Group 2: community service

Group 2 - Week 1 (Community Service)

After a couple nights rest in the Oasis Lodge we made the trek to a Maasai Village 45 minutes west of Arusha. After a warm welcome from the students on their last day of school, we set the to the task of setting up camp. We also had some time to explore the village and meet some of children of the local area.

The next day we set to work on a couple projects at the Matim School, one was painting a Classroom and the other was creating concrete walkways for the classroom buildings. The boys took the challenge of finishing job before our time was up. In between the hard work by all involved painting, digging, and and hauling buckets of sand or dirt, we had a chance to experience the local community by visiting the Maasai market place, hiking some of the local sites, and getting to know the locals.

One of the major highlights was witnessing a Maasai coming of age ceremony. The ceremony which is taken on by the young males who so choose, was an eye opener for all of us. The chanting and face painting of those involved was a site to see, and we definitely felt welcome from the hosts of the local get together.

On the last day we finished our work and made our final gesture by officially giving our hosts the gifts we all brought with us for the community and school. All involved were appreciative of our kindness, and we were definitely appreciative of their hospitality. We left the village tired, but energized by what lay ahead!