Tented Camps

I don't even know where to begin with this post. Whilst this town is renowned for being extremely slow (swahili style - pole pole) I feel I am moving at a very rapid pace. It's been a couple of days since I last posted and within that time, I've headed out to a tented camp for 2 days, Arusha had a public holiday, I had an incredible day at SEW in terms of market growth and tomorrow I'm off one a 5 hour trek to waterfalls. Where to begin... I guess to start with the Tented Camp.

Saturday morning the 7 of us; Chelsea, Michael, Greg, Nicole, Newch, Amy and I piled into Michael's car and drove 3 hours out of Arusha to the Ngorongoro Crater. There is no other way to explain this place other that it is Africa. Kms and kms of land, Maasai men and their families dotting the landscape as their trek for miles and months on end with their animals. It's dry and baron, there are very few trees and there is occasional watering hole as you drive along the rocky roads. The roads are horrendous and what should take you an hours journey in Australia, takes 3 hours in Africa.

Upon reaching Ol Meres Tented Camp we were tired and exhausted. Didn't help that 5 of us had consumed 8 bottles of wine night the prior and proceeded to have a dance party, so were feeling a little under the weather. The accommodation was simple but incredibly beautiful. All had 2 beds, a toilet and a balcony that looked towards the Ngorongoro Crater. We settled in and headed off for a hike with the Maasai warrior where I spotted my first wild Zebra! Excited is an understatement. Come sunset we settled in for a sundowner and dinner of peanut soup... YUCK, veggies, pilaf and chicken... of course with BYO wine. Barbara who ran the place was a Slovenian women who used to be a married to a Maasai warrior. An interesting women and I'm dissapointed I didn't get to have a proper chat with her to learn more about her story and how she came to be out in the middle of absolute nowhere! Arian was the manager, an interesting man who seems to of lived absolutely everywhere in the world. He was Holland and has had a very very colourful life. When asked how long he will be in Ol Meres, which mind you is so bloody remote, he commented "when i'm done". His freedom and outlook on life inspired me of course, but such a nomad!

Sunday we were up early and back to Arusha to try and avoid the heat that creeps upon you very strongly at around 1.30pm. Mexican for lunch at a local shop in town.. definitely not raving about that one, and back to Arusha to lay by the pool and read my new book on the Rwanda genocide; "We wish to inform you that tomorrow we will be killed with our families". Powerful and pretty close to home this one!

Today was an incredible day at SEW and I really feel that we could make a great difference to the organisation and how it currently sits. I met with a videographer this morning who is putting together a 3 minute documentary about the women and the organisation. The video will be used for promotional material only and will be used to push our product to market and communicate the powerful story that rests behind this organisation. We will provide an overview of the company but then concentrate on Oliva's story. Make sure you look out for it. It should be ready by end of next week as Vladimir (our Russian videographer) will start filming this Thursday.
This afternoon I also met with two ladies who will be forming a partnership with SEW and volunteering for 3 months to look at our branding, product development, design and partnership opportunities. After this fantastic meeting, it got me thinking about the way the organisation is currently structured and the need to develop the culture of the company and the responsibility and ownership that each of the women hold. Without delving too much into it, it's inspired me to run with this and concentrate my efforts on the current structure of SEW and the key areas that need to be developed, starting internally.

The story behind SEW is so powerful & the women are beautiful and grateful. However at the end of the day we need to ensure that the product & quality is of a high standard, the brand is consistent and we are developing a product that is unique, sort after and can compete on an international level. Herman, myself and the two girls (Becky and Ezster) will be taking a close look into this in the forthcoming weeks and making some effective changes to really take this organisation to the next level.

I think that's it for now! It's another public holiday here tomorrow so Barbs and I are meeting a guide at 9.00am who is taking us on a trek 2 hours out of Arusha to waterfalls at the base of Mt Meru. Can't wait!