A Journey of Learning and Inspiration"

Hi, my name is Bente, and in the winter of 2024, I had the opportunity to participate in NOREC's exchange program, "Children with Disabilities and UN Rights Conventions," in Tanzania. Along with participants from Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL), Sogndal, Bergen, and Molde University College, I had an unforgettable experience. The preparatory course in the fall of 2023 and project leader Siv Sæbjørnsen gave me some understanding of what the project would entail, but it's not easy to fully comprehend everything until you're there.

Expectations and First Impressions

Arriving in Tanzania with its open savannas, colorful clothing, and unique culture was fascinating and just a tad overwhelming. The first weeks were filled with introductions to the exchange, Maasai culture, and the Swahili language. The language, of course, had its challenges, but I think we managed to get by without too many hilarious misunderstandings. As part of the Swahili language course, we had a haggling class and learned how to bargain at the market. Our final exam? Buy as much fruit as possible without getting ripped off. This was both challenging and fun, and everyone passed the exam!

The collaboration with the other exchange participants and the professional organizers from NOREC was inspiring and educational. At the same time, I had to test my skills and patience with group work, both for better and for worse.

Culture and Learning

When I started the ten weeks in Dar es Salaam, it felt like stepping into a whole new world—literally. The term "shagalabagala," which means chaos, describes the city well. With its 7 million inhabitants, the city seemed enormous and overwhelming for someone like me, who comes from a remote area outside Molde. Imagine being in a constant whirl of people, traffic, and the lively sound of Swahili conversations filling the air.

I was met with kindness and curiosity from the locals, and although the language and culture were different, they also became a source of learning. A simple "habari" (good day) was always met with a smile and a cheerful response—talk about instant gratification! Even though language and cultural barriers existed, I was impressed by how quickly many of the other participants adapted. And whenever we got stuck, Veila, one of the exchange participants from HVL, came to the rescue. She is from Tanzania and often became our lifeline, both linguistically and culturally.

Challenges and Taboos

During my stay, I participated in workshops organized together with the mothers of children with disabilities (Uhuru Mamas) at the school we visited. Although the topics of nutrition and reproductive health were not unfamiliar to them, the dialogue we had during and after was very valuable. I was initially anxious about how we would handle sensitive topics due to cultural differences, but the mothers were open and shared their experiences. Their stories, filled with both hardship and hope, touched me deeply. Many of them were exhausted and overwhelmed by the challenges they faced, but at the same time, it was powerful to see their engagement and resilience.

What became very clear to me after this exchange was that hygiene affects our interaction with, among others, children with disabilities. I observed that a lack of good sanitary conditions created a fear of infection, which in turn sometimes resulted in us, the participants in the exchange program, unintentionally distancing ourselves from these children. This was not necessarily due to ill will.

Combining respect for hygiene with an awareness of how such attitudes can contribute to social exclusion and a lack of care is important. Regardless of the background of the participants in this exchange, I see it as useful to reflect on our own approach by balancing hygiene considerations with a strong desire to include all children in society. For me, it is also about being more conscious of proximity and distance, and how our actions can affect those we want to help. This isn't just an issue in Tanzania—it's something we should think about back home in Norway, too.

A New Perspective

This exchange stay has given me many new thoughts about life. I have always appreciated what I have, but my experiences in Tanzania have given this a deeper meaning. I have met people with different backgrounds and cultures, and I have learned a lot about solidarity, compassion, and friendship. I'll always look back on this time with immense gratitude, and I look forward to using everything I have learned in my future work.

Thank you for reading my blog. I wholeheartedly encourage you to explore new cultures and dive into similar projects. Openness to the unknown can provide us with insights and perspectives that change our lives.

Best regards,
Bente