BISB to Expand Service Work in Tanzania in 2015

BISB to Expand Service Work in Tanzania in 2015 British International School of Boston students will once again be heading to Tanzania with other Nord Anglia Education in February 2015 for a week of cultural learning and service work. But the trip will be even bigger for BISB students this year. What could be better than a week of cultural learning and service work in Arusha, Tanzania? How about two weeks?! That's exactly what six British International School of Boston students will get in February, when they head to Arusha to volunteer and make international connections.

Last year, five BISB students and one staff member joined more than 100 other students and educators from Nord Anglia Education schools around the world in Arusha, coming together for 10 days of service learning at the Maua Primary School.

Students helped renovate the school building, worked with students on lessons and enjoyed a number of cultural opportunities. The overwhelming response to this trip was that it was ‘life changing’ for BISB students.

It had such an impact, in fact, that BISB students will be staying on in the country even longer this year, undertaking a second week of volunteering in Arusha when the main Nord Anglia Education group departs.

Nord Anglia Education's willingness to undertake this extended community service opportunity  with BISB students reflects the efforts of last year’s group, especially the dedication, determination, maturity and insight they showed.  They remain an impressive group of students who have helped secure trip leaders' faith in BISB students and their ability to undertake this more independent volunteering element.

The first portion of the 2015 trip will closely mirror last year's journey. Students will volunteer at Maua Primary School, working on the building and in the classrooms, and will stay at a nearby camp, visiting local villages and a safari camp for cultural experiences.

When the first week is over, BISB students will begin work with a different organization, called Seeway Trust Tanzania, a British-based organization that works to provide a home to orphaned and vulnerable children close to Arusha. It is a family-style center with an all Tanzanian staff.

We look forward to working with our school community to support these volunteer activities again this year. Last year, BISB students and parents were a vital support for this project and we know the community will be there to support this expanded mission this year.

In the next few months, there will be several fundraising activities and events to help support initiatives at both Maua School and the Seeway Centre. The first of these will be on November 11^th when students (with help from our Learning Assistants) will offer supervision and activities for younger students while parents are at PTC discussions. Donations towards the Tanzania fundraising would be hugely appreciated. 

Please keep an eye out for additional information on the Tanzania trip and fundraising efforts as they draw closer. Learn more about last year's trip on the former school blog.