Expedition blog from Perth Grammar School, Arran High School and Carluke High School

A busy couple of days in Tanzania has seen us visit the offices of TAWREF (Tanzania Women Research Foundation), one of Vine Trust's local partner organisations, for a presentation on the community development work they undertake in Tanzania and a spot of shopping in their charity shop, while the remainder of our time has been spent getting our hands dirty on the home-building worksites.

While at the offices of TAWREF, we heard more about the two families for whom we are building new homes. All of the team have spent time working on both sites, and we will continue to alternate between the two (weather permitting!).

The teams are working hard on the sites. Last night’s Swahili lesson was put into practice today (including some Swahili singing!) and the Tanzanian noise of celebration is becoming a firm favourite among some of the group (so apologies for that now!).

One of the homes we are building is for Elisoni. Elisoni currently lives on his own as his brother is away and his sister currently lives with their mother, however, they may come to live with him when the new home is completed. This site is in the Marangu area, on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, and is therefore a little cooler than Berea (23C yesterday) with a more jungle-like environment. The last 10 minutes of the journey to the site are along some interesting tracks – and if it rains we won’t be able to access the site!

On the first day Elisoni allowed us to see into his wooden, one roomed house. Normally these shelters are kept by the families alongside their new home to be used as an animal shelter or store for the family, but Elisoni’s has had to be taken down to make room for his new home. Great progress has been made at this site over the first two days, with the passing of breeze blocks along a human chain being the main task in hand today.

The other site, belonging to Mama Kanza and her grandsons Michael and Kelvin, is in similar surroundings. Both boys have been getting involved in the building work, with Kelvin (who is only 11!) putting many of us to shame with his efforts. Mama is delighted that we are with her, and is so grateful for all that is being done to help her. Every day at site she has shared some of her food with us – reminding us how hospitable and generous Tanzanian's can be.  Today we made a lot of mud at the site (much harder to do than it looks!), and used it to help build up foundations and create an even site for laying bricks. Of course – a mud fight did ensue at some stage – which then looked very good as we headed to the local supermarket straight afterwards to stock up on ‘supplies’! 

Tonight we’ve been reflecting on our experience so far, and thinking a little about its impact on us, which is an important part of our expedition.

We hope to head out to a local restaurant for dinner tomorrow night, so we shall try to update you all in a few days time. In the meantime, we shall leave you with some quotes:

• ‘Can you get boy/girl twins?  Can you get 3 twins?’
• Miss L - 'That juice is 180% of your daily sugar intake’. Pupil B -  (who was taught maths by Miss L) ‘Well that’s ok, how much am I allowed, what do percentages go up to?!?  Isn’t it 1000?’