10th July – Departure
At 3 am yesterday morning, we began our journey by coach, heading to London airport to catch our first flight. So far, we have completed two flights, totalling around 10 hours in the air. In between flights, we’ve spent many more hours in airports, awaiting the next leg of our journey. These times have been nice for bonding, as we’ve had the freedom to roam in smaller groups, explore, and grab some breakfast if we wished. Although the flights have been tough due to tiredness, the anticipation for our trip is growing, and our excitement is increasing.
Currently, I’m with the team in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), all wrapped up in blankets and neck pillows, waiting for our next flight, which will be an additional three hours—hopefully starting with some breakfast. Earlier, Sara and I stepped outside in Tanzania for the first time, and the sunrise was just visible through the palm trees, which was breathtaking.
10th July – Arrival
After hours of waiting for our last flight, we had breakfast at a lovely restaurant, all seated together at one big table in the airport. We then visited a gift shop, where I bought the first of many Tanzanian football shirts for $28. We also did the first half of Sara’s group transition TikTok, which some nearby shopkeepers spontaneously joined, adding a fun touch. Finally, we boarded our last flight! The planes have been getting progressively smaller, with this being the smallest yet, though ironically, it caused me the least travel sickness. We took off quickly, and Mat and Aunt tried to capture a time-lapse of the take-off through the heavily scuffed windows. The turbulence was actually quite fun, making my stomach jump like on a rollercoaster.
Before landing, I caught my first glimpse of Kigoma and instantly fell in love. I saw houses like old hats, some without roofs, farms, and lots of reddish sand. Our arrival was made special by a group of students from a nearby school waving at us from afar, nearly bringing many of us to tears. The airport was incredibly tiny: we just had our passports checked at the door and then collected our bags in a little hut. We then travelled in a cute yellow school bus with our designated driver and the incredible Salvitory and Noel, who accompanied us on the trip.
Finally, we reached our first accommodation. During the drive, we got our first real look at the community, observing the old bumpy roads, women balancing various items on their heads, the chaotic roads, farming activities, and people waving at us, likely puzzled by our unusually vibrant bus. The accommodation is lovely and modern compared to what we have seen so far. I’m sharing a room with Sara, Ellie, and Ocean. After realising we had finally made it to Tanzania, we changed and headed to the beachfront to admire the huge lake.
11th July – First School Visit
Morning: We woke up to Miss Baynham-Williams knocking on our door at 7:30 am. After getting dressed, we headed down for breakfast, where we had a Tanzanian pancake called chapati and some ginger tea. We then walked to the school.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by students holding signs with our names on them, which was incredibly touching. My guide, Kareb, a 19-year-old, led me to the staff room, where we were warmly welcomed by the teachers. We had a formal introduction in a debate-style setup, where we each stood up, said our names, ages, and favourite subjects.
Outside on the school grounds, the students sang their school song in a beautifully inspiring way, and they even sang “Happy Birthday” to Jed, who was turning 16, which moved many of us to tears.
We toured the school, visiting classrooms, the playground, and the area where they grow fruits—I even tried one. We also saw some cows, which was a pleasant surprise. In the school hall, the students performed traditional dances, which was a joyful experience. The boys in our group sang “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys, and we all joined in, dancing with the students.
We then played sports; I joined the girls in netball while the boys played football. While waiting for the boys to finish, we introduced the students to games like Duck Duck Goose and What’s the Time Mr Wolf. They also taught us a wholesome game.
After sports, we had a final gathering to say our goodbyes. We exchanged phone numbers, took photos, and though saying goodbye was difficult, the memories of the day made it easier.
12th July – The Orphanage
Today, we woke up at 6:30 am, had breakfast, and packed our bags for the journey to the orphanage in Kasulu. The bumpy two-hour drive was long, but we finally arrived, nervous about what to expect.
As we entered, we saw the staff with little children, playing and sitting on picnic blankets. We introduced ourselves, and a little girl came and sat on my lap, which made introducing myself a bit tricky but funny. We then interacted with the children on the floor—it was heartwarming to see everyone so naturally gifted at caring for them.
I asked to hold a baby, who fell asleep on my lap while clutching a teddy and my finger. We then took the babies inside for feeding time, where I fed a baby for the first time, which was a really special moment. Mr Round and Miss Ward captured the moment with photos.
Later, we played a parachute game, and I met a little girl named Kovita (or “baby Kaci”), who loved being carried. She called me “Mumma,” which made everyone smile with a touch of bittersweetness.
After more playtime, we had lunch and chatted before touring the orphanage. I carried a tiny toddler on my back during the tour, which was lovely. Back in the main area, Kovita got jealous when I held another child, so I ended up with one in each arm. Saying goodbye was tough. I held Kovita, said my goodbyes, and as we left, she waved at me through the gates, which was heartbreaking.
We then travelled to the Bishop’s compound, where I am currently journaling from. The girls have a separate building from the boys and teachers, which is spacious and ideal for our week-long stay. Dinner was lovely, and we met the local Christian church community team. I just finished a shower, which involved using a bucket of water heated by a kettle—a challenging but unique experience.
13th July – Our Visit
Some students from various schools visited us at the Bishop’s compound. We started the day with breakfast, exchanging greetings despite the language barrier, which made the first interaction a bit awkward, though expected. While eating chapati and omelette, we attempted small talk to break the ice. Although the students didn’t reciprocate much, we understood that responding in English might be difficult for them. However, they did speak some English, as it is taught in Tanzanian schools.
After breakfast, we played icebreaker games. We stood in a circle, introducing ourselves with a word that described us, followed by games like “Splat,” “Red Light, Green Light,” and Ellie’s balloon game, where we paired up to run with a balloon between our backs.
Next, we played board games in smaller groups. The Bishop’s four-year-old son, Alisha (whom we called Baby Bishop), joined us, and I ended up playing with him and the leftover balloons. We then took the girls to their house so they could use the toilets, while we topped up on sun cream and mosquito spray. They found this amusing, but we explained the necessity of sun cream to avoid getting burnt.
While waiting to leave, I shared mints with them as they had never tried one before, but their funny faces suggested they didn’t enjoy it much. We showed them pictures on our phones, giving them a glimpse into our daily lives, which highlighted the differences between our lives and theirs. Baby Bishop also returned, and I showed him Snapchat filters, which made him giggle.
13th July – The Market
We visited the market, which was an extraordinary experience. The bustling environment and the constant stares made us feel like celebrities. I bought an ice cream that tasted like Ferrero Rocher and found a body spray labelled “WhatsApp,” which we found hilarious. We wandered through narrow alleys filled with shops, an experience beyond words.
That night, we had dinner in the pagoda, prepared by us students. Without the usual assistance from the local women, we mostly had bread, jam, fruits, and crisps since we lacked cooking utensils. As it got dark, we played music and danced. I tried a peanut butter and jam sandwich for the first time and loved it. We ended the night reflecting on the past two days in the girls’ living room, where I also recorded an interview video about my experience at the orphanage.
14th July – Church
I woke up early at 6 a.m. to join a workout session with Miss Ward, Mr Round, Mr Eglin, and Sara. The sunrise was beautiful, and after half an hour, we returned to our rooms to prepare for church. Breakfast was mandazi (small doughnuts) and a boiled egg. The bus to the church felt like a sauna, but I was eager to experience the service, having heard much about their way of worship.
As we arrived, a large crowd surrounded the partially finished church. The children were especially excited, touching our hair, skin, and acrylic nails. The music was loud and intense, adding to the surreal atmosphere. Inside, the church was surprisingly impressive despite its exterior. We sat three rows from the front, with students translating for us.
When the service began, the Bishop, whom we often see casually, appeared in his official robes, making us realise how privileged we were to be so close to such an important figure. The traditional Tanzanian dancing and gospel singing were uplifting and contagious, so much so that a few of us joined in the dancing. The service was long, over four hours, and although it became tiring, the lively dancing and singing kept us engaged.
At the end, we were invited to the front to introduce ourselves and take a photo with the Bishop. Though I was nervous, the warm and non-judgemental crowd comforted me. After the service, a woman asked to take a selfie with me, making me feel like a celebrity. We had lunch in a small hall before returning to the bus, where we waved goodbye to the crowd. That evening, we watched the Euro final between England and Spain at the Bishop’s house, an honour in itself. Sadly, England lost.
15th July – All Girls’ School Visit
We began our visits to five schools with Mavuno Girls’ Secondary School. The day was lovely, starting with the girls singing a welcome song for us by the Tanzanian flag. I joined a biology lesson with Mr Samrai and Josh, where we were warmly welcomed with another song. The lesson was engaging, and I even answered one of the retrieval questions.
After lunch, we attended a talent show where the students performed dances, poetry, and songs. We also sang “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys, encouraging the students to join us in dancing. It turned into a fun dance party. Afterwards, we played netball and football, surrounded by the girls, who were fascinated by our hair and nails.
At the end of the day, the students presented us with gifts, including replicas of their school uniform and a pineapple. This was possibly my favourite school visit yet. After dinner, we were given our phones back, as the internet had been down, allowing us to message our families and friends for 30 minutes.
18th July – Baraka School
We didn’t have time for entries on previous days due to busy schedules.
The day started with an unusual breakfast of rice balls, which I didn’t particularly enjoy, but there were also boiled eggs. Charlie found a baby chick with a hurt wing, and we took care of it before heading to the school. Baraka School was much larger and more modern than the previous one, with various facilities including chicken coops, cows, a student shop, and a pig pen. I even got to hold a baby piglet!
In the art class, we painted flowers with mud and water, and played hangman. The students were shy at first but eventually warmed up to us. Later, we joined the drama class, where they were learning our song “One Day.” The atmosphere was lively, with lots of dancing and singing.
We spent time talking with small groups of students, taking photos, and playing sports, including rounders and football. The day ended with a dinner of pasta, which everyone appreciated as a break from the usual rice dishes.
19th July – Primary School
I woke up at 6:30 a.m. for the morning workout before getting ready for the day. As student leaders, myself, Taidhg, and Jed prepared the kit for our visit to the primary school. Upon arrival, we were greeted by students in scout uniforms who presented us with scout scarves. Their welcoming ceremony, including singing, was incredibly cute and heartwarming.
We introduced ourselves and taught lessons in art, where we guided the children in drawing and colouring flowers. The students were enthusiastic, and we played games like Pictionary and hangman. Afterwards, we were given gifts, including a T-shirt and cake, by the school.
We then played games with the children, such as musical chairs and tug of war. After lunch, which included chips, we made paper cranes with stickers and gave them to the students. As we left, we took photos and exchanged high-fives and fist bumps. Back at the Bishop’s compound, we continued to fuss over Baby Bishop. I visited a small shop, where I bought chocolate, biscuits, and a mango smoothie. We also handed out sweets and doughnuts to local children.
21st July – Departure
I woke up at 3 a.m. to my phone alarm, which forced me out of bed and through the mosquito netting (which I won’t miss). I packed my remaining items into Ocean and Sara’s suitcase as I had to return the Bishop’s suitcase that I borrowed. Some of us felt unwell, but we soon recovered.
We set off on a two-hour bus journey to the airport. After arriving and passing through security, we flew to Dar es Salaam for a 24-hour stay. The hotel exceeded my expectations, with a beautiful view, a beach nearby, and two pools. After changing into our swimsuits, we had brunch at the beach, swam in the sea, and relaxed at the private pool.
That evening, we had dinner at a beach bar with a DJ and a dance floor. I danced with Sara, and more people joined in. I enjoyed pasta that tasted like pizza, and later, I taught everyone how to flip coasters from the table, which was amusing. Before bed, I stood on the balcony, taking in the view of the sunset, feeling grateful for the entire experience.
This trip was more than I could have ever asked for. It was perfect in every way, and I am immensely grateful to everyone who made it possible. I have learned, laughed, and most importantly, had a lot of fun.
