Safari njema! (have a good journey!)

The time has finally arrived! Tomorrow we leave the UK for Dar Es Salaam
and the next stage of our work with Wycliffe begins. Our communication over
the next few weeks will be slightly more disjointed as we settle into
Tanzanian life and culture, however we will try and post updates as soon as
we can. To give you an idea of where we are going here is some information
our team put together during our training course last year…

The Country:
In Tanzania, two-thirds of the 39.4 million people live off the land and
wealth is measured by the amount of land owned. The total land area that
can be used for cultivated crops is only 4% due to climactic conditions and
topography. Agriculture provides 85% of the country’s exports.

In rural Tanzania, a typical home for 6 people may consist of between one
and three rooms. The walls of the houses can be built of burnt brick, wood
and soil, dirt or cow dung. Either grass or a more expensive corrugated
iron sheet serves as a roof. Mud walls need refreshing every couple of
years.
Transportation is slow and hard work away from the main centres; villagers
rarely own cars and bikes become prized items. During rainy seasons roads
often become impassable.

The Languages:
Tanzania has 127 languages, the vast majority from the Bantu language
category with some Nilotic, Cushitic and Khoisan languages. Kiswahili is
officially the main language of early education, public life and the urban
work place. English, also an official language, is only used for higher
education, scientific research and international relations. Mother tongues
are still used in traditional roles but 90% also speak Kiswahili.

Kiswahili, a Bantu language, means “coastal language”. It developed from
Bantu groups living on the coast around Northern Kenya. Arabic influence
from coastal trade and local Cushitic influence shaped the language. It
was then spread by trade and migration along the coast and then later
inland by colonial and independent government policy.

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Hope this helps give some idea of where we are going. We'll be in touch
soon with more 'ground ' info!