I’m not sure what first stimulated my fascination, at an early age, with the countries of Europe. Maybe it was the big yellow ‘First French Dictionary’ I was given in primary school, and the thought of being able to speak a second language. Or it could have been the excitement and thrill of the ‘pen… Continue reading I Love EU
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HeroRATs – ridding the world of landmines and tuberculosis
Hauling myself out of bed at 6am to go visit a field of rats was never something high on my agenda. This week, though, I’ve been working in Morogoro, a city about 4 hours west of Dar es Salaam. It’s home to Sekoine University of Agriculture (SUA), which happens to be globally renowned for its… Continue reading HeroRATs – ridding the world of landmines and tuberculosis
London ♥♥
I first came to London when I was 10 years old. It was a school trip and I was beside myself with excitement for weeks before. When we finally got there, I lapped up the visits to the ‘sights’, the museums, the parks, the zoo. There was a heatwave. We saw the Queen (fleeting glimpse… Continue reading London ♥♥
We owe Africa more than ‘pity’
Last week, the major aid agencies launched a campaign in support of the appalling famine in parts of East Africa. The timing of the press coverage happened to coincide, for me, with a conference in Dar called ‘Commercial Farm Africa’. It felt slightly surreal to be, on the one hand, looking at horrific pictures coming… Continue reading We owe Africa more than ‘pity’
Tanzania – a couple of months in…
For those interested in keeping tabs on what I’m doing, I realize I’ve not been so great lately at the updates. A reflection, I think, of me adapting back into a full time job, which has come as a slight shock to the system (and yes, I know, I’ll get little sympathy on that front).… Continue reading Tanzania – a couple of months in…
First few days in Moshi
A quick note, just to explain why I’m in Moshi and how it’s going so far. I’m here for a few weeks to do a piece of work with an organisation called Equity for Tanzania (EFTA). EFTA is a social enterprise which makes loans to small businesses and farmers enabling them to buy equipment/machinery to support… Continue reading First few days in Moshi
Thinking of a donation? Some personal recommendations.
Firstly, just to be clear, this isn’t a plea for money. I’m not asking for donations. It’s targeted, instead, at those of you who already intend making a contribution in the run-up to the holidays, but might still be thinking about who you want to support. Maybe you’re on the look-out for new ideas where… Continue reading Thinking of a donation? Some personal recommendations.
Lamu, dangerous? Too right…
Fever pitch media reports, government travel advisories, insurance company warnings: it’s hardly surprising so many have taken Kenya’s northern coast off the holiday long list in recent years. Well, based on my experience, I can tell you that yes, it’s a very dangerous place to visit. Dangerous, that is, in that you just might find… Continue reading Lamu, dangerous? Too right…
A beginner’s guide to the Masai
On my trip to the Mara recently, i got to see around one of the surrounding Masai villages. A brief glimpse one morning isn’t going to give me any real insight into a culture that’s such a world away from my own experience. But here are a few things I learned from the visit, that you might find interesting:
3 things I miss from home; and 3 I’ll miss when I leave…
Midway through my fellowship here in Nairobi, here are a few things I’m missing: plus some I’ll be sorry to leave behind. I’m skipping over the family and friends bit – of course, by far the biggest thing I’m missing (and Ryan Hanna, if you’re reading, I hope you note the order there!). But these… Continue reading 3 things I miss from home; and 3 I’ll miss when I leave…
Alan Rambling 