What inspired you to travel abroad?
I earned a certificate to teach English as a second language with the plan to travel the world while teaching English to improve the lives of lesser privileged people. English is the universal language for travel as well as for technology, so I wanted to spread opportunities as I experienced life in many different countries.
Why did you choose Give a Heart To Africa?
I was looking for a program to empower women. The students of Give a Heart to Africa had limited education. Some of the students were squatters and others were abused or abandoned wives.
We give these women hope to earn a living and have a better life. I taught English, but other classes offered taught them how to run a business and improve their skills to create items and sell them.
This is Frank dressed in his Maasai clothes with the first book he has ever owned.
What was your favorite part about your host country/city?
I loved Moshi and I enjoyed seeing Kilimanjaro every morning. Moshi is very walkable, but watch out for the cars. However beware, pedestrians do NOT have the right of way, so be careful.
Moshi was also very progressive. I appreciated the connections that the school had with local, growing businesses. This provided opportunities for us to visit resorts and go on day safaris.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
I have never lived in an environment where people were so appreciative of what we would do for them. They did not beg or expect us to give them things or to feed them, but they were most appreciative when we did anything for them and they more than repaid us by guiding us through their wonderful country.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The staff were great. I appreciated the 24 hour security guards. One man, named Frank, was particularly dear. He was trying hard to improve his English, so I taught him mini lessons of what I had presented to the women.
One night, he heard me sick and knocked on my window and the door until he was sure that I was alright. I gave him the first book that he had ever owned when I left. He wanted me to take a picture of him with it. I agreed to do it if he would wear his Maasai robes and I treasure that picture to this day.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish that I had planned to stay longer. Visas were only issued for three months at that time (I don't know if that is still the case), but you could leave for a weekend visit to another country and then return to get a new visa. I wish that I had done that because three months was not enough time to enjoy loving those women.
Caught a glimpse of a pride of gorgeous Serengeti Lions while out exploring one day.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
In the morning I showered and got ready for the day, by filling the water filter bucket so we had potable water for the day. Then, I would listen for the happy sounds of the women arriving to clean the grounds (their only payment for the program). They were so happy to be there!
Then, I taught a rotation of three different levels of English. One afternoon, I taught "extra tuition", which provided extra help for students who were struggling in the English class.
On Fridays, we visited a student's home. One of the resident translators went with us so we didn't get lost. One student was particularly pleased to welcome me to her room and took my hand to lead me there. I spent a great deal of time preparing three different lesson plans and in addition, created a mini library of visual aids and teaching games.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
One day, we took a short safari to Arusha National Park that was arranged by one of the local contacts that the school had "adopted". There was a tourism fair presented on the university grounds next to the building, which was a wonderful opportunity to learn about what Tanzania wants to show to the rest of the world.
We visited other projects such as project recycling, hospitality schools, local restaurants, local charities and shops. One of the school's prior students had opened a spa, Lala Salama, so we went there for massages and pedicures. There was more to do than I had time to do it!
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
There were three bedrooms, each with bunk beds. We shared a bathroom, so we scheduled our shower time. The school had very specific, safe taxi drivers who we could call. We would make appointments with them and they always showed up on time and treated us with great respect. We also had a lady who would clean the house five days a week and would wash our clothes for a small fee.
I enjoyed seeing the natural beauty while walking in Arusha National Park!
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Expect to do a lot of walking in hot weather over VERY ROUGH roads. Rains can come up without notice, so be prepared.
Make sure that you start your malaria medicine before you get here. The medication does not always agree with people, so also bring insect repellent, however, you can buy a very effective alternative product in Tanzania.
There are a couple of places to purchase groceries in town, but don't expect to find the kind of variety that you see in the western world. By the way, what we call cashews, they call cash nuts and they are grown in Tanzania.
Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?
Absolutely, I would recommend it, but only if you want to be totally dedicated to giving to these women. Some of the volunteers with whom I crossed trails there only came for selfish reasons and were a drain on the rest of us.
Don't go if you just want to put some volunteer work on your resume, but really only want to be there for social reasons. That attitude puts a damper on the whole campus.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
I strongly believe that all young people can benefit from a gap year traveling and learning abroad. I wish that I had had that opportunity earlier in my life. My mind was so broadened by experiencing life in Europe, South America, Indonesia, Thailand, Great Britain and especially Tanzania.
Don't go just for entertainment. Go for life learning experiences. This was especially evident in Moshi, Tanzania, which is a gateway to some of the paths to Kilimanjaro.
I saw too many "westerners" behave badly there. I think that they missed the whole point of travel. Go to learn and gain new experiences. Don't try to prove to yourself that you are superior to the country that you are visiting.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I just want to keep traveling. The pandemic put a real damper on my courage to travel and it has taken me quite awhile to find that again.
I miss the stimulation of new environments as well as the study preparation before I go. I have recently scheduled three trips and can hardly wait to go!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Travel is for enhancing your mind, not just entertaining your body. Go to learn, explore, connect, communicate, understand, experience, appreciate, give, volunteer, love, be aware, and be curious.
