AMAZING

Along with 25 other volunteers, I arrived on the island of Zanzibar, a part of the country of Tanzania, to immerse ourselves in the local culture and leave a positive impact within the community. We had the opportunity to learn the rich history of Kairo and the island of Zanzibar as a whole. Previously, Tanzania was split into two countries, Tanginika and Zanzibar. When their governments merged together, the country of Tanzania was formed. Life on the island looks a little different than on the mainland, but that doesn’t take away from the beauty of the land and it’s people.
The past two weeks have been full of hauling rubble (gravel), mixing cement, clearing brush, and teaching English and computer skills to the citizens of Kairo. As a group, our main goal was to finish the stage being built in the new testing center at the local elementary school, as well as clear ground for a new computer lab to be built (which future volunteers will continue to work on until it is completed!) The school can then use the stage for local events and make an income towards school fundings. The computer lab will be used for the GIVE tutoring program, since they currently use the elementary school’s computer room. Right now, my group is beginning our two-day water & land safari before we all fly home (U.S., Canada, & Australia!) and the second volunteer group of the summer is arriving on the island to take over where we left off!
The impact this opportunity has left on my life is immeasurable. Along the way, I got to learn some of the Swahili language (not spoken anywhere else in the world!!) and try so many local food dishes. Being able to experience first-hand the living conditions in Tanzania was life-changing, and seeing how genuinely happy the citizens are means so much more. This experience has proven that materialistic things cannot create happiness, but the people we surround ourselves with.
Speaking of the people, the citizens of Kairo are some of the kindest people I have ever gotten the pleasure of meeting. There was never a time when someone would pass you on the street without offering the greeting “Mambo!” (Hello!) with a smile on their faces. Each of our students were so eager to learn. They would show up to class early everyday and ASK for homework. It was so inspiring to watch them grow in their education and openness to our teaching.
The people I met along the way were just as inspiring. From my fellow volunteers to the local staff and guides, each one of them had the purest hearts and biggest aspirations. I’ll miss the daily laughs we shared and each unique personality of the local staff members who never failed to put a smile on my face. The relationships that I have built with them have been incredibly hard to leave behind, knowing there is a slim chance I will see any of them again.
I am incredibly thankful to GIVE Volunteers for offering me this incredible opportunity, the positive impact they are making all over the world is truly amazing, and I am so blessed to have been able to be a small part it. I highly recommend looking into their efforts of leaving our home better than before, there are so many ways to participate.