PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM
Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
Here are a few things to know and expect:
- Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
- We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
- Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
- Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.
For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.
-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team
Click here to jump down to the most recent post!
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 21
Jambo from Tanzania!
The group has all arrived safely in Kilimanjaro and we could not be more excited. Everyone is meeting their roommates and settling in at home base here in Moshi. We couldn’t get a picture of the whole group together since the last batch of arrivals was at 8pm. But here are a few snap shots of the day in smaller groups before most of the group called it a day early.
Tomorrow is orientation day and we will have a picture of the whole group up on tomorrows blog post.
Over the next two weeks, we are going to have the adventure of a lifetime as we experience the heart and soul of Kilimanjaro. Student written blogs will keep you informed about the highlights of our program. Blogs should be posted every couple of days and will include pictures, so you can see what we have been up to.
We know this is going to be an amazing experience and can’t wait to tell you all about it. We hope you enjoy following along on the blog. Your students will come home with plenty of stories to tell. From seeing the big 5 on safari, to teaching English, completing service at the school, exploring the markets in town, and hiking at the base of Kili – everyone is ready for the adventure!
Thank You,
Musha, Peggy and Kristine
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 22
Today we woke up to a beautiful brisk morning and then had breakfast. We had eggs and traditional Tanzanian donuts- they were delicious. We also had homemade peanut butter and freshly squeezed mango juice. Then we had a very informative orientation that informed us on what we are going to be doing for the next two weeks. Then we heard all about Mama Simba’s life story and how she overcame all of the challenges she faced throughout her life. After that we had lunch, which included vegetable rice, beans, wrapped tortillas, and fresh guacamole.
After a good lunch we had our first swahili lesson where we learned how to greet people and the family tree in their language. Then we learned about the swahili culture- to not waste food, the culture of love, and family. Then we went on a neighbourhood walk and we saw some local kids for the first time and they were so cute!! We went back and played some card games and then had a wonderful dinner made by the team. We look forward to tomorrow and the rest of the trip!!
-Alex & Siena
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 23
Our day started bright and early with breakfast and a second Swahili lesson from a local GLA advisor. Students learned how to negotiate prices in Swahili ahead of purchasing cooking supplies at the local market. After their outing to Moshi’s markets, GLA students were divided into small groups to meet with local “host” families. These families were provided with food and essential cooking supplies, and welcomed students into their own homes. This provided students with the opportunity to experience Tanzania in a truly unique way, allowing everyone the opportunity to dance, play, and converse with the host families. To conclude the day, we once again divided into groups to set some goals for the upcoming days as well as to plan and outline our curriculum for teaching at a local Tanzanian school.
— Dimitri and Seth
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 24
Today we woke to early to get to school on time but still followed African time. Today we observed the teachers teaching to help us teach the kids ourselves. We then sandpapered some of the school classrooms so that we can repaint them fun colors by the end of the week!
After lunch we experienced the market where we bought fabrics for custom clothes. When we came back we met a seamstress and got measurements for our clothes. Before dinner we also had our first mentor group sessions, We ended the night with some preparation for our lessons at school tomorrow and bracelet making.
-Sadie and Rudy
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 25
Today we started off our morning at eight o’clock sharp with a very yummy breakfast which was fried rice balls and our fresh fruit juice that awaits us every morning! Then we headed to our school that we will be teaching and connecting with all the beautiful children that we meet for the next five days! As well we are helping renovate two classrooms.
After we were done and all exhausted we headed back to home base to regroup. Then we split back into our lovely mentor groups Peggy and Kristine’s. Peggy’s group had an adventure to make batik paintings which was a fabulous time learning and competing on who was the best. Musha thought his was the best and we are just going to let him think that. But between us, Peggys was definitely the best! As that was happening Kristines group was making a delicious dinner to await us all as we arrived! They made us all chipsimayai. Now our bellies are full and we’re all laughing and creating relationships that will carry on the rest of our lives here at our lovely homebase.
We ended the night working with our service teaching groups to come up with ideas to develop a school if we were given the opportunity. But with all that being said, we will see you all tomorrow to hear about our next adventure!
-Chiara and Maria
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 26
Today we woke up at 8 and had breakfast, we had scrambled eggs and toast. It was so great, then we planned the class we were preparing for the children. After that, we arrived at the school and we taught the children of primary school English, we played with them and after we painted the walls of the classrooms we have been working on. We were exhausted and we got back to the home base and we got re energized with a magnificent pasta. After Lunch, half of us went painting wonderful traditional Tanzanian art. The other half, cooked an exquisite meal for all of us to share! We ended the day with a quick pulse check on how things are going. We now are receiving our phones and getting ready for a good, nice, warm, cozy sleep. We will talk to you tomorrow to tell you more about our adventures..
—Marco and Natalia
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 27
Today we started by waking up at 7:30 to be ready for 8am breakfast on a rainy morning. Then we made our way to the school to teach the kids and paint the classroom. We went back to home base for lunch and HIV talk with victims of that condition. After an informative talk we went to a coffee farm and picked coffee beans off of the plants. We were welcomed with a traditional dance and tried fresh Tanzanian coffee. We went back to home base for dinner and ended the night off with a debate about the education in Tanzania.
-Michaela and Camilla
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 28
Today we woke up at 7:30 and we had breakfast at 8. At 8:30 we started to plan what we were going to teach the kids at school and we left to school at 9. We were teaching the kids from 9:30 to 10:30, after this we played with them and painted the class until 12:30. Then we arrived at the homebase for lunch at 1 clock and after this Mama Simba gave us a short talk thanking what we have done for the kids. At 2 we went shopping to a supermarket, everybody bought a lot of stuff. After this, we went to a coffee shop and we stayed there for two hours. Everyone bought some coffee, milkshakes and pizza. At 6 we came back to the homebase. we did the chow circle and had dinner. Then we had a talk about the safari we are having on Saturday and went to sleep.
—Lucia and Alice
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 29
On this day at GLA, we woke up a 3:15 in the morning with the excitement of the arrival of our safari jeeps! We brought breakfast sandwiches in the car to go for everyone for after their car ride naps. We arrived at Tarangire National Park with several bathroom breaks prior to the arrival. We had one more snack and bathroom break at the entrance of the park before entering for the adventure! The Baboons welcomed us immediately into the park! As we continued on to lunch we saw zebras, giraffes, water bucks, water buffalos, warthogs, cheetahs and elephants!
After lunch some of us were given a farewell by a lioness. We carried on to our new temporary home base and stopped at “Safari Land” which consisted of hand made wooden structures and fascinating art pieces; furthermore, we had a coffee break right next door to it. We herded back into the jeeps to make the final stretch to the new home base. Once we arrived some girls did cartwheels and yoga to stall until the rooms were ready. Everyone settled into their new rooms and found each other out side for a big football/soccer match. We are currently located in a Monastery and had an amazing dinner provided by nuns.
—Prince and Hattie
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 30
On this day we woke up at 5:15 am for breakfast at the Saint Cathrine Monastery. Then we drove 30 minutes down into the crater where we saw many animals including zebras, elephants, wildebeests, lions, hippos and jackals. After a wild journey in the crater for the morning we headed out to get lunch in prepared boxes with chicken, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fries, banana, biscuits, muffin with some water and juice. After lunch we prepared for the long drive back to home-base. After a long ethereal six hour drive we made it back to home-base where we got banana soup and pasta and beef along with rice for dinner, now we are settling back into home-base and relaxing for the evening.
-Dane and Keira
BLOG POST FOR JULY 1
Today we woke up bright and early at 7:30 and had breakfast at 8. For breakfast we had yummy donuts and eggs. At 8:30 we reviewed our curriculums and at 9 we headed to the school for service! Today was the school’s first day of classes for all students, so our classes were filled with double the smiles . We continued our work on the classrooms and finished up painting the walls and windows. After service, we headed back to home base for lunch. We had French fries, fish sticks, and a banana stew.
Following lunch, we reflected on our trip so far and came up with an individual and group goal to continue creating change after the trip. Then, we headed to a souvenir shop and bought a few more items to remember our trip by . We also stopped at the supermarket to get some snacks for our hike around Kilimanjaro on Wednesday! Then, we went to the Rau school near homebase and played some games. We were joined in both our volleyball and soccer games by some of the local students. Then, we returned to homebase and ate dinner, which consisted of: rice, beans, and salad . Now, we are all hanging out and getting ready for bed. Tomorrow is our last day of service, and we can’t believe it’s already the end of our trip.
-With love, Allie and Hannah
BLOG POST FOR JULY 2
Rise and shine today we woke up at seven thirty and prepared to leave for our last day of service at the school. We then said goodbye to the sweetest kids as we headed back to homebase for lunch. Today we dined on some delicious homemade beans and potatoes accompanied by a SCRUMPTIOUS salad! We then had our fabrics returned to us as clothes and had a show stopping fashion show . Afterwards we headed to the local primary school where we had the amazing opportunity to watch and participate in traditional Tanzanian dancing. We are all amazing dancers. After the dance it was dinner which was another delicious meal brought to us by the amazing chef Andrew . Post dinner was an appreciation circle and debrief about the program.
Thanks for tuning in…
Anna and Tess
BLOG POST FOR JULY 3
Today started off with an earlier than usual wake up call at 7:30. Everyone slowly made their way to breakfast where we were greeted with donuts and eggs for our last breakfast with everyone here. We then started our bus journey to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro where we were greeted with beautiful scenery including waterfalls and picturesque views of the local town and of the mountains throughout the hike.
After our hike we had lunch ready for us right at the gates of the Mount Kilimanjaro entrance and did some of our last souvenir shopping for the trip. We then headed back to home base for everyone to start getting packed up for our journeys home tomorrow! We were surprised at dinner with chicken and beef skewers and our very highly requested guacamole and much more! We said goodbye to three of our peers as they had to take earlier flight and left tonight. Tomorrow we will be all parting ways for our very long journeys home!
-Leaders of the last day
Luella and Kaitlin
