by Josephat Seleman Hema from Tanzania,

My flight back to Tanzania was just perfect, everything went well. I only noticed that the aircraft to Dar es salaam was half full and that made me sad a bit. At least I happened to talk to some guys in the plane about different things and concerning the Corona virus situation. Two were Tanzanians coming from USA and Canada. One was a Kenyan coming from the UK. I could feel different perceptions from them on the on going Corona virus crisis. We finally landed at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es salaam, Tanzania. After filling the self analysis check up forms and being tested for any chance of having a fever related to Corona virus infection, I was allowed to leave the airport but with a precaution of self-isolating myself for a period of 14 days . I had a good feeling of being welcome back home, the Dar es salaam warm weather flaunted its waves on me and I remembered why I didn’t take back home any of my Winter clothes. On my way to the Hostel I talked to the driver on different ongoing matters in Tanzania. That was after I made a mistake when I was getting in the front seat by going to the right side of the car which in Tanzania it is the driver’s seat. He joked at me saying that „You are back in Tanzania my brother, this is not Germany“ and I felt so ashamed. That was my first Swahili conversation on my return back in Tanzania and it is so funny to say that I missed those long Swahili conversations. I went to a hostel near the city centre and close to the Indian Ocean on the next day for a stay as a self quarantine before I shifted to a home facility even though I still could not stay close to my parents to avoid any chances of endangering their healths, incase.

 

I was glad when I communicated with the Pharmacy council in Tanzania for resuming my internship practice that I postponed after I graduated in University because of the 2019/2020 UEM South-North volunteering opportunity. They accepted my request and placed me to work in a Regional Referral Hospital in Arusha, the city where I studied high school in. I will spend six months working as a Hospital pharmacist and then I will spend the next six months working in a Tanzania Medicine and Drugs Authority (TMDA) in Arusha too. I was so lucky when they said that they will work on all the process and what I am supposed to do is just to be in my work place on 1st of April.

 

Well as I count the days, trying to write and read but still keep on thinking of what is going on in the World especially about the Corona crisis; I sometimes become a little worried over the many things that look like unknowns. My practice on being always optimistic is highly challenged at this time. People are taking precautions in Tanzania like washing hands but still social gatherings are not really well handled I can say. We are lucky to not have so many cases. So far in Tanzania there had been 13 positive cases (one recovered) with no deaths, but what about tomorrow?

 

It is also happening that many countries like USA withdraw their citizens from Tanzania and other African countries even though there are far more less cases in Tanzania.

We see some improvements and escalating situations everyday to the extent that I happen to hate the media sometimes. Is it over or just starting? So many uncertainities.

 

Well I try to keep on my positive views, and faith to God who is the saviour of all mankind. This is the time that the Church community all over the World should get united in Solidarity to fight fear and the disease itself.

Together we can. All will finally be well, soon and very soon.

Stay Healthy.