decision made…

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been stuck… hmmm, that’s probably not quite the right word but nothing else comes to mind right now… so yeah, I have been stuck with some big decisions to make – well one big decision, I guess.

But making decisions for my own life is another of my weaknesses, so I have been uhm’ing and ah’ing, which is stupid really, as I had a clear plan coming here! A lot of well-meaning people here have been offering advice, which hasn’t helped – it has just confused the matters more somehow and there has been some heart & brain conflicts! Do you guys know those comics? They always make me laugh & think…

Anyway, I digress! The decision should really have been easy. The purpose for me to come here is to work, to make a difference and to be happy, so what if the set-up cost is almost $10,000? It is just the investment I have to make, right? (the heart speaking). But then the brain somehow kicked in and needed to make lists, budget plans and speak to lawyers for hours on end!

Then I remembered something I read a while ago – probably something my life coach gave me.

Life will only change when you become more committed to your dreams
than you are to your comfort zone.

That, together with the last lawyer meeting, seemed to align my brain and my heart somehow, so decision made! It’s full steam ahead, but it’ll be quite the process:

1. Set up company in Tanzania – with help from a lawyer, who have recommended to set up as a non-profit organisation. A lot to be done here, a few of the important activities:
   • Who should the other directors be? I cannot be the sole director like in the UK
   • Decide upon and find an office location
   • Find employees
   • Find accountant
2. Get work permit
3. Get residency permit

The lawyers felt that the company set-up should take a month’s time from I give them the go ahead and all the info they need. My guess is that it will probably take longer, knowing Africa like I do. The permits they suggested would be sorted within three months.

So the only way I will be able to do any work here before mid next year (because I will be in Europe April & May) will be if I get a contract with a hotel or lodge to do their training and then enter Tanzania on a business visa after the New Year (my tourist visa expires on 3rd Jan)… They would then have to pay be as a consultant to my UK bank account…

Sorry that is a lot of dull explanations of the complexity and bureaucracy here, but that’s the way it is… and that also explains better my last post about patience, I guess!

Aaaanyway, I have now arrived in Iringa. The bus ride was shorter than expected – around 12 1/2 hours, but it was horrid nonetheless. Mediocre bus conditions (no toilet or aircon onboard of course), hardly any breaks for stretching or peeing, and I wasn’t able to sleep too much so it was quite the drag. At time the 3G connection was good enough for me to listen to the cricket commentary from Sri Lanka, though, so that helped!

I had a good sleep although could have been longer… Today is all about food shopping – they don’t have the fancy western supermarkets here, but the central market is very good – and then I am meeting up with friends during the day and evening… (oh and possibly also need a nap at some point!). Have a great Thursday!