Day 9 - School Activities, Solar Project, Homestay Bonding

Today we met at the school at a later time, 8:00 a.m. We had our daily check in with Mr. Mitchell and Sareena. Afterwards, we had a snack break our Tanzanian homestay students. The snacks consisted of some delicious beef samosas, banana bread, and doughnut holes. After having time to socialize and build deeper connections with the Tanzanian students we dived right into our next activity. We were split up into six groups that were a mix of Menlo and Tanzanian students. The activity was to explore six different stations, each station having an important part of Tanzanian culture and society. There was a dancing and singing station, a brick building station, a chapati making station, a tree planting station, and a vegetable prepping station. Lastly and most interestingly there was a chicken station. We chased down and captured a chicken. We  killed the chicken afterwards(This station was optional and some faced the challenge). After each group finished we all had lunch together. Lunch consisted of fried rice, chicken(not the chicken that we just killed), potato fries, and a variety of fruits. We had a short meeting after lunch that consisted of a team bonding activity between everybody and a short briefing on the solar panel project. To make sure that we execute the project well we took some student perspectives into consideration. Following the meeting, we walked around the school to see where they need the light fixtures the most. We reflected afterwards based off of where they need light the most. We were then dismissed and many of us will continue to build a bond with their homestay partner after today’s activities. We’re all having a blast here and we can’t wait to keep giving you updates! :)

-Juan and Gio

  

                                                       



















Popular posts from this blog

Day 2 - First Full Day in Tanzania - Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzanian Womanhood, and New Food (By Ari and Raul)

Image
Following our hours and hours of travel yesterday, our whole group was extremely tired, unable to fully grasp the beauty of Tanzania. This restriction changed quickly, and upon a fresh breakfast of crepes, eggs, pineapples (aren't you proud of me for eating them mom), and more, we were ready to embark on our first adventure: hiking around Mt. Kilimanjaro. Before I boarded the bus, I was hurriedly ushered over to just outside the gates of our hotel to view a rare site. An unobstructed view of the famed peak in all its glory. We were able to see the mountain peaking over the clouds, welcoming us to the beautiful country of Tanzania and giving us a sneak peak into our hike. On the hike, we explored the Shira Plateau, what was originally the tallest of three peaks in Kilimanjaro, but due to various volcanic eruptions and earthquakes collapsed into itself and flattened out. There was little wildlife to be seen, but I stayed near the back of the group, talking to a Tanzanian guide Tim, a
Read more

Day 3 - Arusha: The Ngarenaro School, Natural History Museum, and Cultural Heritage Center

Image
    We visited Ngarenaro School in Arusha where we met 4th through 6th graders. They were really excited to see us and greeted us with high fives and fist bumps. We visited a classroom and learned about the school.  We were introduced to our classmate Jordana's project with the school to fund their dining hall. We also asked the kids questions about their favorite subject and what they wanted to be when they grew up. Before we left the classroom they sang us a song, it was adorable (see video below). Once we walked outside the kids swarmed us with hugs, high fives, and were eager to ask us for our names and where we were from. It was the most unique experience we have had so far.  After we visited Ngarenaro, we walked through Arusha with tour guides who pointed out significant buildings. The vendors were really friendly and tried to politely get us to buy their products.  Next, we went to a Natural History Museum in Arusha where we learned about the evolution of humans. They had ar
Read more

Day 1 - Arrived safely at Kilimanjaro Airport!

Image
  We arrived safe and sound at Kilimanjaro Airport this evening and had our first Tanzanian meal together at the West Kili Lodge near Arusha. We have been traveling for 20 hours, so early lights out tonight!  Tomorrow we have breakfast at 8:30 and hike around Kilimanjaro.  We are already one mile high in altitude but will start hiking at even higher altitude tomorrow. Hoping for clear weather to see the summit.
Read more