Visit Tanzania
As much as NTC is committed to making life in Kwala as visible and tangible as possible to our participants in The United States, the best way to really “meet Kwala” is to visit it for yourself! NTC is looking to support volunteer and exchange-based trips for Newton students and citizens to visit Kwala. Whether you would like to initiate or get involved in a project, or are just interested in better understanding the Tanzanian culture, NTC hosts yearly trips to Kwala in which you can be a participant.
Our next group trip to Tanzania is scheduled for late July/early August, 2010! Our group trips last about two weeks, and is facilitated by NTC’s partner organization, United Planet. This year’s trip will include the following activities:
- Tour of Dar es Salaam, the Capital of Tanzania
- Trip to Zanzibar
- Short safari in Mikumi National Park
- 6 Nights in Kwala
- An opportunity to participate in homestays at teachers’ houses
- Cultural exchange activities
- School visits at Kwala Secondary School and Mahundi Primary School
- A community service project
If you are interested in joining Newton students and teachers on our second annual group trip, please Contact Us at info@newtontanzania.org for more information.
Past Trips to Tanzania
NTC’s relationship between Newton and Kwala has given us the opportunity to invite an array of people and groups to pass through Kwala over the past several years. The Kwala Secondary School staff has encouraged us to send as many visitors through Kwala as possible. Below are three examples of past trips demonstrating ways you can visit Kwala!
2009 NTC Group Trip
In July, 2009, seven Newton citizens embarked on a two week trip to Tanzania to learn about Tanzania’s culture, work on projects in Kwala, and do some sight-seeing. Our partner organization, United Planet, planned the entire trip and provided all logistical support. Spread out between the three teachers’ houses at Kwala Secondary School, the group participated in homestays with the families of the teachers. During the day, the group shared culture with students, teachers, and villages. Students from Newton South’s NTC Club had raised enough money (more than $4,000 throughout the year!) to allow us to build eight new latrines at Kwala Secondary School, and the group got their hands dirty helping to build them. Additionally, Jackie Schon worked with Kwala Secondary School students to help paint a mural on one of the walls at Kwala Secondary School representing Newton, Kwala, and NTC’s work in the community. Students submitted proposals for what the mural should look like, and also painted a large portion of the actual mural.
In between learning about Tanzanian culture and working on the community service projects, the group also took some time to tour Dar es Salaam (the country’s biggest city) and visit Mikumi National Park for a quick safari!
Check back soon for a video from the trip!
In January, 2009, former Madison Park High School teacher Judith Baker contacted NTC to inquire about taking a group of 15 Boston-area teachers to visit Kwala for several days in August. The group was touring Tanzania and attending the Pan-African Reading For All Conference in Dar es Salaam, an event featuring teachers from throughout Africa and the world that Judith was helping to organize. The Boston teachers also stayed at Kwala Secondary School’s teachers houses, shared teaching experiences with Kwala’s staff, and ran two HIV seminars with Kwala’s students. Additionally, the group provided funds for the entire Kwala Secondary School staff to attend the Pan-African Reading For All Conference! NTC Tanzania Advisor Athuman Msangi took care of all the logistical support for the trip, including finding transportation for the teachers to visit Kwala and arranging for the homestays.
If you are a trip organizer bringing a group to Kwala and are looking to add a great cultural component to your trip, please Contact Us to bring your group to Kwala!
Individual Traveler Trip
In August, 2009, Boston University student and NTC Boston University Club member Susan Zalkind visited Tanzania to study Swahili in Zanzibar for three weeks. After returning from Zanzibar, she wanted to visit Kwala (especially given her work with the new BU NTC Club in the upcoming year). Susan and her friend took two dalla dallas (buses) and one piki piki (motorcycle) to get to Kwala, the only way to reach the village by public transportation. Susan and her friend were warmly greeted by Kwala Secondary School staff, who allowed them to stay in their homes for a three day stay in Kwala.
If you are passing through Tanzania and would like to visit Kwala, please Contact Us and we will arrange a stay for you!
Bring Tanzania to Newton
In October 2007, NTC received funding to bring Kwala history teacher and NTC Kwala Advisor Athuman Msangi to Newton for two weeks of guest teaching and cultural exchange. The results were extraordinary. Newton’s students, teachers and parents were deeply moved by Mr. Msangi’s vivid depictions of life and culture in Tanzania, while exposure to our culture and generosity changed Mr. Msangi’s life forever. Further, the village of Kwala now understands that it is in a true partnership with Newton.
NTC is looking for generous individuals who would like to support Kwala teachers visiting Newton. Please contact us to find out how you can change the lives of hundreds by bringing a teacher from Kwala to Newton!
Click here to see a photo book of Mr. Msangi’s trip to America in 2007.
