On October 9th, ten North Broward students set out on expedition to Tanzania, in honor of World Children’s Day. Their mission is to support underprivileged students with a commitment to quality education, help build school facilities, and engage with diverse cultures and communities. Accompanied by two chaperones, Ms. Vester and Ms. Romero, the group travels via Delta airlines first to New York, then Amsterdam, and finally from Amsterdam to Tanzania, resulting in a journey that takes up to 32 hours one way.
Upon arrival, the group is greeted by the warm, fresh air of Arusha, Tanzania. After completing passport checks, they head to Shamba Kipara; a camp owned by Nord Anglia Education located by the Usa River, in the shadow of Mount Meru. After settling into the unfamiliar environment, the group has its first day of work at Leganga Primary School, where they are tasked to make 277 desks for the students. Leganga, like many schools in the area, has a shortage of desks which are necessary in any classroom setting. Unlike North Broward, a singular classroom at Leganga consists of around 95 students, with a 95:1 student-to-teacher ratio. In total, Leganga has around 800 students but only 8 teachers teach all subjects. A classroom is crowded; there are 4 students minimum that squeeze into a desk, and a teacher lecturing in Swahili on core subjects such as math, science, and English.
With each day spent at Leganga, the group not only builds desks, but also builds connections with the children at the school, diving deeper into Tanzanian culture. Pravan Siva recalls his moments with the children, explaining, “I don’t think we as a group could have built half the desks, or could have finished plastering the walls without the kids. Whether it was their handy skills or their amusing personalities, they made the task fun, and it was an experience I really appreciated being part of.” The group also takes part in a friendly football match against the school children, allowing them to build connections with not only the community but each other as well.
Despite the challenges Leganga faces, what stands out most to the group is how each child fills the school with joy. The children arrive on campus with bright smiles, eagerness to learn and play, even with limited resources. Their classrooms are crowded; their desks are damaged, they lack school supplies, yet their spirits remain high. Many of these children also face food insecurity, causing stunted growth as daily meals often do not provide enough nutrients necessary for physical development.
Ms. Vester, a 6th grade Earth Science teacher at North Broward reflects on this experience with a heavy heart. With tears in her eyes, she remarks, “This experience made me ask myself what we are doing wrong in our society that we have everything and are still miserable, whereas they have so little and are so incredibly happy with what they have.” She describes her experience in one word, “happiness.” Tanzania leaves a lasting impression on the group and helps them realize that joy is not linked to material wealth, but to gratitude for trivial things in life that are often overlooked. As the trip continues, the group reflects on their own lives back at home. They begin to recognize how everyday privileges are taken for granted. Maria Laura, a Junior at North Broward reflects on her own experience, explaining, “We need to feel grateful every single day because we have the opportunity to pursue a career through education. In Tanzania, most people don’t even think of having a career. We are lucky enough that if we want to travel, go to a restaurant, or go shopping, we can. It truly is a privilege to do all those things.”
Through a trip to Tanzania through NBPS Expeditions club last year, a nonprofit charity organization called Play It Forward was born. Their mission: to provide underprivileged children with sports equipment. The nonprofit believes every child should have the opportunity to pursue their athletic endeavors. As the World Children’s Day trip ends, the group continues the mission. They donate soccer balls, cleats, and athletic clothing to several schools in Arusha, along with school supplies such as pens, pencils, and paper. While these donations may seem insignificant compared to the many challenges this community faces, they carry a broad impact; providing these children with opportunities to learn, laugh, and continue to be happy through education and sports.
