It has now been three weeks since we landed in Dar, and two weeks since we started our internship at the Dar-es-Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT). Along with four interns from DIT- Joel, Anicia, Daniel and Sadick, we work in the DIT Design Studio under the guidance of Julia, the Design Studio manager. In the last two weeks, we have converted the design studio from an empty room with benches and stools to a vibrant design studio we can call our own. I really love our seventh-floor design studio- the natural light and the breeze makes working here easy and enjoyable. However, when I am here during the day, it is easy to forget where I am. It is easy to dissociate from the city and my surroundings, and never interact with the outside world except on our walks between the hotel and the institute.

On the first day of our internship, we went over our goals and expectations from this internship. We wanted to use this opportunity to work collaboratively, get hands-on experience in engineering problem solving, and gain an in-depth understanding of challenges and needs. In addition to this, we agreed that it was important to truly immerse ourselves in our surroundings to best understand the challenges and context that we would be working in.

Kariakoo

Although Matthew and I brought along plenty of supplies from the US, we were still missing some crucial tools that we needed to procure for the design space. In addition to these tools, we needed to buy buckets to complete prototyping the CleanMachine, the automatic sterilization machine that was developed in the GLHT 360 class. To purchase these materials, the interns took Matthew and me to the Kariakoo market. I’ve been to roadside markets before, but Kariakoo was bigger and better! Shops selling most everything under the sun lined the streets, and there was a constant din and hustle-bustle of customers, vehicles, and vendors. In some places, the delectable smell of fresh lime being sold on the streets permeated the air. There was such chaos- so many interesting things happening, and novelty items being sold. On my first visit to Kariakoo, I was struck by the many stimuli and was distracted and disoriented the entire time. I had to focus on staying with the group and not losing them in the crowds. Not only was the maze of the market completely foreign to me, but I had also left my phone behind for safety. I didn’t let the interns leave my sight as we navigated our way to the stores.

After that first visit, I have visited Kariakoo four times! I have spent many hours walking around, visiting various shops- a mechanical tool shop to buy a drill, drill bits, and safety equipment, an electronic component store to buy wire and extra components, a stationary store, and a maze-like mini-market selling pots and pans where we found the buckets we needed for CleanMachine. The streets have begun to look more familiar- I can identify the stores, and I am less disoriented.

I anticipate multiple more trips to Kariakoo as we continue to populate the studio. As I visit the market, again and again, I am struck by how comfortable I become in my surroundings. On my first visit, I was frantic and confused- lost in the crowds of customers and the vendors on the sidewalks. Every visit since, I have been able to find order in the chaos- navigating the crowds is more natural, and in a pinch, I am sure I could find my way home alone.

 

Boda Boda

As our internship progresses, we have developed a routine that involves a short lecture from Julia in the morning, and independent work and projects in the afternoon. In Julia’s lectures, she outlines the engineering design methodology. We focus on one step per class, and last week, we focused on research and empathy.

Julia outlined research methodology; the steps followed to gain the most information about the social context of the innovation. We went over recruiting tools, primary research, and secondary research. In the afternoon, Julia had a project for us. She gave us a question: Are boda bodas unsafe? Boda Bodas are motorcycle taxis. We see them around all the time, zooming and weaving through the traffic, carrying a precariously perched pillion rider. Julia asked us to go through the research methodology- doing both the more passive secondary research, as well as actively conducting interviews and observations as part of active primary research. This would entail going out and talking to boda boda drivers, as well as their potential passengers.

We brainstormed questions and split up into two groups- Joel and I would go interview the drivers, while Matthew, Anicia and Sadick would interview the passengers. My lack of Swahili skills meant language would be a barrier during the interviews. Additionally, I did not look or behave like a local- would the boda boda drivers be comfortable talking to and sharing their experiences with an outsider?

We went to the nearest boda boda stop, right outside the university. It was chaotic, as the riders kept calling out to potential customers in the nearest bus station. The afternoon sun was harsh and kept getting in my eyes. Joel and I weaved through the din of the drivers and picked a few to interview. Joel asked the questions and translated their answers while I took notes and made observations. The boda boda drivers had so much to share- we only managed to speak to two drivers in one hour. After our interviews, we met back in the studio to discuss and synthesize our findings. Later in the week, Julia helped us develop concrete insights and “how may we” questions for this design challenge.

 

Squinting in the sun hearing boda boda drivers describe their experiences in Swahili and aggressively making my way through Kariakoo pushed me out of my comfort zone by putting me in a situation that was uniquely Tanzanian. Although I have interviewed people on the street and been to a roadside market before, this time, the language, people and my surroundings were completely new to me. I am reminded of the culture shock and the adjustment cycle I went through when I moved from India to the US a couple of years ago. Although I spoke the language and had a basic understanding of the culture, I took baby steps. In an insulated environment like Rice, going to a new floor of the library or speaking to a new person was an exposure that brought me closer to the comfort level I have there today. In Tanzania, however, where we must plunge into solving problems that are inherently linked with the social and cultural context, I realize I must take leaps to be familiar and comfortable enough to empathize and innovate in my new surroundings.

After spending nearly a month here, my level of comfort has increased exponentially. I realize that my greater familiarity is a result of small things- exploring Aura Mall in search of a Subway that ended up still being under construction, ordering Pizza Hut to our hotel room, and trying out new restaurants every week. Calling an Uber-bajaji and hearing the familiar whirr of the motor as I feel the wind on my face. Smiling at the cashiers in Maisha Supermarket and the lunch ladies at DIT. Eating the same Wali na Maharage every day for lunch. Initially, I was hesitant to step out and explore- if I was on my own, my risk-averse nature would have never allowed me to truly adjust. However, I am thankful to have Matthew as an ally. Although we attract attention because we look nothing like the locals, there is strength in numbers. We combine our knowledge to figure out things we don’t understand and laugh at ourselves when things go wrong. I feel fearless and comfortable- nothing seems impossible now- apart from planning visits to beaches and museums, I think we are now better suited to visit hospitals and clinics and talk to people affected by the problems we will attempt to solve.

As we wait to visit hospitals and conduct more interviews, I am glad we got this time to gain a deeper understanding and familiarity with our surroundings. From the interviews we have conducted so far, we have learned that the problems and circumstances identified in Malawi cannot be extended to Tanzania. We will have to approach our needs finding research with fresh eyes and a knowledge of the conditions and resources specific to Tanzania. When we do go on the field soon, I think our newfound familiarity will help us conduct more organic interviews, observe things that may have otherwise been latent, empathize further, and understand the impact of sustainable health-care innovations in Tanzania.