The Faces of East Africa

Immersion in Tanzanian village life on a oneof-a-kind community service adventure

Journey into Africa this summer for a chance to contribute to several meaningful service projects in a Tanzanian school. You’ll immerse yourself in the rich cultural traditions and colorful heritage of this small East African country and have a chance to explore the nation’s spectacular scenery while you’re here.

Satisfying Service
Your community service projects are designed to give you a first-hand introduction to Tanzanian culture and help you become a part of the local community. Tanzania is home to a wealth of tribal diversity, and its people are some of the most welcoming and warm on the continent.

Our goal in this village is to help improve the learning environment and the general quality of life for the locals, and you will become a driving force in helping us accomplish this. Help transform a local school into a positive and welcoming environment for kids by repainting and refurbishing the buildings. You’ll also join local organizations that are trying to make a difference but are often plagued by a lack of resources. When not engaged in village service, you will have the opportunity to learn local customs and traditions and explore your brilliant Tanzanian surroundings..

School House Rocks
You will spend much of your time here working with the local schools. Come create a positive learning environment for local kids who don’t have much beyond the very basics. You will teach arts and crafts, educational games, health initiatives, sports, and English. Your involvement will ensure these kids receive the individual attention they deserve. They will happily welcome you into their school, and they may even teach you a
little Swahili and some local customs in between English lessons!

Home Away from Home
Home while you’re here will be our Rustic Pathways Tanzanian Base. The atmosphere at our Base is rustic but comfortable, and you’ll stay in a bungalow with a private bathroom. You will live under the shadow of the soaring Mount Kilimanjaro in a small
and welcoming village that is located just a short drive from Tanzania’s breathtaking natural splendor.

Create An Unforgfettable Summer
Spend your summer immersing yourself in a vital, ongoing effort to support, educate, and develop a community. You will gain a true understanding of another culture while you are here and leave a changed person. The Faces of East Africa program was designed for those who want to experience Tanzania’s rich culture while participating in worthwhile community and environmental service projects. If that’s you, then pack your bags and come join us in Tanzania this summer.

If you would like to inquire about Building Tanzania’s Brighter Future, please e-mail us at africa@rusticpathways.com.

Itinerary

Day 1: Africa here we come!
All of Rustic Pathways scheduled group flights to Tanzania depart from New York. All scheduled group flights to Africa are escorted by a Rustic Pathways Flight Leader. The flight departs New York in the evening and takes about 16 hours. During your flight take the time to get to know other students on your flight, get some sleep in preparation for your arrival into Africa.

Day 2: Meet and Greet
Jambo! Welcome to Tanzania. You will arrive into Arusha, Tanzania in the early evening and will transfer to the Rustic Pathways Base. Spend the night getting to know the staff and as part of your initial orientation, you will be taught many aspects of Tanzania protocols and expectations of behavior. The base accommodation is located 10mins outside of the main city of Arusha. The property has been set up for Rustic Pathways to have sole use of the Country Style Bungalow’s and grounds throughout the summer. Our student’s safety is our number one priority on all our programs.

Day 3: Let the Work Begin
Today will be your first full day of service work. You will be taking part in a number of different community service projects throughout the summer that will benefit the students of Nkoakirika Primary School, which is located in the Poli Village. Project work during the course of your program may involve participation in a variety of initiatives. You can expect to spend time within the local schools, tutoring students in English, helping with classroom activities and getting involved with local sporting events. Other projects will involve repairs and maintenance to school buildings, construction of new amenities or upgrading of present facilities. As well as teaching the students about hygiene, dental care and general medical issues. Your time of this program of service will be varied, interesting, challenging and extremely rewarding and worthwhile. At the conclusion of each afternoon’s work you will return to the base house for the evening.

Days 4, 5, 6, 7, &8:
During the next six days your focus will primarily be on the projects your group is undertaking for your time in Africa. Each morning and afternoon, you will be assigned a specific project, the team then works alongside and under the guidance of a Rustic Pathways staff member and various members of the local school that take an interest in the projects.

The description contained here should give you a good idea of what may happen during your stay. After your morning project you will typically continue your work for a few hours after lunch and then your group may head off to watch the local village children play a soccer match. Another afternoon your group might explore the surrounding area, perhaps taking an enjoyable hike to a neighboring waterfall or a stroll through the streets of Arusha with staff checking out the local curio markets that are filled with high quality crafts and see Maassi warriors in full regalia.

Day9: Goodbye Africa
This morning will be the conclusion of your service work within the local villages. A time for farewells and best wishes and a chance to reflect on the experiences and memories which have encapsulated themselves in the hearts of your group over such a seemingly short period of time. Incredible friendships are made that will be cherished for many years to come.

If you are departing to the USA tonight, your afternoon will be spent in Arusha shopping for any final gifts or souvenirs. After a final meal with your group, you travel to the airport and bid Tanzania farewell (until next year perhaps). You will arrive back into New York on Thursday morning

The Faces of East Africa:
1 - Will the kids be drinking bottled water?
Yes, Rustic Pathways will provide bottled water for drinking at all times.

2 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
To obtain a visa if you are an American citizen, your son/daughter needs to bring $100 USD with them (other citizens need $50 USD) for when they arrive into Tanzania. At the arrival gate they will be able to pay the immigration officer and receive the necessary visa. You do not need to obtain a visa before your trip.

3 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
Accommodation will be at upscale bungalows in walking distance to Arusha. There are usually three to a room, with hot showers, sit down toilets and comfortable beds included.

4 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
We are unable to suggest any type of immunizations necessary for the trip, however you can check on the World Health Organization’s website, the Center for Disease Control website or speak with a local travel clinic doctor for more information.

5 - What costs are not included on this trip?
Souvenirs and snacks need to be taken into consideration.

6 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
A flight leader will meet all the students at JFK and be with them until their arrival into Tanzania. One will also be present on the return flight home.

7 - How does this program connect to other programs?
Tanzania’s geographical location makes it difficult to connect seamlessly with the other countries we operate in. We suggest any student interested in connecting programs should first return home and wait for the following week until the next program begins. This will allow enough time to smoothly integrate into the upcoming trip, without missing out on the first couple of days.

8 - How long is the flight to this country?
It is roughly about 19 hours.

9 - What kind of food will we be eating?
We have cooks that provide most of our meals and have worked with us for a number of years now. They do a wonderful job of creating westernized dishes for the students, while also fixing the occasional local meal to try. Special circumstances, such as being a vegetarian, can be accommodated.

10 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
Generally speaking, there are usually more girls than boys, but it is difficult to say with each trip being different.

Departs Tuesday	Returns Thursday
15 June	24 June
22 June	1 July
29 June	8 July
6 July	15 July
13 July	22 July
20 July	29 July
27 July	5 August
3 August	12 August

TOURING + ADVENTURE

COMMUNITY SERVICE

LANGUAGE PROGRAMS

LIFE SKILLS

The Faces of East Africa

Itinerary

HIGHLIGHTS

TRIP DETAILS