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

Given that we head off on safari at 6am tomorrow, this may well be the last blog from our expedition before we leave Tanzania on Friday night to return to Scotland on Saturday.

Sunday saw most of the group opt to attend an English-language at the church linked to Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), the local hospital in Moshi. KCMC is the second biggest hospital in Tanzania, and a major teaching hospital in this area, so many medical students from across the African continent choose to study here. The 2 hour service was appreciated by the pupils, who embraced the Tanzanian culture and experience warmly. The sermon gave advice on dating/engagement and marriage – an interesting topic for our students!

After church we visited the Marangu gate of Kilimanjaro, where many of the 30,000 people who climb Kili every year start their climb. Ben gave us a tour, filled with information about the different environmental and climate regions which make up the mountain, the different trekking routes, and the fastest ascent (5 hrs 38 mins 40 secs!) and the fastest full trek (6 hours 24 mins)!  We then visited Moshi Christian Children’s Centre, where a large game of football, parachute games and playing in the park were all enjoyed by all! The evening was far more chilled, with a screening of The Lion King!

Monday and Tuesday have seen our last two days on the building sites. The houses have come on so much in a week – and we have been able to see Elisoni come out of his shell and grow in confidence as his house has progressed. Mama Kanza is as hospitable and grateful as always, and today she was pulling in neighbours who were walking past to proudly show them the progress of her new house. It was an amazing sight and is an amazing project to be a part of.

Last night we joined the Home-Building Expedition group from the Robertson Trust to have dinner with members of the Tanzania Women Research Foundation (TAWREF) to celebrate the partnership we share with them and Vine Trust. This was topped off with a spot of ceilidh dancing. Tonight had a more Tanzanian feel, as we enjoyed an evening at Kili coffee lounge with African dancing and singing. We think Erin and Ben may have been involved in some kind of marriage ceremony, but we'll never know! We were also able to celebrate Rachel’s 17th birthday.

Tomorrow’s early start will see us head on safari to Tarangire National Park, before heading to the Ngorongoro Crater on Thursday. After a lie in on Friday (9am breakfast – yay!!), we will head back to both worksites to say our last goodbyes, before completing our final bit of shopping, last minute packing and then heading to the airport! Where has the time gone?!