Tanzania

My time in Tanzania will be unforgettable.  Every day I woke up and I was able to experience Tanzania through someone else eyes.   On July 14, 2015 I saw Tanzania through Benard’s eyes.  His life is hard, yet he is motivated to learn and always try’s his best.  I was fortunate enough to teach Benard and help him further his skills in multiplying fractions.  On our home visit with him he was smiling and making us laugh the whole time.  I am so thankful that I got to meet and teach Benard because he is an extraordinary human being.

About halfway through the trip on July 19, 2015 we embarked on a cultural excursion to a Maasai Boma (village).  I was able to see the African bush through their eyes.  To me I saw a vast landscape with little to offer, but to them it was a lush thriving wilderness full of opportunity.  The Maasai are inspiring because they continue to live by and follow their traditions in such a modern world.  I can’t say how amazing it is to meet a tribe that has been around for hundreds of years.  The Maasai are honest, humble, and full of wonder which inspires me to always be true to myself.

I always knew when I was getting close to LOAMO because we would make a turn and from there it was a straight shot to the school.  Upon arriving I would head straight to my classroom.  The students would say hello and then sit in their seats excited to learn.  Teaching the students was the most challenging aspect of this trip because not only did I have to be confident, but I would have to be prepared for anything that came my way.  Every night our group would prepare lesson plans for the following day whether we would use them or not.  While I was teaching, the students were focused on absorbing every ounce of knowledge possible because school is all the kids have to work for.  The students taught me that you always want to give 110% everyday no matter what because you may only have one opportunity.

When people say “Africa”, I think about the large mammals that live here.  On July 26, 2015 we departed on a safari.  We traveled to Tarangire National Park.  I am amazed at how pristine and untouched the park is.  Every animal I saw filled me with joy and excitement.  Seeing lions, zebras, elephants and so many more animals is exhilarating because these creatures live in the wild and are free to roam.  Each animal I saw was as pure as the land surrounding them.  These magnificent creatures have showed me that everything needs to be treated equally to maintain balance not just within ourselves but with everyone around us.

I am going to miss the relaxing vibe that Tanzania expels.  Every day I am calm and relaxed.  The people here are so kind and friendly that I always feel safe as if I am at home.  Whenever I travel to a new country have no worries, just pure excitement surging through my body.  The people have taught me that relaxing allows the mind to think freely without worry.  I’m disappointed that my time here in Tanzania is limited, but I will never forget the people I met, the experiences I had, and the lives that were changed.

An Amazing Country

Tanzania is incredible! There are four different elements of Tanzania that leave me in awe. Kindness is one of the most amazing aspects of this country. Everyone is so friendly and kind. As you drive down the street people will look at you, but if you smile and wave they will smile back. When you go to someones home you are offered tea and bread. In Tanzania it's disrespectful to say no so you must accept. You eat knowing that the food you just ate might have been their dinner. They are so happy to have you in their home. I'm so intrigued that the people that have so little give so much.



Tanzania has an amazing landscape unlike anything else. You go from lush jungles, to vast savanahs, to gigantic mountains. The land in Tanzania is so diverse and spectacular.  On our first day we went to the Tanzania Cultural Heratige Center in Arusha and yet everywhere you would look you could see dense jungle. Rising out of the jungle was a massive 14,000ft mountain called Mt. Meru. This mountain was gigantic, I was stunned in amazment. Seeing and understanding the landscape really makes you appreciate the people that live here.



Culture is a major aspect of Tanzania and its tribes. One of the most famous are the Maasai. This tribe has thrived in Africa for hundereds of years. They are now permentaly living in Tanzania and Kenya. This element of Tanzania inspires me because this group of people have continued to live traditionaly even in modern times. Some of todays modern tools such as phones, aluminium bowls, and cups are used by the Maasai for convenience. I respect the Maasai for being a very pure and traditional group of people. They care for large amounts of livestock such as cows, sheep, and goats. They obtain the majority of their food from the livestock and the rest from plants found in the African bush. Being surrounded by modern conveniences such as cars and portable gas stoves, the Maasai have continued to uphold their traditional ways of life.



The students are the most important aspect of this country because they are the future of Tanzania. Everyday the students arrive at LOAMO with a smile on their face. They are so eager and motivated to soak up every peice of knowledge that they can get. Every student is excited to learn and try their best. When I teach the kids I feel a sense of pride because I am teaching the future of Tanzania.



The country of Tanzania is very relaxed and never in a rush. It provides a feeling of safety as if you were at home. I have never been unsure or scared because everything seems very natural. Tanzania is an incredible country full of wonder and culture, but at the same time it feels like home.