“Building a playground in Tanzania was probably the most challenging yet fulfilling thing I have ever done. I had an amazing time getting to know the local people, learning their language, understanding their culture and most importantly appreciating my life.
One of the most treasured things that I have taken away from my summer building a playground was how it made me realize that the world is not as strange as we think it to be. It doesn’t matter where you live in the world, what food you eat or what language you speak, children are the same and they need fun just as much as the next kid. It was so rewarding knowing that we gave these kids something to make them smile and escape to.
My two months in Africa led me to experiences where I helped deliver a baby in a mud hut in the middle of no where. I went on safari, ate amazing food, had a goat killed in my name, and had two marriage proposals. It was truly an experience that I will never forget and I hope that I will have the opportunity to help build another playground”
Rohanna Phillips, Volunteer, Tanzania 2008
“Tanzania was an amazing experience; working was fun, hard work and challenging but was all worth it. The whole experience brought up different challenges and it was fun challenging them. Working and living with people who were interested in doing the same thing as me was awesome. Would recommend it to anybody who wants to do something different in Africa.”
Alex Gill, Volunteer, Tanzania 2008
“In the summer of 2008 we were lucky enough to have three great volunteers from England come to Kiteto Christian College and start the long process of constructing a playground from scratch. KCC is located in Kibaya found at the southern end of the Masai strip. The area is one of the poorest in all of Tanzania and has no running water and electricity in only one town in an area about the size of Wales.
The story went around town that there was some building work going on down at the local mission school and many people came down to offer help for no charge. The community inspired by Tom, Rohanna and Alex got together and seeing what wonderful work was going on for the children, did a lot of labour intensive jobs like clearing the land, digging foundations holes and helping with the fencing. It was a real team effort. The children at this time stood daily in amazement not really knowing what was going on but ever present, as strange shapes were beginning to come out of the ground. Soon the playground started to take shape and the children began to grapple with the idea that this was for them.
The day came for opening and many from the surrounding areas came to see. When they were finally allowed in, a flood of children swarmed into every possible area of the playground.
The impact on the children was great and the playground will continue to affect many children into the future. The relations between the school and the community were also built up as people saw love being given in a way that it may seem was not necessary but which showed love for loves’ sake. It was not a well or a school building but a place for children to simply have fun in. The day finished in laughter and shouts of joy from the children and continues everyday since.”
Rev Chris Lee, of KCC, the site of the 2008 Tanzania playground build
Comments Off
