Hurricane Immigration Hits Hanga

Easter Break is currently taking place and so it was smart of me to return this week. It has been a nice relaxed transition back into village life and work. The biggest obstacle I face now is immigration.

Immigration laws are stricter now since the president has enforced new regulations. Fr. Novatus, the procurer, is the man I have been working with this week to figure out my papers and visa. I let him know back in January that this would need to be taken care, but this is Africa and things usually are completed last-minute. I suppose my trip interfered some as well. He has a friend at the Songea immigration office and I hope he comes through for us. It would be such a big help to get the stamp placed in my passport and to not have to worry about this anymore.

If I cannot get an extension through the office in Songea I will have to leave the country. My current visa expires April 4th and so that means I will be hopping a bus and getting out soon. Let’s hope it doesn’t come down to this.

Once my visa is figured out I will be able to stay in Tanzania until my departure in May. I still have to contact the BVC to arrange my flights into and out of Europe, but that should not be very hard.

Two summers ago I worked at Camp Lincoln which is located on Lake Hubert in Nisswa, Minnesota. In addition to working at Camp Lincoln I was lucky enough to attend as a camper for many summers. Throughout my time I met many great friends from around the world. While working as a counselor I met friends Adam and Jamie who both live in the U.K. Both visited me while attending college at Saint John’s University before they went home.

In 2014, I swore I would visit them in the coming years and they promised to show me around Europe. I have been in contact with Adam for many months now and as my time in Africa draws to a close my time in Europe can be seen in the headlights. I look forward to a little Euro-trip and am glad to have some great company that will be along for the ride.

However, that is still to happen and even though I am totally a man who enjoys planning ahead I have learned that I must focus on the here-and-now. Main goal for today: Get immigration papers in order so Joseph isn’t imprisoned in a Sub-Saharan African prison. Wooop!

In fact, I was lucky to be travelling throughout March. I was told that a few immigration officers paid a visit to Hanga village while I was on Mt. Kilimanjaro. They met with all of the volunteers here and even issued fines to a few. I have learned it is best to say “I am just visiting” when asked what and why I am in Tanzania. If you say I am working at a secondary school as well as the nearby clinic they get pretty upset. I think this is because they fear you are coming and taking jobs from Tanzanians. In reality, we are just helping out, but they don’t see it in the same light.

Ricardo, who I mentioned in earlier posts, was still here and was lucky enough to just be in his room when confronted. He was able to play off the “I’m just visiting” excuse. However, for new volunteer Antonella, who just arrived a week or two ago, things were a little worse. She was seen working in the clinic and so she was issued a fine.

It’s too bad. It makes volunteers worried about helping out and working. Now, I understand immigration and it would be a whole different story if we were taking jobs from others, but we aren’t. If anything, we are just additional hands helping improve the village life.

I am glad to have dodged that bullet.

Christa and I were joking at dinner about how I may have to head to the border soon if things don’t work out in Songea. Just like Nelson Mandela, I, too, may have my very own Long Walk to Freedom.

Anyways, I will keep you updated as I tackle the immigration business this week.

I just mentioned the new volunteer from Italy, Antonella. Antonella arrived about two weeks ago and will stay in Hanga until April 15^th. It is not a very long stay, but it’s nice to have another volunteer around. She is 25 and is studying to be a nurse.

Once Easter Break is over, immigration is in the rearview mirror and things begin to pick back up I will reenter the school. Additionally, I will start working in the clinic while gardening again. I hope to begin this weekend if everything goes smoothly.

With the extra free time I have had I was able to take care of the mound of clothes that became dirty over this past month. All clean now. I have also been able to go on a few long walks through the village which is one of my favorite pastimes. It is a great way to greet and meet villagers and many of them have asked about my climb and love to see my summit photo on my phone (not sure if they love the phone or the photo more haha J).

I made my way over to Nocagugu the other day which was nice. I enjoy walking there and I thought I better say hi to Raphael before he begins to think I never made it back from Dar es Salaam. When I reach I am usually greeted by one of the monks who runs the formation house. They always congratulate me on my walk from Hanga as if I had just climbed to the top of the highest freestanding mountain on earth ;) (I thought that was a clever joke). Really, though. They think walking all that way is a major feat and I just do it because I like walking. They also have beer in storage for visitors and so whenever I make it out there I am always greeted with a beer. I may need water, but they think a beer for their visitor is better ha. Too funny.

Lately, the small guesthouse I reside in has been filled with Fr. Mugaga’s relatives. They visit every Easter. They are quite rowdy into the late hours of the night, but I suppose it becomes hard to control a family that is so large. I feel as if I meet a new member each day. I think they will be moving out this week.

I have begun reading The Zombie Room by R.D. Ronald. No, it’s not about zombies. It’s about three men who become good friends while in prison. Once released, they meet a woman who has been caught up in an operation that supplies women to men for money. The three friends from prison begin helping her and the others trapped in this terrible operation. The author jumps around a bit and so you have to make sure to pay attention, though, it is a good book.

Next, I have been thinking about reading a book on one of the U.S. presidents. If not, then a nonfiction book of some sort. Do any of you have suggestions?

Well, that is that. Just working my way back into daily life here. I think I will go for a long walk this afternoon. It rained yesterday, but today looks sunny and warm. I hope everyone’s March passed nicely and that your March Madness brackets turned out better than mine. Damn you, Michigan State. Way to be hot all the way up to the tournament and then let half of the country down in your first game. It hurts, I tell you. It hurts. I’ll actually be able to watch the games next year so hopefully that will help.

Happy April, friends. That Minnesota spring should be thawing you all out by now. Enjoy it and get outside.

Thanks for reading!