I met the excited group of representatives of blood transfusion service entities of five African countries, fresh from a tour of Mwanza and Mara, gathered at their Tanzanian counterpart offices in Dar es Salaam, mid-September, where they had a debriefing session.They were almost unable to contain their excitement when narrating their experiences and their collective admiration for the people they met, for the great achievement in collecting thousands of units of blood in a short period, back in June 2013. Read this blog to understand their awe.I met them again at a less formal setting that evening at a hotel where they were having a short ceremony combined with a farewell dinner (see photos). It was an opportunity to reflect further on the trip and plan a way forward. This time I had a chance to chat with the charismatic individuals each one of them was. I thought I should share a few quotes from some of our visitors who had openly confessed that they were made to feel so much at home that they remembered to phone their real homes three days after their arrival in Tanzania.Let us start with Igwe (king) as he was warmly and respectfully referred to by the team because of his natural leader persona. “I had to call the Regional Commissioner on the side and ask him…. ‘Honestly tell me how did you do this!’” humorously said Dr. Samuel Baker from Sierra Leone (pictured above). “I later realised it was about inspiring ownership throughout the layers of the regional leadership, down to the community, using the right messages.”“Donations aside, you have to appreciate the attitude and the culture of the people. While we were about to leave the regional hospital, the Regional Medical Officer walked up to the security guard at the gate, greeted and shook his hand then talked to him about his family: this is a rare phenomenon, where I come from. It is a culture to emulate, no wonder there was such massive blood collection. Miracles do not just happen!”—Dr. Omo Izedonmwen from Nigeria (pictured right) “After such a warm welcome in Tanzania, I thought leaving behind a unit of blood would be a perfect way of saying thanks” says Lumbani Banda from Malawi (pictured above) . More importantly, “I was moved by evidence produced by NBTS Tanzania that showed 80% of blood collected is used by mothers and children. I donated knowing that a life somewhere has been saved, and it is a great feeling.”“Many things can be taken for granted, but I got a big lesson with the way NBTS Tanzania sms follow ups to blood donors just to say ‘thank you for saving a life,’ that carries a lot of weight.”—Grace Jali from Malawi (pictured below)Just before the end of the ceremony one more delegate--Dr. Ahiadzro Kofi (pictured below)--stood up with his contribution that I accurately summarized as “Ghana wants to steal Kenny Simbaya!” According to Dr. Kofi, "Kenny is the best organiser/coordinator ever!" a comment that had all participants, including Igwe nodding their heads in agreementKenny, the tour coordinator must have been his hospitable, humorous, flexible and very hard working self from the minute he picked the delegates from the airport up to that point. He did not see the tsunami of praises and gratitude heading his way--from each member of the team too.Kenny is an independent consultant and has worked with Mama Ye since its launch in January. A true engaged activist.To conclude the very successful mission all participating countries agreed to stay in touch and keep sharing experiences and visits when possible, as “everybody, including Tanzania learned something from other delegates and will keep learning,” said Dr. Efesper Nkya, Head of NBTS Tanzania.We have just inspired more Mama Ye! activists from across the continent. Join us and ACT NOW to save mothers and babies.
I met the excited group of representatives of blood transfusion service entities of five African countries, fresh from a tour of Mwanza and Mara, gathered at their Tanzanian counterpart offices in Dar es Salaam, mid-September, where they had a debriefing session.They were almost unable to contain their excitement when narrating their experiences and their collective admiration for the people they met, for the great achievement in collecting thousands of units of blood in a short period, back in June 2013. Read this blog to understand their awe.I met them again at a less formal setting that evening at a hotel where they were having a short ceremony combined with a farewell dinner (see photos). It was an opportunity to reflect further on the trip and plan a way forward. This time I had a chance to chat with the charismatic individuals each one of them was. I thought I should share a few quotes from some of our visitors who had openly confessed that they were made to feel so much at home that they remembered to phone their real homes three days after their arrival in Tanzania.Let us start with Igwe (king) as he was warmly and respectfully referred to by the team because of his natural leader persona. “I had to call the Regional Commissioner on the side and ask him…. ‘Honestly tell me how did you do this!’” humorously said Dr. Samuel Baker from Sierra Leone (pictured above). “I later realised it was about inspiring ownership throughout the layers of the regional leadership, down to the community, using the right messages.”“Donations aside, you have to appreciate the attitude and the culture of the people. While we were about to leave the regional hospital, the Regional Medical Officer walked up to the security guard at the gate, greeted and shook his hand then talked to him about his family: this is a rare phenomenon, where I come from. It is a culture to emulate, no wonder there was such massive blood collection. Miracles do not just happen!”—Dr. Omo Izedonmwen from Nigeria (pictured right) “After such a warm welcome in Tanzania, I thought leaving behind a unit of blood would be a perfect way of saying thanks” says Lumbani Banda from Malawi (pictured above) . More importantly, “I was moved by evidence produced by NBTS Tanzania that showed 80% of blood collected is used by mothers and children. I donated knowing that a life somewhere has been saved, and it is a great feeling.”“Many things can be taken for granted, but I got a big lesson with the way NBTS Tanzania sms follow ups to blood donors just to say ‘thank you for saving a life,’ that carries a lot of weight.”—Grace Jali from Malawi (pictured below)Just before the end of the ceremony one more delegate--Dr. Ahiadzro Kofi (pictured below)--stood up with his contribution that I accurately summarized as “Ghana wants to steal Kenny Simbaya!” According to Dr. Kofi, "Kenny is the best organiser/coordinator ever!" a comment that had all participants, including Igwe nodding their heads in agreementKenny, the tour coordinator must have been his hospitable, humorous, flexible and very hard working self from the minute he picked the delegates from the airport up to that point. He did not see the tsunami of praises and gratitude heading his way--from each member of the team too.Kenny is an independent consultant and has worked with Mama Ye since its launch in January. A true engaged activist.To conclude the very successful mission all participating countries agreed to stay in touch and keep sharing experiences and visits when possible, as “everybody, including Tanzania learned something from other delegates and will keep learning,” said Dr. Efesper Nkya, Head of NBTS Tanzania.We have just inspired more Mama Ye! activists from across the continent. Join us and ACT NOW to save mothers and babies.