Raleigh Tanzania: once in a life time experience

I had heard about Raleigh from a friend and at the time was feeling like i was stuck in a routine, unsure if my course at university was right for me and whether i was on the right path. I had never traveled before and Raleigh provided a safe environment in which i could fully immerse myself in the rich culture of a developing country while doing good and giving me the chance to isolate myself safely and figure out what i wanted.
Arrival couldn't have been more welcoming! A large number of people who had never met and came from such diverse backgrounds bonded instantly. I had never felt so comfortable in such a strange new environment. We were immediately introduced to the rich Tanzanian culture as well as being made very aware of the poverty and the situations the locals had to deal with on a day to day basis.
My expedition was split into three phases: Trek, Environmental and Community phases. Both the environmental and community phases involved being immersed in the community, teaching in schools, going to support groups. In my particular phases we focused on building an early learning centre for a community that would allow the children to learn and a safe place for the community to hold support groups. I was also a part of a group that constructed beehives around the perimeter of farms that aid in diverting elephants from the framers crops. Both projects although they seem simple impact the community in so many amazing ways.
The trek is simply that, a 200Km trek with everything you need on your back, i can truly say this was one of the most mentally and physically challenging tasks i have every taken on and really gave me a chance to find myself and discover that i was in fact on the right path at home and i was so grateful for what i had and where i was.
Raleigh International provide safe expeditions where you can explore, be truly free, and learn about life in the most inspiring and beautiful way possible. It let me discover who i was and opened my eyes to true poverty, illness and hard work. It has inspired me to become a better person and help, even if it is the most simple ways it can have a huge impact.