Zach's Amazing Trip To Tanzania
Wed 14th September 2016 | Atherton Collieries | By Zach Pierce
Atherton Collieries Media Officer Zach Pierce spent four weeks in July and August in Tanzania, travelling out with fellow students from Thornleigh Salesian College in Bolton to teach children in a rural area of the country.
He has summarised some of his experiences in the notes below.
What was the purpose of the trip?
A team of 17 travelled over from the humble surroundings of Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton to Moshi, Tanzania to go and work in three local schools – one of the Primary schools, the local Salesian school and the secondary school. Here we taught subjects such as Maths, English (this is what I taught) and Science – contributing to the education they receive and just making lessons simply more interactive and interesting. We worked within our wider Salesian community.
How did you feel?
As we began our descent into Dar Es Salaam airport (an eight hour bus journey from Moshi, but £250 cheaper on the plane) and I looked out the window I felt a tad cautious. I saw darkness with the odd occasional white light, that’s when it hit me – ‘I’m actually in Africa’. However, once we had landed and made our way through the rather harsh border control I felt fine, if a little warm, and looked forward to what was going to be an amazing experience. Which proved to be true as when it came to leaving I didn’t want to go; I had immersed myself into African life.
What did an average day look like? Where did you teach?
Our accommodation was basic but nice. We essentially had a large house to ourselves. However, it is safe to say that room 5 had been cursed by the devil and coincidentally, this was my room – spiders, lizards, cockroaches, you name it, I had it. One night I swore something else was breathing in my room. But towards the end I simply grew used to it. At one point I has just tuked my Malaria net in and got ready to sleep – I heard the pitter patter of tiny feet run across my wall. From then I ran with the motto, ‘if it’s not bigger than me, then it probably won’t kill me’.
As for an average working day. Well, three of us worked in the local Salesian school – we had the longest walk, just under three miles I think. After getting up at 6:00 and after a cold shower and covering myself in bug repellent I had a bread based breakfast of bread then set off at 7:10 to arrive at 7:40. The school itself was only small but very nice, 178 children. They arrived at 7:15, I think, for the start of lessons at 8:00, cleaning the school itself in the 45 minute gap.
I had two classes Form 1 (Year 7) English and Form 3 (Year 10) English, both cases around the 40 mark. Spending the days teaching/marking/prepping, we had our dinner at the school – rice most days, maze (the most horrendous thing ever) the one. After the afternoon lessons the students would clean from 3:10 till 4:00 before the end of the school day.
The three of us easily had the best walk home, long dusty roads and romantic scenery and the peak of Kilimanjaro in the distance – we couldn’t ask for more. I enjoyed walking around, just the simplicity of the place and the friendly people, it’s hard to describe the surroundings for, although it was poverty-stricken it was beautiful. You could walk for miles down a bumpy dust road with a big smile on your face as the locals came over shook your hand and welcomed you. To them we were celebrities.
On the Friday we would all meet in our local ‘The J Bar’ for a Kilimanjaro or two (their local Lager – very nice, my favourite along with ‘Tusker’) before going back home for tea.
What were your classes like?
My Form 1 class were lovely, they were initially hesitant to me spicing up the lessons a bit – they were that regimented into their education that they were shocked when I added even a little interaction. The class gave me the nickname ‘fantastic’ because I used it whenever they got something right. When I quizzed one of them on it they told me they had never heard the word before, hence their joy and amazement whenever I used it.
Form 3 were just as nice but in a different way in that they were much more mature, being the same age as me. They were a tough crowd up until the end when they actually laughed at one of my jokes.
Over the course of three weeks I loved the teaching experience and the kids, so much so I did feel a little emotional when I left them. The Headteacher, Fr Vincent, was a great Man, a true Salesian Headteacher who is trying his hardest to try and inject a bit of life and spirit into the student’s education. I was so immersed into the school that I have already agreed to do the Manchester 10K again – this time to raise money for a science lab they desperately need to build.
Best part of this trip?
Easy. The Headteacher (Alison Burowes) and I went to visit a student’s home we sponsor. This was a real honour. I was told it was out in the sticks, so much so we pay for her accommodation also, so that she is closer to the school. However, I must admit that when we were driving down the bumpiest, most rural country road that you could ever imagine, this already being an hour into our journey, I was gobsmacked at how rural it was.
A ten minute walk through fields and we reached her home, all I can say is that it was beautiful – it was as if we travelled back in time. On the edge of a mountain cliff, the sound of the near river flowed in the background as we stood in the centre looking at the two small houses (made out of mud) surrounded by trees and forestry. This was true Africa, only very few ‘Westerners’ would experience something like this. Even through these words I haven’t done the place justice.
We went to inform the very grateful and welcoming father that, with his permission, our school was going to pay for her further education, her A-Levels. As we were leaving we were informed that he wanted to give us a gift – we were told to sit down and we could only watch on as the kind man approached the chicken pen and grabbed the chicken after a short fight. Our faces dropped as he tied the feet of the chicken together.
It would have been a huge insult to reject so with a smile, a very cautious smile, the chicken was planted into the arms of Alison, from their house all the way back to school, the same one hour drive. I was left speechless both at their generosity and the fact that we had a live chicken to do something with. All I’m going to say is that it didn’t taste bad.
What have I learned/gained?
The phrase ‘character building’ is thrown around a lot. However, it’s safe to say that Tanzania has contributed to my character being well and truly built. Whether it be hand washing clothes, having a cold shower (on my return I got a little bit emotional over the prospect of a hot bath), showering out of a tap when your shower breaks, having no electricity – I am now prepared for everything. But, I wouldn’t have changed any of that for anything.
I have also gained a sense of perspective. One image will stick with me for a long time. In England we use mini whiteboards in a lot of lessons. I decided to do the same at school. The way their faces lit up for the first time when they saw a marker pen was amazing. All of their Christmases had come at once. They couldn’t comprehend this pen, what it does and how it does it.
This was only in my second lesson and it was then that I released what they lacked – the basics we literally take for granted. But, I tell you something, whatever they lack they don’t have make up for in spirit.
Are you going back?
The teachers, students and Headteacher are the most inspiring, amazing people I have ever met.
Future trips are planned for the school. Personally, I hope to go back at some stage, and when I do decide to visit again, I will get back in touch with the school. Whether it be for a month or a year, I'm not sure when or for how long. I just know that I loved it and want to return.
I go off to University in a couple of weeks (to York). However, I'm remaining in close contact with the school - Fr Vincent (the head of 'Don Bosco Salesian School, Moshi, Tanzania') is visiting us May next year and so I'm going back to see him for a couple of days. Also, the group has decided to run the 10K next year to contribute to funds that will build the school a much needed science lab.
There’s so much more I could say, but restrictions mean I cannot. My experience was so good that I feel I haven’t done Tanzania justice in these words – there is much more that I saw, and much more that I did (Kilimanjaro for one), so if you have any questions please come and find me and I will be more than willing to share.
Zach's Amazing Trip To Tanzania
Wed 14th September 2016 | Atherton Collieries
By Zach Pierce
Atherton Collieries Media Officer Zach Pierce spent four weeks in July and August in Tanzania, travelling out with fellow students from Thornleigh Salesian College in Bolton to teach children in a rural area of the country.
He has summarised some of his experiences in the notes below.
What was the purpose of the trip?
A team of 17 travelled over from the humble surroundings of Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton to Moshi, Tanzania to go and work in three local schools – one of the Primary schools, the local Salesian school and the secondary school. Here we taught subjects such as Maths, English (this is what I taught) and Science – contributing to the education they receive and just making lessons simply more interactive and interesting. We worked within our wider Salesian community.
How did you feel?
As we began our descent into Dar Es Salaam airport (an eight hour bus journey from Moshi, but £250 cheaper on the plane) and I looked out the window I felt a tad cautious. I saw darkness with the odd occasional white light, that’s when it hit me – ‘I’m actually in Africa’. However, once we had landed and made our way through the rather harsh border control I felt fine, if a little warm, and looked forward to what was going to be an amazing experience. Which proved to be true as when it came to leaving I didn’t want to go; I had immersed myself into African life.
What did an average day look like? Where did you teach?
Our accommodation was basic but nice. We essentially had a large house to ourselves. However, it is safe to say that room 5 had been cursed by the devil and coincidentally, this was my room – spiders, lizards, cockroaches, you name it, I had it. One night I swore something else was breathing in my room. But towards the end I simply grew used to it. At one point I has just tuked my Malaria net in and got ready to sleep – I heard the pitter patter of tiny feet run across my wall. From then I ran with the motto, ‘if it’s not bigger than me, then it probably won’t kill me’.
As for an average working day. Well, three of us worked in the local Salesian school – we had the longest walk, just under three miles I think. After getting up at 6:00 and after a cold shower and covering myself in bug repellent I had a bread based breakfast of bread then set off at 7:10 to arrive at 7:40. The school itself was only small but very nice, 178 children. They arrived at 7:15, I think, for the start of lessons at 8:00, cleaning the school itself in the 45 minute gap.
I had two classes Form 1 (Year 7) English and Form 3 (Year 10) English, both cases around the 40 mark. Spending the days teaching/marking/prepping, we had our dinner at the school – rice most days, maze (the most horrendous thing ever) the one. After the afternoon lessons the students would clean from 3:10 till 4:00 before the end of the school day.
The three of us easily had the best walk home, long dusty roads and romantic scenery and the peak of Kilimanjaro in the distance – we couldn’t ask for more. I enjoyed walking around, just the simplicity of the place and the friendly people, it’s hard to describe the surroundings for, although it was poverty-stricken it was beautiful. You could walk for miles down a bumpy dust road with a big smile on your face as the locals came over shook your hand and welcomed you. To them we were celebrities.
On the Friday we would all meet in our local ‘The J Bar’ for a Kilimanjaro or two (their local Lager – very nice, my favourite along with ‘Tusker’) before going back home for tea.
What were your classes like?
My Form 1 class were lovely, they were initially hesitant to me spicing up the lessons a bit – they were that regimented into their education that they were shocked when I added even a little interaction. The class gave me the nickname ‘fantastic’ because I used it whenever they got something right. When I quizzed one of them on it they told me they had never heard the word before, hence their joy and amazement whenever I used it.
Form 3 were just as nice but in a different way in that they were much more mature, being the same age as me. They were a tough crowd up until the end when they actually laughed at one of my jokes.
Over the course of three weeks I loved the teaching experience and the kids, so much so I did feel a little emotional when I left them. The Headteacher, Fr Vincent, was a great Man, a true Salesian Headteacher who is trying his hardest to try and inject a bit of life and spirit into the student’s education. I was so immersed into the school that I have already agreed to do the Manchester 10K again – this time to raise money for a science lab they desperately need to build.
Best part of this trip?
Easy. The Headteacher (Alison Burowes) and I went to visit a student’s home we sponsor. This was a real honour. I was told it was out in the sticks, so much so we pay for her accommodation also, so that she is closer to the school. However, I must admit that when we were driving down the bumpiest, most rural country road that you could ever imagine, this already being an hour into our journey, I was gobsmacked at how rural it was.
A ten minute walk through fields and we reached her home, all I can say is that it was beautiful – it was as if we travelled back in time. On the edge of a mountain cliff, the sound of the near river flowed in the background as we stood in the centre looking at the two small houses (made out of mud) surrounded by trees and forestry. This was true Africa, only very few ‘Westerners’ would experience something like this. Even through these words I haven’t done the place justice.
We went to inform the very grateful and welcoming father that, with his permission, our school was going to pay for her further education, her A-Levels. As we were leaving we were informed that he wanted to give us a gift – we were told to sit down and we could only watch on as the kind man approached the chicken pen and grabbed the chicken after a short fight. Our faces dropped as he tied the feet of the chicken together.
It would have been a huge insult to reject so with a smile, a very cautious smile, the chicken was planted into the arms of Alison, from their house all the way back to school, the same one hour drive. I was left speechless both at their generosity and the fact that we had a live chicken to do something with. All I’m going to say is that it didn’t taste bad.
What have I learned/gained?
The phrase ‘character building’ is thrown around a lot. However, it’s safe to say that Tanzania has contributed to my character being well and truly built. Whether it be hand washing clothes, having a cold shower (on my return I got a little bit emotional over the prospect of a hot bath), showering out of a tap when your shower breaks, having no electricity – I am now prepared for everything. But, I wouldn’t have changed any of that for anything.
I have also gained a sense of perspective. One image will stick with me for a long time. In England we use mini whiteboards in a lot of lessons. I decided to do the same at school. The way their faces lit up for the first time when they saw a marker pen was amazing. All of their Christmases had come at once. They couldn’t comprehend this pen, what it does and how it does it.
This was only in my second lesson and it was then that I released what they lacked – the basics we literally take for granted. But, I tell you something, whatever they lack they don’t have make up for in spirit.
Are you going back?
The teachers, students and Headteacher are the most inspiring, amazing people I have ever met.
Future trips are planned for the school. Personally, I hope to go back at some stage, and when I do decide to visit again, I will get back in touch with the school. Whether it be for a month or a year, I'm not sure when or for how long. I just know that I loved it and want to return.
I go off to University in a couple of weeks (to York). However, I'm remaining in close contact with the school - Fr Vincent (the head of 'Don Bosco Salesian School, Moshi, Tanzania') is visiting us May next year and so I'm going back to see him for a couple of days. Also, the group has decided to run the 10K next year to contribute to funds that will build the school a much needed science lab.
There’s so much more I could say, but restrictions mean I cannot. My experience was so good that I feel I haven’t done Tanzania justice in these words – there is much more that I saw, and much more that I did (Kilimanjaro for one), so if you have any questions please come and find me and I will be more than willing to share.
