This summer, for the fourth time in as many years, a team of ten Habs boys (Adam Newman, Roshan Patel, Aaran Kotecha, Boaz Levy, Sam Grossman, Nat Myers, Josh Steinert, Jay Kaposi, Dylan Dissinayake and Nikhil Amin) and four staff members (Mrs Robson, Mr Gauntlet, Mr Moffat and Mrs Rhys-Brown) spent two weeks in Tanzania in aid of the School’s charity, KidzCare Tanzania.
The first part of the trip was spent in the remote southern villages of Ngonga and Isanga, home to the Red and Orange schools respectively. Following a flight which required us to wake up at 2am and then a three hour minibus trip from the region of Mbeya to the eventual destination of Lake Malawi bordering Ngonga, a group of miserable and hungry boys were enthusiastically greeted by the African children!
The days spent in Ngonga and Isanga were arguably the most rewarding. Our activities ranged from organising a sports day and simply having fun whilst interacting with the children, to leading short classes. The latter of which involved, with the help of a translator, explaining to the children a little about our home country and introducing the younger ones to some English songs such as ‘Head, shoulders, knees and toes’ – which was of course very amusing. We also completed some physical work by helping to paint newly built buildings and erecting fences which had been washed away by the severe flooding from earlier this year.
On returning to Dar es Salaam we spent a few days with the charity’s children’s home near the capital. It was here that we learnt first-hand of some of the horrendous lives the children had lived before being helped by the charity. I feel that this was one of the experiences which helped the team truly understand the value of the charity’s work and the important role our School plays in helping support it. During these days we also helped paint and prepare the charity’s schools near the capital.
One of the reasons that the charity is able to function as well as it does throughout Tanzania is because of the support given by the General of the Tanzanian army, General Davis Mwamunyange. It was our pleasure to be invited into his compound where he showed us great hospitality, allowing us into his boardroom for a period of questions and answers. This was a very special experience for us.
For the last few days of the trip we were rewarded with a short but sweet stay in a beachside resort in Zanzibar. We were able to relax and experience the rich culture of the old town. It was a perfect way to end a highly successful trip.
Thanks to the teaching staff, who ensured that the trip ran smoothly and safely and of course thank you to KidzCare Tanzania charity itself, for the wonderful experience.