The book 'Volunteer to Empower

"Volunteer to Empower"
...is a must-read for anyone seriously considering volunteering personal time in a foreign country, especially Africa, and in particular, Tanzania. It is a 36 page non-fiction guide that includes maps and useful information about Africa and Tanzanian culture, as well as pictures, humor, and the author's personal experiences.

The focus of the book is how one person can help another person achieve empowerment and in the process realize she has begun a fascinating journey of cross-cultural friendship. The story is written well by a woman who's been there and done it!

Review by Carleen Kunkel
.............nine time international volunteer, three times to Tanzania.

"I had a wonderful time this morning reading your book. You've managed to capture the volunteer experience perfectly. I wish every volunteer could read this before going abroad as part of their preparation.

"You really did a great job presenting information about cultural traditions in Tanzania, and I loved the point you made about sharing space. So very true. I hope you had as much fun writing the book as I did reading it."

Tanzania

"There are few areas of the continent that attract as much tourist attention as northern Tanzania. Mt. Kilimanjaro...has the highest peak on the African continent and its summit is snow-capped year round...People travel from all over the world to hear the hoofbeats of thousands of wildebeest echo over the Serengeti plains."


"Tanzania has a population of 29 million citizens, consisting of 400 clans within 126 ethnic tribes, mostly of Bantu descent...Its government is comparatively stable; various tribes and religions co-exist..."

"Respect and manners, initiated with greeting exchanges, are most important to Tanzanians and taking time to ask about family, health, and work is customary. People are much more valued than time...Age is honored in Tanzania.

"Another aspect of respect is attire; women wear brightly colored, ankle-length dresses or skirts...The Kanga, a wide strip of cloth worn wrapped and tied at the waist, is a popular, traditional skirt...For men, it is not acceptable to wear earrings or to have braided hair..."

At right, author Patricia Gott in Tanzanian Kanga skirt.

Author in native Tanzanian Kanga skirt

Enrichment and Fun

While integrating into the local environment and training a batik shop owner how to set up a bookkeeping system were of primary importance, there was a little time to explore life beyond the village! Patricia is a professional photographer, and several of her best Tanzanian shots are featured in "Volunteer to Empower".

The two links below are in-country holiday destinations that offer some great adventures! Makoa Farm specializes in horseback safaris and farm-riding holidays, and Maasai Wanderings tackles mountain climbing, safaris, and introduces its guests to a Maasai village.