The power of together

After two years, I found my way back to our research place at the Southern end of Lake Tanganyika.

This time I am here to conduct a follow-up project together with our Master student Chantal. In the next post, I will tell a bit more about this project but first of all I would like to share something else that touched my heart.

The first days of our work here at the lake are usually pretty strenuous. We need to get everything ready for the behavioural testing of the fish. We tighten ropes, set up cameras, carry stones and buckets of sand, build an extension of the roof over our test ponds, collect the fish…the list goes on. This time, our schedule is tight and I felt the time pressure on my shoulders even before we arrived.

The sweetest surprise in the next morning was that Thomas, my best friend here and one of the employees of the Kalambo Falls Lodge, where we are staying, had organised the entire team of the Lodge to help me. Thomas and the others remembered from the last times which help is needed and were busy even before I arrived at the work site at 8am. It was busy like at the market but all coordinated and very efficient. Together, we did all the work in half of the scheduled time.

My colleague (who is the best cichlid fish catcher in the world if you ask me) warmed my heart by bringing me more than enough beautiful test fish for the next day. Both Master students worked hard from dawn to dusk and every available person was keen to help us.

This great support of literally everybody really made me feel again so blessed and reminded me to never underestimate what I like to call the Power of Together.