I recently did have a safari njema right from the North of Tanzania, near Kenya, to Mafinga in the South, not too far from Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. Starting from Moshi with its superb views of Mount Kilimanjaro, I travelled, by bus, to Dar-es-Salaam on the coast of the Indian Ocean, then two days later to Mafinga, also by bus; a total distance of about 1,200 km. This was my third trip to Mafinga since I came to Moshi in February of 1998, so I have had ample opportunity to observe and reflect upon the impact of Don Bosco's work here in our East African Province. This comprises Sudan, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, with a total area of over one and a half million square miles, which is 30% bigger than the whole of India. I have a lot to see yet! In terms of population, there is plenty of room for more in Tanzania, with a population density about eight times less than that of Great Britain.

Demographers explain that this low figure still reflects the devastating effect of the savage Arab slave trade of previous centuries (worse even than the better known West African slave trade). However, this population is young and vigorous, a fertile field for the amazing expansion of our Salesian work in Africa since a special effort was made some twenty years ago, our “Project Africa”.

In Mafinga I enjoyed for the second time a short “Scout Camp” with the junior boys of the Don Bosco secondary boarding school, after which I led a retreat for older boys. The camp was held in the forest near the Catechists' Training Centre of Makalala, run by the Salesians for the diocese. Because of the attitude of the plateau (about 2,000 m.) the climate is cool and bracing, the air crisp and clean. It is an ideal climate for tea growing. Much of our “Brooke Bond” tea is grown nearby. The boys including one named Bosco built their own wigwam hut. I advised on constructing the frames, but the thatching with long dry grass was all their own. They were good cooks, producing satisfying meals well prepared from local staples of maize, beans, tomatoes and onions - and lots of tea, with no milk, but sweet. I shared the meals and many activities, especially the brilliant campfire entertainment of songs, dances and sketches. African children are highly talented and completely uninhibited in this area. However, I confess to cowardice in walking back each night to sleep in the Centre rather than on the ground in the leaders' hut. The walk of one mile alone in the darkness by the edge of the forest had its compensations. The starry sky, unobscured by any pollution or streetlights, was superbly beautiful - something we miss in most of Europe: -

“We see the lion, but only through the bars.
We light our streets, but cannot see the stars.”

The journey to Mafinga had included a long drive through the National Park of Mikumi with fine views of elephants and other animals. This, plus the happy, simple and spontaneous spirit of the boys in camp, together with those wonderful views of the Milky Way, gave me a sense of the magic of Africa. This may sound trite, but there is little wonder that the people, so close to the majesty of creation, are also so responsive to the spiritual message of Christ.

While recognising our great debt to earlier missionaries, we Salesians can be very grateful for the rapid and successful spread of Don Bosco's work. In the short space of twenty years this Province has founded 23 major Salesian works. These include ten technical schools of various kinds, ten Youth Centres, five secondary schools, four works for refugees and abandoned children, six parishes and many other associated activities. We can give special mention to the work in Sudan, recently expanded, supporting the people there in most desperate need. The secondary schools, especially that of Shinyanga in Tanzania, also meet very real needs. Only five per cent of Tanzanian children complete secondary school, though the provision of elementary education and general literacy is quite good. Coming into the Province only recently (and on loan) I can only admire the achievements of the pioneers, most of whom are from India. Happily we now have many young African Salesians in the Province. My own modest share in the work is Director of Novices. We have seven at the moment; five from Tanzania and two from Sudan. They will become Salesians when they take their first vows next August. They and our other students already do a lot of great work at weekends in youth centres etc., including work for desperately needy street-children. There is also one other British Salesian working in the Province, Fr. Roy Fosker, who is also engaged in the training of young African Salesians. We are confident that they will build up the Christian ideals, so much needed and so well exemplified in the life and achievements of the late ex-President Julius Nyerere, so deeply mourned by the Tanzanian people.

My return journey took me again through the arid reserve. At one stage I was looking from the window at elephants, giraffes and zebra. Across the aisle from me two teen-age boys were sitting with their eyes glued instead to a horribly violent American film being shown on the video of the bus. That was one of four very violent films, which were shown during my two-way trip. Such ugly rubbish is part of a wholesale invasion of Africa by the worst aspects of Western so-called culture. You hear about wars in Africa, but there is also a very real war on for the soul of young Africa. So many young Africans undervalue their own precious gifts in favour of some dehumanised ways of the West - their own music, their own splendid drama, their own dress, their own beautiful language, their own traditionally spiritual outlook. If only we could share the best things from each world instead of the worst! Well, in this vital struggle, we Salesians have an important role. Looking back at the names we started with, we can pray that our presence may continue to be a real Baraka for the youth of Africa, bring life a genuine Zawadi of ‘Happiness’. May the name Bosco bring to these youngsters the Upendo they need and deserve! I enjoyed my safari njema. I hope it helped a little bit in spreading the HAMBARI NJEMA (the Good News, or Gospel).