Rationale for Tanzania 2007

The 2006 “Development Perspectives” project proved to be a huge success. Many of the team members went on to further their involvement in various areas of development. Some used their knowledge to facilitate development education workshops with young people whilst others introduced their experience and knowledge to their own workplace and areas of expertise, whether that involved teaching, youth work, sports leadership, art or music. A couple of the 2006 participants decided to further their own education in the field of Development and were accepted onto the BA and the MA course in Kimmage, Development Studies Centre. Some other participants got involved on a voluntary capacity with Voluntary Services Ireland (VSI).

Due to this fantastic success, “Youth Work Ireland – Louth” decided to apply again for funding in 2007 from Irish Aid. This year the overseas phase was held in Mwanga in Tanzania, East Africa. Links were made with a range of organisations and individuals who were actively involved in development at a grassroots level in Tanzania. With the help of Paddy Reilly, director of Kimmage, Development Studies Centre, we formed a strong  relationship with Alais Morindat and Simon Wachira, who both facilitated thought provoking  workshops for the team whilst in Tanzania. The relationship between VSI and Uvikiuta created the opportunity for us to build a very strong linkage that served us well throughout the project.  In fact, the bond that has been created between Development Perspectives and Uvikiuta will be built upon throughout the next year with plans already being put in place for Mwanga to host the 3rd edition of our programme.

Basketball Court
The basketball court initiative was identified by local people in Mwanga as something that would be of benefit to the community and especially to young people. This physical work gave the development perspectives team the opportunity to interact with and learn from the people and experience involved.

Construction of Basketball Court

Tanzania Trip

Pre Departure Phase
In early June 2007, Bobby and Margaret went on a one week preparation trip to Tanzania, which enabled us to meet with our partners face to face and provided the very necessary opportunity to plan and work together with mutual respect regarding the “Development Perspectives” project 2007. We see the preparation trip as an integral part of our planning. Not only does it allow us the opportunity to meet our partners prior to team arrival but also to get a “feel” for the environment, the accommodation, the food, the climate and the people. All of this helps us to shape and mould our work and study schedule for the overseas phase. We can also relay our first hand experiences to the participants who may be feeling anxious about the trip for various reasons. 

The Project

Pre Departure Phase
In early June 2007, Bobby and Margaret went on a one week preparation trip to Tanzania, which enabled us to meet with our partners face to face and provided the very necessary opportunity to plan and work together with mutual respect regarding the “Development Perspectives” project 2007. We see the preparation trip as an integral part of our planning. Not only does it allow us the opportunity to meet our partners prior to team arrival but also to get a “feel” for the environment, the accommodation, the food, the climate and the people. All of this helps us to shape and mould our work and study schedule for the overseas phase. We can also relay our first hand experiences to the participants who may be feeling anxious about the trip for various reasons. 

In May 2007, 22 people came together from the North East of Ireland to start “Development Perspectives 2”. The first phase took place in Sonairte-the National Ecology centre, where we focused on team-building and promoting a basic awareness and understanding of some of the many challenging development issues that face our world. The pre-departure workshops concentrated on issues such as dept and development, peace and conflict, systems thinking, interculturalism, development economics and environmental issues.
The second phase of “Development Perspectives 2” was located for the month of July, in the scenic village of Mwanga situated approximately 3hr south east of Arusha, Tanzania.  On arrival we were warmly welcomed by our partner organization, UVIKUITA and joined by four volunteers from that organization to add a Tanzanian perspective to our learning whilst also acting as translators. Participants were given an opportunity to live and work with the local community. An important facet of our project is self directed learning promoted by the use of a wide range of approaches and methodologies in an attempt to suit as many different learning styles as possible. The overseas phase was three fold. There was a continuation of theory based workshops on a daily basis; many facilitated by local experienced NGOs and development organizations. Practically, we helped building an outdoor basketball court, which was identified by the local people of Mwanga as something that would be worthwhile and beneficial for the whole community. This hands-on work enabled the team to engage with local people, to share stories and to work along side one another.  

Finally in Mwanga, we visited some of the local schools using sports, music and art as a way of interaction and reciprocal communication. The last three nights in Tanzania allowed us the unique opportunity to camp at a Maasai homestead in the village of Arkaria, situated 40mins north of Arusha, where we got an insight into the lives of the indigenous pasturalist community and to examine some of the threats and challenges that they face. 

On returning to Ireland the “Development Perspectives” team was asked to piece together an innovative and collective exhibition of their learning. The group used as many mediums as possible such as photography, video footage, installations, documented interviews, food and role-play as a way of communicating their message and their experience to the audience. This exhibition has become a resource to be used in the North East of Ireland in an attempt to bring about an awareness of some of the many challenges and issues we face on the road to a just and equal world. The five Tanzanian participants from UVIKUITA were invited to Ireland to participate in this exhibition stage in the hopes of encouraging a more balanced perspective.

Exhibition 2007

Tanzania Exhibition 27/11/07
The team involved in Development Perspectives is currently designing, planning and facilitating development education activities across the north east of Ireland. The Droichead Arts Centre will be the venue for two exciting events penciled in for the 27th and 28th of November 2007.
The event on the 27th will have an audience of 160 people from all across the North East of Ireland. Richard Moore (Founder of Children in Crossfire) and Alais Morindat (Development Studies Lecturer and Activist) will be speaking at the event. The event will see the first public screening of our documentary.
The event on the 28th is designed for young people and use music as its primary method of engaging with the audience.  Promises to be a great night!!!!