Zanzibar Stone Town status under threat

SUNDAY NEWS
INTERVIEW/FEATURE
January 30, 2011
9
Banjika makes headway in technology
Ms Janice Lathen.
BANJIKA Secondary School in Karatu
District, Arusha Region, has made
great strides in training students on
new technology, says the Founding
Executive Director, Ms Janice Lathen,
who is based in New York. In this
exclusive interview that she granted to
Our Staff Writer Jaffar Mjasiri, she
explains that since June 2009 , ìthe
establishment has conducted seven
Technology Tent training sessions and
has trained 255 students at Banjika.
Read excerpts
QUESTION: Give brief
account of the activities
that are undertaken by
your organization?
A: Powering Potential
provides solar-powered
modern computer laboratoriess with training to
schools in rural Tanzania.
We call this programme The
Technology Tent.
Q: What inspired you to
donate and install a satellite Internet dish at Banjika
Secondary School?
A: It was the idea of
Anand Sethupathy who
is an advisor to Powering
Potential. He wanted to provide Internet access to the
school. He provided most of
the money to make it happen.
Q: What are the major
challenges facing your
organization?
A: I wish my Kiswahili
was better. You would
make things easier. Raising
money is always time-consuming. Phone and Internet
communication between the
US and Tanzania is sometimes unreliable.
Also it is very important
to me to act with the utmost
respect for the values of the
Tanzanian culture and to
incorporate them into the
work of Powering Potential
that is an ongoing learning
experience for me.
Q: Why did you decide
to set up this project in
Arusha?
A: I was a tourist and
the safari company took us
to visit Banjika Secondary
School in Karatu District.
We tourists stood in front
of the classroom and introduced ourselves. I introduced myself in Kiswahili
and the students exploded
into applause.
I was so moved by their
spontaneous, passionate
appreciation of my effort
to speak Kiswahili. To me
it was just a little thing.
It was a way of showing
basic respect. My heart was
leaping out to them; I felt
deeply appreciated.
I wanted to return and
spend more time with these
people who were giving me
such a beautiful feeling.
Q: Who are your major
financiers and stakeholders?
A: Individuals from
the US, Segal Family
Foundation, US Embassy
in Tanzania and Oswald
Family Foundation.
Q: How do you involve
the local communities in
this project?
A: I discussed the projects with the headmasters
and Mr Mbwambo, the
Karatu District Education
Officer. We worked out
details together (bega kwa
bega) to design the projects.
I have met with Mr Mathew
Sedoyeka, Karatu District
Commissioner, to get his
advice.
I also received advice
from Mr Kalinga and Mr
Ponera at the Ministry of
Education and Vocational
Training. After my initial
training session, the Banjika
teachers are now conducting the technology training
sessions. Students have also
served as assistant teachers.
Q: What is the role of
the local communities?
A: The communities contribute necessary
resources. For our next
project, installing more
computers at Banjika
Secondary School, the community will provide tables
and chairs for the new computers. Also, the District
Education Officer will pay
for four computers.
Q: How long has this
project been running?
A: Powering Potential
started in 2006. With the
help of generous donors, I
brought the first computer
for the school early 2007.
The solar energy system
was installed in November
2007 and five more computers were installed in 2008.
Our first formal
Technology Tent training
session was held in June
2009. We started working
on the satellite Internet
project in May 2009. The
satellite dish was installed
in September last year.
Q: What does your
organization aim to
achieve when the project is
accomplished?
A: We see no end in
sight! We would like to
install solar-powered modern computer laboratoriess
with training at every
school in Tanzania.
Our vision: All students
in Tanzania experiencing
the joys of technology:
efficient production, easy
access to information and
communication with others.
Our mission: Use
technology to enhance
education and stimulate
imaginations of students in
Tanzania while respecting
and incorporating values of
the local culture -- especially cooperation over compe-
JANICE shares in a memorable photo with some students of Banjika Secondary
School in Karatu District, Arusha Region.
tition, community over the
individual, modesty over
pride, and spirituality over
materiality.
Q: What is the time
frame for this project?
A: Our upcoming project is to install more computers at Banjika Secondary
School so they offer
Computer Studies as part of
their curriculum. We also
are planning a Technology
Tent Trainer programme
for Form Four leavers from
Karatu District.
If all goes according to
plan, the computers will be
installed in March and the
training will start in June
2011.
We started working on
the satellite Internet project in May 2009 and the
satellite dish was installed
in September last year.
We spent many months
researching various options
for Internet access in rural
Tanzania.
We decided to use
SimbaNet and we have been
very happy with their service.
Q: How viable is this
project in terms of sustainability and transfer of technical know-how?
A: It is very viable. The
headmaster at Banjika, Mr
Justine Joseph, has initiated
an effort for the school to
pay for the monthly Internet
costs and I believe he will
succeed.
Also, Mr Mikate, the
head of the solar energy
company (Ensol), came to
the school and instructed
the Banjika assistant headmaster, Meshack Muyinga
on the proper care of the
solar energy system.
We also have a team of
technical people in Arusha
town who work with the
school staff so they can
properly maintain the computer network. We work
with a non-profit organization, Solar-Aid.org. Their
assistance has been very
valuable.
They give Powering
Potential and the school,
advice and materials on the
proper design and care of
the solar energy system.
They will also be assisting us when we expand
our solar energy system to
accommodate more computers at Banjika.
Powering Potential’s
Country Director, Albin
Mathias, is a resident of
Karatu, and pursuing a
Bachelor of Engineering
degree in information systems and network engineering in Dar es Salaam. On
his holidays he provides
technology training at
Banjika.
Q: Do you intend to
replicate this project elsewhere in the country?
A: Yes, we have plans to
install solar-powered modern computer labs at two
other Karatu district schools
in September. We will also
provide technology training
jobs to Form Four leavers
who have graduated from
The Technology Tent training course.
We would like to continue our work until every
student in Tanzania is experiencing the joys of technology at their schools.
Q: What is the reaction
of the students in appreciation of this project?
A: The students seem
enthralled with what they
are being exposed to. The
Internet is opening a whole
new world to them, enhancing their education and
stimulating their imaginations. The students have
sent me many expressions
of appreciation.
Here are a few: I am
very happy to attend these
training. It has been very
happy for me to get this
chance ñ Janice; I learn a
lot through technology tent,
in every tent I always gain
new knowledge. I like that.
The motive to write this
short message to you is just
to thank you for your good
teaching of technological
tent. At first I didnít know
how to open computer
and close it properly also
I didnít know printing and
typing.
Also I didnít know how
to open and close camera,
but now I know all. Thank
you very much for your
generosity and good teaching. I will never for get you.
I pray to Almighty God for
you to live a long life.
When i was in the
Course at Technology Tent
I would say to myself:îWe
Tanzanians; this time is not
the time of sleeping. It is
the time of working hard in
order to live better lives.î
And from a Banjika teacher
came a message saying:
“It is a truth that cannot
be hidden. Technology Tent
has acted like a light for the
kids at Banjika. It makes
the kids feel able to face the
challenges which are being
brought forward by science
and technology.
“Before Janice came
to our school, no one
knew anything about the
Computer. They did not
know even how it looked
like. It is amazing that now
the kids are able to type
something by computer
and print it with their own
hands. These are great
development strides.”
Q: Do you enjoy enough
cooperation from the school
teaching staff?
A: Yes definitely. They
are very patient with me!
And Banjika will soon
have a full-time Tanzanian
computer teacher. This will
enable the school to expand
technology training for
teachers and make it easier
for them to teach their subjects using the resources
available with the technology.
Q: What major constraints face students in
learning this technology?
A: I can’t think of any.
They have embraced the
technology with their whole
hearts and are learning
quickly.
Q: What approach
are you using in helping
the students to acquire
Information Technology
(IT) skills?
A:Since June 2009
we have conducted seven
Technology Tent training
sessions and have trained
255 students at Banjika.
These sessions are now
taught by Tanzanian teachers which I think is important.
The students learn
theory and acquire practical
hands-on computer experience. If you go to www.youtube.com/poweringpotential
you will see videos of The
Technology Tent in action.
Q: Will this training
help the students to be
computer literate?
A: Definitely. That is a
main point of the training.
It is our expectation that the
computer skills, which the
students are acquiring, will
help them get a job after
graduating from secondary
school.
Also, those students who
go on to Form Five have an
advantage because they are
now computer savvy and it
helps them in their studies.
It also helps the Banjika
teachers who go back to
college or university to get
a degree. They also need to
be computer literate in their
studies.
Q: What advice do you
have for NGOís and education based organization in
terms of helping children
acquire this new technology?
A: Work with headmasters and government
officials to design your programmes with their needs
in mind. Seek to understand
and be respectful of the
values of the Tanzanian culture. Use Tanzanian technology professionals. Learn
Kiswahili!
Zanzibar Stone Town status under threat
N
By a Correspondent
EWS
broke
last week that
Kempinski Hotels
were given a site
in the old stone
town of Zanzibar for re-development into a five-star hotel.
It is understood from a source
in Dar es Salaam that government appeared less than
amused.
This means there is a possibility of UNESCO taking
another issue with a Tanzanian
World Heritage Site, after
the plans for the controversial Serengeti Highway have
already raised the possibility
of UNESCO striking out that
world-renowned national park
from its listings.
The old stone town in
Zanzibar is unique, in as far
as its history and preservation
is concerned, and attempts to
build high-rise office blocks
have in the past been almost
unanimously defeated in the
respective planning offices.
A former cabinet minister
is now implicated, together
with some other officials, to
have used influence peddling
to give the site to Kempinski,
and the hotel company is
loathe to the idea of getting
into the conservation bad
books.
More so as their Bilila
Lodge in the heart of the
Serengeti has already drawn
sustained criticism over its
alleged negative impact on the
ecosystem.
The Stone Town site, located on the Forodhani ocean
front, has so far accommodated a number of government
offices which will be required
to move elsewhere first before
anything much can happen
on site.
And other relevant government departments have
already rushed into the controversy claiming that prerequisite permissions have also
not been obtained as yet by
Kempinski, raising the spectrum of the project being
delayed for long periods of
time.
While discussing the
issue with a regular source in
Tanzania the issue of a similar
project of Serena Hotels was
also raised.
East Africaís leading hotel
group had in the past restored
and meticulously maintained
the outer appearances of initially rundown buildings, and
in their unique fashion not
only restored them externally
but ëinsertedí a fully functioning top hotel into the location
without affecting the character
of the neighbourhood.
The project has won several global awards in the past, a
sign that careful planning and
working hand in hand with
the local community can actually produce stunning results.
In contrast, the same cannot be said at this time about
the Kempinski project, more
so as regular sources were
reportedly given the cold
shoulder by Kempinski over
an issue where stonewalling is
the last thing one would want
to do, considering the sensitivities of the Zanzibari popula-
A MONUMENT depicting a chained slave at the slave trade market in Stone Town
area in Zanzibar.
tion and their pride of being a
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
now under ëthreatí by the new
project.
Strolling into the busy
streets of Stone Town is a
must do for any traveller as
lanes and streets are filled
with antique doorways and
balconies.
The Old Dispensary, an
ancient building, housed a
dispensary and today is one
of the most popular centres
for the townís cultural events.
The rich history of this island
nation is reflected in the House
of Wonders Museum.
Bearing testament to the
mÈlange of African, Arabian
and Indian cultures, the
museumís focal point is the
Mtepe, a Swahili traditional
boat. The buildings by the
seaside are delightfully quaint
and Stone Town clearly has
soul.
What is not known to
many is that Zanzibar was
where the most widely spoken language of East Africa,
Swahili, was first born.
The other interesting fact
about Zanzibar is that it has
the distinction of owning
the largest number of wooden doorways in all of East
Africa. The streets of Zanzibar
are filled with massive brass
studded doors creating a rich
plethora of historic entryways.
According to legend,
the intricate carvings on the
doors were evidence of the
ownerís wealth and status in
the community. The doors
are truly colourful reminders
of a romantically arabesque
past. Forever chained to the
spot are statues of a group of
slaves.
They stand in a pit about
eight feet in depth as they had
for countless summers and
winters. Their stony faces are
a picture of anguish and their
eyes revealed the emptiness
of their souls. The statues are
carved in stone and chained
to the ground and this sight
brought tears to my eyes.
With the arrival of the
Persian traders came slave
trade which began as early
as the ninth century. It was
forbidden for Muslims to be
enslaved and so the Persians
resorted to capturing and
enslaving people from neighbouring African countries.
The old slave market is a
vital part of Zanzibarís his-
tory. This is where slaves
were whipped into submission, bound and sold to the
highest bidders. It stands as a
testament of Zanzibarís tainted past.
An Anglican church now
stands at the very site of the
former slave market. You can
tour the dank dungeons of the
slaves where they waited in
fear of the unknown. Visiting
the old slave market offers
a glimpse into the darkest
facets of human nature and it
is a trip every visitor should
make.
The marketplace thrives
with piquant aromas wafting
through the air. Fruits and
spices form colourful mountains on small carts and vendors try to attract buyers by
calling out to them.
Zanzibar is known as the
land of spices and was at one
time the largest producer of
cloves in the world. Over time
Indian traders arrived in ships
laden with ivory and spices.
They settled down alongside other communities. The
planned Serengeti Highway
has baffled animal lovers.
The visit of the Tanzanian
Vice President, a few weeks
ago, to the Serengeti ñ sold to
the public as a private holiday
ñ on closer scrutiny provided
added clues as to the governmentís anxiety over the
intense pressure from around
the world to cancel the northern highway route.
Short of which the state
would face cuts in aid budgets, project support, and risk
being de-campaigned as an
eco-friendly tourism destination.
It is understood that Dr.
Bilal was briefed by park staff
during his private holiday on
the controversy over the highway route across the migration paths, and in particular
he was alerted to the negative
impact of a highway across
the park vis-a-vis the survival of the great herds and
tourism arrival numbers and
revenues.
The founding father of
Tanzania, the late “Mwalimu”
Julius Nyerere, had made firm
policy commitments towards
maintaining the Serengeti
ecosystem, but his political
“grand children” seem to have
conveniently forgotten about
his teachings while looking to
maximize profits from mining, which the road would
open up and make possible.
Officially, the government
in Dar es Salaam has not yet
changed position, ever careful not to give the political
opposition and opponents of
the plans ammunition over
“u-turns,” but signs are slowly emerging, as predicted
here before, that the powers
that be have finally started
to understand what is at risk
should they push the highway
construction through.
A further environmental impact assessment (EIA)
is also still underway, and
the minister for tourism has
already indicated that whatever results the EIA would
present, should be accepted,
even if it would stop the project altogether.