“Two things have changed life in East Africa”

In Kenya, we were told there are 2 things that have changed life in Kenya – the cell phone and the motorcycle. The same seems true in Tanzania. The cell phone has made communication much easier and almost every adult has one. They are often in contact with friends and family members from a distance, or they are conducting some kind of business. And motorcycles are abundant. The government has allowed their import with reduced taxes so they are more affordable and many are used as taxis. It is not unusual to see 3 or 4 adults on a motorcycle that they have hired. There are usually several motorcycles waiting at any bus stand or other town center, available for hire. They have made quick transportation available to those who can pay a little more than they would pay for a seat on a minibus. It makes it a little tedious driving through towns, because the motorcycles seem almost as abundant as mosquitoes, darting out into any space that opens up. In the more developed countries, we tend to take communication and transportation for granted. They provide for efficient, productive interactions between persons, and it is good to see it developing in Africa, where people are motivated and creative, but sometimes hindered by the lack of infrastructure for efficient communication and transportation.