The Call to Return
Tanzania has always been home in my mind and spirit, a land where my heart beats in rhythm with the Serengeti’s dust and the Kilimanjaro’s silent watch. Over twenty years of exile in a foreign land, the urge to return and contribute to the land of my forefathers never faded. With an education from abroad, exposure to different cultures, and strong family ties, the decision to repatriate seemed like the most natural step forward. Yet, as many find, the reality of returning is far from straightforward.
The Dream of Home
The dream was clear: to use my skills and knowledge to make a significant impact in Tanzania. I envisioned a life where I could blend my international experience with the rich cultural tapestry of my homeland. This wasn’t just about coming back; it was about bringing back something valuable, something that could foster growth and development in my community.
My background in finance has been valuable personally and to my friends and family who come for advice on navigating Tanzania’s complicated banking and investment rules.
The Harsh Realities
However, repatriation is not merely a romantic return to one’s roots. It’s a complex journey fraught with challenges:
Mental Challenges
The psychological shift from a life in one country to another can be profound. The initial euphoria of homecoming often gives way to the stark realization of how much has changed, or how much one has changed. There’s a constant battle between the nostalgia of what was and the reality of what is.
- Adapting to the pace, the unspoken social cues, and even the language nuances took a toll on my mental resilience
- Most of my dear friends had already moved on with their lives geographically and even mentally so connection in what might seem simple becomes super complex with emotions and different visions
Financial Hurdles
Financially, moving back was daunting:
- The cost of setting up life anew, from finding or building a home to starting a business or finding employment, was a significant barrier
- The currency conversion, economic differences, and the initial lack of local financial networks meant every step was calculated, every investment risky, and the fear of failure ever-present
“I always tell anyone trying to come back to have their financial plans and backup plans [to cover] at least three to five years.”
I was personally hit by a financial tsunami. I had a 2 year plan for self sustainability which I thought was safe but laaawd was I wrong!!! All my plans with their backups were decapitated within the first ninety days and so I had to figure out how to survive through the help of my family which was even more devastating.
Family Dynamics
On a personal level, returning meant reintegrating into family structures that might have evolved differently from my own life’s path. Re-establishing connections, understanding new family roles, and sometimes facing the expectations or disappointments of relatives who had their own visions for my return, was both heart-warming and heart-wrenching.
Three Pillars of Strength
I am forever grateful for these three strong pillars because without them my repatriation would have been a nightmare:
- My Father – bless his heart, a warrior, leader, and an amazing Dad who despite his own challenges has stood by me. He has been nothing but a blessing and has personally held my hand in counsel to get my head back to the game with words of wisdom.
- My Wife – who is my rock, my friend and confidant and always on the ground fighting beside me through all the physical, mental and spiritual battles.
- My Brother – friend, business partner and confidant who takes time to listen even when we disagree and has supported me in ways only a pure heart can.
Lessons in Resilience
This journey of repatriation has been a profound teacher. It has pushed my patience to its limits, tested my beliefs, and shown me aspects of myself I never knew existed.
Patience and Adaptation
One must learn to adapt not just to the environment but to time itself. Processes in Tanzania might move at a different pace, and patience becomes not just a virtue but a necessity. I have learnt to trust but verify everything as part of my daily motto, a process that puts me more at peace with my decisions.
Cultural Integration
Despite my Tanzanian roots, I had to relearn cultural practices, engage with local communities in meaningful ways, and sometimes, unlearn habits from abroad that didn’t fit here:
- Time – is not as important in this culture so I am forcing myself to not dwell on it 100% when dealing with fundis (I don’t prepay any work done unless I see it completed)
- Appointments – I set up a full day for hospital visits
- Gatherings – as a rule I always eat before going to parties since things change and food might show up later than expected
Self-Discovery
The challenges have mirrored back to me strengths I didn’t know I possessed and areas where I needed growth. It’s a journey of rediscovering one’s identity in the context of where you truly belong.
“At my age pressing the restart button is probably one of the craziest and best thing that has happened to me, being able to survive in an unfamiliar financial position where business practices and regular accounting practices are so different while having a family to feed has definitely been a humble pie that has taught me to chew with caution, humility and gratitude like never before.”
Building a New Life
Now, I’m working to create opportunities that resonate with both my international background and local needs. Whether it’s through tourism, education, or community development projects, there’s a unique satisfaction in seeing your efforts contribute to the place you’ve always considered home.
On my blog I highlight various topics in business, finances, leadership from a global perspective but focus on what will work in Tanzania, and also try to help whoever I can to integrate in our culture.
Community Initiatives
I have tried to use my international experience to my direct community by enhancing a better communication strategy for our neighbourhood by trying to bring back the saying “It takes a village to raise a child”:
- Introduced a community WhatsApp group that has helped neighbours’ daily interactions in various things
- Built a community gate
- Introduced a weekly community cleaning day
- Extended a helping hand to the older parents by the young on simple things like jump starting a car
A New Chapter
Tanzania, with its challenges, has taught me to appreciate the beauty of resilience, the value of community, and the profound joy of living in sync with one’s cultural heritage.
“My repatriation story is one of homecoming, of struggle, but most importantly, of love for a land that has always been part of who I am. I know this is the land I will flourish in everything I do, it’s so exciting to be on the front seat in this chapter of my life as it unravels to its full potential.”
Mcheza kwao hutuzwa