The Term 4 India and Tanzania service trips returned to school after 3 weeks of service in their respective countries. Both of the trips blended cultural immersion, sightseeing, and service for some unforgettable experiences for those who attended. Interested in learning more about the events that happened, I spoke with a student on the India trip and a teacher on the Tanzania trip to get further insight into their trip experiences.
The India trip focused on economic development and volunteering at a community center called “Manav Sadhna,” which means “devotion to mankind” in Hindi. This phrase coincidentally aligned with the theme of the trip: humanity and service. Leena Kuittinen, ‘24, stated that her “favorite part of the trip was working with the kids [from Manav Sadhna].” She went on to explain that Manav Sadhna was “a [before and after] school program” that is meant “to supplement [the children’s] school education.” Leena and the other students helped the kids learn English and participated with them in activities such as dance, art, and sports. Along with the service, the GS students also had a brief getaway to Goa, India, and visited other main tourist attractions in India, such as New Delhi and the Taj Mahal.
While the students on the India trip combined economics with their service, those on the Tanzania trip centered their attention on the conservational aspect of service. Polly Lodge, a science teacher who accompanied the students on the trip, explained her takeaways and experiences on the trip. In Tanzania, students experienced cultural immersion into the Maasai way of life. The Maasai are a local tribe in Tanzania, which the students resided with for the duration of their trip. The students stayed at a lodging facility that was run by the Maasai and stayed in round lodging huts as a way to immerse themselves into the Maasai cultural traditions. Students also went on a safari where they witnessed a pride of lions eating their prey. Polly described her time with the tribes as “particularly moving and exciting.” In the mornings, GS students would travel to local Maasai schools “where almost all of the students were Maasai…” to participate in work activities such as shepherding cattle, gardening, cutting grass, and more.
George School has permanently brought back service trips after the pandemic. This year, Tanzania and India were 2 of the 7 trips that were offered. Each trip had its own unique experiences and highlights, but the students on the trips had similar experiences of cultural immersion and participating in service activities with kids from local schools. Whether it be going to the Taj Mahal or witnessing the pride of lions on a safari, both groups of students enjoyed their trips.
