Jambo, Karibo and Greetings form Team Tanzania !
Hope all is well with our followers J I wanted to first
apologize for our absence yesterday – Our internet was a little unreliable but
hey TIA (this is Africa – our newly coined
term). We have safely arrived in Amsterdam and
are waiting for our connecting flight back to the US . We wanted to include everyone’s
thoughts about our trip – what they thought, what they experienced and overall
what they felt throughout our journey in Tanzania . Enjoy!
I really do not know how to summarize my journey through Africa . It was an experience I will never forget. Prior
to arriving in Africa , my expectations were
minimal and I was just excited to go! At first, I did not realize the impact I
would have, but slowly I begin to realize this. Through welcome juice and
Swahili phrases the Tanzanian people greeted us with smiles and hope in their
eyes. I learned that giving a person ibuprofen for ten days to remove their
pain, meant more to them then anything else for that day. I learned through
stories about their history and culture, what makes Tanzanians people strong!
–Ashley
It is difficult to describe this trip in a few short
sentences. It was emotional, inspiring,
humbling, exciting and at times uncomfortable.
It was full of surprises. I
cannot believe how much I learned on this journey. I gained valuable clinical experience,
diagnosing and developing a plan of care with limited resources. I learned about Tanzanian culture and
history, especially about the Chagga and Masai tribes. I have even learned some Swahili! J Tanzania will leave a lasting
impression on me and its people will always have a place in my heart.
Until next time… Cindy
Reflecting back on my trip, I am overcome with many
different emotions, as there were times of trial but also excitement. This trip
has allowed me to not only better myself as an individual but has helped me to
better understand others and their culture. The time that I was able to spend
with the Tanzanian people (both adults and children) gave me forever lasting
memories. The virtue of patience grew stronger for me on this trip and made me
realize that nothing in life is a race. As one Tanzanian man said, “pole, pole”
which means “slowly, slowly” in Swahili, I took a moment to reflect on how fast
paced my life is and things I can do to slow it down and cherish the time I
have. This trip has been a life changing experience for me and I will forever
cherish the memories I have created and the things that I have learned! –
Lauren
It is almost unbelievable that our trip has come to an end.
We anticipated this adventure for the past 8 months (some even more) and didn’t
know what to expect until we got there. I fell in love with the people and the
culture immediately. There were ups and downs throughout the trip but it really
felt like we were making a difference for the natives and that feeling is
indescribable. While changing lives we also got to explore and enjoy the beauty
of Africa by traveling to multiple different
areas. I think the most important thing I have learned during this trip is to
enjoy the simple things in life and don’t take a thing for granted. Many people
in this country live with much less and still find a reason to be happy each
and every day. I was inspired and humbled countless times. I only hope to come
back to Tanzania
one day and continue the work that Hope Without Borders has started. –Jenna
This was truly an experience of a lifetime. As being the only eye doctor on the trip, it
made me realize how lucky I am to be in a profession that I can see immediately
the fruits of my labor. At the end of a
couple clinic days, when we all as a group talked about our experience and what
we thought was the ‘best moment’, many times it was someone witnessing a
patient seeing well for the first time.
I think I take for granted that instant reaction that I see when I give out
glasses – the reaction is universal- that first look of confusion, and then the
big smile as the patient takes in their surroundings. I am lucky that I get to witness that
reaction almost on a daily basis. I hope
all the other nurses, NPs and other students that were on the trip, realize how
important it is what they do. The
unfortunate thing is that they don’t get to see that look of gratitude, that
realization that the patient, child or whoever it is, is going to be OK because
their medication is working. That smile
from their patient comes, most likely, a few days after they start a medication
that they were given. So even though you
nurses may not see it, the gratitude is for sure there. So thank you for all the hard work and fun
during this last week!! - Sue
This was my second time to Africa, but my first time to Tanzania . My first visit was to Kenya and I came as a student; now to experience
Africa as a professional was amazing. I had the opportunity to mentor students and
share with them my experiences as a prior student. Also, when it came to treating patients I was
prepared for the cultural change and challenges. I love Africa ,
the people, the culture, and the intensity of the medical camps. We may only be in Africa for a week or so,
but Africa is always in my heart. – Suzanne
Words cannot give justice to the sights, smells, thoughts,
feelings I experienced on this Global Perspective Trip to Tanzania . I was so blessed to be able to go on this
trip, meet and treat some of the patients that we saw in Tanzania and
absorb so much wisdom from those I met.
The daily lifestyle of the majority of people is so vastly different
from my day-to-day activity. Getting
water and going to market up to 3 times a day is just one vast difference. As others I .m sure have shared, I will this
twice before I take anything for granted, including a clean glass of cold water
on a hot day. Asante , Joan
Bennett
This was an amazing experience! The whole impact of this
trip will probably take sometime to set in. I am grateful for this opportunity
to travel, explore a new culture with my school mates and learning a little something new about my
self along the way. If anyone reading this has an opportunity to take this trip
thye should most certainly do it. Slava.
Upon reflection of this trip, I am even more grateful for
what I have been given in my life, along with what I have worked so hard for to
have a good quality of life. After our last day viewing a traditional African tribe,
I am so thankful that I am able to do what I want, be who I want to be in America (a
future nurse practitioner), and have so many freedoms that Tanzanians could never
imagine. I am forever changed, and will come back soon! It has humbled me so much, and I will think about this each and every day. I've officially caught the international travel bug! –Sara
I am so thankful for such an amazing experience. Tanzania has
opened my eyes, touched my heart and inspired me to continue to help those who
are less fortunate. I’ve learned so much on this trip from those in Africa and the very talented Doctors , NP’s, and Nurses.
This experience has truly changed me as a person and I can’t wait to plan my next
trip, I'll be back very soon Africa! =] – Brittney
With Love and Hope –
Team Tanzania