Wednesday, March 28, 2012

KFC: Tanzania Style




Guest Blogger, Kris Mills, joined JBFC in December as assistant to Executive Director Chris Gates.


It is undeniable that Fried Chicken is a favorite dish among Americans. I mean who doesn’t love to bite into a juicy piece of white meat coated with a perfectly seasoned crunchy exterior? And how could one forget those fluffy white mashed potatoes covered in butter and gravy that are also in company?

Well even though I may be living in the far distant land of Tanzania, I for sure have not forgotten this traditional southern meal I’ve grown up eating. In fact, yesterday Chris, Kayci and I successfully made this favored dish. However, unlike in America where one can easily drive over to the local grocery store and buy some chicken, in Tanzania it’s done a little differently.

And yesterday, I was given the unsettling task of killing our dinner.


Though I’m not a vegetarian, the idea of killing another breathing creature is unsettling to me to say the least and rarely done on my part besides the occasional spider or cockroach. I was not thrilled about killing our chickens to then be fried to savory perfection but having lived at JBFC for the past month or so I’ve gained a new perspective on food, particularly livestock.


Here at JBFC, we have an extensive livestock and agriculture component that is necessary in keeping the organization sustainable. From spinach to pigs to potatoes and chickens, the agriculture and livestock programs provide food for the JBFC family as well as a source of income. Now being able to view these animals more objectively has made me gain a better understanding and appreciation for their role at JBFC and enabled me to overcome my personal inhibitions in killing livestock.


While I won’t go into too many details about the killing itself, I will say that I did not have nightmares the following night and may even do the deed again if the opportunity arises. All I can say is at that night’s dinner, I had some of the best fried chicken I have ever eaten in my life!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Small Sacrifices Can Lead To Big Rewards






Guest Blogger, Kris Mills, joined JBFC in December as assistant to Executive Director Chris Gates.

Having the privilege of living with 40 of the most spirited, smart and beautiful girls I have ever met, it is easy for me to say that I am one lucky guy. Since officially joining the JBFC team in December, I could not wait to get over to Tanzania to meet the girls. After arriving mid-February, my time at JBFC has been enlightening, breath taking and many times rewarding.

One such experience happened a couple of days ago when Julia and I invited all the girls for a Saturday afternoon hike up a nearby mountain/large hill. Having checked out the hike a couple of days in advance, Julia and I were sure the girls were capable of this physical activity and that the view made it TOTALLY worth it. However, I quickly remember th
at Veneranda or “Vene” has a physical disability. During my time here, I have come to get to know Vene, who is a quiet and shy third grader and typically unable to participate in many group activities due to her physical limitations. Vene is diagnosed with scoliosis, which has severely deformed her spinal column and lower extremities making it very difficult for her to get around. Troubled by this I decided “why not carry her up the mountain?”




Though I will admit the 30 minute walk there plus the 30 minute ascend up the mountain were physically difficult for me carrying this small girl, I reminded myself that my exhaustion did not even compare to the difficulty and pain she faces everyday. Having reached the top, it brought me great joy seeing her enjoying herself with the other girls and as I looked back at JBFC in the distance, I was so happy knowing she was there with us and had not been left back at campus.