Jambo! This past March Break 24 Crestwood Students and 4 teachers traveled to Arusha Tanzania, in partnership with Me to We and Free the Children. Students and teachers spent 10 life-changing days in the Masaai Mara, learning about and working with the Masaai people of Engutukoiti.
The week started with a Masaai warrior guided safari. Elephants, ostriches, warthogs, baboons, impalas and monkeys enchanted students from afar, and close up. Lunch in the presence of monkeys is a bit of an adventure in itself: keep an eye on your things! Students camped and lived outside in the gorgeous Tanzanian outback nestled between Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro. There were challenging days spent at a school in Engutukoiti where students dug and constructed the foundation for a new school classroom. Students were rewarded by getting to meet the teachers, parents and especially children of the community in a large celebration full of games, songs and new friendships. The students learned how to bead jewelry with the Masaai mamas and how to smear (repair a house using a mixture of cow dung, sand and ash) a home in one of their bomas (family settlement). One of the toughest and most rewarding moments was the “water walk”, where, with guidance from the mamas, students carried water from the local source, the closest Boma. This
One of the toughest and most rewarding moments was the “water walk”, where, with guidance from the mamas, students carried water from the local source, the closest Boma. This 2-mile walk is one which young women in the community have to do several times a day. Students tested their strength and skill during Masaai warrior training and nature walks. Learning how to shoot a bow and arrow, throw a conga and learning which trees were used for medicine or tooth picks brought a whole new meaning to experiential learning. Another highlight was a trip to the local market, where students had the task of buying certain items with the income of a Tanzanian family. Students were welcomed by, learned from and bartered with locals in the bustling, colourful market in preparation for their final celebration with the staff and community members who they had shared so much with. Dancing, laughing, and a bit of crying ended an emotional, educational and exciting experience that educators and students will remember for a lifetime.
