During their stay in Arusha, Tanzania, the group got to experience what life is like every day for the local habitants and also got to visit a remote village. This is how Keisha described some of the highlights of her stay.
The clinic
We saw many young children mostly with malaria, pneumonia or bronchitis. Everyone gets antibiotics here even if it presents just as a cold. This is very strange as at home we are so worried about antibiotic resistance and here they hand it out like candy. People over the age of five have to pay 1,000 shillings to come to the clinic. They have an expectant mother clinic once a week where the mamas are weighed and measured. Fetal position is also determined and blood pressure is checked. There is also a baby clinic once a week where the babies come in to be weighed and receive immunizations. We weigh them on a scale that hangs from a tree outside of the clinic.
The mamas and warriors dancing
One evening the warriors and mamas came over. The mamas taught us how to dance with the white rings around our necks, which symbolize peace. The warriors danced, sang, and jumped for us. A warrior wanted to marry me and offered my father 30 cows for me. Apparently this is a lot. It was too funny.
The goat sacrifice
I have to be honest, this actually bothered me a lot. I was still respectful and participated, as women are usually not involved in this and they were very kind to show us this aspect of their culture. We hiked 40 minutes to a remote area where the sacrifice took place. It was very pretty and when we arrived a goat (about one year old) was tied to a tree. He was too cute and very smart. He nuzzled my leg and would tap my feet with his hoof. The other girls warned me not to make friends with him but I could not help it. The goat was, shortly after becoming such a close friend, suffocated to death. It was then skinned and the warriors separated the cuts of meat. They use all parts of the goat and there are specific purposes for everything. We were offered raw kidney to eat and I actually did it ... I nearly vomited though and could not chew it. Then we had to drink warm blood that was mixed in with burnt spleen ... eeeewww ... it was horrible. We then were offered a piece of cooked liver … I could barely swallow that either.
Our boma (house)
Our house was made from sticks and cow manure and it was actually a very sturdy building. There is no electricity or running water so you shower with a bucket. I only showered twice in two weeks. It is very dusty there and the moment I finished my showers I was dirty again so I did not see much point. Our cook's name was Namela and meals were made over fire. Meals were very high in carbs and oil and I saw no fruit for a whole week.
The stone healer
We visited a natural healer who used stones to tell us our fortunes. Mine was somewhat interesting but I really do not believe in this stone reader as he is as old as the moon and seemed a bit demented to me. But anyhow, he told me I would be with at least two more men before meeting a husband and that my feet will take me places. He also mentioned that I will be very wealthy one day and I will return to Tanzania.
