My Birthday in Tanzania

My birthday celebrations went beyond my expectations here in Karagwe. Few people here choose to remember their day of birth, nonetheless celebrate the day every year, so I wasn’t expecting much. I was pleasantly surprised. 

Paul got up earlier than me to go to Kayanga Secondary school in the morning. He headed down to breakfast, and on the way taught Deo (Misha’s cook) and Egbert (the caterer who brings every meal for us) the Happy Birthday song in English. I got up a few minutes later and on my way to breakfast Egbert and Deo sang to me. It was very nice. Throughout the day they sang the song to me, trying to remember the words and tune.

Word spread fast and soon everyone at Misha was congratulating me for arriving at my 25^th year. The morning was peaceful, as I sat in a tiki hut and listened to music while I prepared for class. Class went very well (we learned about civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)). Later, I was hanging out with Deo down by his kitchen while he worked. We were chatting and I was wondering where Paul was as he wasn’t with Deo or in our room. Just as I had decided to go look around the back of Misha, I see Paul coming out of Ruta’s (our favorite taxi driver) car with something in his hands. Ha, I said, “Niliijua!” (I knew it!). Deo had told me not to worry about Paul and that he was coming, knowing that Paul was picking up stuff for my birthday. Haha, Deo and Roda and Justina had a good time seeing my surprise and understanding the situation.

I sat back down and waited for everyone to come down for dinner. Then, Paul, Isabel, Sarah, and Carly walked out of Misha with a cake and 25 lit candles singing “Happy Birthday.” I ran to join them and found a cake with chocolate icing and ‘Happy Birthday Caitlin’ written on it with 25 candles, all a little too big for a birthday cake. After a picture, I blew the candles out and we all went down to dinner. 

After we ate, I was given cards from Deo, Paul, and the students. I was surprised to see a card from Deo and laughed to see the spelling of my name ‘Cairilin’ (my name is very difficult for Tanzanians to pronounce/understand). I was very happy to get a card from the students. They made it with a black marker and pink and green highlighters for color. The best part is the rap poem they wrote for me. They had me read it out loud with attitude. Here it is:

Celebratin’ in the district of Karagwe

Sippin on drinks in the land of Nyerere

We be hopin’ that your b-day is the best

From your 3 favorite students, sittin at Misha Guest

We know one day you’ll be reppin’ an NGO

And changing the world just like Kaka Bono

So let’s go chug a few beers in honor of you

Because it’s your birthday Caitlin

Do what you do!

I was so happy to get that card, and appreciative of the time and thought they put into it. Paul also gave me a card complete with a pink highlighter heart on the front with a hand-drawn Africa inside. The staff of Misha and one guest wrote  greetings inside, Paul drew a little runner to sign off, and Paul wrote a lot of inside jokes of ours on the back including, “How does diarrhea butt feel today?!” Paul also got me a kind of African sign decoration which says “Wote Wawe na Amani” or May they both have peace. 

We were all anxious to see how good the cake would be. I cut it, and we all enjoyed at least one piece. It was vanilla, kind of spice, cake with chocolate icing- very good. We shared slices with all of the staff from Misha.  

Afterwards, I wanted to play cards so we walked across the path to the Safari Lounge where we could drink a few beers. Deo came with us and turned a few heads as he walked in with his arm around Isabel’s shoulders. We had a good time playing Spoons until around 11pm and then decided to hit the sack. Overall, a great birthday. Thank you to everyone in the States who also sent their greetings. I appreciate that Paul and I are still in your thoughts even while we’re on a different continent. We are anxious to return home for the holidays and visit everyone!

Amani,

Caitlin