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Day 19 - Cultural Heritage Museum, Milkshakes, and Leaving Tanzania

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As we write this final entry, we are roughly an hour away from the airport. Today has been filled with lots of driving and a visit to a cultural heritage museum. The walls are filled with vibrant colors, black and white pieces a rarity. Tanzanian views and animals populate most of the portraits, although there are some sprinkles of abstract and modern art within the six floors. A personal favorite was one of a lion and lioness with a small card comparing the lioness’s eyes to that of Mona Lisa’s: They will follow you across the room. I was doubtful at first, but after a few paces back and forth I was convinced. It was unnerving feeling like one of the animals the king of the jungle is imagining eating for lunch. The centerpieces of the rooms are impressive carvings, with massive lions, giraffes, buffalo, and more animals that I just cannot comprehend were made by hand. After exploring the many stories of the art gallery and getting last souvenirs, some of us enjoyed milkshakes and swee
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Tanzania - Information on Return Home (Saturday, June 8) and Re-entry Day (Sunday, June 9)

Parents, Menlo Abroad Cambodia, Costa Rica, and Tanzania will soon be coming home. I know the students are looking forward to seeing you as much as you are looking forward to seeing them. They have had unique and powerful experiences in the last three weeks and will no doubt have much to share with you, although they will need a good night's sleep first! What follows are details regarding Saturday, June 8 (the return), and Sunday, June 9 (the re-entry day).  SATURDAY (Return) The Tanzania group's return flight itinerary is below: Fri 07 June Kilimanjaro - Amsterdam KL 567 09:05 PM - 07:50 AM (+1). This includes a stop in Dar es Salaam. Sat 08 June Amsterdam - San Francisco KL 605 09:50 AM - 11:45 AM   The flights are currently on time, scheduled to arrive at SFO on Saturday at 11:45 AM , but you might want to check the flight status for updates closer to the group's arrival. They will need a few minutes to go through customs and baggage claim before they enter the Arrivals
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Day 18 - Celebrations and Departure from Banjika

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Today was our last day at our homestay families :(  When we got to Banjika School in the morning, we did some fun activities with both the Menlo and Banjika students. Then we had an appreciation ceremony with Menlo students and staff, Banjika students and staff, homestay families, and staff from WLS, Land Africa, and the NGO’s. There we heard speeches from representatives of each of those groups. At the end of the speeches, the Banjika students gave Menlo students kitengas (traditional Tanzanian attire). The Menlo students put them on and went outside to take group photos. Thereafter, we went to see one of the lamps that we installed in the school and explained to the homestay families how it works. Then we all ate lunch together and celebrated Lucy’s birthday (a Banjika student) with a cake and fun singing celebration. Then we all went outside to say our final goodbyes to the homestay families. We got on the bus and drove over to a hotel, where we will be staying the night before we l
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Day 17 - NGOs and FAME

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Hey Blog!  Today we started the day off with breakfast at Banjika, and then headed to our separate NGOs. While one group went to Tunza Africa the other visited Mwema Children’s Center. At Tunza Africa, one group was able to learn about the forgotten medicinal crops that the organization now aims to grow around the community, while supporting women groups that use these plants, like rosemary, lemongrass, and the Moringa plant to create essential oils, cosmetics, and dietary  supplements. The group was able to learn from the women how to clean, dry, and process Moringa leaves and even try Moringa tea. The other group at the Mwema children’s center learned about its growth over the years, and worked with students staying at the school to create reusable sanitary pads for the surrounding community. After the Mwema students taught us how to cut the different fabrics and sew them together, we were able to watch a performance put together by the students. The instructor explained that at Mwem
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Day 16 - NGOs and Dancing

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This morning, we had our daily check in with Mr. Mitchell and Sareena. Afterwards, we had a small tea break with the Banjika students and were split up into our NGO groups. One group visited an environmental and agricultural NGO which was attended by the group that we weren’t in. Our group visited an NGO that focused on empowering unhoused kids in need. We learned how they made sustainable/re-usable feminine pads for girls who needed them. Many girls aren’t able to attend school because they don’t have access to pads, so this was an issue that the NGO wanted to tackle. They used materials that were accessible to them such as blankets, umbrellas, and other cloths. We cut the shape of the pads and then we sewed some of them together to create them. Others were created using a machine and we also made a small water-proof bag to put them in after being used. When we finished the activity, they performed gymnastics for us and we learned that it is one way they can make a living. They played
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