Tanzania Expedition
July 2018
Nineteen Sixth Form students enjoyed the trip of a lifetime on this Summer’s expedition to Tanzania. Adventure with community service combined to give a great insight to this fascinating part of Africa. The trip was hosted by the International School in Moshi which provides comfortable accommodation and staff to organise the busy and varied programme of activities.
- Four days were spent doing voluntary work in the Soweto primary school where we painted classrooms and assembled 200 new desks. There was also time to play with the children and make new friends.
- We then climbed the peak, Kinda Rocka in the North Pare Mountains and camped on the summit with dramatic views of the surrounding countryside. It took us a day to reach the top and a day to get back down again. The route passed through dense forest but also villages giving an insight into life in this remote area.
- Two days on safari in the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area and Lake Manyara National Park gave a more relaxing experience. Riding around in the Land Cruisers was great fun and we were not disappointed with the wildlife, which included lions around a kill, elephant, wallowing hippo, playful monkeys, numerous zebra and wildebeest.
- A highlight of the trip was our visit to the Upendo Orphanage supported by Sidcot pupils where we were able to spend time meeting the children.
Between these main activities there was also time to join local people planting trees on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, visit a waterfall and take a dip in the ice cold water, make bracelets with disabled people at a Shanga workshop and visit a Maasai village. There were also lively ‘cultural evenings’ with dancing to the African beat and a visit to the craft market in Arusha with a chance to try our skills at bartering.
The students were a credit to the school, they worked hard on the community and showed energy and humour when interacting with local people.
Jim Scott
DofE Manager