The following post features student writing.

As we write, we sit here in our compound sucking on sugar cane we bought at the auction at the end of the church service we went to. Here’s a recap!

Friday

We have continued to work on our project at the school. There has been a lot of visual progress on the project, which is really exciting to see. We started the foundation for the overhang and will start to make the roof to keep the water out of the classroom this week. A few of us got the chance to lead a class in the primary school where we sang some classic songs, including the ABC’s, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” and a hand clapping game. We were all joyously laughing together through these lessons. We have been talking about what community service in a community like this means, and how privileged we are to be able to make this trip. On Friday some of us had our first experiences with hand washing our own clothes. This small task turned out to be an hours-long endeavor. We ended the evening with a history lesson taught by a teacher from the secondary school. She told us all about the history of Tanzania, from the early slave trade, to the merging of Tanganica and Zanzibar to form Tanzania, to the current president, President Magufuli (“The Bulldozer”).

Saturday

Today we did not do work at the school, but we got the chance to go to the nearest city, Arusha. As we arrived in the busy, paved city we pulled up to the Snake Park, and were greeted by a six-foot python (in an enclosed tank, of course). We saw lively crocodiles, and June’s favorite snake, the Green Mamba. All of us that wanted to — some of us facing our fears — got the chance to hold harmless snakes, and even wear them as live necklaces. As we exited the park we entered the Maasai Musuem where we heard all about the Maasai culture. We talked about the differences between our cultures, like circumcision practices and women’s and men’s roles in the community. When leaving the museum we noticed camels, and were eager to ride one, which we all got the chance to do. Next we went to the Maasai market, a place where people have merchandise for sale. We, as travelers, practiced our bargaining skills, which was both a stressful and exciting activity that we all enjoyed. During this day in the city, we were all VERY excited for wifi and power outlets, where we could contact our friends and family. We went to dinner and had traditional Tanzanian barbeque.

Sunday

This morning we got the opportunity to attend church in our villiage. Most of the service was in Swahili, but one of the church members was generous enough to translate part of the service for us. This was a very interesting experience. We learned a lot about the culture and witnessed their unique ways of living with this religion guiding them. We contributed to the offering, surrounded by singing and dancing, happiness filling the room. At the end of the service they held an auction for produce, where we were able to buy and bring home a tikitiki magi (watermelon), sugar cane, and a few other fruits and vegetables. This afternoon we visited a fair trade, organic coffee farm. We were shown the entire process from growing to grinding the beans. We sampled French and medium roast coffee, which we were all very excited about. We were driven home by the incredible, enthusiastic guides. The drive was the high of many people’s week, where we listened to American Top 40 on the radio driving over the very bumpy and dusty dirt roads.

We are all so happy to be here — thanks so much! <3

– Greta & Katie