So what is it that I do here? Let me tell you.
Most of my time is spent at the local youth centre in an area of Morogoro called Kilakala. The youth centre has a few tiny rooms and a covered concrete slab in the back. Youth come here during the day to hang out. Later in the day we run our programs ranging from English, Youth Leadership, Debates, HIV/AIDS, etc.
This past Friday, we hosted a talent night known as "Ushujaa kwa Uhai." We try to encourage youth to preform songs, dances and rap. Between the acts we incorporate messages revolving HIV/AIDS myths or gender issues.Outside of programming, life is very different. Meals, for example, are served much later than back home. Lunch, chakula cha mchana, is served around 1400 and dinner, chakula cha jioni, around 2100. However, time is also up for debate. There is no structure to punctuality in Tanzania. A program that is scheduled to start at noon may not start until half past. Time is very fluid. That said, the day starts at "Hour 1", or 0700. The Swahili clock start at sunrise, runs 12 hours and then ends at sunset. So 1200 noon in Swahili is actually "Hour 6". It can get very confusing quickly.
So after dinner, people mingle for a bit and then go to bed. Music might still be playing or the TV still running, but just something you have to get used to. Its always noisy. Then in the morning around 0600 the music starts up again and good luck trying to sleep.
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