Last week Peter most graciously wrote the first blog entry for the new batch of volunteers marking a new era for OTS. With this being my first post (me being Steve), I’d like to say a quick hello to the OTS blog readers, and extend a big thank to both Adil and Jordan for all their hard work prior to our arrival. Their invaluable contributions to the organization provided Peter and I the direction and context we needed to hit the ground running.
So, where do I begin? As Peter mentioned earlier, our first week was spent in Dar getting the crash course in Swahili and Tanzanian culture. After a short stay in TZ’s urban centre, we set sail for Tabora armed with only our swahili phrase books and high hopes. The train ride was an experience to say the least, and a solid choice for the financially conscious traveller. Looking back, I would have to say one of my fondest memories was a point at which Peter drew my attention to a rather stunning sunset on the first evening (I should mention the picture doesn’t quite do it justice). At the time, I couldn’t help but wonder what new and mysterious adventures awaited us beyond the horizon.
Train to Tabora
We are now starting our third week in Tabora, and the wheels are most definitely in motion for OTS. Last week Peter, Holly, and myself teamed up with Claudio, the project manager of Alliance One’s oxen project, and headed north to the oxen training facility. I believe Adil had mentioned this in an earlier post, but just to recap, the oxen project is an excellent program which acquires and trains oxen to be sold to local farmers to provide more efficient means of farming. Upon our arrival, Claudio wasted no time in explaining how the training program works. It was rather interesting to hear him emphasize the importance of ‘friendship’ between the farmer and the oxen. He discussed how, regardless of the various stages of physical training the oxen must go through, the farmer must work to establish a strong relationship of trust. A concept that was later put to the test in an amusing demonstration, as a weary oxen proceeded to make haste as its trainer was attempting to feed it.
Upon watching a demonstration of the farmers and oxen training in the fields, Peter and I were delighted when an invitation to try it out was extended our way (see amusing photos below). All in all, I can definitely appreciate the hard work and effort that goes into the program.
Steve, Training with the oxen
Peter, training with the oxen
On to other ventures…We are currently quite busy continuing the research on communication networks amongst the local farming communities. Mapping these networks accurately has proven to be no simple task, though the added value of our efforts will no doubt yield many benefits critical to the development phase of the project.
We also have some interesting meetings lined up in the near future, such as a meet with Tabora’s District Commisioner, which will most definitely contribute to our research and findings. So there will indeed be much to report on in the coming weeks.
One of the other projects we are currently working on is developing a computer literacy training program for local children. As Peter had mentioned in the last blog, we are currently using an open source educational suite known as GCompris to drive the program. GCompris is an incredibly robust computer literacy training package which contains a wide variety of valuable educational applications. The package can be downloaded free of charge from their website for both Windows and Linux environments, and although there are obvious cost benefits to using free software, the major benefits emerge from the ‘open’ aspect of GCompris (free as in freedom). Language barriers are a case and point, as applications within GCompris are presented entirely in English. Due to the open nature of the software, a teacher could easily modify the language files to integrate a swahili vocabulary. Such flexibility is often not available with most closed-source, proprietary alternatives.
What makes GCompris particularly unique is an administration utility which allows teachers/instructors to track student progress. Teachers can use this tool to access valuable statistics, such as what applications have been used, when it was used, and how well the children performed. Such information is critical in evaluating student progress effectively and driving the future goals of the curriculum.
This week we will be heading to a school known as St. Francis to meet with the local teachers and see how they integrate ICT’s into their daily activities. I’m quite excited for this little excursion, as I’m sure it will provide much insight into the practical use of networked computers in the region. More on that later.
On a sad note, some of our fellow Millenium volunteers have recently departed. Nick and Max helped Peter and I get comfortable in our surroundings during the first few days in Tabora, and contributed to a rather lively atmosphere around the VOL house. They will be missed, and we wish them the best in their studies back home. On a positive note, Emily, who is also part of the Millenium project, has returned from her travels and has been a blast to have around. Overall, the house is lively, the work is steady, and all is well in Tabora.
Til next time, adios (or more appropriately, Kwa Heri)
Steve
