Challenges

We were privileged to visit one of the many places set up to assist children in need in Tanzania. Amani Children’s Home was set up in 2001 to care for some of the many kids roaming the streets of Moshi - in need of food shelter and love.

The building we arrived at is one that has developed from the efforts of a dedicated band of local Tanzanians, who recognised the needs of destitute street children and hoped to give them some hope in their lives. It has grown from humble beginnings - just a room acting as a drop in centre, to a building which houses and educates between 70 to 90 children at any given time. By providing for the basic needs of these children it aims to put them back on their feet, get them back in touch with family life (if appropriate), teach them basic life skills and ’offer a chance of a lifetime’.

Our tour including viewing the classrooms (in which students were proudly sitting in their bright purple and grey uniforms), the dormitories, the health clinic, kitchen and dining area and the expansive playground area - now fully grassed and with lots of shelter about.

It wasn’t long before a game of soccer began on the oval, and visiting students were definitely challenged by the skills of local students. The audience of non-players watched enthusiastically, until distracted by the sharing of smiles, photos and other games. Arm-wrestle challenges occurred, somersaults were performed and simple games quickly filled the afternoon, till sadly we had to leave.

Quiet reflection occurred on the bus trip back to ISM, as we considered the fortunes of the students in Amani - blessed to be cared for but part of a cycle of poverty facing many others in countries such as Tanzania. We were able to take away with us a few souvenirs - in the form of T-shirts, cards and booklets which help to support the organisation. We also have a link to their web site which gives a more complete story about what Amani stands for and aims to manage with help in the future: http://www.amanikids.org/ (Watch the video for more information.)

Have a look at this link for more information and consider how you might be able to support this organisation yourself! Often so little can mean so much…

The next part of our journey included a sobering visit to the ICTR - the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

Between April and June 1994, an estimated 800,000 Rwandans were killed in the space of 100 days. The ICTR  was set up in November 1994 by the United Nations Security Council in order to contribute to the process of national reconciliation in Rwanda and to the maintenance of peace in the region. It aims to accomplish this via the prosecution of persons responsible for genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of Rwanda.

During our visit we were able to witness part of a murder trial which involved the prosecution of Fr. Hormisdas Nsengimana who was formerly the rector of Christ-Roi College in Nyanza. Nsengimana was arrested March 21, 2002 in Cameroon. He is charged on three counts of Genocide, murder and extermination as crimes against humanity. He pleaded not guilty on all counts, and his trial continued while we were visiting. (Details of the case can be viewed at the ICTR site with Case Minutes provided. Another source of information is also found at Trial Watch which gives further background detail.)

After viewing part of the trial, an informative video explaining the function of the ICTR in Arusha was shown, and we were then addressed by a spokesperson for the organisation regarding its work and future operations. It was an impressive visit which showed yet another side of the African landscape which is often disregarded by our western culture - racial conflict on an extraordinary scale. (The ICTR has an interesting component to its site which includes a virtual tour of the complex.)

Another challenging site for information on this catastrophic event is Kigali Genocide Memorial - built on a site where over 250,000 people are buried. These graves are a clear reminder of the cost of ignorance, and the web site aims to grieve the losses of many and educate the world beyond these acts of violence.

There is a lot of literature available both online and in book publications, about the Rwanda massacre and its effects in the region. ‘Hotel Rwanda’ is probably the most popularly recognised film which has spawned many others. Books such as ‘Bishop of Rwanda’ by John Rucyahana and James Riordan, and
‘Life Laid Bare: The Survivors in Rwanda Speak’ by Jean Hatzfeld and Linda Coverdale are among the many written to try to make sense of, or to help learn from this event.

Are there others you have read or film or web sites that you would recommend to others?

If you visited the ICTR what impact did it make on you?

What an amazing view from the top!

It took a while - longer for some than others, but we made it from the gate of the national park, along the mountain trail to the first hut, Miriakamba, in reasonable time. After an overnight, we set off the next day to Saddle Hut and the path became even more challenging. Though some experienced doubts about finally getting there, teamwork overcame these issues and we had an early night and all got ready for a early morning climb.

The early start was worth it, as we were able to witness the sunrise over Mt Kilimanjaro - a wash of majestic colours from our Creator surrounding the towering mountain in the distance.

There will be many photos to delight those at home with views from Rhino Point - I hope they will truly reflect the feelings of achievement, companionship and great spirit that we felt through out the climb, and this too will remain with this hardy bands of trekkers for a lifetime .

(Could someone tell Mum to stop worrying now?)

Service work began on Monday at a local primary school to help in the building of a couple of classrooms.  It was here we experienced the great contrasts in our cultures and lifestyles. It was many hands on deck, and teamwork for all the activities which were all done with great gusto and lots of laughter.

Muscles have been discovered that we didn’t know we all had, and strengths we didn’t know about, have come to the fore also.

Most work included movement - of bricks, of sand, of gravel, of rocks. Equipment is basic but useful, and in reasonably good supply. Lots of reuse and sharing of tools - with some learning to use a pick and hoe and shovel for the first time, and using them with great effort.

It was good to stand back and see the results after a period of time - even though we felt it was taking forever to achieve anything at the time.

What was even better was when the kids of the school joined our lines and helped. Then games were played and faces were expressive, as laughter was shared across the cultures. Language lessons eased the tedium of the manual labour and time passed quickly.

A soccer game on the second day proved really popular, and the speed of the local students was amazing.

Can you also imagine a spontaneous game of ‘Duck, duck, goose’ with a wide circle of beaming faces - both ours and theirs? (This in the midst of the soccer field - where the macarena was also taught….) Locals were good at catching, and tried so hard to do their fastest run around the circle. Little acrobats showed how they could somersault, and we also tried a few cartwheels to match them.

Days of hard yakka and thoughtful reflection. Satisfied but weary faces at days end. Teamwork and laughter shines through. Friendships firmed across cultures and within the travelling group. This is Tanzania.

After a lengthy journey, we are finally here and well setttled into life at ISM.

Moshi has been interesting, challenging and memorable - with sights and sounds to interest us all. People, markets, colour, bargaining and transport of all kinds. Greetings as we walk the street after changing our money - calls to show us their ware.

Lots of different sights and sounds such as vegetable laden tables, sewing machines set up street front and meats on display in the market area.

Our waterfall walk today wandered first by bus through little villlages and the kids cried out “jambo” to greet those along the raodsides. Colourful dress, lots of people walking along, some with heavy loads, others in their Sunday best.

The waterfall sprayed a cool mist over us as we arrived, and pounded from a great height. Our guides lead the way there, with towering containers of water for our needs atop their heads. On the way back one climbed a tree after spying a tiny chameleon and brought it down to us.

So many different things to talk about from just a few days. All are fine and well and the group is cohesive and fun. There will be many more tales to tell in time!

While others were sitting back on Easter Monday, tucking into chocolate eggs, a boisterous band of hikers gathered at Megalong Valley for a full day hiking experience. The aim was to test their readiness for the ascent of Mt Meru in Tanzania in several months time, spending some time in the magnificent bushland of the Blue Mountains.

The day was magic, with a combination of cool breezes, some strong sunshine and a few “sunshowers” as the day went on. It began with excited chatter, continued with lots of fun and friendship, and ended with triumphant cheers when the hardy finished their hike  in the late late afternoon.

Challenges during the day included hiking with a sometimes-heavy pack, talking and walking at the same time, (though not a trouble for some… insert name here, e.g. Tess, Amelia or Brianna), and crossing a lengthy suspension bridge over the Cox’s River.  The bridge is a 90-metre long, one-person-wide swing bridge that shudders with each step high above the river rocks - just ask Katie, Marissa or Jessica.

Lunch by the Cox’s River was a great time to relax and explore - time to soak your feet, or yourself (Georgia, Jessica, Ned and Nathan tried that). All the time, Zac bounded around tirelessly, a photographer/hiker looking for opportunities, as Nathan egged him on.

The final challenge was met in the late afternoon, struggling in thunderous/rainy conditions - the last 2 kilometres up to the Explorer’s Tree. There, parents and families were anxiously awaiting, as the light faded and the thunderous rain continued. Slippery conditions and tricky steps challenged even the most surefooted adventurers; then one by one they appeared from the bushland - wet and weary but with triumphant gleams in their eyes - particularly as Tess and Katie lead the way.

Most were wet (Edmund appeared soaked to the bone, but grinning from ear to ear). Some were muddy. Many were fighting off leeches (screaming as they located yet another one!). Some had challenges yet to be met. All were gleaming with a sense of having met their personal challenges - perhaps surprising even themselves! Finally, Caitlin, Emily and Annie brought up the rear with Mr L and Mrs B, all glowing with success, but greatly relieved to have made the distance. And all had a new admiration and thankfulness for the teachers who planned and lead the challenge so well - Mr L and Mrs B. 

Now bring on Mt Meru!

If you were on the hike, leave a comment on your experience. What was the significance of the day for you?

There are so many things that I could say about the trip to Tanzania. Too many experiences, lessons, people and realisations are involved in this journey and so I have decided to write about something that spans across everything.  

While I was in Tanzania I could look around and see people that needed help, all the time, and it really affected me. We all see the World Vision ads, and we all know that these problems are out there. So why did it take a trip to Tanzania to evoke a passion in me?

When I got home after three weeks of a completely different reality, I could see why. There is this filter that has blinded so many of us. I don’t know whether to describe it as an individual filter, that everyone seems to have; or as a filter over our society in general that we all get caught up in. But basically we see and hear about all these terrible things that are happening in other places from a detached point of view.

I know that before, having never experienced anything like Tanzania, I could not comprehend this other way of life. I cared about social issues, I gave to charities and, in my head, I considered myself to have a reasonably privileged life. But there wasn’t the deep understanding or comprehension that I now know is crucial to leading a life that will make a difference.

Sometimes I find myself slipping back into how I used to think, and the attitudes that I used to carry, and it can be hard to wrench yourself from a comfortable existence, but so many people don’t even have that comfortable life to fall back on. The only complaint I want on my heart and on my lips is of the inequality I can see in this world, and that the suffering of God’s people could be taken away.  

One of my favourite bible verses of recent times is James 1:27, which says, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” This expresses the need for us to both love the unloved and care for people in their need, but also for us to not conform to our immediate environment and the people around us. Inevitably, these two concepts overlap but we need to be conscious of both. 

Quotes from Martin Luther King Jr:

• Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
• Ten thousand fools proclaim themselves into obscurity, while one wise man forgets himself into immortality.
• The hope of a secure and liveable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood.
• Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
• We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.

Emily, Tanzania 2007.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the 2007 Tanzania trip was the visit to the ‘Light in Africa’ orphanage in Moshi, where around 20 children make their home. In terms of actualising what poverty is, it was a wake-up call for me. We spent only an hour and a half at the orphanage, which may seem like a long time to some, but was gone all too soon. It was an absolutely unforgettable experience for a few key reasons, the most obvious being the orphan that I spent time with. 

This is Deo (pronounced: ‘DAY-OH’) and the main activity we shared involved me pushing him around in his little red car. It was amazing how quickly time flew by, but I still remember specific moments from my experience, such as: Deo reaching for a little plastic triangle on the ground and smiling broadly when I gave it to him, his imitations of me when I put the triangle on my nose, ear or near my eye, his impatience when I stopped pushing and his joy when I kept going.

Of course, these are only memories that I have of the orphanage; some students held infants in their arms, others played with the toddlers and their toys, and some just gently cradled newborn babies in their laps. In any case, each student who went on the trip has their own unique story to tell. In any case, each student who went on the trip has their own unique story to tell. However, we all shared in one particular moment of intense sadness; as our bus was starting to leave, Deo came to the door of the orphanage and watched us go with the most heart-wrenchingly anguished face I have ever seen. 

This image will remain with me forever as I have a personal connection to both the photo and the child in it. Whenever I look at the picture, I still feel the absolute sadness I felt on that day. Our visit to the orphanage, while short-lived, obviously meant the world to these children, who have no visitors nor anybody to love them - except the three ladies who work there for the equivalent of the cost for a bottle of Coke a day.

Their facilities are extremely basic, with 2-3 toddlers or babies to a cot and no proper refrigeration. Most of the orphans have disabilities (physical or mental) and have a heightened susceptibility to common diseases and illnesses. It is saddening to see such unavoidable low standard of living in Africa, but there are ways in which we can help break the perpetual cycle of poverty.  

Our school has been actively involved in fundraising activities for this orphanage, and is fortunate to be able to send comparatively large sums of money to support these orphans and their carers. However, as only first-hand experience can teach, I learned that time spent is just as great, if not a greater gift, as money spent. The proof that I experienced of this was simply the heart-warming smile of an African orphan called Deo. 

Obviously, not everyone is able to visit an African orphanage directly, but one’s spirit of willingness can go out in the form of donations or by raising awareness of such poor conditions. To be an active member of our world today can only shape your character for good. There are almost innumerable orphanages in Africa that all desperately need help, so it is up to those who can help (anyone and everyone) to aid them in their struggle to expand and grow - to help children like Deo. 

My challenge to you is this:

Think about the unnecessary things that your money is spent on. Contrast this against your giving for the benefit of others. What are you really doing to help?

Posted for Stefan (nicknamed ‘Steerfahn’ during the trip)

With the countdown now on till departure for Tanzania, the pressure is on to get ready. There has been a further meeting with parents and participants, to outline what needs to be packed for the trip, and giving a more detailed outline of the journey.

Another very important consideration in planning is the fundraising activities that contribute to CAS projects visited over the last years in Tanzania. For example, a recent BBQ was specifically for the Tanzanian orphanage that we visit, as we feel that we should contribute needed funds rather than just turn up and visit. And there will be lots of projects continuing through the year, so keep an eye out for posters and activities around the school.

Many thanks to all those who have supported past fundraisers, for both the Tanzania and the Congo projects, in any way - these are great examples of school community efforts reaching out to assist those less well off around our globe.

After really successful trips to Tanzania over the last two years, a hardy band of teachers and students will travel to Moshi again this year as part of the school’s Service Learning program. Time will be spent at the International School at Moshi, on several service projects in the local community, and on safari.

As part of a year-long project, participating students will learn about Tanzania - its people, history and culture; fundraise before the trip to provide funds for any special project(s); participate in some hard labour in surrounding community projects; and experience the challenges of life in a country far different from Australia.

A bonus for the travellers will be the opportunity to ‘get up close and personal’ to some of Africa’s wildlife while on safari, and to marvel at God’s creation in the unfamiliar lands of Tanzania. A challenge for many will be to take part in the trek to Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge and a mountain climb of Mount Meru, in Arusha National Park.

For now, the planning and preparations are really gearing up, as we consider the enormity of the trip, work on fundraising ideas, wonder how we will best prepare both body and mind, and question how we might possibly fit what we need into the set baggage allowance?

Perhaps it’s time to listen to those  who have gone before us? It’s definitely time to listen to the experts? What comments could they pass on to help?