It's been a bit over a week since I got back from my volunteering experience with Maasai Immersion in Tanzania but my heart and mind is still there. Seeking reconnection with myself, I not only found it, but I also got to relive some of the happiest memories from my childhood through the eyes of those kids. I’ve never felt so welcomed in my life as the Makayuni Maasai people welcomed us. I burst into tears of gratitude and happiness just to be there, to join the villagers, and to learn from them. It felt like home. I still miss waking up to the sound of the donkey and kids singing before school starts. They are well prepared for their visitors and you will have the best accommodations and probably one of the best food you've tried in Tanzania! Thank you IVHQ for opening this program and this amazing experience!
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I love the program, but unfortunately, we still dealed with really young people that had no boundaries or respect. Some part of tours were a bit ruined by hearing comments about how disgusting food is (which was not) or just being rude to local people and mocking them. I feel like maybe more awareness or sticker application (because I feel like parents mostly do all the "check" box) might be needed. It was sad as it felt like some of the people were there just for the Instagram or TikTok videos and volunteering and having pictures with African kids is just part of their tourism checkpoints. I know that these countries need support and they can't really deny many applicants as they need money too, but maybe more awareness videos instead of only sharing videos from volunteers on instagrams and TikToks would just a little bit make them think what's okay and what's not. As well as safety while going out. During my experience one girl got stabbed with niddle in the club. Thankfully she wasn't alone and reacted fast, but maybe lots of others wouldn't know how to act in this situation. It's good to keep positivity, but don't forget about reality as well ;)
