A New Project

Before the end of the year, I hope to add a new section to this website: “podcast.” I just did my first interview in a while, and hope to talk soon to the other key people I’ve worked with here in Arusha.

I only interviewed two people in South America. It was hard to forge strong connections with people while moving around so much, and the language barrier was an issue as well. In Africa, at least the countries I’m visiting, many more people speak English. My previous excuses don’t hold water here.

The objective of the podcast is to test the hypothesis that people around the world, despite the diversity of the culture, history, and economics, are more similar than they are different. I ask people deep questions about their desires, fears, and beliefs. I question how they see the world and how they spend their time.

So far, the results have been promising, and I hope to share it with you soon. It really does look like we all want the same things. Maybe if we see that for ourselves, we will unite.

The Streets of Arusha

Today was the first day in a while I had the camera in my hand, and it felt good. I awoke at 5am to catch the city stirring during golden hour. My friend took me around town to shoot authentic Arusha.

We visited the Central Bus Station and the main daladala station—at both places, locals thought I wanted transport and kept trying to sell me tickets to various destinations. When at Samunge market, people wanted me to buy their vegetables.

People here are weary of getting their picture taken, so I had to be discreet. I shot mostly scenes instead of portraits. Many people wanted me to take their photo and asked for money. I laughed and told them "you want me to take your photo.” I tried to blend in as much as I could, being the only white person in the vicinity, and the only one carrying an expensive piece of equipment.

There’s a certain feeling when shooting, especially with street photography. You watch, you observe. You try to capture specific moments in time that tell a story about a person or a place. It requires patience, and a certain peacefulness.

Regardless of what I captured with the machine, I enjoyed the actual process of shooting. I experienced the scenes. The local markets in Arusha are a hive of activity. They appear chaotic at first, but when you stop to really observe, you see the comfortable, slow pace of hakuna matata.

Arusha exists in poverty. But that’s not its identity. Arusha is a place of life, of business and activity, of leisure. Tanzania’s safari industry originates from here. A system of business, long gone from the Western world, lingers and functions here. People here try to make a living, and they try to enjoy life.

Is it really that different than anywhere else?

Starting with Truth

As I’ve continued my Twitter news trial, it’s become increasingly difficult to not despair. With the Trump impeachment inquiry, the two political sides spew dramatically different boasts. Regarding the Hong Kong protests, it’s hard to gage what’s really happening.

It makes me wonder if we can spur a movement demanding an adherence to facts within the media. The Journalist’s Creed appears to be insufficient; it holds neither the public recognition nor the necessary clout. We need something more.

The Hippocratic Oath is still used all over the world, 2400 years later. Physicians take it seriously and people trust in the process of seeing the doctor, even if they’ve never heard of the oath.

Now more than ever, it seems we need some kind of Journalistic Oath. We can disagree about economic theory and which laws best serve the people, but we cannot disagree about facts. Let’s not argue about truth.

We have much to overcome as a species, and we can do it...if we begin from the same starting place.

So Very Much

Today I thought about making a list of things to be grateful for when I return home.

I’ve been exposed to a lot of lifestyle differences here, and I figured it would be powerful, years later, to consult my list and be thankful for all I would (hopefully) have.

But then I recognized, as I refilled my water bucket: it ain’t that bad at all.

You make it work.

Just like all the other animals, humans adapt.

And there’s still so very much to be grateful for.

Meaning in Moments

Today we took our puppy to a new home. I say “our” because today marks exactly 6 weeks we’ve been in Arusha, and in that time, we took care of Tigger.

These past 6 weeks, we had taken to feeding the puppy in our compound. He was starving, infested with ticks, and utterly lacking love. I named him Tigger because when healthy, he’s such a happy puppy. He jumps around wanting to play, and just exudes joy.

Today he was in my arms for about three hours, on a tuk tuk, a dala dala, and a pikipiki—all to bring him to an animal shelter on the doorstep of Mount Meru, right next to the entrance to Arusha National Park. This shelter found a family who would take care of him. It was a long trip.

There was an extended moment of melancholy in the two hour long dala dala ride when I felt a resigned sense of ease. It was a sort of happy peace as well. The radio was playing, some Bongo flava song, it was a beautiful day, the open window brought much needed air to the puppy and I, and I had no idea where I was. I thought, “I’m in Africa, taking a puppy to a new home.” Fighting off sleep, I basked in that extended moment.

Hours later, it makes me think of how I used to start my mediations. “This is the most important moment in the history of the universe.” It is. The present moment, whatever moment we’re in right now, is more important than any other, ever.

That extended moment in the mini bus was my own moment. Although tired and weary, I appreciated how fortunate I was to be where I was, how crazy it was that I was there.

But I had another moment with Tigger when it was goodbye. He looked at me, confused and scared. With my voice and my eyes, I tried to tell him that he would have a better life this way, a real home. We shared a moment then, and it was ours and only ours. The moment is gone, but it was powerful.

It’s an amazing journey in this thing we call life. We can be good to each other. We can form bonds and connections. We can have meaning. It happens in moments.

Humans across Continents

I’ve been thinking about how different it feels on each of the continents I’ve visited this year. Both South America and Africa have an almost dichotomous culture—you are a local or you are a foreigner. Perhaps it’s because I visited Europe during the height of tourist season, but the cultures there seemed to be much more accepting of outsiders, maybe even indifferent.

The countries are all smushed together in Europe, and there’s thousands of years of history between them. Power has also seesawed back and forth between the different empires and nations, so I feel although there’s definitely competition between them, there isn’t necessarily outright animosity.

It’s only been Kenya and Tanzania here in Africa, and will additionally only be South Africa, but there’s much more of a feeling of judgement based on whether you look like you’re from here or not. And maybe that’s because the countries are large, and there isn’t thousands of years of history between the cultures here and the cultures of Europe. Power has also not been a seesaw, not even close. There’s just a hint of resentment here towards my (very) white skin. It will be interesting to see if South Africa is any different, as there is a lot of history with Europe in Cape Town, and due to that history a lot of European settlement.

South America was more similar to Africa than Europe. I don’t recall a feeling of resentment among the locals, but there was definitely a distance, and it seemed I was always immediately labeled a ‘gringo.’ Tourism is more developed on that continent than here, and I wonder if that’s garnered some acceptance from native communities. Obviously neither country has the level of tourism exposure as Europe.

So there are definitely many variables in play, but the fact remains that the feelings I’ve experienced in each place have been very different. On the one hand, that should be expected—they are different places. But on the other, it always does surprise me a little bit that I surprise the locals so much. Yes, I’m just like you. I want the same things—prosperity for myself and my family, love and recognition from people. I do the same things—I spend time with friends, I work, I sleep, I eat.

The more places I visit in this world, the more my conviction grows stronger: this is an incredibly diverse planet, and our species has thousands of unique cultures. But we are more similar than we are different. We are all human.

Politics is Hard, and Necessary

It seems safe to say political conversations have always riled people up. Growing up I remember adults talking politics and getting worked up, and now, an adult myself, it’s almost impossible for people to have a political discussion without tempers flaring.

With the Trump impeachment inquiry, it looks as though even our political representatives can’t have neutral conversations. Through C-SPAN I’ve watched very limited segments of the investigation (as per the parameters of my Twitter news trial), but it appears every question is punctuated by a three minute partisan rant.

Can we fault the American public for wallowing in partisan politics when our leaders do the same? They are political leaders after all.

Holding a political conversation with someone is difficult. We are emotional, not rational, beings. There is a reason our legal system differentiates first-degree and second-degree murder.

But having these conversations is important. As our world becomes increasingly glocal, we will continuously be exposed to more and more diversity. Probably adversity as well.

We can champion onward. As I’ve referenced before, we have made significant progress. Openness might be our most important value moving forward. After all, from the biggest perspective, we all want the same thing, don’t we?

That Good, Right Feeling

Have you ever had the feeling that what’s happening right now in the present moment is a good thing? It’s a quiet feeling, but as you’re experiencing it, you know deep down that what’s going on is good, it’s right, it’s meaningful.

I experienced that yesterday as we were doing an engineering project with the students at Kyosei Training Centre. Over the past month we had collected various materials (plastic water bottles, bottle caps, styrofoam, buttons, etc.) and we had the kids design their own model.

When I experienced the feeling, I was standing in the courtyard, watching the kids work on their project. My adult class was helping distribute the materials and monitor the whole thing. The school principal was walking around admiring the different creations, as well as the school director.

This project was something different, a type of learning the kids never ordinarily get to partake in. It was hands-on, it was collaborative, it was creative. And you could see they enjoyed it.

It was only a few fleeting seconds of the feeling, but it was powerful. When we do right, sometimes we know it. Everyone was doing right in that courtyard. You could witness the learning. The literal building, but also the figurative building toward the future, to something more.

As the native American proverb I learned growing up says, we do not inherit the Earth from our parents. We borrow it from our children. When we understand that, we can find ecstasy in the pure, good moments. And we see: it’s one big beautiful amazing world.

Creating a Brighter Future

Tanzania is a very poor country that is struggling to improve its education system. For the past 5 weeks I have been volunteering in Arusha with Kyosei Training Centre, one of many local non-profits trying to make a difference.

My time here has been incredible. I have forged new friendships, learned a new culture and language, and seen and tried many new things. The people here are remarkably open and friendly. But most meaningful of all, it feels like we are effecting real change.

Besides teaching and building, we started a GoFundMe campaign to fund the construction of a new school for Kyosei. This site will make it possible for many children to attend school for the first time.

The results have been amazing. I can’t put into words how the support we’ve received makes me feel. To know that I have so many generous, caring people in my life…it makes my heart swell.

But there’s more.

The creator of Schooling Humans volunteered here for 2 weeks, and he recently made a wonderful video about what’s happening. It has spurred more people to donate and has almost doubled our total. (Check out Schooling Humans' Instagram for more great stories about the power of education)

And now we have even more great news:

If we receive 5 separate donations of at least $100, an anonymous donor will donate $500. Five donations of $100, the $500 match by our mystery donor, and $1000 is added to our total! We’ve got 9 days until we close the fundraiser, and I know we can do it.

If you’re reading this and know anyone who might consider donating, please talk with them. This new school, and the work that Kyosei is doing, is changing the lives of so many children.

Thank you for reading. This whole experience has been inspiring, and it’s been a team effort from so many volunteers and donors. It shows the sheer amount of goodwill that exists in the world today.

We can do this. We can change the world.

Peace for Hong Kong

As I have started following the news again, I’ve become more and more concerned with what’s happening in Hong Kong. It’s a complicated situation; there are no easy answers. You can’t ignore the complex history and relationship that Hong Kong and China have shared over a long period of time.

But what started as a protest against extradition has now morphed into a much scarier animal. It seems the same thing plagues Hong Kong as in many other parts of the world: a lack of understanding, of communication, of consideration.

I may be an outsider to the situation, but with the violence occurring in Hong Kong, it’s clear the two sides are very far apart. It eerily resembles the political polarization in the United States. People have become so entrenched in their view, their ‘side,’ that it’s impossible to even recognize the opposition, let alone communicate with them to try to make progress.

There are no easy solutions to this situation. But there are alternate approaches.

Those protesting in Hong Kong can recognize the difference between disruptive and violent protest. They can consider who is being disrupted—someone's neighbor, a student trying to learn, a member of the community? Or the government?

Hong Kong leadership could open a safe channel of communication with citizens and protesters, to enable peaceful discussion between the two viewpoints. These steps are difficult when we’re emotionally implicated, but they are possible.

For those of us outside Hong Kong, what can we do? The same as above, just like those directly involved. Even easier, we can have a meaningful conversation with someone about what’s going on. We can listen more than we speak in that conversation, we can make it our aim to learn the other’s thoughts, their opinion. We can take to social media and write letters. We can insist on a peaceful resolution between both parties.

Because at the end of the day, people live in Hong Kong. It’s their home. Their lives have been disrupted, sometimes even threatened. Hong Kong is such a vibrant, dynamic place, a special part of our world. It’s disheartening to see it devolve into violence.

We all share this planet, and we all want the same things—health, prosperity, community. Can we achieve them peacefully?

The Return to Africa

I knew I wanted to return to Africa. It had been a long time, and once you come here, the pull never leaves you. I just didn’t know when or where exactly I’d go.

It turns out Arusha can teach you a lot. I’ve learned how useful and indispensable a bucket is—how to take a shower using one, how to thoroughly wash my clothes, and how to properly dump water from one. Such a simple tool teaches so much humility.

I’ve learned how to eat ugali: clean your right hand, use a knife to put some in your bowl, then use your (right) hand to pinch whatever other food you’re eating—usually vegetables or fish.

In short, I’ve learned how others live. Yes I went on safari, which is an enlightening and powerful experience all on its own. But I think I’ll remember staying in Arusha just as clearly.

Laughter knows no borders; I’ve found true friendship here as well. And although I still have over two weeks left, I’m already dreading leaving them. Traveling creates friendship across cultures, and helps you keep a global perspective.

Arresting Arusha. I don’t know when I’ll return to this continent, but I do know I will yearn for it before long. TIA—this is Africa.

An Open Letter for Change in Tanzania

To President John P. Magufuli and PayPal Holdings Inc,

My name is Trevor Allen. My fiancé and I have been volunteering with a local non-profit (Kyosei Training Centre Foundation) in Arusha for the past 5 weeks.

Through a GoFundMe campaign, we have raised over $4000 USD for our host organization. This is enough money to finish construction of Kyosei’s new school that will enable children of all ages to learn for the first time.

But there is a problem.

Kyosei’s founder and director, Steven Saning’o, is a Tanzanian citizen, and Tanzanian PayPal accounts are not eligible to receive funds. We tried a Western Union transfer, which was a complete failure. We are now forced to withdraw the funds from our American bank account at the ATM. This poses challenges: we are charged withdrawal fees for every single transaction, there is a daily withdrawal limit, and carrying around so much cash is risky and dangerous.

In addition, I am unable to set up a donation page on Kyosei’s website because they cannot accept PayPal payments. Such a webpage would drastically increase the likelyhood and frequency of foreign donations. Besides diminishing Kyosei’s chances of securing fundraising, this PayPal policy results in several other negative repercussions for Tanzanian citizens; this change.org petition summarizes them.

It seems a simple policy change regarding Tanzanian PayPal accounts could change all this. Tanzanian citizens must be able to receive money through PayPal.

Paypal’s self-stated mission and vision is “that every person has the right to participate fully in the global economy, and that we have an obligation to empower people to exercise this right and improve financial health.” Do Tanzanians not count? Does this situation not directly apply to Paypal's mission?

More than 15 years ago, the United Republic of Tanzania enacted the National Economic Empowerment Policy, with the vision that "a more favourable business environment will be created to foster a strong economy that is capable of competing effectively in a globalised world market.”

To quote specifically: "The primary objective of this policy is to provide general guidelines which will ensure that the majority of the citizens of Tanzania have access to opportunities to participate effectively in economic activities in all sectors of the economy” (Section 3.3 - Objectives).

When I came across this paper I was excited—this is exactly what my fiancé and I want to help with!—but we need your assistance. This policy was created in 2004. It’s 2019. Changing the PayPal conditions for Tanzanian accounts directly achieves a principal aim of the National Economic Empowerment Policy.

We need your help. The children of the Mkonoo Terrat community, as well as millions of Tanzanians around the country, would significantly benefit from this change. It would stimulate the economy in a big way and create innumerable possibilities. It would empower the citizens of Tanzania. Can you grant them this key financial service? Can you give them the opportunity to thrive?

Regards,

Trevor Allen

A Day for Heroes

I believe there have been times in human history when freedom and liberty were threatened across the entire world. Our veterans were the ones who made sure those vital human rights were not taken away. They are responsible for the preservation of our most fundamental beliefs. Their actions will reverberate forever onward in our species history. As someone very far removed, I can only try to understand. Thank you for your service. We are forever indebted to your heroism.

Mothers Change the World

It’s my mom’s birthday today. I believe mothers around the world are at the same time the most responsible and also have the most potential for changing the world. Why?

Because education is the single biggest thing that can change the world, and education begins not at school but at home. It starts with mothers and fathers showing their children what is acceptable and what is not. Babies at their mother’s breast learn what is okay and how to behave. Home life is the foundation for how a child thinks about learning, which shapes the rest of their life. And our future as a species will be decided by our children.

My mom set a very strong foundation for me as I was growing up. I was expected to learn in school. In fact, I was always expected to learn and grow. If I tried my hand at something, it was expected that I would get better at it over time, that I would improve.

I was also taught that the world is changeable, always in flux, influenceable. That the world was not fixed, that I could make a difference, no matter how big or small.

It was these core foundations that have led me to where I am today. In the traditional sense I am not “successful,” but I know I’m on the right path. I have a future ahead of me, because of my primary belief: we can change the world.

Thank you for everything Mom, I love you. I will never be able to pay back your unconditional love, but I hope I make you proud. Happy Birthday.

Twitter News Trial

I have decided to trial a new tactic to become an informed global citizen. I will use Twitter (@TrevorAllenViz) to stay current on what’s happening in the world.

My parameters:

1. I only follow 8 accounts: @cspan, @AllSidesNow, @WSJ, @BBCWorld, @BBCBreaking, @Reuters, @AP, and @realDonaldTrump. I chose these for their journalistic integrity, political centeredness and neutrality. I follow Trump’s account because he is the leader of my country.

2. I only check Twitter once a day. I’m working out the best time of day according to my current location (Tanzania) and schedule, but hope to normalize it soon.

3. I set a timer for 10 minutes and then open the Twitter app. This is the maximum amount of time I allot for news consumption.

I’m excited to try this strategy and see how it affects my life. I’ve already learned some new things. Michael Bloomberg is planning on running for president. It appears the situation will escalate in Hong Kong. The whistleblower’s lawyer in the Trump impeachment probe sent a cease and desist letter to the White House. A pet barn owl in Japan rides on its owner’s bike (thanks Reuters).

It will be interesting to see how much Twitter will sabotage or hijack my attention. After 2 days I’ve already grown weary of the sponsored ads, as well as the retweets.

Maybe this works and maybe it doesn’t. But as a citizen it’s necessary to stay informed. I hope this method allows me to do so with minimal bias and time commitment. Report back in a month. It’s a big world out there.

The 1% Solution

For many people, working full time towards a big problem is impractical or impossible. Which is totally okay.

A simple way we can all contribute to our planet?

Discuss important issues and problems with other people on a regular basis. If we all do that, change will happen. This would take 1% of our time and energy:

15 minute meaningful conversation

1440 minutes in a day

15 / 1440 = 0.01041667

1.04% of your day devoted to helping the world

Regardless of socioeconomic status, culture, or identity, anyone can contribute this much time and energy to the human species and the planet.

We are what we think about. And if we think and talk about these big picture things, even just 1% of the time, we can change the world.

Our Great Gift

I’ve been refining the mission and vision statements for Trevor Allen Vision today, so my thoughts have wandered to the grand and powerful. In my research I came across an amazing quote I saved from The Graveyard Book, which I read earlier this year:

“Yes. They are. And they are, for the most part, done with the world. You are not. You’re alive, Bod. That means you have infinite potential. You can do anything, make anything, dream anything. If you change the world, the world will change. Potential. Once you’re dead, it’s gone. Over. You’ve made what you’ve made, dreamed your dream, written your name. You may be buried here, you may even walk. But that potential is finished.”

This quote takes you to your deathbed; it allows you to see. We only have the time we have, and our contribution, our mark on the universe, is our great opportunity, our great gift.

Every person is granted this. Here in Arusha, regardless of the poverty, the lack of infrastructure and education, every person is given this chance, just as much as the people living in Manhattan or Montenegro.

When you die, what will your mark be? How will the world have changed?

In the end, maybe we are all forgotten, but our deeds and actions, like waves in the sea, permeate throughout the universe forever. They will mix with the actions and energy of others for eternity.

How will we contribute? How big a wave can we make?

Enjoyable Solutions

Sure, judgement and racism exists here, and I don't like experiencing it. But most of the people in Arusha are kind, open, and friendly. As I walked down the street today, a man on a bicycle smiled and gave me a fist bump. I could feel his genuineness—he was just being nice. He knew I wasn’t from here and wanted me to feel comfortable.

I took a tuktuk into town this afternoon, and the driver was warm and welcoming. He asked where I was from and wished me a good experience in the city. For my brief 5 minute ride, we smiled and laughed together.

The poverty in Arusha can be overwhelming, and affects many aspects of life here, in many ways. But you can’t say the people aren’t congenial. It’s endearing, and inspires hope. We have many problems to solve, but we can be pleasant and respectful to each other along the way. It will make the solving more enjoyable.

3 Gratefuls

I think it’s essential to one’s experience in life to be grateful. Those of us who live in first world countries have the most resources, knowledge, and convenience ever in our species’ history. Yet we still find things to be unhappy about, to be frustrated with, to disparage. It’s natural; our brains are built to adjust to a status quo and try to optimize it. So it takes a little bit of effort on our part to push back against that natural process in order to truly appreciate all that we get to enjoy.

I make it a daily practice to be grateful at some point during the day. Usually it’s in the morning, after I’ve completed my morning routine and get ready to start my day. I consciously ponder what I can, or what I should, be grateful for. I always think of at least three things, and there are always three things. There are an infinite number of things every single day, every waking moment of our lives. We just have to consider them.

I try to choose one person, one fact or reality of my existence, and one thing or object to be grateful for. I don’t always stick to these three categories, but I’ve found that it helps me both appreciate a good balance of material and ethereal, as well as push me to regard new possibilities for gratefulness.

In order to genuinely feel gratitude, it’s important to weigh the idea in your mind, to truly appreciate it for what it is, that it’s a part of your reality or experience. I’m not simply listing things out in my brain. I consider what it would be like to not have that thing, or to consider the implications and consequences of it being a part of my life.

For example, you’ve read these words. You both have the ability to read, to see, and also have been fortunate to learn the skill of reading. Or maybe someone is actually reading these sentences to you. In that case, you’re able to hear, to listen, to understand the English language. Isn’t that wonderful? How many people in the world cannot read or understand English? You could have a disability that prevents you from doing either of these things, and yet you do not. You have this ability, this skill, to do this thing we call reading or listening. This simple fact, or reality of your existence, is something we can be grateful for.

Similarly, it’s also important to be grateful for the people you’ve crossed in life. Not just the closest, most familiar, or most important people, but also the strangers who have made, even in the smallest way, an impact on your life. That person who held the door open for you at the gym. The cashier who double-checked to make sure you got that discount. Some stranger who moved over so you could walk past each other side by side on the street. It could be anybody, anywhere, who you’ve had an exchange with in some way. You benefited from that—appreciate how awesome that is, in the purest sense of the word.

People might assume objects are easy. But if you prevent yourself from being thankful for the same ones, it can become challenging. Have you stopped to think about how wonderful it is to use a spoon to eat your food? Can you imagine what it would be like to not have that spoon, if the concept of ‘spoon’ was never invented? A simple utensil that made your life easier. I’m amazed at the sheer genius of cars. You sit inside this machine and it propels you forward, allowing you to cover distances impossible just 100 years ago. Be grateful for that machine, that object, that has made your life easier or more enjoyable.

If you do this every single day, you’ll realize how wonderful life really is. There are so many things to appreciate, so many transient aspects of our lives that we take for granted. Acknowledge the beautiful and surreal experience that is life. And be grateful that you get to be a part of it.

Stranger Reflection

The Arusha chaos welcomed me back today. Hundreds of children shouted greetings, the stares came in waves, and my favorite street dog walked me to work.

The first day back from a trip offers a unique gift: you gain a stranger’s perspective of your daily life. You resume your normal schedule, in the normal places, and for that first day or so, it feels a bit foreign. You get a glimpse of what it would be like to watch a typical day in your own life.

I always find it helps me evaluate and reflect on my current situation, where my recent choices have brought me. Am I happy? Do I enjoy what I'm doing? Is there something routine that bothers me? Now I can see it for what it is, and I can change it.

We have a very finite time here on this Earth. But our contributions are meaningful. Reflection helps us calibrate our efforts, to ensure we are in communion with the universe.

What would a stranger say about your life?