Mama Ema

Me and Mama Ema making chai

Yesterday was our first home stay with the Iraqw tribe (the tribe that most people in this area belong to). Myself and one other girl from the program went to mama Ema's house which is not too far from campus. I learned so many things from mama and her family. We learned to make chai, ugali (traditional Tanzanian maize porridge dish), and lots of other yummy food.

Erin and Emanuel cutting some n'gombe

Clean the rice

Safflower fields forever

My silly little Tanzanian brothers

 To be honest I was a little nervous about the whole language barrier, but I was impressed with myself, and everyone else at how much we could communicate with so little words. Hand gestures and a smile are definitely a must in these situations.







After we ate Emanuel took us on a walk through their fields where they grow most of their food. They have pigeon peas, maize, tomatoes, safflower and a bunch of other crops that I am now forgetting the names of (oops). We got to see all the surrounding houses which belong to other sons and daughters of mama Ema.






We did a little bit of cleaning and most of the kids seemed to take a little nap while we sat under the banana tree and drank some more chai. (I probably drank a liter of chai, mama and Emanuel kept filling our cups) Before it was time to go Emanuel was playing with my phone and found shakira's waka waka song. We proceeded to listen to it on repeat for at least 20 minutes and then again on the walk back to campus. I still have that song stuck in my head.


It was such a wonderful experience and I am so grateful that mama Ema and her family welcomed us into their lives, I know I will be back to see them all again.

Mama Ema, Eriki, and Teresa

Erin and I and our Tanzanian family