We (Nathan and Shannon) met in 2003 and  quickly grew to be each others’ best friends.  We were both born and raised in the South by parents who valued helping others, education, and exploring new places and cultures.  For Nathan, this contributed to his interest in environmental and international law.  For Shannon, this motivated her to become an environmental educator.

So, why live abroad?

After several study and work trips abroad in our 20’s, we felt it was time to make a bigger impact on (and be closer to) places and people we had grown to love.

In 2014, Nathan accepted a position as an Advisor to the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) in DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), which translates to the German Society for International Cooperation.  GIZ can loosely be compared to USAID in America.  While in Tanzania, Shannon became a qualified classroom teacher and worked at Braeburn International School, teaching mostly East African students and helped lead the Roots & Shoots club.

Sadly, our time in Tanzania ended quite abruptly (we were planning to stay several more years).  Nathan was luckily shifted to the GIZ headquarters in BONN, GERMANY in 2018, working on the GET.transform team, focused on projects in Latin America and Africa.  Shannon taught at Bonn International School during this time, a diverse school with students from nearly 80 countries.

Feeling recharged from a very comfortable life in Europe, we were ready to go back ‘to the field’ and our next move will be to HANOI, VIETNAM!  Nathan will still be with GIZ, but as the Project Manager for the Sustainable Bioenergy Markets and Commercial & Industrial Rooftop Solar projects.

The Covid-19 pandemic has made the move a bit more challenging, but we hope to be in our new home by the end of 2020. We will be there through at least 2024.

What is ‘Karibuni, Y’all’?

Tanzanians, like most Southerners, are very welcoming so we thought it was appropriate for us to name our blog ‘Karibuni (‘welcome everyone’, in Swahili), Y’all (‘you all’, in Southern)’. So, y’all are welcome to our blog, y’all!

We hope you learn new something about the amazing places we have lived, worked and traveled. We will happily share any advice if you plan to visit any of them soon or would like to donate to any of the organizations that we discuss. Karibuni, y’all!