Tanzania Summer Team Leapers Diaries

Emily John

Hey everyone.

Thanks for the email. Having a fantastic time here! Have not managed to burn yet, I'm slapping on the Factor 50 though! I'm surprised how quickly I've adjusted to being away from home, and being in a group etc.

Absolutely loving working in a team, and am finding the placements very rewarding. We were all pleased with the work we did at Whisperers of the Jungle orphanage and I’m sure we'll feel the same for the CCF orphanage. The children there are a bit wild! They're so sweet though.

Hope you're all well! Xx

Lean Royle

To Guy,


Here’s the answers to some of your questions : )
- living conditions in Arusha are close to luxury! I’m embracing the cold showers and resisting the offer for hot water!
-The projects have been good. I have enjoyed Whisperers of the Jungle (the orphanage) and it was well organised by Kifa. I absolutely loved the kids at CCF even though they are a handful it was such a great challenge!

- The people looking after us here - Mathius, Mama Jo Jo, Giggs and Griff have been so supportive and helpful - it's really good to be staying with them and it feels like we are part of their family.

- The group though are getting on so well- we have some awesome days - especially the safari which was out of this world!
Overall the trip is amazing and Tanzania is a beautiful country!
Hope this has helped. Thanks for all your help.

Leanne xx

Sian Bolton

Hi Guy and Alice,

We are all fine and having a brilliant time. Mathius and his family are so lovely we all feel very at home- like adopted sons and daughters! We are working with the CCF at the moment and having a fantastic time. It’s so good to get to know them and build up some trust with the street boys. Me, Faye and Sophia are creating a website to raise the profile of CCF this week which is great.
We’ll email again soon.

Thank you- Leap Tanzania 2008 xxx

Eliza Brennan

Hi Guy and Mathius,

Thanks to all of you in London and Tanzania for making the trip such an extraordinary experience, especially in the face of such difficult circumstances.  We want to give a special thanks to Mathius and Mama Jo for their warmth, caring, advice, support, work, organizational skills and for the extra help you gave to Eliza, both for the Kili trek and at the end of her stay.  She had an amazing life-changing experience!  Thank you!

Eliza and Vicky Brennan

Jodie Shimmen

Hiya Alice!

Thanks for your email, we are all ok and having a great time. Mathius is lovely and the family are really welcoming so we feel right at home! We think you will be joining us at the safari phase so cant wait see you then.

We are going to a snake park tomorrow - where we are camel riding and munching on some goat…which is all a new experience. Thank you for all your hard work and this amazing opportunity.
Lots of love
Jodie, Verity, Charlie and Jen

Hi Guy its Jodie.
I’m having a really good time, not quite what I expected but nothing ever is. Mathius has been an amazing host from the beginning and am so excited about sharing all of these new experiences as a group. My favourite bit so far has been the camel ride - I was so scared but had such fun and a laugh with verity holding on to me for dear life.
I haven’t had a conversation with my parents and I don’t think I will as it costs such a lots of money - but I have been texting them a bit. I had to phone mum the other day and said “I’m fine .. have to be quick.. What’s the recipie for scones!”.

We made Mathius, his family and the staff at the house scones and they all loved them next I think is chocolate sponge cake - which I’m sure will go down very well.
Thanks
Jodie x

Hi Alice.
Hope you are well. Just thought I would drop you an email whilst I had the chance before heading to Dar tomorrow for the next phase of the placement. Everything is getting better and better here - as I said before the placements have definatley improved and this has been my favourite week so far.

Yesterday we went to an underground house up in the hills of Moshi where the Chagga people used to hide from the Massai during the war 200 years ago. It was amazing, me and Jen, Mathius and chief went into the tunnel, with only an oil lamp for light, we went deeper into ground and found a kitchen area still with a stove and pots from 200yrs ago - we took lots of pictures so when I get back I will send them to you - as the computers here are too slow. We then saw where the Chagga would keep the dead bodies of the Massai during the day and then take them outside and bury them at night. All very exciting!

We are all looking forward Zanzibar - we are going next Friday. As soon as we get to Dar I’m going to start researching good diving companies to do my PADI with - I cant wait- that’s another thing I’m really looking forward to! I persuaded the other two to walk into town with me today as its the public holiday and we went to our local coffee shop and got talking to some other volunteers which was nice. It’s Eid, the Islamic holiday today so we have been invited by the Roots and Shoots manager to celebrate with him - by eating lots…I don’t have any complaints about that. Hehe! Anyway - say hi to Guy for me. I will keep you up to date with what’s going on here, wish us luck for the journey - although I’m sure it will be fine ...  xxx


Hi Alice,

It’s great to hear from you. I’m having a brilliant time here now - the best it’s been for the whole placement!
Today I have been to the secondary school and worked with some of the teachers and then went to the museum where I sat with 3 Masaai women and made jewellery for them to sell…they then dressed me in full Massaai clothes to say Thank You!! Don’t worry I have tons of pictures and will send them as soon as I get back.
Mathius is being brilliant and I don’t feel alone here at all. - infact I feel more part of the family and community than ever.
Zanzibar was amazing!! I met so many travellers and made so many new friends - the full moon party was excellent and well worth staying for, the diving was out of this world and I am so pleased I passed my Padi - I cant wait 2 dive again somewhere else now.
I cant believe I’ll be back in 2 weeks - I have finally chosen not to stay on as I feel I’m ready to come home now…or at least I will be in a couple of weeks time!
Jodie x