Name: Anthony Jones Mshigen
Age: 34
From: Morogoro, Tanzania but my family is from Kilimanjaro Region
Job: Trainer for both Mine Detection and Research rats at APOPO
Tell me more about your job
I’ve worked here for 9 years. I started as a TB trainer and a driver then I moved to be a data clerk at the main office alongside becoming a trainer. I heard about APOPO from my neighbour and they told me a lot about it and it sounded interesting so I wanted to work here.
These pouched rats used to annoy me when they would steal food at home. And now they are my friends. My best friends. I have really got to know them. They do incredible things. It’s amazing to know what they are capable of and I am able to learn from the research.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
At first I was thinking that I might become a doctor.
What would be your alternative career?
I’d enjoy being an IT guy, as I studied a diploma in ICT.
What are your hobbies?
Playing basketball, swimming and cooking. I like watching movies, my favourite genres are action, comedy and animation. My favourites are Son of Big Foot, Moana, Despicable Me, Penguins of Madagascar, Lion King.
Who has been an inspirational person in your life?
My brother, he is an engineer working at pest management at SUA. My other brother is working at a college as an IT teacher.
“These pouched rats used to annoy me when they would steal food at home. And now they are my friends. My best friends. I have really got to know them. They do incredible things. It’s amazing to know what they are capable of and I am able to learn from the research.”
Do you have any pets?
I have a dog at my mother’s house but it really likes me. His name is Petty and he is beautiful.
What is your favourite animal?
Now it is rats and dogs.
What is your favourite food?
Ubwawa maharage – rice and beans cooked with coconut.
Where is your favourite place?
The Kilimanjaro region. It’s usually much cooler and greener than here.
What is your favourite colour?
Dark blue.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Physics.
What languages do you speak?
Swahili, English, Pare, Changes. I can understand some Spanish and I sing some Spanish songs by Ricky Iglesias and Antonio Banderas and understand the words.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I like being true and I really really hate lies, even about little things.
recent posts…
Check out the updates 🙂
Head on over to http://www.nomadchapter.blog to read all about my application to become an astronaut with the European Space Agency and my crazy fundraising effort – trekking across the Cairngorms in the depths of winter to raise money for The Ocean Cleanup My JustGiving page is here There’s plenty of material to catch up on…
The next chapter begins!
I’ve got some exciting news! I submitted an application to become an Astronaut with the European Space Agency and I made it through the initial application sift! Back in around February, the official timeline was released for the European Space Agency to once again invite applications from across Europe for 6 people to join the…
21. Coming soon… the next adventure…
Join me on this next exciting adventure as I apply to become an astronaut with the European Space Agency and train hard for a trip across the Cairngorms in the depths of winter!
The Wandering Engineer 