June 27, 2011
Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania
When I was planning what to do this summer at the start of the year I was envisioning taking an internship somewhere in New York City. Going into my senior year at Boston University studying finance I thought working at a bank would be the sure thing I will be doing. However, that is very far from what I am doing this summer; instead I am in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania doing research for SHE. So why did I choose Tanzania as my destination this summer?
My connection with East Africa dates all the way back to my great grandfather moving from India to Mombasa and my grandfather eventually moving to Dar-Es-Salaam to expand his father’s business. I have been to Dar-Es-Salaam before volunteering at hospitals and orphanages. Through the experiences that I have had while volunteering in Tanzania, I saw donation money that was given to the country never seemed to make a huge impact on the citizens of Tanzania. When I came across what SHE was doing with their market based approach, I thought this might be a perfect fit with Tanzania. Now the goal is to get right into the thick of things, on the ground in Tanzania, and try to expand SHE’s impact here.
Well, that is a little about myself and what I am doing this summer with SHE. Make sure to read next week’s update on some of interesting research I am doing in Tanzania!
Mpaka wakati mwingine,
Amar Ruparelia
