School Expeditions Return To Tanzania!
It’s only a few weeks ago that Katie Halliburton, Vine Trust’s Volunteer Support Coordinator stepped off the plane back in the UK after an extended visit to Tanzania to oversee the return of our school expeditions programme. Katie worked closely with the team from TAWREF (Tanzanian Women Research Foundation) and was supported by highly experienced Vine Trust volunteer, Doug Gillies to provide an exciting range of impactful experiences and opportunities for school students and teachers. We hope you are encouraged and inspired by the following report on her time in Tanzania:
We are overjoyed to share that our Vine Trust School Expeditions have been back in action for 2024! After several years of pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our UK students have once again travelled to Moshi, Tanzania. This year, we were delighted to reignite our partnership with TAWREF, giving our students a remarkable opportunity to immerse themselves in community development practises.
Side by side with local builders (fundi) and community members, they experienced the vibrant Tanzanian culture and the power of creating lasting change.Giving the students the opportunity to work on-site with the community, families and the fundi not only broke down barriers but also fostered deep, meaningful connections. Our students saw how the homes they were helping to build represented hope, stability, and brighter futures for these families. Witnessing the strength, compassion, and dedication of each student over their two weeks in Tanzania was an absolute honour. Doug Gillies and I were incredibly proud of the impact the students clearly felt but also made - whether by engaging with the local people or sharing joyous moments with the children - the growth in our young people was truly inspiring. Over the month of June, three school expeditions took place, consisting of 58 students and 9 members of teaching staff from various parts of Scotland embarked on this journey. This was made up of Milne’s High School from Fochabers, Perth Grammar School from Perthshire, and Galashiels Academy from the Scottish Borders. From the 4th of June to the 1st of July the students, working under the expertise of the fundi, Elly Kimaro and the TAWREF team, helped to construct 5 homes across the area of Moshi in the beautiful Mount Kilimanjaro region.
Galashiels Academy
Milne's High School
Perth Grammar School
Here are some of highlights of the Vine Trust school expeditions...
Cultural Celebration!
A particular highlight was the partnership dinner and ceilidh, where Scottish and Tanzanian cultures blended beautifully through dance. The evening began with a captivating performance by local dancers, who even invited our leaders to join them on the dance floor. Following a feast of traditional Tanzanian cuisine, our students took the lead in teaching the TAWREF team Scottish country dancing, marking the first Vine Trust Tanzanian ceilidh held in five years! One memorable highlight was a student from Milne’s High School who brought a fiddle and played for the Tanzanian team, creating an unforgettable cultural exchange.
Tree Planting!
Given the critical importance of understanding climate change and educating the next generation about caring for our planet, we were thrilled to include our climate change and tree planting day into our expeditions. This activity featured students from Mwenge Catholic University in Moshi, who presented and discussed the impacts of global warming and climate change on their region in Tanzania. Hearing about the effects first hand helped our students grasp the visible signs of climate change, such as the ever-shrinking snow cap on Mount Kilimanjaro. The activity concluded for all schools with a visit to a much more arid region of Moshi, where they participated in a new reforestation initiative aimed at providing much-needed shelter and shade in areas severely affected by deforestation for fuel. Each student planted five trees in school grounds or along riverbanks. In total, our three school expeditions successfully planted 335 trees over 5 weeks, marking a significant step towards environmental restoration and sustainability.
Immersing in Tanzanian Traditions!
On Sunday afternoons, the students visited the Chagga Caves and Coffee Plantation. They learned about the rich history and customs of the Chagga people, one of the largest tribes in the region. After a long day of exploration, the students observed the entire coffee production process - from 9 picking and de-husking to toasting and grinding the beans - before enjoying a taste of the freshly made coffee. This experience was not only educational, offering insights into Chagga traditions, but also highlighted how many locals make a living through coffee farming and sales.
The final part of each school trip was a Safari organised and run by our fantastic partners, KLM Safaris. This two-day adventure offered students the incredible experience of game drives through the breathtaking landscapes of the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park. Over the course of the three school trips, students had the thrill of spotting all of the Big Five: lions, zebras, elephants, giraffes, and even a leopard!
Empowering Global Citizens: The Impact of Vine Trust School Expeditions...
Before our students embark on their journey to Tanzania, we strive to instil in them a sense of responsibility as global citizens and the importance of becoming advocates for change. Upon reflection after the expeditions, it was evident that the experience itself had a profound impact beyond what our words could convey. Being deeply immersed in the local culture, meeting incredible people, and learning about the work of organisations like TAWREF leaves a lasting impression on our young people, and it has been an honour to be part of this transformative journey. We hope the expedition leaves a lasting mark on our students, who may return home with a newfound passion, a clearer sense of direction, or simply cherished memories.
Here is just some of the amazing feedback we have received from students:
“I’ve enjoyed my time here, I feel like I have found a true purpose in my life, to just help where I can. I showed I can be a leader and take a bit of responsibility and show I can be someone people can always ask for advice and help.”
“This trip has helped me explore different cultures. It has helped me in building new views on life. The trip often made me emotional. I am proud of the work I have done and I hope to experience more of these trips in the future.”
“This trip has changed my view of how we live and given me a completely new perspective of the world. This trip has been great and has made many memories.”
Working in Partnership to Change Lives...
We want to express our gratitude to Dafrosa Itemba, Elly Kimaro and the fantastic team at TAWREF for welcoming us so warmly back to Tanzania, helping to organise and collaborate in making our expeditions such a success. The kindness and passion they show for the work they do across their many projects in the Mount Kilimanjaro region is incredibly inspiring and left a lasting impact on us all.
