Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, Mwanza, Moshi, Arusha, Loibosoi
November 2014 Tanzania
After serving more than 1,500 patients in Dar Es Salaam, we traveled to Kigoma for the first time. Kigoma translates to “end of the line” and is the final stop for the westbound train. Kigoma is located on the breathtaking shores of Lake Tanganyika, the longest lake in the world. A vista above the lake made for a beautiful fitting site, which was made even better by the outpouring of gratitude and excitement we received from the patients. The next stop was Mwanza, located on Lake Victoria, the world’s second largest lake by area. The incredible shoreline fitting site even included an African fish eagle that curiously watched over the teams’ work.
The team then headed to the cities of Moshi and Arusha, located at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. Overnight rains made the fitting site in Moshi a muddy mess, but then our partners at the Lions Club of Moshi acted quickly to keep the mud in check and the gear clean. They helped us fit hundreds of new patients from local schools and provide AfterCare services to existing patients throughout the visit.
In Arusha, an elderly man arrived on the back of a motorcycle just as the final patients were being fit. The high-spirited, 83-year-old man had needed hearing aids for years, but his family was unable to pay for his treatment. Fortunately, his son learned we were in Arusha as the mission was taking place. Hoping this could be the answer to the family’s prayers, he commissioned a motorcyclist from a neighboring town to drive him and his father to the mission site — arriving just in time. The elderly Maasai warrior’s ears had no concha bowls and required specialized support from Bill Austin. Bill found the perfect molds, restoring the man’s hearing and making his remarkable last-minute trip a success.
The final stop in Tanzania was Loibosoit. The community came out en masse to greet us and performed traditional songs to show their appreciation for all Bill Austin has done for the community. David Furnish, Chairman of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, joined the team and all were given a tour of one of the schools. In a gesture of thanks, a government official unveiled a commemorative plaque for the school’s dedication. After the dedication, the Maasai held a ceremony honoring Bill Austin and Starkey Hearing Foundation. Bill sat on a traditional Maasai chair — a symbol of honor — and gifts were presented to the entire team to recognize their ongoing help in Loibosoit.
Audiology student Peter Hutchison also joined the team in Tanzania, along with his friend Courtney Matthews. He was an Operation Change trip winner, and he put his skills to good use in Loibosoit, helping us change the lives of the Maasai through hearing.
After a great trip to Tanzania, we left knowing we have built lifelong bonds with the communities and look forward to our return.
Special Thanks
Mnazi Mmoja Hospital; Rotary Club of Dar es Salaam; Serena Hotel – Dar es Salaam; Tanzania Society for the Deaf; Kigoma Hilltop Hotel; Royal Orchid Malaika Beach Resort; Sekou Toure Hospital; Teddy Mapunda; Montage; Vinay Choudary; Spicenet; Kibo Palace Hotel; Lions Club of Moshi; Rotary Club of Arusha; The Three Hindu Mandal Temple; WorldServe International: John Bongiorno, Doug Pitt; Elton John AIDS Foundation: David Furnish; Alais Ndooki; Operation Change contest winners: Peter Hutchison, Courtney Matthews
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