Report from Tanzania – Sarah Hammond
Sarah Hammond traveled to Tanzania to experience a unique study abroad course that focused heavily on sustainability, being aware of environmental consciences and supporting the roots of local communities. The GIVE Volunteers program teaches its volunteers to invest in community-based tourism, which establishes long term sustainable benefits for local communities. The idea of supporting your neighbor was encompassed through the community-based initiatives and still resonates with Sarah, even now after the program ended. On her particular trip, she was in a group of 36 other volunteers.
They traveled to Zanzibar, one of the two larger islands off the coast of Tanzania, where they worked with the community of Kairo to install offices for the teachers, painted a classroom, and taught English to the children and adults.
After Zanzibar, she traveled to Arusha and volunteered with a women’s co-op to build chicken coups. Then Sarah went on a coffee tour, where she was able to see coffee plants and watch the process of making instant coffee straight from the bean. Lake Manyara National Park and Tarangire National Park were their next stops, where they learned about the terrible impacts of poaching.
After the safari, 18 people including Sarah stayed to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest point in Africa. Sarah reported that it was easily one of the most challenging things she has ever done, and to remember that she was 19,341 feet in the air is a surreal feeling. She credits the support and guidance of Green Paw Adventures and their outstanding team of guides, porters, and everyone in-between for her adventure.