Try to travel, otherwise you may become racist, and you may end up believing that your skin is the only right one, that your language is the most romantic and that you were the first to be the first.
Travel, because if you don’t travel then your thoughts won’t expand, won’t get filled with ideas. Your dreams will be born with fragile legs and then you’ll end up believing in tv- shows, and in those who invent enemies that fit perfectly with your nightmares, to make you live in terror.
Travel, because traveling teaches us how to say good morning to everyone, regardless of which sun we come from. Travel, because traveling teaches to say goodnight to everyone regardless of the darkness that we carry inside.
Travel, because travelling teaches to resist, not to depend, to accept others, not just for who they are but also for what they will never be. To know what we are capable of, to feel part of a family beyond borders, beyond traditions and culture.
Travelling teaches us to be beyond.
Travel, otherwise, you’ll end up believing that you are made only for a panorama, and instead inside you there are wonderful landscapes still to visit. (Gio Evan)
Travel with Kisedet and get to know the real Tanzania far beyond stereotypes and mass tourism.
A few people have contacted us, asking us to write them an itinerary, however, they were already planning on avoiding Dodoma. We want to clearly state that we organize trips only if you will visit Kisedet. This is a Fund Raising project and Kisedet is not a tourist agency that only organizes your trip.
A few frequently asked questions (and/or inquiries):
•“I chose travelling with responsible tourism to save money!’ FALSE: Responsible Tourism is travelling while respecting the environment, but especially the locals. It’s completely different from mass tourism. The point is to utilize structures that support local projects, which respect the environment and the people working in said environments, and not to save money.
•“There are no hospitals and pharmacies in Tanzania!” FALSE: we have both hospitals and pharmacies here. What we do advice is to have health insurance, but it’s not necessary for a short trip.
•“Everyone in Tanzania is poor and I can and must give money/ or other objects to everyone because they all need charity.” FALSE: never give money, especially if you intend on donating something to the children/young adults at Kisedet. First, ask what is needed; and you won’t be allowed to hand it out personally: you will be asked to leave it in the hands of the social workers who work there, who will later distribute it fairly. In conclusion: not everyone in Tanzania is poor just like how not all Westerners are rich.
•“Every time I buy something, I have to bargain because that’s how it’s done there.” FALSE: It’s true that we bargain here too, but I have often seen tourists who just to prove that they can bargain completely disrespect the shopkeepers and test their patience. It’s obvious that the prices will be slightly elevated when they serve a tourist (doesn’t it happen in Italy too?), however, forcing the shopkeepers to sell you something at the price that you want is not okay. It’s safer to trust the person who is accompanying you (whether it’s a local or an expatriate who’s lived there for years) and let them deal with it.
•“Africans like to be photographed: all you have to do is pay them”: FALSE: you must ask permission first and never shove a camera in their faces. Furthermore, it is strictly illegal in Tanzania to photograph offices and/or government buildings, for example; the parliament, police stations, dams, banks etc… The reasons are unknown but you must obey otherwise you can face severe punishment.
•“I can visit Tanzania with a tourist visa and then I can do what I want because rules don’t exist and I can do anything and they need help with everything.” FALSE: The immigration office exists in Tanzania, like in the rest of the world, and we must obey the law. If you visit Tanzania with a tourist visa, you are a tourist, and you cannot do anything else.
•“I am an architect, and because I’m coming from Western Countries, my degree has more value than the degree of a local” FALSE: KISEDET prefers to offer job opportunities to the locals because work is hard to find. Furthermore, KISEDET has adapted and trusts the approach to work of the locals. We do not care about leaving an Italian “footprint”. KISEDET is first and foremost a Tanzanian NGO.
•“I’m free to choose how I want to dress because I come from a democratic country.” FALSE: Tanzania is a conservative country and society. You must try to wear more conservative clothing. Shorts, tank tops, leggings, crop tops etc. are not advised.
Responsible Tourism
