Tanzania service expedition – from culture shock to meaningful service

Year 9 Student Emily was in awe of the scenery in Tanzania, Africa, where the land was vast, but buildings were sparse. “Everything felt very traditional – from the buildings to the food, the development in Tanzania is different from what we know in Asia,” she said recently.

She and 4 other students from BSKL recently took part in the Tanzania service expedition, organised by Nord Anglia Education (NAE). The journey was meant to be for them to experience something different and partake in charitable projects.

Under the guidance of Secondary Teacher Mr Paul Hilder, she got acquainted with the locals and immediately helped with the ongoing projects, including building shelves for a school library, building desks and chairs for a Tanzanian primary school, and building a chicken shelter for the farmers and their families.“It was very interesting to try out and learn new skills to build something! I feel proud of myself,” she said, smiling.

Emily also said she was very touched by how the students in Tanzania interacted with them as they presented the furniture and shelves to them. “I can feel their passion for wanting to learn despite their circumstances, and I find my work in Tanzania meaningful,” she said. She added that her favourite moment in the expedition was the Safari Trip to Tarangine National Park, as she got to see many wild animals up close.

Meanwhile, Year 9 student Wendy said she was not used to a lot of the routine in Tanzania, as she had to get used to the hot sun and to do community work. “I’m not used to the food, but the food provided on campus is quite nice,” she said. She also said she took more initiative to help with school chores, in that she had to help cut the ingredients and cook food for the students in the school. “It was something very different for me,” she said, smiling.

However, she was also touched by the Tanzanian students who kept thanking her after the BSKL students had delivered the desks and shelves to the Tanzanian primary school.

“They were hugging and cheering us. We also got the chance to visit the school and listen to their school and national anthem,” she said.

Wendy also said the expedition trip was unforgettable, and that she will encourage other BSKL students to try going for a service expedition.

“You’re not just changing other people’s lives; you will also have life-changing experiences yourself,” she said.