Tanzania..MLC Trip....Testigo & St Judes
Posted by David Owen on Nov 17, 2016
MLC, Kew offers various international excursions. One open to year 10 girls is the trip to Tanzania …The School of St Jude Tour.
Students Emily, Charlotte ad Ella with help from MLC staff member Lisa Gatliff, addressed us on their experiences and observations on the trip.
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Centred on the northern regions of Tanzania where the Maasai people live, the girls told of Testigo–Africa projects (recall the Tracey Sawyer presentation on permaculture initiatives), and the education system.
Photos of unique and substantial vegetable plots developed by the Maasai under the Testigo initiatives highlighted the commitment and skill of all (mainly the women—the men were and still are nomadic herd tenderers).
These photos showed how in a harsh dry terrains, scarce water supplies had been used in the villages to create a mini agricultural industry. This provided improved food and trading options for the communities.
They stayed for a time at The School of St Jude. This is now a highly successful school. Remember it is funded by various charitable sources including Rotary. The MLC team told of the local students enthusiasm, academic success and support for the school after graduation….many spend their first year as young adults in service at St Judes.
The contrast of St Judes with government schools they visited was dramatic for the MLC team. Government policy invokes exams in years 5, 7 and 9 such that only about half each time pass and proceed to subsequent school years. Resources and teachers were very limited, student-teacher ratios higher, and living conditions poorer. St Jude’s provided regular meals for students.