Two Different Worlds

Being in Tanzania is like living in two different worlds… seriously! When we visited Tanzania 8 years go, there were still indications of the struggles and tribulations a lot of the country’s citizens faced. Now a days, I have to look for such indications. It’s like these people are living in a dream world. The part I’m staying in is the “developed” part of the city, and I have been taking tons of pictures to show people that Africa is not all that you see on TV… we do have developments, and skyscrapers, and electricity… and its something I am very proud of. I remember in the past, especially when I was living in the Sates, that I was very ashamed of being from Africa. Seeing the world vision commercials, and the documentaries about Africa’s poverty led many of my friends to assume that that was where I originated from as well, and seeing such pictures made me feel ashamed of where I came from. So when given the opportunity to take pictures of how Tanzania actually looks like gave me a sense of pride to see how far my nation has come in terms of development.

With that said however, I fear that Tanzanians are living in a dream world. Its as if they are in denial about the true conditions of the country’s poorest, and because of this, I feel the nation has a sense of segregation. We are living in two different world’s. The first world, the world I’m living in right now, is one of comfortable accommodations, paved roads, restaurants, bars, and entertainment. Like for example, today, we visited family’s house, and they lived in mansion. Literally. 4 bedroom house, each bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. Marble floors, marble stair cases, guest house with 2 bedrooms and 8 parking stalls all filled with nice vehicles. I know when I tell some people that we have family back home living in homes more luxurious than ours, they find it hard to believe, but its true. I’ve been taking pictures, and will post them when I get back, and you will see what I am talking about… however, with all the above said there is a whole other world in that very same nation.

In the outskirts, or villages, our people are struggling. Poverty and disease are robbing our children of parents, opportunity, education. In fact some of these children are being robbed of their very childhood. So when I see the way people are living, and how different the lifestyles of these worlds are its saddening, because the city is completely segregated, and it is segregated by class. Its as if the people think that by separating themselves from the reality of many of the citizens of Tanzania, they can continue living their lives as if pain and suffering doesn’t exist. Now I can’t say I necessarily blame them for living as such. I can empathize with how hard it must be to live in a nation with a government so corrupt, they don’t play an active role in moving the country’s poorest forward. If the government can’t do enough to help the struggling, what can an individual do? And if the individual feels as if they are useless in helping those still struggling, why not block out the reality, and build a different world where they can enjoy the luxuries of life, without being reminded of the painful reality of others.

It’s a sad truth, buts its truth nonetheless, and hence, it is my fear that people will continue to live in two different world’s until we are able to instate a government who will look after its people first and foremost.