Francesca De Cristofaro – GW Blogs from Abroad

The final countdown!

AdminJanuary 30, 2014December 14, 2018

At this moment I have finished my sample collection and also completed the analysis of the water samples. The process has not progressed as smoothly as I expected however this is something that one must expect to encounter both in the field of science and in the culture of Zanzibar. Working with the Institute of Marine Science on Zanzibar, which is a part of the University of Dar Es Salaam, there are many interesting professors and I have had the opportunity to access their wonderful resources but there are also factors that must be considered, such as IMS being closed over the weekend and Fridays are half days so that the faculty can attend prayer. These factors have made the past week go by slowly but I am happy to have finished. Now I am focusing on background research of Sugar Cane and its effect on the environment as well as finishing my paper on the work I have been doing. That aspect of my project has also changed; I do not have as much access to the factory as I originally hoped for, however after speaking with the management I know that they have implemented some changes in line with new regulations. I hope to reach out to a law professor we had a lecture from in Dar Es Salaam and find out how much environmental laws have changed in the past 10 years, especially as they relate to industry and pollution.

An interesting local development concerning the sugar cane factory came up right before I went to collect my first samples at the factory. A few acres were burned during the night by members of the community who are upset with the factory. This did concern me but after talking with advisors I got a guide to lead me to my collection samples. This makes what I am hoping to do more pertinent to the community. I think by showing the improvements that I have discussed with the management of the factory there are huge improvements. I am not sure that the community will appreciate this and obviously they have other qualms with the sugar cane factory and its impact. I do not think I have the ability to mend the rift between the factory and the community but I hope to emphasize the huge steps that have been taken to mitigate the negative effects of sugar cane and its industry. Future studies by students at SIT can also continue my work and keep sampling the rivers and do other sorts of environmental surveys to continue to monitor the factory and the healthiness of the surrounding ecosystem. I believe if I do a very good job on my paper I can continue this project far into the future by encouraging future SIT students to continue this which will benefit the project and the community.

Collected samples after sugar was raided and burned, finished lab analysis, and beginning the final paper. #almost there #3weeksleft

Goodbye Zanzibar

AdminDecember 12, 2013December 14, 2018

By fdecristofaro

While abroad, my research included a wide variety of subjects, from behavioral studies of the endemic Red Colobus monkey to sea urchin biomass. My main focus for my Independent Study project was the water quality of small rivers located near a sugar cane plantation and processing factory. The project was not as easy as I expected it to be, I ran into many roadblocks from all sources. The factory was difficult to get in contact with, collection of samples took longer than expected, lab analysis was slow moving, but with patience and excellent advisors I was able to make connections with assistant managers, local drivers to take me to sites, and peers to help with the chemical analysis of the water samples. This project made me grow a lot as a student and researcher because I was testing my limits. Coming from an International Affairs background I was not used to data collection, nutrient analysis, and quantitative science. Zanzibar was such a place that even though my science background was limited individuals encouraged me to challenge myself and I gained a deep respect and understanding for hard science as I practiced it. The goal of my project was to get the ball rolling for the Mahonda town where the sugar cane is processed. I hope that students in the future will continue my study and make it more comprehensive. This will continue the research into the effects of the plantation and factory on the local community and environment. In this way my project has begun to help increase communication between the inhabitants of Mahonda and the industries located there. At this point I do not think any other type of study abroad program could have been better for me. Experiential learning and hands on work made my knowledge of the people and environment of Zanzibar much deeper. My semester with SIT (the School for International Training) was incredible and I hope to keep being curious and willing to get my hands dirty when I return to the States. My interest in water sheds and the roles of local communities is heightened and I foresee this type of volunteer work and research playing a large role in my future. My commitment to community, although increased by the huge volunteer community at The George Washington University, is heightened and I will bring back my renewed enthusiasm and passion for giving back to the GW community by encouraging others to get involved by sharing my stories.

A Step in the Right Direction: River Water Assessment

AdminNovember 14, 2013December 14, 2018

By fdecristofaro

I completed my Portfolio for SIT. This project is meant to work out some of the kinks we may encounter for our final Independent Study Project (ISP). I did a small case study of 4 rivers upstream of the sugar cane processing plant and studied the water quality to determine level of pollution. I did the data collection working with my adviser, Dr. Mmochi of the Institute of Marine Sciences, a part of the University of Dar Es Salaam in Zanzibar. Everyone at IMS is very helpful however they are also extremely busy so it was hard to get everything completed in a timely fashion. Also due to external factors, such as two national holidays, and a weekend my week was eaten up before I could analyze my data. I was able to take extra time to complete the study but it was frustrating. This was a good experience to test the waters for my ISP such as going to the site and getting an adviser. I also learned the valuable skill of learning the layout of the lab here so I feel much more comfortable expanding my research to an area downstream of the factory during the month of November that is set aside wholly for our ISPs. At this point I am still going to look at Dr. Mmochi’s 1997-1999 study of the water quality in the Mahonda sugar cane factory area and collect samples to compare how the shut down of the factory has improved or degraded the surrounding environment since its shut down in 1999. I also did research and found that the WWF has created Better Management Practices (BMPs) for sugar cane factories in critical areas such as Zambia, South Africa, and the Indus River Valley. I hope to compare the management plan of the Mahonda factory with these and create a new plan that will help improve the local environment by integrating aspects of natural resource management, and the BMPs. But we shall see if this ends up being my final plan. For now I am excited to have a purpose and a preliminary study of the situation.

Researching endangered monkeys and rare coral

AdminSeptember 29, 2013December 14, 2018

By fdecristofaro

A lot of the research I do for coastal ecology and natural resource management in my program is based on field work. SIT prides itself on experiential learning and I have found this very accurate. We have lectures and classes, but the structure is very different and I find myself learning more when I go out into town to talk to people or observing the idiosyncrasies of the unique ecosystem here. So I learn more out of the classroom. One hard part for me is that I am unused to writing up quantitative data that is required of me in this scientific based program. But so far our projects have both been group work; one project was in Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park describing density and behavior of the endemic Red Colobus monkeys the other was researching the use of water for agricultural purposes in a small fishing village. This tactic helps me adjust to the style of reporting that science based reports require because my peers are more familiar with this format that includes methods, data, and a discussion of the graphs and calculations, and end with further research topics. I am confidant that I am benefiting my peers because I have a good handle on Kiswahili and because many of our subjects speak the local language it is vital to our success in research here. Being confidant in Kiswahili helps me try to go out of my way ask questions and get the answers necessary to complete our work.

Zanzibar!

AdminSeptember 18, 2013December 14, 2018

By fdecristofaro

My study abroad program is called SIT-Zanzibar Coastal Ecology and Natural Resource Management. Zanizbar is a small archipelago of two main islands off the eastern coast of Tanzania made up of Pemba and Unguja. This program focuses on on-site research and it began on August 24th. It is set up to teach us intensive Kiswahili in the beginning, now we have about four hours per day of Kiswahili class, then we work on field methods and research ethics, and then ongoing lectures on coastal ecology and natural resource management until the last month of the program.

This last month is spent applying the knowledge gained in the first three months to our Independent Study Project, or ISP. We formulate a topic and then are given one month and a stipend to go out on our own, collect data, and create a 20-40 page research paper and present on our findings at the end of the semester in early December. Currently my idea for my ISP is to investigate laws regarding ocean policy, such as fishing regulations and see whether or not those are effective in maintaining a sustainable source of fish for the populations which depend upon them. However I am not certain that this will be my final product.

We have already learned a lot about cetaceans, observed butterflies, visited an endangered amphibian sanctuary, and seen dolphins and tourism economy that threatens and thrives off of them so I am considering that as a possible back up. There is a ways to go before I have a concrete proposal so I will continue to pursue any viable options that interest me in our various outings, lectures, and excursions.