KWETU HOME- Mposonge Bay

 A community effort to enforce a park

By Caroline Uliwa

The upcycled old TV, upcyled car chairs
brought to life by gentlemen in this
neighborhood of their own volition.
So they can enjoy a park where they 
could gather and hang peacefully.

You may ask, is there a point to having a park in your neighborhood? As more people worldwide migrate to urban areas from rural dwellings. "More than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas...there will be about 2.5 billion more people added to the urban population by 2050, mainly in Africa and Asia." -Urban and rural population of the world, 1950–2050 (UNDESA, 2014.) 

It’s wise to know creating neighborhoods without public spaces is dire to our wellbeing. "Great public places contribute to community health - whether socially, economically, culturally or environmentally. They add enhancement to the civic realm - not only visually, but also in providing a sense of character and a forum for public activities.”-article-public space benefits

When you think on it, a great public space like a park is where patriotism evolves from theory to action. As it is an individual’s allowed routine, to find out how they belong in their nation. For it’s the closest space from their home where; no matter their religion, age, class, size or ethnicity everyone is welcome.

“As young adults we took a good look at our surroundings, saw it doesn’t make sense that our backyards are clean but stepping outside we met filth. I was personally motivated for the children, we have a lot of kids here and there was broken glass everywhere. This space has become a cool hang for us to keep busy while exchanging positive ideas to enhance our lives.” Golden Ramadhan, shares his motivation for the creation of Mposonge Bay park in Sinza E, Dar es Salaam.

It was Gabriel Makulini a longtime resident of Sinza E, who was really irked to see this public space called ‘Mposonge’ turn into a dump from neglect. He together with Golden Ramathan, Hamis Kisawaga, Sam Magoli & Ceddy Peter galvanized other neighbors with like minds. To get into work cleaning this area creating a charming park, with everything in it either brought or created by the residents. Like the benches, the outdoor toilet, the decorations which are largely made from up cycled trash like plastic bottles, beer cans, used tires etc. 

Golden Ramadhan a resident and one of the key
contributor to the community efforts
of Mposonge Park in Sinza E, DSM

Mposonge Bay park came into being since 2016, to date it has many adorable features including a marked walkway, a place to charge your phone and adorable seats ‘za kishkaji’.

“Whatever space you are shaping—whether it is a garden, terrace, street, park, public outdoor room, or courtyard, make sure of two things. First, make at least one smaller space, which looks into it and forms a natural back for it. Second, place it, and its openings, so that it looks into at least one larger space.” A Pattern Language authored by Christopher Alexander, Sara Isihikawa, Murray Silverstein with Max Jacobson, Ingrid Fiksdahl-King & Shlomo Angel.

This expert advice is taken into account in the landscaping design  enacted at this park. As all the parks' seating are placed right, taking full advantage of the parks green views and its meandering seasonal stream.

The efforts of neighbors of Sinza E, DSMin decorating
this open space allowinga park. Note the
vegetable patc(pumpkin leaves)
on the left soil bump.

“You know it was a team effort, over time people would pitch their ideas. Then we’d agree which one was feasible and the winning idea got everyone’s hands on deck.” Golden Ramadhan shares how this park was created by voluntary efforts of its neighbors. I was really impressed that most of these efforts are by men, for we shout with glee men come together for the common good.

While I was listening to Gabriel & Golden share the journey of how Mposonge bay park came to being. I couldn’t help but wonder about the responsibility of maintaining the same. Already I could see much of the décor wasn’t faring well with time either from vandalism or harsh weather.

See the cute electric post at the bottom. 
So now passerby's can sit and charge
their phones

“Our challenges in allowing for this park have a lot to do with maintenance like now this stream. During the rainy season water will coagulate, in the end allowing for breeding of harmful pathogens like mosquitoes. So its important we dig and flush it out regularly. As well we would like to keep improving the park. By allowing a tent covering over here, so during the rains one can have a safe spot to wait then go on with their business.” Gabriel shares his two cents on the challenges of allowing Mposonge Bay Park to continue to serve his community.

Already many of the residents of the area enjoy barbeques and other communal activities on this park. It’s the hope of the team that the local government or able organizations, citizens contribute to their efforts. By supporting them in one way or another like with the provision of stable bins so the residents can continue to keep the park clean.