Tanzania: Heart & Soul of Kilimanjaro Program for Teens

Why did you decide to participate in a service learning program with GLA in Tanzania?

Mary: I decided to participate in a service learning program with GLA in Tanzania because I loved everything that the program had to offer. I was particularly attracted to the service aspect. GLA gave me the opportunity to teach children English as they taught me about myself.

I also chose this program because I wanted to experience a new culture, not just visit it. I was given the opportunity to see how locals live their daily lives, and how the traditional Maasai tribe lived from the land.

To me, this trip seemed like I would have a blast because of all the pictures and videos from it that I saw. Before I went, I could not wait to get there. Now that I have returned, there is not a day I don’t wish I could go back.

What made this program experience unique and special?

Mary: This program was unique and special to me because I experienced an entire different part of our world, and it was incomparable from the life that I am used to. I met lifelong friends from around the world whom I still talk to almost daily. Every person I met was like-minded in our goals and aspirations, yet unique in character.

They made me feel welcome from the moment we all met at the airport. With all of my new friends, I had the experience of a lifetime. Together we saw herds of wildebeests and zebras walking in the distance, elephants crossing our path, lionesses sleeping next to our vehicle, and monkeys stealing chips out of our cars.

In addition to a weekend on safari, we spent a weekend with the Maasai tribe. After spending hours driving down a bumpy, dirt road to the middle of nowhere, we finally arrived at the Maasai village. We were welcome with beads, song, and dance.

After staying up all night with the warriors, we went on a long hike through the land. Besides our weekend excursions, the majority of our time was spent in Rau Village. This was truly special because we were able to spend the day with a family and learn how they live life, which is so differently from the way I live.

Communication was difficult because some family members spoke little English, but we took the challenge of speaking without words. To me, this program is so unique because it gives you the freedom to have an open mind and be yourself. Being in Tanzania with GLA has given me much more self confidence. This trip is a life changing chance that should not be missed.

What was the best moment of the entire trip?

Mary: The best moment of the entire trip was the night with the Maasai tribe. The evening began with a bonfire and pictures by the sunset. We began to dance and jump with the warriors as they sang and yelled strange noises.

They put traditional cloth on each of us and gave us beaded collars and bracelets. We all laughed at our crazy dance moves and tiny jumps compared to the Maasai men.

The sun slowly went down until it was night time. I cannot begin to explain the amount of stars seen that night. We could see the entire Milky Way, it was beyond beautiful. Other than the glow from a town in the distance, I felt so disconnected from my daily hectic life.

I was with my best friends and the Maasai tribe and that was all I needed. I felt complete. We sat around the fire as a friend sang some of her songs. Then a warrior told some strange story that no one really understood, but we all laughed anyways.

As the night got later, we pulled our sleeping bags out from our tents to gaze at the wondrous stars above us. We knew there were probably lions and other wild animals not too far from us, but we never felt safer.

Tell me about one person you met.

Mary: One person I met that really impacted my trip was my mentor, Jenny, a member of the GLA Tanzania team. Almost every night, our large group would split into two smaller groups called mentor groups. They each had one leader. Jenny was the leader of my group.

She is the most adventurous and down-to-earth person I have ever met. Jenny encouraged me to always say what I feel and to dare to be different. She is accepting of all people and constantly looks for the best in others.

I am inspired by her nonstop traveling and the way she pursues her dreams without giving up. She has led me by example to do what I love. We share common interests of our love for traveling and service for others.

In our mentor groups, we often sat under the stars and monkeys in the trees and talked about things like poverty, stereotypes, and anything else that came to mind.

One night in our mentor group, we each had to say one good thing about every person in the circle. I loved this activity that Jenny led because it helped me remember to always see the positive in others, and in myself.

How has this experience impacted your future?

Mary: Professionally, this trip has helped me build a fairly clear path toward my career choice. I have decided to major in International Studies in college so I can pursue my traveling dreams.

I plan to minor in Spanish while taking other language classes on the side because I have always desired the ability to communicate with all people. GLA helped me make these decisions because they taught me to follow the path that I love, even if it is the path less traveled by.

Personally, this trip has impacted my future because I am a more open-minded and confident individual. I have learned to be myself, and I know this trait will carry on with me for the rest of my life.