Day 12 - Visiting NGOs

What’s up, blog?????!

Today, we split into two groups to visit NGOs. One group visited Food For His Children, a nonprofit dedicated to educating poor Tanzanians about agriculture and lifestyle and help them become more self-sufficient. We visited two of their locations and had the opportunity to make bricks, feed/care for goats, learn about water conservation, plant herbs, and make cement. Additionally, we learned how their organization works; they visit poor families and observe their living situations. If the families are in need, they can partake in the organization through a sixteen-point system. This system teaches the families sixteen essential tasks to improve their daily lives (i.e. how to make/use a clothing line, how to care for goats), and if they show commitment, the organization will provide them with additional support.

The other group visited the Hidden Hope NGO run by James. James started this nonprofit in order for disabled people to obtain jobs as they tend to traditionally be kept at home by friends or relatives out of cultural embarrassment around the condition of being disabled. During our time at this NGO, we participated (both the Banjika and Menlo students) in the different crafts that those who were disabled partake in, including painting and carving gourds and making leather sandals, scarves, and beaded necklaces + bracelets. We are tremendously grateful for this opportunity and experience. (side note: Roya locked herself in a bathroom stall and was stuck for more than fifteen minutes! We ended up calling a mechanic to let her out!)

Then, the two groups met up at Lilac Oasis (a hotel). We partially watched two movies, Wakanda Forever and Madagascar II, with our partners and enjoyed popcorn, pizza, fresh fruit juices, and soda. We ran out of time and will continue watching them on Monday. Overall, we had a blast!

✌️,

Roya, Kate, and Raul















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