In January, I packed up my life again and moved 7,173 miles from Puerto Rico. After 27 hours, 3 planes, and 3 continents, I arrived in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. I was exhausted after the hours of travel, nervous about what was awaiting me, and prepared for the adventure.
As I came out of the airport, I was welcomed with the biggest hugs and smiles. My future colleagues were there waiting to greet me. It was such a nice gesture! It immediately made me feel like I was going to be a part of something here. The journey began with a long ride to my new home. I was dozing off because of the long travels, but the anxiousness of meeting my host family was keeping me awake. The hour-long drive flew by as I was chatting with my coworkers and imagining what my home would look like. Where was I going to lay my head and just take a moment to take everything in?
All of a sudden, we came up this little road incline, and there we were in front of a big red gate. Under the moonlight, I saw how beautiful my new home was. The garden was spectacular; I could see all of the flowers in full bloom, and there she was, my mama, with
her granddaughter waiting for me with a radiant smile. She greeted me with a hug and welcomed me into her home. She had prepared a little snack and fresh juice. The hospitality was so warm. It reminded me of my last home in Senegal, where the Gueyes had taken me in as one of their own. This feeling, so early in my journey, reassured me that I was going to be happy here, part of a new family, and creating new connections.
They showed me to my new house. It was so cute! So perfect for me! I went to my bedroom and just took a deep breath. It was real. I was here in Tanzania. I went to sleep excited for the next day and eager for months to come.
The next morning I went to work very early. During my time here, I am working for a program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. Building a Caring Community (BCC) supports children and young adults with intellectual disabilities (I will tell you more about their amazing work in another post). At the office, everyone received me with open arms, a big smile, and the word "Karibu." Every place I went, people were saying this to me. It was the first Swahili word that was stuck in my head.
"Karibu" translates to "Welcome." And welcomed I did feel. The people around me were allowing me to come into their space and get to know them, the town, the work, and build my life here. The workspace felt comfortable and ready for me to join the team. I felt grateful to have such an awesome group of people with whom I would spend most of my time here. They were looking out for me during my first week. Showing me how to go around town, where to grocery shop, and introducing me to people so I would be safe everywhere I went.
At home, Mama’s open arms have embraced me as one of her own. She has three children, and with Daniel (previous fellow) and me, now she has more. Every time I arrive home she says ¨Karibu¨. My first week there she would cook for me every day, as I have settled in I have become more independent, but I feel her always watching over me.
I love our Swahili conversations in which we both get an insight of what we did during the day. I especially love our laughs, and confusion times when we are trying to understand each other in two languages. Her welcoming me into her life every day makes me feel even more connected to this place.
I have also built friendships with people outside of work. The previous fellow helped me a bit with this. He sent me the number of a Latina girl living in Moshi. We immediately contacted and she took me out for lunch and a walk. She introduced me to a group of friends. The Frozen Margarita Group is so special, they also welcomed me into the Moshi expat community. It is very Karibuni, as people here like to say. All are welcomed and it felt so good to be in a place where there was really no pressure because of the openness that people have.
Every space I have been in I have felt joy because people were welcoming me. I felt it in Senegal, I feel it when I am back home surrounded by my family and friends. I haven't felt it in every place I have lived, but I am glad that for now, I do feel well here. I am grateful to be in a place where I can build a life in a respectful way and be welcomed to do so.
So, after the long hours of travel, the anxiety of the unknown, and the fear of being alone, I am happy to say that I feel at peace here. I am loving the opportunity to live, explore, and build community in yet another part of the world!
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