Grcxx3

Does anyone know about or have any experience with the Visiting Schools Program at Moshi International School in Tanzania?

My son and his classmates will be going there soon - learning about the culture, camping on the Ngorongoro Crater, visiting Olduvai Gorge, and also spending several days at the school's facility where they will work to build a classroom for a local school (they are raising the funds to do this).

I am excited about him going, but there are several other parents who have still have some concerns (housing facilities, camping arrangements, malaria risk, food issues, etc). The teacher organizing has never dealt with the organization before but has taught at several international schools throughout Africa.

We are having another parent information meeting next week and I hope most of these issues will be addressed - I was just hoping one of the Africa experts here might have some personal knowledge!!!!!

roadwarriorafrica

I do not know about the particular programme, but I can give you information about Moshi International School.

MIS has fantastic facilities, comparable to good international schools worldwide. The majority of students would be either wealthy Tanzanians/Kenyan kids, or children of expats working in Moshi / Arusha. Housing, camping, food,. etc., will be of a good standard, and safety and security should be a priority.

Malaria - I am not sure about. Just make sure that he takes anti-malria drugs.

Otherwise, your son will have a fantastic experience.

Grcxx3

roadwarrior - thanks for the words of encouragement! Glad to hear such good things about the Moshi school. I got that impression from the webpage, but it's good to have it confirmed by someone else.

My son has had all the vaccinations anybody could ever imagine and I already have Malarone for him. We were in Tanzania/Kenya several years ago for a safari and he is really excited about going back with his friends from school.

Thanks again!

Grcxx3

Just wanted to throw this back up to the top to report that my son and his classmates had a great time. They got back several weeks ago, but just last night we had a get-together will all kids, parents, and teachers to show the CD of photos and the videos.

What an incredible experience! The kids worked their behinds off during the community service part (2 days)- and I have to admit that seeing my 15 year old wielding a pick ax to break up the ground was a little freaky! But seeing them all dancing with one of the Masaii leaders was a hoot!

Then they had 2 days of safari stuff and a day at a waterfall.

Bottom line - this is an established, well-run program and a wonderful way for kids to provide a service, learn about a culture, and experience part of Africa!

Khakif

Grcxx3, MIS is a great school. I read their newsltter periodically and the students always seem to be enjoying great activities. I know a few parents whose children attend MIS.

Just out of curiosity,

Do you know who provided your son's safari experience? (Most likely an alumni.)

How did your son hear about the program initially?

What part of his experience does your son speak most about?

Grcxx3

Khakif -

I honestly don't know who handled the safari part. They were in 2 vehicles, but that's all I know. I will ask him and post later.

We are in Azerbaijan in a school that follows the IB curriculum. The head of the MYP (Middle Years Program) taught in Africa for many years and knew about the program. She thought it would be a great thing for the kids to experience - satisfying their "global" community service requirement and "bonding" as a group. Unfortunately -for a variety of reasons - only 9 of the 16 kids in his 10th grade class went. But they LOVED it!

As to what he talks about most....that's hard to say. He said that the community service part (helping to build a new classroom for a local school) was the hardest work he has ever done! They dug out the dirt for the foundation and helped to pour concrete. All I know is that the socks he came back with were GROSS!!!

I don't think the poverty and cultural differences were as surprising to him as they were for other kids because we lived in Egypt for 4 years and had been in Kenya and Tanzania before.

He loved being back in Ngorongoro Crater but what he mentioned most was our trip there 5 years ago. We went to Olduvai Gorge and insisted on taking the guide down into the gorge. My DH and I are both geologists and this was fascinating to us. I have a photo of my son and DH at the plaque that marks the spot where the Leakey's famous skeleton was found. Evidently, that guided tour is no longer available and my son mentioned that he is really glad he got to do it years ago because he realized it was a unique experience.

I am so glad he was able to do this! The thought of sending your 15 year old child off to a different continent is frightening.....but SO worth it!!

Khakif

Grcxx3, what a wonderful life-altering experience you son must have had. I am sure the reality of building a simple concrete foundation (without the benefit of modern technology/equipment) gave him a huge sense of accomplishment. Isn’t it funny how we travel hoping to learn more about others and in the process learn more about ourselves?

The waterfall he enjoyed was most likely Marangu on Mt. Kilimanjaro.

You are brave parents! This quote comes to mind, "first give them wings and le tthem fly."

Thanks for sharing, KhakiF

Grcxx3

your right....the waterfall was Marangu. And the video clips of the kids jumping off the waterfall were great! Even one of the teachers made the jump. It took my son several minutes to get up the nerve, but he finally did it. However - once was enough!