Ladies and gentlemen, your girl is back in the building! This weekend was such a busy one in so many ways. Where should I start? Hmm.....what about Friday?
On Friday, the Diaspora Council of Tanzanians in America (DICOTA) had its annual conference in Dulles, Virginia, commemorating 50 years of Tanzanian independence from the British. There were vendors from abroad and here, Tanzanian people all across the diaspora were in attendance and not to mention, some special guests. President Jakaya Kikiwete of Tanzania paid a special visit to all in attendance as well as the Tanzanian Ambassador to the U.S., Mwanaidi Sinare Maajar. Since I happened to walk into the area right after the President, I, along with several other people, were not allowed into the main ballroom where he was giving a speech. I was upset because I had traveled over two-and-a-half hours, paid a $100 and event spent time attempting to convince offiicals that I should be let in. Well, I guess God was on my side because a lovely man (thanks David!) was able to speak for me and helped me gain access inside the main conference room. All in all, I was able to get good pictures of the President and the Ambassador, networked with other Tanzanian people and made a lot of good contacts. There were quite a few people who were not happy that I could not speak the language (Swahili) very well, but I'm working on it. Rome was not built in a day.
Saturday was an exciting day in its own. I participated in a press conference and attended a Pan African festival in Silver Spring, MD with the other contestants in the Miss Africa USA pageant. All of the young women present were beautiful, smart and charming. Unfortunately, since Tanzanians were having a major conference during this time, I was unable to meet any present at the festival. I don't think any were there at all. Oh well. I had a great time dancing with some of the performers and watching other acts. I was pooped at the end of the day, but it was informative, fun and cultural.
Yesterday, I met Ambassador Maajar at her office in Dupont Circle. For those who are not familiar with the D.C. area, Dupont Circle is home the majority of embassies of other countries in the United States. I spoke with her and the director of public affairs regarding my platform and the importance of getting the Tanzanian people, particularly the youth, to impove the literacy rate in the country. We took some photos together and I departed the building for class in the evenings. So, yesterday, I went to my internship at the DC Rape Crisis Center, met with the Tanzanian ambassador and went to class. Yeah, I guess that's the life of a rising mover-and-shaker in the world.
Until next time...
On Friday, the Diaspora Council of Tanzanians in America (DICOTA) had its annual conference in Dulles, Virginia, commemorating 50 years of Tanzanian independence from the British. There were vendors from abroad and here, Tanzanian people all across the diaspora were in attendance and not to mention, some special guests. President Jakaya Kikiwete of Tanzania paid a special visit to all in attendance as well as the Tanzanian Ambassador to the U.S., Mwanaidi Sinare Maajar. Since I happened to walk into the area right after the President, I, along with several other people, were not allowed into the main ballroom where he was giving a speech. I was upset because I had traveled over two-and-a-half hours, paid a $100 and event spent time attempting to convince offiicals that I should be let in. Well, I guess God was on my side because a lovely man (thanks David!) was able to speak for me and helped me gain access inside the main conference room. All in all, I was able to get good pictures of the President and the Ambassador, networked with other Tanzanian people and made a lot of good contacts. There were quite a few people who were not happy that I could not speak the language (Swahili) very well, but I'm working on it. Rome was not built in a day.
Saturday was an exciting day in its own. I participated in a press conference and attended a Pan African festival in Silver Spring, MD with the other contestants in the Miss Africa USA pageant. All of the young women present were beautiful, smart and charming. Unfortunately, since Tanzanians were having a major conference during this time, I was unable to meet any present at the festival. I don't think any were there at all. Oh well. I had a great time dancing with some of the performers and watching other acts. I was pooped at the end of the day, but it was informative, fun and cultural.
Yesterday, I met Ambassador Maajar at her office in Dupont Circle. For those who are not familiar with the D.C. area, Dupont Circle is home the majority of embassies of other countries in the United States. I spoke with her and the director of public affairs regarding my platform and the importance of getting the Tanzanian people, particularly the youth, to impove the literacy rate in the country. We took some photos together and I departed the building for class in the evenings. So, yesterday, I went to my internship at the DC Rape Crisis Center, met with the Tanzanian ambassador and went to class. Yeah, I guess that's the life of a rising mover-and-shaker in the world.
Until next time...
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