. Send me an e-mail and I will tell you where to send it.

If you want to donate money, then I would recommend you to contact the LiiKe, organisation I volunteered for. If you want to donate to some special project, they know how to do it. If you want to support me, remember to mention it when contacting them.

Contact information:

LiiKe ry
Ari Koivu
ari.koivu(at)slu.fi
Tel:               +358 40 765 9900       

Marika Vilanen
e-mail: marika.vilanen(at)gmail.com
Tel:               +255 783 161272