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Issue 00499 |
December 15, 2007 -January 11, 2008 |
issn 0856 - 9135 |
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Places |
| A Journey to Njiro
after 480 days of absence
by Elisha Mayallah Four days ago, a friend asked me to go to Njiro, to share with him a topic on how tourism can be used to reduce poverty. The last time I had been to Njiro was 480 days ago so I was naturally eager to see how the upmarket suburb of Arusha looked like after an absence of sixteen months. I left Arusha town centre for Njiro around 3 p.m and reached Njiro Nanenane a few minutes past 3.20 p.m. I stared in fascination as the taxi drove across the winding roads on the way to Njiro. The road, much to my surprise, is far better than in most streets in Arusha. Business all over the sprawling village of Nanenane seemed to be on the up-and-up. Shops were fully stocked with various goods and the movements of people and daladala seemed to have increased of late. The economy of the area had indeed gone up and the people looked busier, and one could see it easily in the way they were moving about their errands - not like the way it was yesteryear's. We drove slowly along the streets looking at familiar and unfamiliar sights. The streets were much cleaner and I did not see any kips overflowing with garbage like is the case elsewhere in Arusha. I crossed some streets before I reached the Arusha Carnival Park and made my way through a sign to a large open-air clearing. On my way I had no difficulties to trace the Park since the friend hinted that it is behind the famous joint of 'Kwa Niki'. In the past going to Njiro was not only with a little less traffic but also adventurous as the countryside looked greener in some areas. But this time, the vegetation is nearly gone and replaced by various business activities. There were many activities going on unlike in the past. I spent the afternoon at the Arusha Carnival Park with four other associates. Talking about reducing poverty through tourism was not a mean topic as the flow of ideas and reasons from all of us was unstoppable. Blames were made to the various stakeholders including the Government as the reasons behind untapped resources which could spur tourism development in this country. When it reached 7 pm and still there was no sign of my friend and the others winding up the topic I apologetically excused myself to continue with another meeting. Despite the 480 days absence, I found Njiro to be adding value, the positive mark on alleviating poverty. I would go back there for an extended tour in the near future, as soon as it is practicable. E-mail contact:
elisha.mayallah@gmail.com |
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