TANZANIA – Heart and Soul of Africa – July 15 – August 4, 2017

Jambo from Tanzania! My name is Rudy Calderon and I am the international director for the GLA Tanzania Arusha program this summer. On behalf of the entire local and international staff we are thrilled to lead all 34 students on an incredible experience. All students arrived safely and we made our way to our beautiful home base. Due to jet lag our first day did not consist of any major activities as we wanted to let the students settle in. The following morning we woke up at 7am for a filling breakfast and to conduct student orientation. Our day was filled with program logistics, ice breakers, a wonderful experience with local Tanzanian families, a traditional lunch, a Swahili lesson and students finding out who their mentor is. Today we took a tour of downtown Arusha and exchanged money so students could buy local fabric in preparation for a local seamstress to make clothing. The evening activities included discussion on The Danger of a Single Story and how we view Africa from different parts of the world. Let the adventure begin!

July 18, 2017

We woke up today at 6 am to roosters and prayers. Arusha’s cold weather in the morning makes the coffee we drink even more delicious. The breakfast bell rings at 7:30 am and we arrived surprised that there were pancakes and scrambled eggs. After eating the meal, we did group activities including having a personal seamstress come to our home base and tailor clothes specific to each of us with the fabric we bought in the market yesterday. A civics and history teacher came to our home base to talk to us about the history of education in Tanzania. During this time we learned about the difference between the US and Tanzanian educational system. Then we had beans and flat bread for lunch.

July 18, 2017

Today, we started off with an optional run at 6:30am. There were many that signed up but only three kids went on the run. For breakfast, there were papayas, omelettes, and peanuts. After breakfast. the group went to went to the local orphanage. The orphanage has 120 kids and most of the kids were 5-10 years old. It was hard to say goodbye, but we learned a lot about the hardships that the children have to go through. When we returned from the orphanage, we got a thorough lesson on the history of Tanzania. Did you know that Tanzania is originally composed of two different states. Zanzibar and Tanganika? Did you also know that the human species’ oldest ancestor was found in Tanzania?

Today was jam-packed. In the morning, we woke up and had a wonderful breakfast of porridge and pancakes. It kept us energized for our next activities, which included cooking lunch for our peers and making our very own batik paintings, which featured beautiful colors of the African plains, people, and wildlife. The food consisted of rice and cooked vegetables — our cooks-in-training learned from the best, our very own GLA cooking staff!!! We were also able to do some shopping with a variety of batiks and “elephant pants.”

After enjoying a homemade lunch, we gathered to go to Patandi school in order to teach classes to Tanzanian students. Lasting an hour, classes ranged from writing exercises to educational games. Once the GLA students parted ways with the Patandi schoolchildren, we feasted on a delicious dinner back at the home base. Finally we ended the evening with an intense session of Model United Nations involving a situation regarding the Maasai tribe, which we will be visiting this weekend.

-Written by: Iman and Julia.

7/22/2017

Hey family and friends!! We miss you all at home but are having an amazing time. We’re thankful for all of you!! This has been the best trip of our lives and we’re only one week in. Today was an early start. We had to wake up at 3am and load into the buses. After a 2.5 hour, bumpy drive on the dirt road, we arrived in the beautiful Serengeti (??) where the Maasai tribe lives. We even saw some giraffes on our way there to wake us up! With heavy welcomes, the men from the Maasai tribe greeted us. For breakfast we had eggs, chapati, and bananas with the best peanut butter ever!! Next, we began our trek through the desert where we saw more giraffes, and even zebras! It was quite dusty and by the end, we were covered in dirt. We still had our smiles on!

Then, we witnessed a goat being slaughtered, although a few stayed behind. It was very interesting to see for the first time. Our amazing mentor Maggie ate jello-like blood straight from the goat and was initiated into the Maasai tribe! We hope she’s still okay (she’s in our prayers). Then our talented chefs Lulu and Cashmere/Casper prepared us a lovely lunch that consisted of chicken, potatoes, goat, fruits, veggies, and fruit juice. We are eating like champs here!! We were even able to ask the Chief any questions we had regarding the Maasai culture. Afterwards, we got to see the bomas/homes of the Maasai people. They were small but functional. We then got to practice throwing spears and bought some beautiful hand-crafted Maasai jewelry. We ended the visit dancing and singing with the indigenous people. It was a great time and we learned a lot! Lodrick (local Director) was awesome and took us to the market where we loaded up on snacks, especially Pringles!

When we got home, we had a few minutes of free time, while everyone raced to the showers. For dinner, we had a nother great meal of angel hair pasta with tomato sauce, bread rolls, veggies, mangoes, and the best pumpkin soup!! After washing the dishes, we talked to our security guard named Elijah, who is a humble person who is always alert. We know we’re safe with our man Elijah!! shoutout to our family and friends in Larchmont, NY and Golden, CO. We love y’all!!!

*Some facts are just not factual

Written by: Mia & C/Kate

July 24, 2017

Day 10 of 21 of our adventure in Tanzania. Wow, I can’t believe we’re already halfway done. Time goes by so fast when you’re having fun. Today was quite a long, and eventful day – much like any other day here in Tanzania. We started the day with a review of the code of conduct, although it was not the most pleasant of conversations, it was a conversation which wasn’t the most pleasant of conversations, but it was much needed and will hopefully help people correct the mistakes we’ve made as a group. Personally, I agree with most of it, but did that that some of the things, although understandable, were slightly exaggerated.

In the morning, we also went to a talk with a local women’s cooperative to talk about women’s empowerment. We learned how to make beaded necklaces from paper, which the women made and sold throughout Tanzania. I found this experience quite interesting, as learning about other cultures and people has always been something that I have enjoyed. I may or may not have bought a few things (by the way sis, you’re welcome), and then we proceeded to have a slightly late lunch.

After lunch, we had service, which is always great. I love spending time with the kids, they always make me so happy. No one back home is ever as excited to see me on a daily basis as the kids here at the Patandi village. They always come and shower me with hugs and smiles, and I cant help but smile along with them. Funny story, I was doing labor today and a child I hadnt met yet walks up to me and asked for my name. Of course, I tell him my name and we proceed to have a conversation. He asks me if he can “have his watch.” Confused, I asked him which watch he was talking about, to which he pointed to MY watch and said it was HIS watch. I told him it was my watch and he left. I personally found it somewhat comical, although I understand why someone would be concerned with their personal belongings. Teaching was also fun, we taught our Standard 5 kids how to tell time, and I personally thought that the kids were getting it fairly quickly.

All in all, the day was quite a lot of fun. From the women’s empowerment activity through to the teaching and a very heated jeopardy game that ended the night. I don’t think the halfway point of our stay here could’ve been much better. I have already become close with everyone here and I can tell that I’ll miss everyone when I’m gone. Alright, enough blabbering, I should go to bed. Signing off!

-JP Reis

7/31/2017

Another great day in Tanzania….we had a long nights rest after safari weekend. We were so exhausted, but had so much fun at Tengeru and Ngorogoro Crater. We hung out at home base in the morning and after lunch, we went to the school for service and teaching. We planted spinach in the vegetable garden and painted walls. It started raining and the locals were excited about that because it is is the dry season. Lodrick, our local Director, even said “bless the rains.” We only have one more day left of teaching and service, which is crazy. This trip has gone by so fast. For dinner at home base, we had rice, chicken, and avocados: one of our favorite meals. After dinner, we had a talent show, which showcased dancing, stand-up comedy, Rubix cube, poetry, and wall twerking (AND an excellent puppet stand-up routine). Local and international staff and students did great and had a lot of fun. It’s so sad that we will have to leave soon, because everyone has become a big family. PEACE Y’ALL! Shout out to Canada and NJ.

-Written by: Gabi and Sarah

8/1/2017

Today was filed with brand new adventures. We woke up at 7:30am and had our usual, delicious breakfast (courtesy of Cashmere/Kashmir our cook). After dressing, we went to the seminary by the soccer field. There, we met many Tanzanian priests who found their calling in missionary work. We explored the new church being built, which is halfway finished and already beautiful.

At home, many girls (and a few boys) experimented with hair braiding by local hair braiders. We loved the hair styles they put on our peers! After getting new hair styles, and we had our final melancholy day at service. Several kids were given tests, and the final plants were planted and watered. We walked home satisfied but a little sad. There’s only one more visit to Patandi School on Thursday. It’ll be quite exciting, but tomorrow is the Kilimanjaro base hike, and that will keep our minds busy. 

-Written by: Amaya and friend(s)