Sadly, I am leaving Tanzania. I had such a great time... got to know some wonderful people, worked on some exciting projects. Four weeks wasn't nearly enough time to do as much as I would've liked to do... but it was time well spent.
BENJA...
AND ME WITH PABLO AND SOME OTHER "BONGO FLAVA" RAPPERS 
I realized that I never properly explained what it is that I was actually doing, volunteer-wise. To back up just a bit, I came across www.artintanzania.org while digging around volunteer websites, looking for opportunities worldwide to do some meaningful work for one month as more than just a pair of hands or an English teacher.
Art in Tanzania is a non-profit organization whose sustainable projects provide education and vocational training to local communities, rural villages and tribal areas. “Sustainable Projects” are programs that empower individuals with knowledge and skills, so that they may develop a lasting source of income and enhance their own livelihood. For example, I am working with Art in Tanzania’s Music Program, which supports and develops Tanzanian musicians. The Art in Tanzania Studio has produced award-winning music (and some music videos) by popular local artists such as Zemkala, Dudubaya and Mambo Jambo. From restaurant waiters to skippers on my diving boat to vendors in Zanzibar, when I mention these artists to anyone in Tanzania, their reactions tell me that they are STARS. The producers are well-known locally and internationally: Finnish producer Miikka "Mwamba" Kari fell in love with Tanzania years ago and is admired for pioneering the unique Dar es Salaam sound, a fusion of hip-hop, rap and African beats, called “Bongo Flava”. Benjamin Busungu runs the studio locally and is a producer as well as frontman of the band Mambo Jambo. It is amazing how they successfully collaborate on the production of songs and albums by sending CDs full of multi-track recordings from Finland to/from Tanzania via snail mail.
Art in Tanzania also supports aspiring local musicians, providing free studio sessions and training so that they may create and market their own music. While participating in a recording session with my friend Jordan, who is recording a song about HIV/AIDS awareness, I was touched by how meaningful it was to him to record his song and communicate his message. He spends his free time promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in the community; he is also HIV positive. Benjamin (Benja) has been my go-to guy since I arrived, welcoming me into his studio, taking me to concerts and parties, introducing me to his friends, exchanging music… his wife Tamasha even took my friend Emma and I for a “local girls” shopping trip! Benja won the 2004 Kilimanjaro Music Awards for Best Folk Song and Song of the Year (for Ekitobero) and Best Male Artist. He’s as humble as can be – I can tell, though, he is ready to get the band back in the spotlight… and win some more!
My basic goals for these 4 weeks were to: Create Press Kits for the “Big 3” aforementioned artists and Art In Tanzania, generate media support and establish goals to maintain and maximize relationships with the media, and take photos to be used for their soon- to-be launched art magazine, "Mzuca", which means (full of) "spirit". By the end, I wrote the bios/talking points, created a media contacts list, took tons of concert photos, was interviewed by several radio stations and a live TV program (hilarious!) I think it's a good starting point for the Promotions Manager they will hopefully employee soon. And, I will definitely stay in touch, to assist in their growth and success. ... and hopefully return in 2010!