Junior High Big Day Out in Arusha

Organising excursions is always a bit of a challenge, but organising one in a country that you have only lived in for a short while, to a city you are not familiar with, for a full day, was a new experience!  I had looked around for somewhere for us to visit in Moshi, but didn't have any luck and really wanted to do something special since most of the students won't be at Hope next year.  Arusha is a city about 2 hours away (but with roadworks took 2.5 hours) so we left bright and early at 8:30am.

First stop: Cultural Heritage Art Gallery.  We couldn't take pictures inside, but even without the fantastic artwork, the architecture is amazing - six levels of paintings, sculptures and wooden carvings - making it the largest art gallery in Africa.

Next stop: The Arusha Declaration Museum.  This was pretty average in terms of displays, but since we had specifically been studying the Arusha Declaration it was worth the visit!  The museum has beautiful grounds so it was also a great place to stop for lunch.  Mr Francis went and got us Chips Kuku!

The future president of Tanzania sitting on the first president's chair :)

Posing in front of the Arusha Declaration monument - built to commemorate the 1967 deckaration

Next stop: Shanga Foundation.  This was probably the highlight for most students.  Shanga is an organisation that is focused on providing meaningful employment to people with disabilities through teaching them craft skills.  The things they make and the way they can overcome their limitations is truly inspiring.  More often than not, people with disabilities in Tanzania are looked down on and hidden away from society so I really wanted to expose the class to something they wouldn't normally encounter.

Meleah trying glass blowing!

Last stop: Ice cream!  This was a surprise stop and made my heart so happy.  The kids had been talking about getting ice cream but had accepted when I said it was too expensive.  The school donated some money however, making it possible!  To see the looks on their faces when we turned into the carpark instead of going home, and then when I said we were getting ice cream....just priceless!  Then when they realised we  were going to an actual ice cream shop and not just the supermarket - I've never seen ice cream bring so much joy :)

Happy times on our little bus :)

We arrived back in Moshi at 6:30pm and I must admit, as much as I love these teenagers, I was ready for some serious alone time!  Seeing their happy faces makes it worth it though.

Arusha has Mount Meru.....

...but Moshi still wins with Kili!

Blessings on your week!