This paper describes work in a Tanzanian village for the purpose of gaining a clearer view of work and the societal incentives for work in the United States. It is written for those who work, those who prepare others for work, those who teach and counsel about work, and those who advocate for consideration of worker needs in the design and management of jobs. The description of rural Tanzania calls attention to the economic dimension of work and the social values associated with it. A second dimension of work in Tanzania--the interaction with technology--is also explored. The state of technology and social technology are described. Culture, a primary contextual element in consideration of work and social incentives for work, is addressed in the context of Tanzania, where the strength of tradition and the impact of political ideology, as championed by former president Nyerere, shape the cultural context of work. The study of work in rural Tanzania raises questions about five facets of social incentives for work in the United States that are then examined: the distribution of the returns from work performed, work as a means of supporting consumerism, the interaction of work and technology, the tension between economic competitiveness and humane work, and individual and group membership identities for workers. (Contains 48 references.) (YLB)