Tanzania

In July, I spent two weeks volunteering with the NGO SANA in Gongo, a little Tanzanian village. I have so much to say about this village but I find myself wandering where to start. I think that not even a single word can show my gratitude and gratefulness for SANA and the community. It’s rare to meet such a community who has been the most friendly and giving while having the bare minimum. Despite our differences concerning living, culture, life circumstances … I felt like an equal. Although walking around and taking pictures with my camera really felt like a double edged sword. I felt like an intruder who doesn’t fit in. Seeing these people wearing shredded clothes and worn out shoes; those are things that I truly find hard to photograph. Although, it is how they live here and I want to capture the realness. Every picture that will follow within this page is therefore taken with consent. This is my way of saying I respect you, your way of living and your culture and I embrace it to its fullest. Thanks to SANA and our loving volunteer group, we started building a house for a farmer family who couldn’t afford it. This was actually the first house that is getting build by the support of SANA, so definitely a milestone to cherish! Besides that, we also helped at the school and did reforestation to restore the balance between animal wild life and the Gongo community. I always welcome people easy in my life but saying goodbye hits hard. Although, no hello can ever fill the void this goodbye has created. ‘Ahsante sana’ (thank you so much) to the loving people of Gongo. Enjoy my volunteering through a selection of photos.