What volunteering in Tanzania taught me about software engineering

Rey Abolofia, a software engineer at New Relic, shares his transformative experiences in Tanzania, where he volunteered with the Daraja Music Initiative (DMI) to promote the conservation of the mpingo tree, essential for crafting musical instruments like clarinets. During his time there, he taught music, planted mpingo trees, and immersed himself in the local culture, learning valuable lessons encapsulated in three Swahili phrases: pamoja (together), kaka na dada (brothers and sisters), and pole pole (slowly or carefully). These cultural insights emphasized the importance of collaboration, treating colleagues as family, and adopting a patient approach to problem-solving. Abolofia reflects on how these principles can enhance teamwork and innovation within software engineering, encouraging others to integrate these values into their professional lives for improved collaboration and understanding.