Tanzania 2010
Last May and June, our humanitarian group Tanzania 2010 finally
completed our 4 year long venture with a journey to Karatu, Tanzania.
The highlight of the trip was meeting the children,
teachers, and community members of Qaru Lambo and Gilala elementary
schools. These were the two schools for which we had raised the
funds to provide rainwater harvesting tanks. They proudly showed
us the fruits of our combined labours. The community members were
expected to contribute time, labour, and resources to build the
infrastructure for the tanks, while we provided the money for the actual
materials. The schools set up water management committees with
student members responsible for keeping the drinking and hand washing stations
filled from the main concrete collection tanks. Our funds also
provided improved pit latrines for the female students, which may not have
seemed luxurious to us but are seen as a very empowering stride towards gender
equality for the Tanzanian students.
During our visit, KE students played many games with our
hosts, who were thrilled with the duffel bags of sports equipment we left with
them. The Tanzanian children were amazed to see that Canadian
girls play soccer as it’s a boys’ sport over there. They also
gamely tried out the Frisbees and were delighted to show off their jump-rope
skills. Together we planted about 200 fruit trees around the
schools which will provide food for the children in a few short years.
We were treated like royalty – welcomed, feasted, entertained, and
honoured with tokens of appreciation such as Masai blankets and handmade
sandals.
Our experiences in Africa included visits to farmers,
clinics, villages, art centres, markets, and an amazing afternoon spent with
UMATU – a group of fascinating women educating their community about
HIV/AIDS. We also had the opportunity to partake in an
unforgettable safari through the Serengeti to see magnificent animals, a walk
through the lush rainforest, and a “hike” on majestic Mount
Kilimanjaro.
The students who worked hard on this project were unanimous in their
final impressions – it was completely amazing and in many ways,
life-changing. Our partner organization CPAR provided us with many
unforgettable experiences and a glimpse of the many great projects they have
underway. Hopefully we will find a way to be involved with some of
these ventures in the future. Thanks to the staff of KEC and our
community for their support over the past four years – you can’t imagine the
difference we have made!
kectanzania2010.blogspot.ca
