Next summer, I'm possibly going to Tanzania with my church for Missions, I'll be 16 then, Anyone have tips

Question

Is it safe? I'll be with a group but I'm not sure if there are any risks....I'll be there 2 weeks if i go and for some reason i;m like all of a sudden nervous. Please help!!!

Answer 1

What Africa needs is not a missionary-type assistance program. I think that if you go in there and start building houses in the remote parts in villages then it will upset the entire hierarchy since people will be getting new houses when they have not deserved it. This is just one example but Africa needs the right aid package and the right types of aid at that. If you still believe that you should definitely go there crusader style and convert them from Islam or native beliefs to Christianity then go for it. Africa is constantly being mis-conceptualized as being dangerous.  

Answer 2

Africa is a dangerous place and getting worse every day. You seldom hear about the groups that wind up raped, tortured, and terrorized then released because nobody died. In most of these countries there is little if any law enforcement and next to nothing in the way of modern medicine. To many of the natives you will be someone to be taken advantage of in one way or another. To others you will be an unwelcome intrusion into their culture, religion and way of life.

Stay home and do missionary work in some big city that will at least listen before they rape you.

Answer 3

The answers that you have gotten so far seem to be very stereotypical in nature -- answers given by people who speak of "Africa" as if it is one place that is all the same.

There are places in the continent of Africa that have their safety problems, but in all truthfulness that is not a big issue in Tanzania.  In the large coastal city of Dar es Salaam there is a certain percentage of violent crime, just as in any large city in the world.  However, walking in groups after dark and all the usual precautions work well.  

When I lived in Tanzania, the most common crime was pickpocketing.  On one of the local shuttle buses (daladala) or walking through a crowd, there was always the possibility that someone would steal your phone or wallet.  This was only likely in a close-crowded situation (too many people in the daladala!), where the thief could take things without being seen.  

Violent crimes such as rape or beatings are virtually unknown in Tanzania, because physical violence is such a cultural taboo there.  Traveling around the villages and the regional capitals (towns), even children could travel safely alone -- children carry nothing of value and harming a child is unthinkable in that society.  

While you would still be of the age to be a "child" to the Tanzanians -- their high school students can older, even early 20s -- you also are a foreigner and you don't know the language.  I would recommend that you leave all jewelry at home, if you carry expensive cameras then keep them in a bag with strong straps carried across your chest, store any money in either an attached wallet (chained to belt loop) or inside waist pack.  Any females in your group would be well advised to wear skirts below the knee if you will be doing missions work in the villages, or at least trousers/jeans that are not tight-fitting.  I would advise all of you -- don't wear shorts!  Wearing shorts automatically tells the Tanzanians that you are "ill-mannered tourists" with no cultural sensitivity as to showing your legs in public.  The people are willing to overlook things like that in foreigners, but you will make them uncomfortable -- and any prices they quote at shops will be exaggerated for the "ignorant tourists."  

I just thought I would add some more information for what to watch out for culturally; most people forget that part!  In terms of safety, Tanzania is one of the most peaceful countries in the world.  The Peace Corps has been sending volunteers there for more than 30 years, and it is one the countries with a very high number of volunteers; due to safety as well as need.  Learn a few basic greetings, get your vaccinations and malaria medicine, take your sunblock (very strong sunlight!) and enjoy yourself!  Be ready to give your address/email address to a number of people who enjoy haivng a pen pal, be ready to explain that you're too young to sponsor them for universities in America, and be ready for some very welcoming people!  I hope that you will enjoy visiting Tanzania as much as I enjoyed living there. :)  Feel free to write to me with any questions!

Answer 4

Assuming that you believe in God because you are going on a missions trip then i will have to tell you this. You are doing this for God, and He won't allow anything to happen to you unless He wants it to. So i say go, and don't be nervous. Just believe in the God that you are going to be telling those people about. If i had the oppratunity to go i would take it. I consider you lucky, and i am kind of jealous. I would really love to go on a missions trip like that. Just have faith!