MUSOMA , Tanzania ( CNN ) -- Lizzie Cameron is in Musoma , Tanzania working with the Musoma Engineering Project . Claire 's 10th birthday : `` I taught them how to play pin the tail on the donkey , although we replaced a donkey with a zebra , and I baked Claire a birthday banana cake . '' The Musoma Engineering Project is the only charity of its kind in the region and aims to provide teaching and support for local disabled children and teenagers . With the project Lizzie will be helping the teachers teach skills like woodworking , leatherwork and dressmaking . Follow her experiences in her blogs and video diaries . November 14 , 2007 When I signed up to work at the Musoma Engineering Project I was given the option of living in my own house or with a local family . I was really unsure of which to choose but decided to live with Dennis and his family . I made this decision because I thought it would be good to experience how a Tanzanian family live and I also hoped that Dennis would take me under his wing , so to speak , and look out for me if I got into any trouble or encountered any problems . After being here for two months I have no doubt that I made the right decision . I really have been made to feel like part of the family and welcomed into their home as if it were my own . What I 've found really interesting is seeing the daily routines and how they differ to back home . Simple activities like cooking , cleaning , shopping , etc . are all performed quite differently to the Western world . I had anticipated that the food would be different , but if anything I 've been pleasantly surprised by what is on offer here . One thing I like is that you really know where your food has come from . If you want to eat chicken , you point to the one you want then kill it and pluck it yourself . If you want fish , a local fisherman will drop off his daily catch at your house . Nothing is processed , artificial or vacuum packet . If I was living on my own I would have been surviving on fruit and veg for a year , as I had no idea how to gut a fish or skin a chicken . The girls have also taught me how to make chapattis and other traditional Tanzanian dishes . I had n't thought about how I would wash my clothes for example . I did n't think they would have washing machines , but I had n't really thought it through . So every Sunday I fill my basin up with water , some soap and get scrubbing . The family laugh at my attempts , it must be obvious I 'm not used to such hard work . This Sunday was Claire 's 10th birthday party so I got to join in the celebrations . She had about 20 of her friends around at the house , all of whom were dressed immaculately in beautiful dresses and suits . There were n't any expensive presents or entertainment like you 'd get back home but the kids seemed to have just as good a time . I taught them how to play pin the tail on the donkey , although we replaced a donkey with a zebra , and I baked Claire a birthday banana cake . People open their homes to visitors anytime of the day too . Often when I return home the living room will be full of the neighbors . Anyone is welcome to stay , even if a bed is not available , they just share one . I really am glad I decided to live with a family here . E-mail to a friend .
Lizzie chose to live with Dennis , and his family in Musoma . The experience has given her an insight into everyday life in the country . She has learned how to pluck a chicken , catch a fish and wash clothes . At Dennis 's daughter 's 10th birthday party , Lizzie teaches new recipes and bakes a cake .