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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-06-12, Page 19• Entertainment ', atures • Religion w Family ► More. ��'' m ,�,.•^xn'naV,FFT 1x,N v q:naf'r�';� MINA. SECTION Robert Kamagichecks the salt density in the evaporator. ( photo by Corinne Boyle) Here Moses Malulu is conducting a laboratory test, one step in the production 'of salt at the evaporator plant. I photo by Corinne Boyle) •Goderich in Tanzania Tanzanian group studies technology at Domtar Evaporator Plant Six Tanzanians and one Italian are absor- bing all the information they can about the production of salt at Goderich's Domtar evaporator plant on Regent Street. The Tanzanian government sent the seven men to Goderich on a seven -week training program. When they return to Tanzania m mid-June they will apply what they learned here, to their work at an evaporating plant currently under construction in Tanzania. These men were chosen to come to Goderich because of their engineering background and their ability to speak english. IDECO (Italian Development Engineer-. —ing Company) was contracted by the Tanza- nian government to start up the plant in Tanzania so Gian-Luca Sciorati, who works for IDECO in Italy, accompanied the Tanza- nians here and will return to Africa _with them to help get the new plant started. Their co-workers at Domtar and the peo- ple of Goderich have given them a Warm reception during their stay and on their return to Africa they plan to tell their friends about the hospitality they received here. "The people of Goderich are generous and friendly," commented Sha ban Mtonda. On arrival in Ontario the first thing the visitors noticed was the weather. The Tan- zanians, who are accustomed to temperatures reaching 32 degrees celcius, found our changing temperatures took some getting used to. They've managed quite well though and spend much of their time off viewing the sites in and around Goderich. "The beaches here are good and the town is clean and well-planned," said Mtemi Kivagaye. The tide retreated under cover of a thin layer of mist which hung suspended, as though by magic, above the gently rolling waves. The melancholy voice of a baritone foghorn reached the boy ' from an unseeable distance. The sand felt cool and damp under his bare feet as he strolled arong the narrow beach., Only moments earlier Mark had left home without waking his younger brother who shared his room, or his mother, whose peaceful form he had spotted as he had slipped noiselessly past her partially open door. Only Sam, the feline member of the family, had been awake, brushing against Mark's legs in greeting, its tail erect like an aerial. Now Mark shivered, the crisp, early morning air mocking his thinly clad body. For a moment he hesitated, wondering if he should return home and supplement his T-shirt with a jacket. As he glanced back he noticed his footprints had filled with water, the trail vanishing within twenty yards in the enveloping mist. The sun will be out pretty soon, he mus- ed, rubbing his goose -pimpled arms vigorously. I'll be all right. He walked on until he saw a starfish partly exposed under a clump of kelp. He picked it up, examining its shape and tex- ture as though he had not held dozens before. Mark smiled. It was alive and unhurt, its rough skin feeling as cold as his own. He lowered the creature on his flattened hand into the water, watching a wave wash it gently out of sight. He pulled himself erect and continued his walk, his nine-year-old mind pondering the secret depths of the now invisible sea. Bravely he tried not to think about his These men are in Goderich on a training program at the evaporator plant. From left to right are Moses Malulu, Yahya Kipolelo, Nestory Donge, Gian-Luca Sciorati, Shaban Mton- da, Mtemi Kivagaye, and Robert Kamagi. All are from Tanzania except Sciorati who is from Italy. ( photo by Corinne Boyle ) 1S1 By TREVOR QUENTIN One main difference the men noticed between Canada and their own country was the extensive use of farm machinery here. In Tanzania an average farm is 40 acres and all farming operations are done by hand. The main crops in Tanzania are corn, cot- ton, coffee and tea and the most common livestock are cattle and goats. The men have adjusted well to Canadian living during their, short stay. They have had little problem communicating because they all speak Engish as it is one of the languages spoken in their east African coun- try. The other official language there is Swahili. They've been on day trips to Sarnia and Niagara Falls and have planned a trip to see the sites of Toronto. They found the falls quite impressive but apparently it does not compare in size to Victoria Falls in their neighboring country of Uganda. The sites to see for visitors to Tanzania in- clude Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, and Serengeti at Lake Manyara, one of the big game parks in the country. The Tanzanians said that cities in their country are much like the cities they've seen in Canada. The towns vary widely in size but the capital city of Dar -es -salaam with a population of one. million is the largest city in the country. Most of the'ran- zanians attended the Universlity of Dar -es - salaam. The men are enjoying their stay here in Goderich but all of them admitted they. are looking forward to returning to their families in their home country soon. Sciorati will be returning to Rome for a few days before he rejoins the others in Tanzania. The group will be leaving ,June 15. father's impending visit, knowing well the pain of disillusionment and disintegrating hope. He did not like to think about the future — and even Less about the past. Mark had learned the futility of trying to understand the incomprehensible. so in- stead of recalling the muffled sobs from his mothelr's hedroom, he preferred the sounds of the crashing waves here. He could comprehend the presence of the sea much better than the absence of his father and the sand castles, he fashioned on the beach had become more important to him than the dream castle that used to be his home. Her.-2refully avoided crushing the shells that lay strewn in his path, abhorring the destruction of things of beauty such as the laughter that used to be. At last he reached the volcanic throne the sea had sculpted out of the lone rock that stood well ahead of the cliffs rising steeply behind it. He climbed into his favorite seat and pressed his back snugly against the con- cave wall. He folded his arms against his chest, hunched his shoulders and raised his knees, thus rendering his diminished size less susceptible to the cold. Mark listened to the whispering waves, as though he expected them to answer the question that was gnawing at his mind. Would it be different this time' Could the fun and excitment of yesterday possibly return tomorrow? The hikes into the mountains around Seacove, the fishing at Flint Creek, the playful wrestling and the many other things he had done with ,his father had all ended so suddenly. "Your father Not 'Dad' as she used to say) has decided to live in Vancouver," his $ Turn topage 2A• 174111111 Nalgie Student goes beyond good intentions If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, I'm probably one of the many on my way there, Whenever I hear of "a good cause", I make a men- tal note to contribute in some small way whether it's to write a story about it or make a small donation, and then I file it. That's the way most of us operate in our fast -paced society. We all consider ourselves good, caring people and we all contribute when Steve Fonyo runs through town, the canvassers come to the door or the plight of starving third world people is shown on our television screens. But, unless we're involved directly, we spend little more time on an issue than is absolutely necessary. And, realistically, not everyone can run across Canada to raise money for cancer research or travel to famine - stricken countries and pitch in. That's what makes Mia Dalton's campaign to arrange a trip to Haiti for a number of Goderich people so refreshing. The Grade 11 student of Goderich District Collegiate Institute has been spending her spare time speaking to service clubs, church groups, school children and private citizens about her 10 day experience with third world poverty since she returned from Haiti in March. More we can do . As she and several others who travelled with her told Goderich people at two public meetings recently, there's something more we can do if we want to than drag out our cheque books. We can spend 10 days in Haiti and experience it first hand. As participants of the Haitian Ex- perience trip have said,it's easier to ig- nore the situation of fellow humans when you're several hundred miles away. ,Poverty becomes cute kids with bloated bellies on posters. If we spend time.planting trees in the jungle, touring textile factories where workers make $3 for a 12 hour day, witnessing the dysentry and tuber- culosis that results from drinking water from the same rivers where garbage and sewage is dumped and playing with children whose first skill learned is beg- ging, the people become real. If we then see the one per cent of the Haitian population earning $200,000 to $300,000 a year'and living in mansions when 60 per cent of the gross national product of the country depends on dona- tions from first world countries, our outrage could help to change the situa- tion where donations fail to reach those they're intended for. Outrage could help It appears that in a lot of ways, seeing for yourself really is believing. Students whose worries included passing grades, finding jobs, getting dates and keeping up with fashions ex- perienced a lifestyle where basic sur- vival was the only task. Nine-year-old children with four younger brothers or sisters were responsible for cooking, cleaning and buying food since parents were away all day earning a small wage to support them and possibly to sKe.for an escape from Haiti. ._.__i And, though the students felt an in- itial helplessness after witnessing close to a million people struggling to survive in Port au Prince _slums, they began to realize that even their education from the trip could help the Haitians. During their trip, they dropped off inedirinp directly at _hospitals__ _and___ learned the channels to use which will ensure that food, clothing and medicine needed by the poor will get to those who can benefit. Drop off medicine Their experience also helped to bring reports from foreign correspondents in- to sharper focus. When we live something or hear about it from so- meone we know, the story has a greater impact than when we hear about it on the late news. Mia and her friends have brought the situation clearly into the minds of many people in Goderich. It's great to know that high school students can increase our awareness about international issues and give us extra incentive to act. They've certain- ly inspired me to find out more about the situation and possibly even find a way to join them on thein next trip. A committee is being formed to plan another trip to Haiti for people from the Goderich area by Mia Dalton. 'Giving more people the opportunity to see third world poverty up close will result in a greater commitment by first world peo- ple to help, is the way the rationale goes. • For more information about the chance for an unforgettable life ex- perience, call Mia Dalton at GDCI or at her home number of 529-7530.