By: Jarreau Freeman
Read all posts by Jarreau
For the last two weeks of May I had the incredible opportunity to go to Tanzania for a service learning trip with Chestnut Hill College, Rosemont College, and Marywood University. Going into this experience I had no expectations. I had no idea what the two weeks would hold and the adventures that it would bring. I entered into this experience with an open heart and mind, and was excited to receive from this trip whatever God had for me. Little did I know that I would be receiving more than any words can describe.
To actually get onto African soil it would take twenty-four hours of travel. The team would take a fourteen hour flight from New York to Dubai, and then another five hour flight from Dubai to Dar es Salam, Tanzania. In addition, we would have to endure a five hour van ride to Morogoro, the region that we would be working in. I was a little apprehensive to take a fourteen hour flight across the Atlantic Ocean. I have never flow for that long, heck I have never left the continent before. To endure the long hours of travel I made sure my carryon bag was filled with Tylenol PM (a sleeping aid and my life saver on the flight) my iPod, and a book. However, my iPod and book were not really needed on the flight. I was able to entertain myself by watching a selection of films on my own personal TV that was attached to the seat in front of me. A fourteen hour flight goes by fast when you have films like Lovely Bones, When in Rome, Invictus, and Leap Year to occupy you.
Before I knew it we were in Dubai. Though I was exhausted from the flight I was ecstatic that I was safely out of North America, and in another part of the world. My eyes were overwhelmed at what I saw in the Dubai airport. People from India, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and European were scattered about checking for flight times, shopping for souvenirs, and claiming their luggage. I had never heard so many different languages spoken, in one place, in my entire life. Plus, Dubai was known as one of the wealthiest countries in the world; it showed! The airport was filled with glamorous stores and palm trees. The airport also had rooms just for prayer, smoking, and had a quiet lounge. It was one of the most interesting airports I had ever been in my life!
Once in Dar es Salaam the five hour drive to Morogoro turned into a seven hour one, due to the horrible traffic we endured trying to get through the city. However, I did not mind being in a traffic jam in Tanzania. As we were driving through Dar es Salaam we saw this three mile long market on the side of the road. There were people all over the place buying and selling merchandise like fruit, shoes, clothes, and fabric. I saw women with babies strapped to their backs, and baskets on top of their heads. I saw men riding bikes, and tons of people crammed into a small bus called a dolla dolla (I would soon experience my first dolla dolla ride after only a couple days in Morogoro…it would be one that would test my limits, as well as help me disarm my love for distance and personal space). Also, my eyes were hypnotized by a beautiful orange and gold sunset that filled the sky and guided us as we continued on our journey.
Cheers, song, and dance from the Bigwa students welcomed us into Morogoro. Being pulled off the van and into their warm embraces and gentle kisses made me instantly realize that my next two weeks in Tanzania I would not just be a teacher to these students, but become a beloved friend and sister. In that moment I knew that a huge piece of my heart will always be in Tanzania.