2017 Trip – 2 August & Reflective Diary Entries

Abi Pentney

I have had a truly amazing second experience in Africa. It has been emotional and eye- opening, once again. I am glad to have spent the last three weeks with this amazing group of people who are so supportive and positive. I have watched members of the group really connect with the people of Meserani.

I would like to thank Lisa for looking after me at several points on the trip; especially when I saw my sponsor Sara and had an emotional breakdown and also when I wasn’t very well. She has constantly been positive and cheered up everyone in the group.

David has been great! I love his way of dealing with people and how he is always having a laugh. I don’t know what we would have all done without him on the trip.

Peter has been fantastic and has made the trip what it is. It is such a shame that it’s his last trip because I can’t think of anyone else who would go to such lengths to make his trips as amazing and life –changing and they are.

I am certain that I have made friends for life on this trip. I am so lucky to have shared the experience with Joe who supported me so much throughout my highs and lows. I got so close to Georgia who is an amazing girl and we shared lots of laughs together over the weeks.

The people at Meserani Snake Park are truly amazing and change so many lives. Ma and BJ are two of the best people I’ve met in my life. BJ told me he’s never had a bad day in his life and I have changed my perspective to know that I won’t either! I have loved the whole three weeks and I am already thinking about my next trip to Africa!

 

Ellie Coulton

The trip was overall amazing! No not amazing- spectacular, life changing, superb etc…. I cant thank Peter, my parents and the rest of the Meserani Project for that spectacular opportunity, which has given me a new found confidence to go with the experiences and new friendships I’ve gained. I have been given the chance to make new, fantastic memories such as meeting Sudan the last male Northern White Rhino. That was life changing not only for meeting and touching a rhino but also listening to his keeper who was so passionate about Sudan and his predicament. It was really inspiring.

I am so grateful for being able to meet all the amazing and unforgettable people on the trip especially BJ, Maa, Amos and every single person who went on the trip with me. They all have a new found place in my heart especially the staff from the Snake park for being so kind and welcoming. Everyone of them has something special about them that makes them unique and equally amazing. Everyone I have met has a kind heart and I’m glad to have met them and even more proud to be able to say that they are now my friends.

Everyday was a whole new adventure especially when we visited the schools. I got to meet some of the sponsored children from the project and each of them were so friendly and welcoming and we all quickly became friends. It was great to see the difference in education and the looks of the school, in comparison we are really lucky to have what we do and this trip has made me realise that considering they are extremely thankful for the smallest of things like a pen. The trip has made me look at the way we live and be extremely grateful to my parents for giving me the best opportunities possible even by giving me a roof to live under is a now precious thing. So thank you for all that you have done for me and thank you, Meserani Project for giving me this fantastic and life changing opportunity.

 

Georgia Linton

I would just like to say a massive thank you to Peter, Lisa, David and the crew.

The trip was the most amazing experience of my life so far and it wouldnt have been as amazing as it was without everyone who came. I feel very privileged that I got to spend my 3 weeks with a lovely group who always helped one another with anything and were always laughing and smiling. I loved our dancing and singing on the bus and our singing when washing up. It was a amazing 3 weeks but it wouldn’t have been without the people that came so thank you to everyone who made my experience amazing.

The crew were brilliant, always making sure we had everything we needed and the food was exceptional. They always made sure they were smiling and you could always speak to them at any time you pleased. I couldn’t of asked for a better crew. Angie and Jason were hilarious always making us laugh and she would always have the music on to dance to.

Lisa and David you both are very special people. David you made me laugh the whole entire trip! There was no dull moment with you, everyone would always be in tears laughing with you. But you always had something lovely to say to me too which always put a smile on my face and you were always up for a chat if anyone needed it. My experience wouldn’t have been the same without you.

Lisa you have a huge heart and you were my mam for 3 weeks always there when I was throwing up on the bus rubbing baby wipes on my neck. I dont know what I would have done without you because when you’re being sick you just want your mam but you acted like just that to me and everyone. You would cry at anything like me and that made me feel better about crying! On the trip I knew I could speak to you about everything and you would listen no matter how deep it was or if it was a off load. I loved that you would always ask how everyone was and it just showed how caring you are. Without you the trip wouldn’t be the same and im so happy I got to know you more than on a teacher basis because you are a wonderful person inside and out!

Peter, thank you so much for everything. You are an amazing man and I am so, so privileged to have met you and seen your work first hand and others that you work with. Wow, I don’t actually think you know how amazing you are in what you do. Even being there a day at Snake park you already had children coming to you for help because they knew you were there for them! I definitely wouldn’t be able to do what you do and I don’t think others would either. You made the trip amazing, I loved every minute of it. Although I thought you were scary at the start, I now know how much of a big softy you are. I loved how insightful you were when speaking to us about things that were true and we don’t look eye to eye and tell people how much they’re a good person because of our society so you taught me a lot. Personally I don’t believe this trip would have been with same without you because you made sure we would enjoy it and you put a lot of work in to it. I can’t thank you enough for being the amazing person you are because we need more people in this world like you. It was great getting to know you and spending 3 weeks with you.

I met some amazing people called Maa and Bj who I will never forget. You meet a lot people in your lifetime but I don’t think I will ever meet two people like them. What they do for people is magic. They’re them people where you say to yourself, they deserve to live forever because the world needs them and it does because the children in the orphanage and the people in the clinic have all been given a second chance because of them and I don’t think they will ever be able to be told how special they are. I am so lucky and thankful to have met them and being at Snake Park was the best time of my experience!

 

Eeman Dad.

I entered Africa as a nervous wreck, with very little confidence and a questioning mind as to how the trip would be. I worried about materialistic things – whether I had remembered everything, how camping for three weeks would turn out and whether we would be living off rice and beans… for not have expectations I had quite a few and each and every one of them was proved wrong. Africa 2017 has turned out to be an experience that I will cherish and forever be grateful for.

Many people have an impression of Africa which has significantly been shaped and moulded by the media. They have become desensitised and ignorant to the fact that Africa in fact is beautiful, extremely diverse, with all walks of life and isn’t solely built on the ideology of poverty and is in constant need for aid. So when returning back to England and showing how madly in love with Africa I had become people were extremely confused as their impression of it was solely that portrayed by the media – detached and stereotypical. As someone who now has experienced ‘AFRICA’, I have the ability to disagree and challenge this view. The past three weeks have possibly been the most insightful and significant period of my life and nothing could top it! Well… maybe a return trip to Africa could. Many people who embark on a journey to Africa go with the intention of attempting to save it. Yes, there are aspects of Africa which may need our aid. This changes an individual’s mind-set to believe that unless the issues of poverty, hunger and the high rate of illiteracy are solved, people can’t be happy. By visiting Africa, a significant amount of this is wrong. Of course there is suffering and difficulties all over the world, however the ties that Africa has to them, are more visible to the public, as that is what it is mainly known for and labelled as.

I went to Africa excepting to see; heartache and negativity at every turn, continuous tears and suffering. However, I experienced the complete opposite to what I expected. There were times where my expectations did become apparent, yet they were overcome by the numerous individuals who explained that although there was a hardship their goal and end outcome was positive. People constantly expressed positivity and that wasn’t solely because the ‘mzungus’ had visited, but because they genuinely appreciated and acknowledged their lifestyle. Their appreciation for everything was something that couldn’t be missed, from the smallest grain of rice to the ability to have an education, they displayed their gratitude – not a thing that they had would ever be taken for granted or abused. I believe this helped many of us to learn to appreciate what we have and not abuse it. They taught us that in the moment things such as education, a home and our basic necessities may at the time be readily available however in an instance can be taken away from us. The constant need to control and look into the future was only something that they brushed over, of course they had ultimate goals for themselves and their family however the present was significantly more important to them. Amos displayed this attitude, when visiting his boma he expressed his pride and how he felt accomplished that he could provide for and help his family. He also explained how his future goal was to build a house in stone for his family, but at the moment he was satisfied and happy with his home. As someone who we grew close to, and became possibly one of the most significant individuals of the trip, we all were touched and looked up to him as he invited us into his home.

Of course Africa itself was unbelievable and the journey which we embarked on has created memories that will last a lifetime, however it is the individuals who have made Africa such a special place. It is a place that is not only brought to life by its culture and beliefs but also the people, their positivity and sheer happiness makes Africa welcoming and now a place that almost feels like a second home. There is a special place in my heart for each and every individual that I have met on this trip. Whether it be those who I have created a special bond with such as the Kupenda Africa staff and people from Snake Park to those who I have passed at the market or on the street, I can truly say that the kindness, advice and solace they displayed is something which unfortunately is not but should be displayed everywhere.

Ma and Bj have truly created a work of art – a place to truly appreciate Africa. Meserani Snake Park, was the hub of the trip – somewhere we could call home for the duration of our time in Africa. The wonderful people we met and the welcoming atmosphere, made Meserani a place to never forget. The diversity of the community, from the clinic to the workshop to the masai museum, everybody worked as one and embodied true African spirit. This is the place where I met some truly inspirational individuals and people whom I will look up to in years to come. At every corner people, communities and shops portrayed their patriotism. The pride for the country was never forgotten. At every school that we visited, the children began the visits by singing the national anthem. As each held their hands over their chests, we watched on in awe, no matter what their situation they were united in pride of their school as well as their nation. I am so grateful to have crossed paths with these special individuals. Each and every child taught something different but in their unity taught how they were all treated equally and with pride could say they were all equally Tanzanian.

There were no specific highs and lows of the trip, as each aspect of it puzzled together into one overall experience. With each laugh, tear and heartbreak there was always a high and low aspect behind each. They worked hand-in-hand successfully portraying a genuine taste of Africa and the individuals’ lifestyles. There were periods of time when I wanted to cry, when something that I had seen may have hit home or just been overwhelming, but I couldn’t. I remember constantly questioning whether my ‘eyes were dehydrated’ or if I’d ‘lost all sense of emotion’, but it was the sheer shock and inability to process what I had witnessed. Since this moment of ‘eye dehydration’, I have learnt that many things are not worth crying over even if you have the ability to. Individuals in Africa taught that crying does nothing but prolong the period of waiting for a situation to improve. By attempting to improve it there will be less of a need to cry. I am in awe of the mind-set that many people that I have met have had. PROOF: that a slight change in a viewpoint or outlook can have a rippling effect on everyone/everything. The trip consisted of a significant amount of travelling to and from places, a large amount was spent in the ‘truck’ or the odd few occasions was in a matatu, my head however was always seen hanging out of the window at almost every given opportunity. I enjoyed looking out at the bustling African culture and solely appreciating where I was at the time. It allowed me to gain an understanding of the difference, but also maintain the sense of appreciation towards the opportunity that I have been given. This is one of the most important things that I have learnt from the trip…to appreciate everything. I don’t think that I could express to my parents and everyone who helped with the trip enough as to how grateful I am. I know that I have said it over and over and people are probably sick of hearing it but… I will never truly be able to express how the trip has made me feel and how the experience has had such a significant impact on me, but trust me every single second of the trip was worth it.

I definitely have not said goodbye to Africa as tuta onana seems more appropriate. With every intention I would love to return, whether that be in a few months or even years to come. Every aspect of the trip has touched me in a way which gives me an urge to act upon what I have seen and the need to do something to help. I have witnessed a half built classroom which doesn’t have the funds to be continued, thus stunting the development of children who have almost finished primary school. I have witnessed a pile of stone which is being collected to build a house, yet is very far away from the final outcome. I have witnessed a young girl who lost all of her family to aids and also suffers with it herself yet is still determined to educate herself and better her life. I have witnessed numerous difficulties which I have been sheltered from as a Brit and it is something that Is arguably taken for granted. This experience has made me want to change that, change the fact that it is socially acceptable for us to sit back and watch on. I’m fully prepared to roll up my sleeves and get stuck in to whatever is required to help this. I don’t believe that this trip was one that we were meant to solely return from and reminisce about. It was a trip that wanted to make an impact on the youth, so that they could develop as individuals but also help develop what they have witnessed. So Peter, if you have actually read this extremely long diary entry…I don’t want to forget my trip to Africa and draw an end to my experience here, I will try as hard as I can to participate in any future projects and even help by creating my own. Africa 2017 was amazing!

Thank you Lisa, David, Peter and all of the AGS crew. This was an amazing experience, it was over in a flash, but It was an experience that was shaped by each and everyone of you. To the crew, thank you for everything from the journey to the meals to the support its very much appreciated. To Ma and BJ, thank you for welcoming us into Snake Park with open arms, I have definitely left with the intention to return to my ‘second home’. To Amos and everybody that we have met, thank you for being so kind, for welcoming us into your lives and allowing the ‘mzungus’ to experience life in Africa. I am truly grateful to everyone that I have crossed paths with.

Love Eeman xx

 

Lauren Dalton

I came on this trip wanting to make a difference in other peoples’ lives, but never in a million years did I think it would have such an impact on my own life. Meeting so many amazing people and seeing how they overcame such challenging circumstances has made me rethink my approach to life and I feel so privileged to have been able to meet them. Not only did the people leave a huge impact but the animals did too-meeting Sudan (the last male Northern White rhino) was an eye-opening experience and something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Everything completely exceeded my expectations and I now feel like a more rounded and independent individual. I already want to go back and experience it all again- the whole experience has just been so rewarding. There aren’t enough words to describe how it made me feel, but what I do know is that it has changed me for the better.

Asante sana, Africa.

 

Olivia Sharrocks

Africa is one of the best experiences I have ever had it was an amazing opportunity and I’m so glad I took it the people I have met that have touched my heart I will remember forever. The other people on the trip that I didn’t know before but now I have made some great new friends and we will all always keep in touch. The overall experience was incredible and I will always remember it. The guy that gave us a speech on Sudan was so inspirational and really touched me and now I will always think of how lucky I was to if been in the presence of the last male northern white rhino. Also i loved going to all the schools especially the primary schools as the younger children’s faces lit up when you played with them and sang with them and that made me happy as well. I also just wanna say thank you to everyone for making the experience the best it could of been and thanks to the teachers who helped us all along the way. I also wanna say thanks to my parents for letting me go on an experience of a lifetime and without that push to go I wouldn’t of had this amazing experience.

 

Sam Matthewman

Africa turned out to be an amazing journey with incredible people and quickly became a trip I will remember forever.

I was nervous and worried to go but it was a trip I wanted to experience first-hand. Settling in and getting used to the country, camping and routine was a shock to the system. Not having showers and proper toilets meant we were thrown into the deep end. Bush camps were an experience with the animals living so close around us, although it was good to move on and camp at Snake Park. There I became comfortable and settled in better with the whole group. I was able to make great friends and see how the local people live. Snake Park felt like home to me in Africa; somewhere I could call base camp and have the comforts of friends and space to relax to take the experience in. Our final nights were more luxurious but emotional. We knew the journey was coming to an end but still had some things left to experience. After the giraffe sanctuary and packing, the final meal at the hotel really rounded everything up. It got us all together and was a cultural end to our trip in Africa.

My highs of the trip were seeing and meeting the people and wildlife. It meant a lot to meet and experience these peoples lives, especially sleeping in the boma and watching there cultural traditions like the maasai dancing and goat killing. It was life-changing to see how they live and compare it with my way of life. I realised that I do take simple things for granted, like water, food and a bed. This made it one of my lows as well, due to how emotional it was to see how they have lived their whole lives. Also, the wildlife around us on the whole trip was amazing to see. Tarangire was definitely a highlight for me as there was so many animals that I did not expect to see and it really made me realise how small we are in this world. Being stood up on safari trucks spotting wildlife and seeing vultures flying overhead made Africa seem other-worldly and unique. I loved everything we were involved in on the trip and with the incredible pictures people took to the memories I will remember forever; Africa really was a unique trip.

The people we met throughout the journey were so special and inspiring. They take so much care and effort in everything they do, and work so hard to achieve their very best. I was amazed to see their determination and perseverance in all aspects of their lives. Amos our guide was an inspiration as he has so much compassion for everything and everybody. The students we met at all the primary schools showed determination to achieve the best they could so they can have the chance to go to secondary school. Whilst the sponsored students at secondary school are so thankful and appreciative for the support and sponsorship that they continue to work hard to achieve the best grades. The people who we crossed paths with are incredible and role models. Also, the group of us who went on the trip helped to make this experience the best. We all became so close in only three weeks and the friendships made will last a lifetime. I felt supported by everyone and I am glad we got to experience this trip together. I feel inspired and grateful to have met such amazing people over the past three weeks.

For me, Africa was a journey I wanted to experience and enjoy, but I never knew how much it would change and develop me. I worried about settling in and the food, although I managed to overcome this and become quite comfortable. Over the three weeks I have learnt that I don’t need to organise everything and that there is so much more which matters in the world. I have learnt to have a go and try everything, but never to take anything for granted. I have missed being in my comfort zone the most and being able to have time to myself, but I have had a great time with incredible people so it hasn’t been a struggle getting through. I believe I am now a calmer, more relaxed person. I feel more mature, inspired and ambitious to go and achieve my best. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to go and experience Africa and the work of The Meserani Project.

From being nervously excited to set off to not wanting to get off the coach when we arrived back, it has been a life-changing experience and a rollercoaster of a journey which has impacted and developed me as a person. I am very grateful to have been able to go on this expedition, so thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me. I have loved every minute and would like to go back one day to see it all again. Thank you for this incredible experience.

Love Sam x

 

Elodie Saha

For quite a few years at school, I was convinced that Africa wasn’t for me. Sure, I was moved by the stories shown on TV and the Meserani project being the school’s charity. Entirely convinced that I had no interest in visiting Africa, I ignored the presentations at school. Until one day, my year group raised money and I just wanted to see for myself the difference it would make to people’s lives. Thinking I was crazy, I put it off, but the feeling that I should at least apply grew stronger. I convinced myself that I would apply to appease this strong feeling, but surely I’d be denied by my parents. Strangely my parents accepted convincing me that this is a once in a lifetime experience. Before I knew it my exams finished and I was off on a plane to Africa.

The people of Kenya and Tanzania touched my heart in so many ways. They were incredibly welcoming and loving. They truly showed us love and grace, and it was clear that it was not only because we were tourists. They were so trusting… which is just so different to what I’ve experienced back home. The people we met in Kenya and Tanzania were also much more focused on interpersonal relationships than we are in English culture. They view themselves based on their relationships with other people, not just on their “individuality” that is so celebrated back home. Although it’s great to be your own person, the children, parents and adults of Kenya and Tanzania seemed much more fulfilled than many people I know in England.

Fast forward to the end of the 3 weeks, having met: Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy, A’ Level students, Meserani Chini Primary School, Kipok Girls Secondary Boarding School , Moita Boys Secondary Boarding School, Lesiraa Primary School, Meserani Juu Primary School, Irkisongo Secondary School, Meserani Snake Park Medical Centre, Maasai families, Noah, Nabulu, Richard, Fredrick, Sudan, Amos, Ma ,BJ and Dion and so many more that I’m so sorry not to mention. They set the tone for the ending of the whole trip. Africa has changed me as a person.

Since coming back to the UK, every day I have thought about the sweet people of Kenya and Tanzania that I met. I thought that we were going to help them, but instead, they taught me so much about having pride in their work and education and care for one another like brothers and sisters. I am so thankful for my time in Africa, and I truly hope to go back one day! Never assume it’s not for you because at the end of the day everyone in, my opinion should at least visit once in their lifetime.

 

Isobel Mason-Nixon

Hello again everyone (that is the last time I’ll be saying that to you all unfortunately).

Well this is the final time you’ll be hearing from me so I will look back at the whole trip and all it’s highs and lows. The whole trip overall was absolutely amazing and I will never ever forget it. I already cannot wait to go back, I better get saving now. I am so grateful for everything that everyone did to help me raise money to make the trip possible for me. I mainly need to thank my family like my Mam and Dad and Nanna and Grandad, I cannot thank you all enough for making the life changing experience possible. Words cannot even start to describe the amazing time I had on the trip. I made some amazing friends who were there for me throughout the whole trip and I will keep in touch with and cherish forever. Everyone was so amazing, we were just like a big family.

Visiting the secondary schools and being partnered with some of the sponsors was definitely the high of my trip as they were so grateful for everything that their sponsors have done for them and that was amazing to see. They are the most down to earth people I have ever met. The sponsor that will hold a place in my heart the most is Joyce Daniels my Mam’s sponsor. It touched me that she held my hand all day and never once let go.

The low of my trip was definitely finding out that I wouldn’t be able to meet my sponsor Happy as she is the reason I am involved in the Meserani Project. However, I didn’t let it spoil my time on the trip.

I met some of the most amazing people in Africa that I will never forget. Everyone like Amos, Bj, Ma, Deon and everyone else were so grateful for everything they had in their lives no matter how little it was. They were such amazing people who will hold a special place in my heart for people. They aren’t people who you can just meet once I already feel like I need to go back and see them.

I thank everyone who was involved in my trip either getting me there or involved in my time in Africa. You helped me have the most unforgettable time that will stay with me forever. I will be forever grateful so thank you.

Lots of love from,

Isobel Mason-Nixon

 

Stephanie Julier

Over the past few weeks I’ve met so many new people who I won’t forget any time soon. All the staff on Kupenda Africa were amazing at their jobs and extremely easy to talk to which made the trip a whole lot easier to enjoy. Jason and Angie reminded me every day that even though I was miles away from my family, I wasn’t really as I had another family right by my side. All the staff from Ol Pajetta Made us feel as though we were old friends welcomed back and they made me feel at home there. Then there was the snake park and I couldn’t have stayed at a better place. With Dion making jokes whenever I ordered a pineapple drink and Ma’s adorable smile and sense of humour. Although I didn’t see much of BJ I did on the last night and he made me feel even more at home than the others. And All the staff that joined us on the trip Peter, Lisa and David they made me understand that if I ever needed anything they were always there and that came through one day with Lisa, and she dealt with it amazingly. Then all the students that came although we only talked to who we were used to at the beginning as the trip went on we started becoming closer and now it’s like we are one big happy family!

 

Rachel Smith

Even the idea of reflecting back on Africa rather than still being there makes me sad. I miss it already and we’ve only been home 2 days! I say that we’re home but I’m struggling to adjust back to ‘normal’ life so much that it feels like Snakepark was my home and now I’m away.

It goes without saying that I enjoyed every second of the trip and I couldn’t have wiped the smile off my face if I tried. However, even though I loved the game drives, being so close to such amazing animals and seeing them in their natural habitat, nothing compares to every single person I had the pleasure of meeting out there. It started with the people at Ol Pejeta who were so passionate about conservancy and had such beautiful connections with the animals (Sudan’s keeper for example). Everything they do there is so incredible, I absolutely loved the conservation talk and it seems like they are literally doing everything they can to keep the animals happy and healthy. Everything is so well thought out, even down to the cattle being kept in bomas to improve the quality of the grass for the other animals oh and the ‘fence gaps’ letting every animal in and out of the conservancy except the rhino (their priority to conserve) because they can‘t step over the fence. It felt great being there and although planting the tree was a small contribution, it felt great to be part of the work that goes on there. I was really shocked, in the best possible way, that people can be so dedicated to making a change and in their case to raise awareness about poaching etc. but now the trip is over I know that we’d just scratched the surface of meeting incredible people.

Meserani Snakepark… where do I start? I can’t thank everyone there enough for making me feel so welcome and at home even though I was thousands of miles away. I feel honoured to have stayed there and I completely understand why Ma and BJ are such legends. Everything the Snakepark has and does benefits so many people locally and across the country. There’s the obvious things like the clinic that does phenomenal work, making it the best for treating snake bites in Tanzania, but then there’s also the museum, mechanic workshop, bar and so much more that employ local people; everything they do there just makes an amazing difference. I was blown away by Ma and BJ simply because they do sooooo much good and it’s completely selfless. It’s the little things they do that really got to me. For example, the electricity supply in Tanzania isn’t without its faults so when it’s down, in order to keep the lights on etc. in the clinic, the water for the showers for the campers isn’t heated. When you hear it yeah you think that’s obviously what should be done but unfortunately I think over here at the risk of a paying customer giving us a bad review we may do differently, it just touched me because their priority is and always will be the people that need help. I don’t think I’ve ever met people with better morals and I think I can learn a lot from them! Moving onto to the famous Amos; to hear him speak so highly of the Meserani Project and to see him, his home and his work, I gained even more respect for the charity and pride to be a part of it. He is an incredible man and I’m so glad I had the pleasure of meeting him, getting to know him, seeing his boma and hearing his plans for the future. I know he will achieve everything he wants to, he is so determined and I wish him the best of luck! I’d love to talk about every single person I met out there from Lottie who was so easy going, funny and appreciative of us yet he’s the one who puts so much work in helping everyone out and making such a huge difference in the community to Jenny the nurse in the clinic to Kamesha the Maasai guy that killed the goat but I’d never stop talking so I’ll just say a big thank you to everyone for giving me an experience I’ll never forget.

Visiting the schools was unbelievable. I loved going to the primary schools, their happiness and excitement from simply receiving a pen or pencil was infectious. I’m so grateful I got the opportunity to give pens and prizes out, it’s such a special moment that I certainly won’t forget oh and the time we were leaving Losingira and some of the kids caught up with us and we walked back with them. I also feel so lucky to have had the chance to visit the secondary schools and get to know the students individually. Glory is an incredible girl that was so appreciative of her sponsors for helping her get an education and the same can be said for Simon, Elias and John and Dina. What amazed me the most was that when I met them and spent time with them I would never have guessed that anything bad had ever happened in their lives simply because they were all so happy. They certainly don’t take their sponsorship for granted, they work so hard and I really want their sponsors to know that. I’m so pleased I got to meet all 5 of them, it might sound cringey but they genuinely have changed my life and I’m excited to see how they progress through their education and I hope all their hard work pays off in the future, they definitely deserve their dreams to come true.

A huge thank you to the crew of Kupenda Africa for giving me such a real experience of Kenya and Tanzania. A massive thank you to the entire group, it was lovely to get to know you all and I’m sure we’ll stay in touch. And finally a giant thank you to Peter, Lisa and David… thank you for looking after me, thank you for making my trip so enjoyable and thank you for being inspiring people, the trip won’t be the same without you and I hope I helped make your last school trip a memorable one (even if it was because of my snoring).

 

Anna Waddington

Wow, what an amazing three weeks! At first, I was really nervous about going and spending all this time with people I didn’t know but honestly, I’ve had the most incredible experience of my life and have made lifelong friends along the way. I loved that I could give advice to the Year 11’s on college, exams and results as well as receive advice myself from Abi and Joe, the Year 13’s.

The main thing I have taken away from this trip is how lucky I am and how much I take for granted. The children we met were ecstatic just to be going to school which is something we just expect to go to and complain about when we do. The kids in every school were over the moon just to receive pens and pencils. It puts all the things we have into perspective.

The place that particularly affected me was the Disabled persons home. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I was immediately amazed by the facilities. What also struck me was how invested the staff were in the home and the people. One of my favourite moments was when the children sang twinkle twinkle with us. I also met a young boy in a wheelchair who I sat with and I’ll always remember his smile because he loved me holding his hand. I keep telling people that I don’t cry but I don’t think anyone believes me anymore!

Finally, I need to say thank you to a lot of people. Thank you to Peter who made this trip possible and insured we all had an amazing time- and got good prices at the market! Thank you to David who never stopped making me laugh even when I was crying! Thank you to Lisa who never stopped looking after me during the trip! And a big thank you to the group, that became more like a family, and helped make the experience even more enjoyable.

 

James Proud

Africa is as unforgettable as it is beautiful. The scenery and imagery will be a part of me for long a time to come. However, when the trip is viewed in hindsight, it is really the human connection that shines through.

Our group was made up of individuals of every walk of life and each brought something unique to the table. If just one person were missing, I think the trip would be very different. As our time in Africa progressed, the group dynamic was clear but was always changing due to having to sit next to someone new every evening. This was great because it meant no one was left out and you got a real sense of where everyone was coming from and what they wanted to get out of the trip. By the end of the trip, we all knew each other’s strengths and foibles, which I think helped us bond a lot more in the final days, and I feel privileged to call each of you as my friend.

I think when Ellie gave students with a troubled background at a school a bag of maize each was definitely my high point. To see such kindness and selflessness up close was absolutely heartwarming and definitely portrayed our best qualities as a people.

I really want to thank Peter, Lisa and David for making such an enjoyable trip. I also want to thank them for everything they do behind the scenes and everything we don’t see. Finally, I want to thank everyone else for making the trip a unique and fun experience.

 

Rebecca Henderson

Hi this is my final diary for the trip. I’ve learnt a lot in the 3 weeks we had in Africa and I feel like I’ve grown a lot as a person. The trip, and the people we met during our stay, have taught me to appreciate everything I have much more. The people I met often had so little and yet were so happy and they appreciated everything they got. The children in the school all got so excited whenever we gave them a pen or pencils, and it made them so happy. We gave some children yo-yos and they were amazed by such a simple toy. In the clinic one day we played with the children and gave them bubbles, which they had never seen before, and they were so curious. We gave clothes to Amos and the crew and they were very thankful. However, in England it’s not the same. We don’t get excited over the same things or appreciate them as much because it’s something normal or something we’d expect. Like having a single bed to ourselves…. the girls in the secondary school sleep two to one single bed, but they appreciate it because, maybe, in their actual home they wouldn’t even have a bed. I’ve properly realised how lucky I am and hope to start being so much more thankful, even for the “small” things. Seeing the way people live, the lack of opportunities they have and how much harder it is to have an education taught me a lot. We usually don’t appreciate school because it’s normal for it to be handed to us for free but in Tanzania they only get primary school for free and they have to pay for secondary school, college and university, and all of their equipment on top of that.

I never thought I would be able to be away from my family for so long without crying every day, but I actually coped a lot better than I thought. I’ve learnt that I can be a lot stronger than I think I can, especially when I have to be, not just for me but for other people as well. I learnt that I can barter at the market and can enjoy shopping in any country! I feel like we all came together as a team, not only the students but the teachers as well. Even if we all had our ups and downs with each other, we would still be there for everyone when they needed it.

I just want to say thank you so much for giving me an amazing experience and what will probably be the best trip in my lifetime. Thank you for always being there to support us.

 

Erin Williams

Our last day in Kenya was amazing, first we went to see the giraffes and it was insane to be able to actually touch them (and kiss them) but the best part of the day was the evening meal. It was really sad that Wikie couldn’t join us as he was so lovely and the food he made was always amazing but I managed to day goodbye to him and get a picture which was nice. The meal was the last thing we were doing as a group so it was quite bittersweet as we all had the best time together but knew we had to leave.

We were asked to do a reflective diary on the whole trip and for this I really just want to focus on all of the incredible people that I met while there as it was the most important part of the experience for me. First of all, everyone who came on the trip was lovely and it was so nice to be able to get to know everyone better and I know that I’ve made some incredible friendships that will last  long time – hopefully a life time.

I was lucky to have Lisa as a team leader as she was so understanding and clearly cared about everyone on the trip so much but she was also a lot of fun to be around. With Lisa and David there was never a dull moment and I am so glad that I got to go on this trip with Peter, David and Lisa as it would not be the same without them all. I don’t know how other schools are going to manage without having Peter there sorting everything out – he was truly amazing.

It wasn’t only the people that came from middlesbrough though, there were many people that have made a strong impression on me. Even in the first couple of days at Ol Pejeta it was amazing to see how much Eva cared about all the animals as she talked through the conservation and I’ll always remember how passionate the man was about Sudan.

The kids that I was paired with were all so exceptional and intelligent. The first girl I was paired up with was called Jenipher Joseph and she barely stopped talking for the entire time I was with her and she was so helpful when translating for Ireen – she really impressed me. Of course I also met the boy my family sponsors, Onesmo, and he’s an absolutely brilliant person. My brother said that he didn’t talk very much when he met him so it was lovely to see how much more confident he’s become since then. It was so nice to talk to him and I kept the sheet of paper he used to teach me some swahili. The sponsorship feels so much more personal now that I’ve met him and I really hope he goes far in life. The other boy I was paired with, Tatayai, was also amazing to meet and both boys were insanely competitive which was a lot of effort but it was great to see them having a lot of fun. The children in general were so inspiring to meet and I’ve learnt a lot from them as well as about them.

Around the snake park there were also a lot of amazing people. Amos was one of the nicest people ever and it was so nice to have him with us so often. He was such a big help with translations – basically saved my life at Losingira and it was so nice to be able to sit next to him and talk on the last day at the snake park. I think that was one of the hardest goodbyes for everyone but he’s one of the people that made me promise to go back one day so I hope I will see him again. The snake park itself began to feel like a second home and I hope that place will last forever as I can’t imagine anyone ever taking it down. It’s one of the most amazing places I’ve ever been to filled with the most amazing people.

The children at the clinic were absolutely amazing as it was so upsetting to hear what had happened to them and yet they all always had a smile on their faces. Spending hours with them when our group stayed back was amazing and one of my favourite times of the whole trip and I wish them all a good recovery and I’m sure they will all go on to have amazing lives as they definitely deserve it. They had a big impact on me and I know I will be much more grateful for the life I have here now that I have seen such different circumstances.

A big part of the trip was the people who were part of Kupenda Africa. Jason was lovely, although had an interesting sense of humour. We had the best driver in the world, Mungai, at the front of the truck and Wickie cooked some of the best food I have ever tasted – I’ll definitely miss his food now we’re back. Kata and Terry were also extremely helpful over the course of our three weeks. It wasn’t just what they did for us though, it was fascinating talking to them and learning about their lives as they obviously come from a culture far different to our own – I even learnt to count to ten in swahili thanks to them. It was nice to see how much they loved Africa and it was true when they said that everyone in Africa has time for each other and you can talk to and get to know everyone – its a shame that in England a lot of the time people are too busy for each other.

I’m going to miss a lot of things about Africa but at the top of that list is definitely all the people – although when winter comes the weather might climb up there. I’m determined to go back one day as it was easily the best experience of my life and I don’t want to forget about any of it.

Erin x

 

Ameer Ali

So for the past 3weeks I have been away to Kenya and Tanzania. When we arrived there the group visited Ol Pejenta which we stay for 2 days. Whilst being there we visited a chimpanzee sancuarty which was amzing learning multiple of informations of the chimps such as; the largest chimp they had was a Female and she weighted 80kg. Afterwards the group visited a cattle where they took the cows and calfs to get the horns branded of and unfortunately I couldn’t watch it as it was so hard for some people as we heard the calf’s screeching so I turned around and watched David pretend to heard them into the shelters. Also when we stayed in OL Pejeta we took a game drive to see the wildlife and there was so many animals incuding 4 cheaters which are rare to find them and we got them up close. Also when I was in Africa we met the crew who were so lovely to the entire group and Anji was so lovely I could talk to her about anything. So when we were ready to eave OL Pejeta the groupd had to be up for 5:30 so we could take down the tents and eat breakfast.

The journey Tanzania (Snake Park) was a full days travel but it the vechicle we travelled it kept us occupied as the group selected music before the trip and Peter had to organize them 1-36. The truck, I named it ‘the shaker’ (when I got back) as the truck kept on shaking every time and everyone was moving about. When we a arrived to the border there was a long wait to get cros which took 2 and a half hours. So when we arrived to Snake Park the group had to organize everything; put up tents, sort out the chairs and sort out the equipment for the clinic. Once we sorted that out it was late so the crew in Snake Park put on a BBQ which was delicious. The next day the full group visited the Clinic just near the Snake Park and the children there were so lovely even throughout the tragic news of what happened to them. I cant go into detail on one of the children after what happened to him but he was so young, I gave away a ball to him and he loved the gift. When I walked out of the clinic I met my sisters (laliesha) sponsor Lawassa and he was telling to everything about his education and it was so lovely to see him as it was one of my family members sponsor. Soon after I also seen my aunties (Julie) sponsor Richard. Whilst being in Snake Park for 2 weeks I met some great people who I got on well with including the staff such as; Dione and MA, MA reminded me of my nana as we were so close which we created a friendship as she nicknamed me “MR HAIRDO” which made me laugh. The group worked really well with each other and bonded so quickly, also whilst in Snake Park we visited 6 schools and one was kapok girls bording school and we interacted with them as the students took us around the school and seen the dorms what they stayed in and each dorm had 150 students and the rooms the students shared a mattresses with each other. Each group member had to help the students write a letter back once they read their sponsor letter which we gave them. After the letter we challenged them into a game of volleyball and my team lost. one day we visited a disabled home and oh my! It brought a tear to my eyes, knowing they where I there for so long they still looked happy than ever. Many of group where touched. When we visited many schools we handed out pens/pencils/rulers. The smile on the childrens face really touched my heart as we take things for granted and they are overwhelmed over the equipment. Also, one day we all organised a sports day which included all 6 of the schools we visited anf it was such great fun saying the students smile and gather round for prizes. On Monday the group also visited losingra school and once we arrived there, there was on student from the group who im so proud of and the student bought 19 maize for the top 3 students from each sector. Once we arrived the students sang their National Anthem which the group only remember the word “TANZANIA TANZANIAAAA” all the students settled down in their classes as we handed out equipments and the smile on the face is so amazing. Once we handed out the equiptment I went into a class room and interacted with the students for a full hour I came out the classroom really warm. As we are near to the end of the trip the group went on a safari trip which

was one of the best things I have witnesses the size of the park was 2600km square grid. However, unfortunately one of the groups out of the 4 couldn’t go as the jeep didn’t have seatbelts so they went the next day. One day we had a busy day which was the sports day and after that we ate a goat which was really chewy and I have both hands full of the meat and they handed me more and more but it was delicious then around 8:30pm we the 4 groups stay in a bomer each and I ours we had a snorer. The day before we left; We said our goodbyes to Amos which was really emotional for the group as he meant so much to us he was the most caring person I have met and it was just touching to say goodbye. Unfortunately, Amos couldn’t join us at the bar that night, but also, we said goodbye to MA (nana), Dione and BJ that was one of the hardest things I could have done. On

When we set of to go back to Kenya for a night we said goodbye to the staff again. But when we arrived in Kenya we set up our tents and stayed up later as it was our last night. The next day we went to a Giraffe Sentuary and managed to kiss Stacey (the Giraffe). On the night we went back to the camp to say goodbye to the best chef Wiki that was also hard because he couldn’t manage to come to the Safari Hotel where we ate lots of meat that night after the meal they put on a show for us which was amazing to watch. When the show ended the group organized two lines and we had a dance with each other. Once the dance ended I had to say goodbye to my ‘2nd’ mam Anji as she was so caring to me and made me have a great time, she even sat next to me and just talked about her life and our days. It was so touching as I got really emotional then.

When the group got to the airport we gave Peter a goodbye gift as it was his last ever trip with a school and we got a poster for Lisa and David which we all signed as it is also there last. Also peter got the group to write a letter about each person so he can give them their letters. It was so hard to say goodbye to the people in the group as I had a wonderful time in Africa and bonding with everyone they really made the trip the best ever.

 

Joe Readshaw

So this amazing experience has come to an end unfortunately, even after a few days at home I wish I was back in the Snakepark, I know for sure that I will go back there one day. This trip has been one of, if not the most life changing experience I have ever had and it has really changed the way I think about my normal life in regards to how lucky and fortunate I am. Even thinking back to Ol Pejeta and the Conservancy when none of us really knew each other it is only good memories, seeing three cheetahs so close on our first game drive was just amazing and at that point I knew that the whole trip would be memorable. Probably one of the highlights of our time in Kenya for me, and many others, was meeting Sudan and those who were so devoted to the cause of conserving the Northern White Rhino population, it was such a privilege to be able to stand next to him knowing fully that the population may never recover and go extinct in the next few decades or so. Of course the travelling from Kenya to Tanzania and back was not the most exciting thing on the itinerary but just driving past the towns and country seeing how different it is to home was eye-opening, and seeing everyone so energised after a full day of travelling was also great. I think the biggest highlight for me was the time we spent at the Snakepark, just the atmosphere there made you feel like you knew the people there for years even though we had only been there for a few days. Meeting Ma and BJ was also a highlight, and looking through their photo album from the start of the Snakepark to what it is now is so inspiring and makes you feel like you can do whatever you truly want. Visiting Amos’ Boma was definitely another highlight of the trip, he is clearly very proud of his work and I think we were all amazed by how much effort he has put in in order to support his family.

Of course you cannot forget about the schools we visited, the highlights for me were definitely the Secondary Boys School and meeting Jenny’s Sponsor Meja Langas who really wanted to see Jenny again, we will definitely have to plan another trip to visit him again and see him as he progresses further through his education. Losingira was another highlight of the trip, there is so much work to be done there still but the kids and staff there make the most of what they have, and you can see how happy all the kids are for being able to just be there, it would be amazing for that final classroom to be built, if I had the money I would pay for it myself in a heartbeat. I would say that looking back on the trip one of the highlights, maybe not at the time would be sleeping in the Boma, although at the time the thought of sleeping with giant cockroaches was not the nicest, looking back on it, it puts a smile on my face just thinking about it, we had a lot of fun that night and could all agree we would want a nice bed to sleep in but probably wouldn’t change being there for anything.

Towards the end of the trip, I think when everyone had a dance at the Safari Park Hotel was the cherry on top of the experience, it showed that none of us were embarrassed to be ourselves around each other and we had come so far as a group from the start of the trip when we didn’t really know one another. I think one of my biggest regrets of the trip was that I did not really get to know each person, even though I spoke to everyone, I didn’t necessarily know who they were as a person, that’s maybe the only thing I would change about this whole experience which I will never forget. I am so grateful to everyone who we have worked with, and the amazing people at Kupenda Africa, Lisa and David and of course Peter, without you all this trip would not have been as amazing as it was so I am saying thank you for making it the best journey ever!!!!

 

Josef Ramsay

Africa 2017 was another amazing experience for me. I was so excited but nervous as well to come back to africa, i was excited to see everyone from kupenda africa and see all the kids and schools again but also nervous on the other hand because it was going to be a different experience with people i didn’t know and worst of all there was no Grace to support us this time.

This trip has been a brilliant experience because i have been able to come back as a more mature person and see Kenya and Tanzania in different perspective. The trip started off as me being the outsider who didn’t really know anyone and expected it to be really difficult to make friends with these guys with them being so much younger but that wasn’t the case; all of the guys on the trip were brilliant in their own special way and i was so happy to have met them as well as get close and build strong friendships with some of them. Baby Joe, Izzy, Ameer, Jack just to name a few of the people i really built a good friendship with and the people who really supported me through the trip as well as Abi who is always there for me and kept me going in times of struggle or upset. I would say that this trip was very emotional for me because of many different reasons, it was hard to experience the trip without the amazing Grace because she made such a big impact on me in the previous trip. It was great getting to know some people and i made

some great friends i never thought i would ever speak to let alone get to know in this way. The emotions i was feeling from seeing the kids and saying goodbye to everyone such as Amos and the crew was something that i haven’t quite experienced like that before because . The reason I did love the trip so much though was because i never thought i would be able to come to Africa once let alone on a second time, it has been an amazing experience and i feel privileged to have been able to come back to this perfect place. I loved going to the schools again and seeing the girls in the clinic and the people in the disabled people home because you are able to see everyday people in africa and it really impacts you and makes you think how lucky we are here in england to have such amazing families, schools, healthcare etc. the people in Africa have a smile on their face non stop even when they have next to nothing. To answer Peter’s favourite question on the trip; my highest part of the trip was definitely meeting this new group of people and experiencing some amazing and life changing experiences with them, we soon grew into a tight little group who were supportive and helpful with each other and i think because the guys were so inviting it helped me as well as

abi feel welcome and like we knew them forever. My lowest point in the trip was definitely all of the goodbyes i had to say throughout the whole trip, from people such as Ma,Bj, Amos and the Snakepark crew to all of the guys on the last day as we landed in the acklam grange carpark. I found this the hardest because we had gotten so close and spent so much time together in the trip and that is probably why it is my lowest point. I love every minute that i spend in Africa and i am so happy to have been part of the meserani project, i intend to a sponsor a pupil to go to school now and keep myself more involved in the project. I would also like to say what an amazing experience it was and a proud one to be experiencing it with Peter, Lisa and David on their last Acklam Grange School trip and couldn’t thank them enough for everything that they have done! I would also like to say a big thank you to everyone we met in africa from Kupenda Africa and the local people for making Africa 2017 an amazing experience and making me want to come back again and again. I’ll see you soon Africa…

P.s. Thank you to everyone on the trip and especially the ones who helped me through times of need and support(you know who you guys are). Love you all!

 

Jack Beckley

During my time in Africa I had the immense pleasure of seeing some of the most breath-taking views and animals that the world has to offer, however I also met some of the nicest people I will ever meet in my life, so caring and full of life even when they had nothing, they taught me lessons in life that I would have never learned at home. The trip really opened my eyes to the lives that these people live and I was amazed when I arrived because through all that they are going through they always had a smile on their faces which was really something special to witness. When you see the adverts on TV about the lives it has they don’t even scratch the surface with the dangers they face on a daily basis. I met a boy in the clinic called Loth, he was bitten by a snake and didn’t get to the clinic in time to receive the anti-venom, he has to stay in the clinic to receive the necessary treatment which means that he could not complete his last year in secondary school. If all goes to plan he will be out of the clinic by December and I was overjoyed when I found out that he plans to go back to school to finish his final year. The day before we left snake park he presented me with 2 necklaces and a bracelet that he bought from the market. It meant so much that I had left that much of an effect on him. When I said my final goodbye on the morning we left it was incredibly to say goodbye to him as he had left such a mark on my life and will always have a special place in my heart.

When we left Snake Park saying bye to Ma, BJ, Deon and Amos was really difficult because that place felt like a second home to me and they had been so welcoming to us and really made us feel at home during our stay. I wish to go back to Snake Park one day and see everyone again.

Going into the schools and speaking with the children that we sponsor, to see the effect that we had on them was truly something special to me. When we played aliens with the secondary school pupils it was so much fun, and going round the classrooms in the primary schools and interacting with the pupils through games was truly amazing.

The people and the staff that came on the trip were amazing and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to share this wonderful experience with.

I can safely say that I had one of the best times of my life in Africa and have made memories and friends that will last a lifetime and I would love to return one day to see the people I met and how far they have come.

 

Joe Carter

So after being home and back to normality for a few days I feel like now is the appropriate time for me to write one final time so I can share my exact thoughts and feeling from throughout the trip. To start with I was full of excitement with some nerves as I wasn’t really sure what to expect from the trip but once we landed in Nairobi they soon disappeared as we had finished the travelling stage of the trip.  Throughout the trip I had my highs and lows, I had many more highs as I tried to see the positives in every situation. This diary isn’t going to be used to tell you what I did everyday but I will tell you how I felt. At the start of every school visit I was very excited but I was slightly apprehensive as I was unsure what to expect from each individual school, the welcoming off all was amazing and the smiles on the children’s faces at each school was incredible, but the school that stood out for me was the first primary school as they greeted us with a traditional massai welcoming and the final school as they sang a very special and memorable song to us. Each school visit was amazing as the joy of all the pupils’ faces when they received either a pen or pencil depending on what standard they were in was incredible and it made me realise how grateful they were and it also made me realise how lucky I was.  Getting the chance to be paired off with some of the sponsored pupils was a huge part of the trip as you really connect with them and they ask you all sorts of questions about where we live and how we live.

My emotions were all over the place although I didn’t show it I really did feel them when we went to the clinic at Snake Park and also when you see and hear how people live. Every person we met and spent time were truly amazing and not one of them didn’t have a smile on their faces, no matter what they were facing they smiled which in turn made me us all smile as our problems were nothing compared to theirs. The joy the children at the clinic brought to me made my trip so much better as they all had different stories which were all really tough but they still wanted to walk and play around. Watching them all grow in confidence was the best thing to see as they went from shy kids the first time we seen them to really excitable kids who seemed to really enjoy the time we spent up at the clinic with them.

I had many highlights throughout the trip and my two main ones was getting to know all the locals around Snake Park as they were all amazing, people like Ma and BJ don’t come very often and they are the most amazing and outstanding people I have ever met with all the work they do. Amos one of the most important people on our trip and Noya the little girl that I met up at the clinic both gave me so many memories which I will treasure for the rest of my life. The team that was involved in trip was amazing and I couldn’t imagine my trip without one of them as I really got on and clicked with everyone by getting involved and giving all that I had. My next high was getting to know each person I was on the trip with as we all went out to do the same thing which was to try and change how people are living, I really enjoyed getting to know everyone but especially Joe Ramsey who made my trip as he was like my big brother but also my best friend there who I made some of the best memories with as we really connected from the start to the end. I didn’t have many downs throughout the trip but the main one was saying bye to all the locals such as all the people involved within Snake Park, Amos, Noya and all the team. I found it tough saying bye as all of them made my trip that bit more special.

Everyone involved in the amazing work that goes on are absolutely incredible but I do feel like I need to say a massive thank you to David Simpson who made the trip and was such a huge part of the group as he would make everyone laugh and smile if they were on a high or even a low. No matter the situation he was always there to help and give advice no matter what the problem and I feel that he does not get the recognition that he genuinely deserves.

 

Polly Dowdle

The first high point was definitely meeting Sudan at Ol Pejeta and learning about the possible IVF and surrogacy methods which could be used to prevent the extinction of the Northern White Rhinos, although it was a definite low as so much funding is required to attempt anything and without it the subspecies will be extinct.

Seeing the children at Meserani Chini and Moita Boys School performing the Maasai dances and chanting was a really special thing to witness and it was fun joining in and seeing the Maasai blankets and headdresses. It was also interesting to see the goat being killed and learning how they used each part, as well as how skilled they were when dissecting it.

My lowest moment was definitely meeting the disabled kids as it reminded me how lucky we are in the UK to have free healthcare, whereas most kids in Tanzania are stuck with life changing disabilities and it was sad to think how many people are affected.

The best day was when we went to Tarengire and saw so many animals like lions, cheetas, elephants, and zebras, although the zebras were as common as sheep are here in the UK. I would definitely love to stay in the safari lodge but it would be strange going back without everyone from the trip! I loved meeting everyone and am considering the adults trip

.