Articles by Josie van den Hoek

The new bridge to Kigamboni is a sight to see, so I have been told. It took almost five years to construct and was opened officially several months ago. The…

Never before have I filled in as many forms as I have here. Usually these forms are asking for the same details. Even within one institution, like a bank or…

One of my typical days of here in Bongo I cannot imagine happening anywhere else. While out for a walk, I’m offered a lift so I pass by the expensive supermarket…

Often I’m amazed at the seemingly relaxed attitude of people doing business on the roads, all hoping for a good sale. To me it looks like a real tough and…

Taking things as they come is a good approach in daily life, especially here. Plans and intentions are always there — but the next phase is a gamble. The most…

From my experience good quality tools and machines are hard to get here. They are imported and heavily taxed so there is little choice and it costs. The easier and…

Swahili is widely considered a Bantu language that existed long before interaction with other cultures. Once the Arab and Persian traders arrived on the East African coasts it developed into…

Around the corner we’ve had a fruit stall for years. First it was set up close to the beach, but later as traffic flows changed it was moved a few…

Living in a tropical climate means there is an abundance of life in and around the house. I’m not talking about the Big Five but rather the small thousands or…

Nothing here is too old to make do. I’m often impressed to see the tools and contraptions being used by people in a creative way and although not necessarily according…