Song's love for language connects two best friends

A medical team working under the auspices of the Chinese government has been working in Tanzania from 1968. It’s team leader, Mr Song Tao who arrived in the country in 2006 is also the team’s interpreter.

In this interview with Your Health, Mr Tao, the Administrative Secretary of the Chinese Medical Team narrates his experience in the country.

What is your exact job?

I am an interpreter of the Chinese Medical Team and I connect people in Tanzania with the Chinese. It is my job to deliver the information between the two sides.

What inspired you to come to Tanzania ?

In July 2006, there was an opportunity for me come to Tanzania as an interpreter for the Chinese Medical Team. I didn’t hesitate to take up the chance.

When I was growing up, I heard that Tanzania and China were friends. I heard of the Tazara Railway, The Urafiki Textile Factory and the Chinese Medical Team.

I thought that I could do something for the friendship between these two countries. I thought that this would be a great honor for me.

Also, I always thought that Africa was very far from China. Coming all the way here was adventurous for me. I wanted to see the continent.

How did you prepare before you embarked on the journey to come to Africa?

I applied for the opportunity and had to do many tests, such as language, morality and so on. I was fortunate to pass them all. I attended a training course on language, culture and customs for about eight months.

Then I went for a one month holiday to buy some necessary commodities and to say farewell to friends and relatives. That’s how my journey started.

What impression did you get when you arrived in Dar es Salaam? Did it appear different from what you had thought?

Dar es Salaam was a little different from what I had thought. There are so many cars and traffic jam. I had thought that there would be a few cars in the streets.

There are also many tall buildings in the city center.

This is different from what I previously believed. I thought there was only one or two storey buildings.

Another thing is that there are are so many foreigners from Europe and America working in Tanzania.

This is not what I had thought. I enjoyed seeing the National Parks, they are very beautiful.

I had never imagined I would see things such as the beautiful Indian Ocean.

At one moment you went out of the country and came back in 2011, what made you come back?

It was a hard decision for me to make. My daughter was only one year old at that time. But I was impressed by Tanzania in the two years of working here. I want to say that, each person’s pursuit is different.

In fact, I live a comfortable life in China because I work as a teacher in a Medical University. When I compare working in these countries, working in Tanzania is of more advantage to my values.

In my mind, Tanzania and China are true friends. I like doing little things for this friendship, which is a sacred job for me. It is this faith of doing little things for our friendship that attracted me to come back to work in Tanzania.

What difficulties have you encountered during the past ten years and how did you overcome them?

I have met lot difficulties. The first thing would be the language. I speak little English but it’s very difficult for me to pronounce the words. It’s also different from what I learnt in school. Sometimes, it’s difficult for me to understand what others say. It took me about three to four months to adjust to their pronunciation. Swahili is also very important, because most of the Tanzanians can speak it. The second challenge would involve food. The main course in North China is “Man Tou”, in China, it is easy to buy something to eat. But In Tanzania, I must learn to cook. The third thing is loneliness. My family and friends are not around me. So I miss them so much.

What is the role of the Chinese Medical Team in Tanzania?

The role of Chinese Medical Team is huge. Many Tanzanians trust Chinese doctors.

For example, it happened that in Tabora Regional Hospital, one Chinese doctor was on holiday. He had gone back to China. Yet so many patients kept waiting for him.

This is because they trusted the Chinese doctor. Chinese Medical Team sometimes supplies medical services to rural areas—the residents in rural parts of the country lack regular medical checkups and most of the essential medical services.

What is your favorite pass time?

I go to the University of Dar es Salaam to play basketball every Sunday. Every afternoon, I play table tennis with my housemate. I like swimming. Sports is very important to us to refresh you as you start a new week and also as a way of avoiding sickness.

What have you benefitted from Tanzania in the past ten years ?

I have learnt a lot from Tanzania and I have made good friends. Tanzanians are kind people. They are also willing to help others.

Will you come back again to work as member of Chinese Medical Team?

Sure. If I get that chance I will come back. I love Tanzania so much, the people are of warm heart. But most importantly, it is for the true friendship between the two countries.