Lena Munishi: “Water and tears of joy flowed”

Lena Munishi-Mitterhofer has lived in Tanzania since 2019. In 2020, the 30-year-old from Neuhofen founded the company RLX (Real Life Experience) with her husband Charles, whom she married two years ago.

The couple, who live in a suburb of the city of Arusha, offer various excursions and holiday experiences, including safaris, and support various social projects. “We started in the ‘Corona year’. At the beginning we were mainly visited by families, friends and acquaintances. Thanks to positive word of mouth, our small business has developed very well. The booking situation for the coming year is excellent. Having previously been here in Tanzania as a tourist, I also know this perspective. We only want to introduce our guests to authentic African culture” says the 30-year-old, who is heading back to Tanzania this Saturday to celebrate New Year’s Eve there.

When asked whether she still feels homesick for Austria every now and then, Lena Munishi answers: “No, there are two places and families where I feel at home, and that’s a nice feeling.” Shortly before the holidays, Lena and Charles had a little one “Christmas miracle for 300 Maasai children” the “Namayani English Medium School”where unfortunately all the water pipes have dried up for over two years.

Searching for water with dowsing rods

This became known during a trip with guests to the village. A tourist, who wishes to remain anonymous, used the missing well as an opportunity to support a water drilling. The woman kept her word: “In October we looked for a local well builder. He even completed training in Austria. At the beginning, the experts went around not only with modern equipment, but also with dowsing rods with which they searched for water veins. In the third borehole, the water came out from a depth of 148 meters. Not only did the water flow, but also the tears of joy”says the 30-year-old and adds: “This is our Christmas present, water is life. In Austria you can’t imagine what it’s like to have to fetch water with canisters from several kilometers away. You only appreciate this luxury when you have to carry the water you need for life yourself.” It is now finally possible to cook again at school; previously this was not possible due to the lack of water.

Video: Interview with Lena Munishi with impressions of their time together “water project”

“From heart to heart”

The Innviertel resident still has many plans for the coming years. In addition to building her own company, she would like to start her own local social project. The name for it has been known for a long time: “Ndani ya Moyo”which translates “from heart to heart” is called. That too “water project” is not yet completed. “We want to build a water tower with a tank so that not only the children at school but also the parents always have running water available”says Munishi. Then there should finally be electricity in the Maasai village, because this is needed for the water pump. “The village elders will take care of this. Once we have collected the donations, we will implement this project”says the emigrant from Neuhofen.

• If you would like to support Lena and Charles Munishi’s water project in Tanzania, you can do so using the following account number: AT053445000002263945, intended use: “Ndani Ya Moyo” Name: Lena Mitterhofer

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