Today, we are heading off to Morogoro, name given to both the town and its larger district. In fact, our journey ends in a rustic village called Kisemu. Located an eight-hour drive away from Dar-es-salaam, the main economic city that concentrates 90% of Tanzania's wealth, our destination has fair chances to be contrastingly remote and poor.
 
Once we arrive there, not without trouble as the rainy season reaches its peak, we enjoy a delicious meal, a soup made with locally bred chicken, then have a long night sleep to have us ready for the next day: we will have some... Continue Reading >>

I arrived in Dar es Salaam in early June, a hot and sweaty mess, after 24 hours of flying time. It is my first time on the continent, meaning that every sight, smell, and experience is a new one for me. This has thus far made for an incredibly interesting, challenging, but ultimately enriching experience. While I have had moments where I have questioned my decision to embark on this journey (several hours on an over-packed dala dala, or local bus, in traffic will do things to your head), I have also experienced some seriously incredible, out-of-this-world moments, that reaffirm why I... Continue Reading >>

My first work trip with Kiva started early at 4AM on a Sunday and ended with me flying back to Dar es Salaam 5 days later checking a bucket of fresh fish on the airplane. 

The goal - train 2 of Tujijenge's branches in the Lake Zone on the Kiva process.   
 

The taxi picked me up and 4 AM and I was headed to the Lake Zone for 5 days to train 2 branches on the Kiva process with my co-worker Yessya. ... Continue Reading >>

Navigating Dar es Salaam

Our first task of the day was to navigate our way to the south of town to meet with a group of Kiva Borrowers.  Getting around in Dar es Salaam is no easy task. For me, it always feels like an adventure.   I have great respect for the loan officers, staff at Tujijenge, borrowers, and everyone else that travel great distances each day to do their job.  Dar is the 9th fastest growing city in the world and one needs to look no further than the roads to see proof.  

Continue Reading >>