Here's my two cents, maybe the discussion could benefit from a female perspective.
First of all, I do not agree with this " Those in ughaibuni often say that they have to work really hard to get from one goal to the next and even after many years of toiling, they feel they can`t match what their peers in Bongo have managed to do in the same amount of time."
I have never felt that people were better off back home career-wise or in terms of relationships. Yes, I would say that people certainly get married at a younger age and start families earlier than in developed countries, but we all know that this is all due to societal pressures. Women are pressured to get married and have kids before they get too old (in Bongoland "old" is usually from 28 onwards, even younger in some regions). The fact that most women do not or cannot seek post-secondary education means that they'll get married at a younger age as well. The average age between men and women will increase as more and more people stay in school longer. As for career, I can't think of any opportunities that I've missed out on back home. If anything it doesn't sound that the job market is very promising for university graduates, much less thos with a high school, std 7 or form 4 education.
Even though I miss the warm weather, the great food, being around family, and overall laid back atmosphere in Tanzania, I must also think about my future, as well as my family's well-being. I have a daughter and I want her to grow up to be a strong,well-educated, level-headed, healthy young lady. Unfortunately, this is something I feel I cannot achieve back home without it costing me an arm and a leg. The education system is in shambles! Do we even need to talk about healthcare? I spent a total of 8 years in the Tanzanian education system and I can honestly say it is mostly geared towards passing the exams, not so much understanding what you are being taught. Creativity is not encouraged. The teachers would yell and threaten you, that is, if they decided to show up to class that day. As a student, you feel invisible. My confidence was at an all-time low and I'm glad I had the opportunity to finish my education elsewhere.
Please do not think that I am bashing TZ, I am simply stating my opinion based on my personal experience as a young girl living in Tanzania. In addition to problems with the education system, there is also the issue with transportation. Having to leave my house at 5am to get to school for 7 while fighting bus conductors for a spot on the bus where you either have to stand or sit on the hot engine where your ass would get burned (vipanya!!). Not to mention the sexual harassment from the machingas aallll daayy long (ksss ksssss!! eh! sista! eh eh!!). They grab at your hands, your clothes. I remember a man coming up to me, looked me straight in the eye and said "Nataka kufanya mapenzi na wewe". I was 12 years old.
These are things that my daughter will never experience growing up here in Canada. I will not have to worry about her hospital bills or school fees. She lives in a society where it is NEVER OK for a man to leer at a child, or anyone under the age of 18. People treat each other with respect here.
I do not care about material things. I love my job. I do not care about what people think of me back home. I care about the overall well-being of my family, and that's something that I'm more likely to achieve here.
