This is a story of a young man who has made such a difference to the local people in East Africa.
Max Griffiths had a dream and that dream has come true. This is his story.
“I once heard a wise man say that Africa was like water in the desert – once you’ve had a taste you’ll just keep coming back for more.
It’s true. I first came to Africa in 2000, and have been every year since then, spending months on the continent in stints ranging from a couple of weeks to six months, mostly in Tanzania. My thirst shows no sign of being quenched.
I’m now sat at home in my East London flat, looking at my various videos and photos of my time in Africa, and there’s an aching in my body to return to the dusty plains. It’s got me thinking about what exactly is it that keeps me heading back… After all I live in a tent in Tanzania, water is sparse, dangerous animals are common (well more so than in London Bridge), and it’s almost impossible to get a proper pint of ale.
It’s these things that make Africa appealing (well, all except the proper pint of ale). I love waking up in a tent every morning, my front room dotted with acacia trees and wild guinea fowl; the conserving of water and the environment generates a community spirit which you’ve not had in London since (I imagine) World War II; knowing there’s dangerous animals around makes me look at the environment more closely and understand it too. These are brilliant aspects of Africa, guaranteed to put a smile on my face, but it’s not what makes me tick.
The majority of my time in Africa has been spent doing development work, largely in an education center in Meserani, Tanzania. Back in three months in 2005 we turned a dusty bit of land into an education center. I could go on telling you that three years on it’s a huge success story, that we’ve given free education to nearly 2,000 local residents, helped them get jobs and provide for the future. But my mind doesn’t think like that, it thinks about the other few thousand residents who haven’t taken up the courses – through choice or barrier, it thinks about what courses we could be offering – in western medicine for cattle, in environmental preservation. It thinks about how we could help the incredible local clinic run by Meserani Snake Park (easily the best example of a successful development project I’ve ever seen), how we could provide the victims of the increasing AIDS epidemic, how we can help all those pastoral Maasai continue their lifestyles which make them happy. And when I think about all this, I think it’s all possible, every bit of it. There’s not a dash of doubt that ever crosses my mind and that’s because in Africa, ironically, things can and will happen faster and with greater effect than in the West. There’s no cynicism, there’s little bureaucracy, and there’s a whole heap of determination (although sometimes you will find that resting under a tree). That’s what makes me keep coming back – it’s that there’s an air of possibility in Africa, that good change can come, and that with a bit of diligence and determination then it will do.”
I have visited the Education Center at Meserani.. To see Max’s dream become a reality is magnificent. Max’s efforts have made such an impact on the local people. It has given them opportunity, hope, and a knew outlook on life. All ages attend the Meserani Education Center. One man that attends is in his 80’s right down to your pre-school children, all free of charge.
Well done Max and your team. If everyone thought like you do. The world would be a better place.
Kind Regards
Tania Bale
African Art Online.Com
The people in East Africa have been painting African arts for more than 50,000 years. Much longer than anywhere else in the world.
Welcome Allen Kupeta to
Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa. It is almost as large as France.
Hello, My name is Tania Bale, Managing Director at African Art Online.Com.
Hi all, I would like to personally welcome Benson Chiremba to African Art Online.
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