Summer Program in Tanzania
Tanzania, known for its natural wonders from Mt. Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti, is one of the most unique countries in Africa because of both its post-colonial socialist background and its relative stability and honest leadership in an unstable region. Washington College offers students a 22-day summer course on politics, culture, economy, and sustainable development in Tanzania itself.
"I think one of the things that makes the Tanzania program so unique is the fact that there are very few programs that actually go to Africa," says Dr. Tahir I. Shad, Associate Professor of Political Science, Director of the International Studies Program, and Curator of the Goldstein Program in Public Affairs. "This one gives you a chance to spend three weeks in Tanzania."
The course focuses on the familiar problems associated with Africa: poverty, unemployment, health, debt, and the conflicts between tradition and the lures of a changing world. Students are enriched by travel to one of Tanzania's national parks, traditional Maasai communities, coffee co-ops, government agencies, and health care centers.
"Anyone interested in the complicated study of development will certainly enjoy discovering first hand the complexities and challenges that exist in trying to cultivate positive change without destroying indigenous culture and knowledge," says student Kathleen O'Neill, a recent trip participant. "I strongly recommend this trip for anyone who enjoys traveling, hiking, camping, and all of the experiences that come with being surrounded by the seemingly unfamiliar and discovering that it's more familiar than you first thought."
In addition to visiting development agencies, students also go on a wildlife safari that includes hiking to the first base of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
"You get to explore the culture, wildlife, and marine life," says Dr. Shad. "It transforms the way you look at the world when you return."
Students receive four credits for participating in the Tanzania program and for writing a final research paper. The trip runs from May 24th through June 15th 2007. The estimated cost is $4800. The trip deposit is $1636. The price of the trip, which includes air and ground travel, accommodations, meals, guides and translators, is subject to change based upon the number of participants.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Andrew Oros, Acting Director of the International Studies Program and Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Studies at aoros2@washcoll.edu, or Dr. Tahir Shad at tshad2@washcoll.edu. The application deadline is Monday, December 10, 2007.
Below is the schedule from the 2006 trip. This itinerary should give interested students a good idea of the trip's activities.
2006 Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha, Tanzania
9am arrival from Nairobi.
Welcome and briefing.
Tour of Arusha town. Rest.
Accommodation: Arusha Resort Hotel
Day 2: Introduction and Travel to Monduli District
Morning- Meet at Arusha Resort at 9:30 am. Tanya gives introduction and briefing on Terrawatu projects. Answers questions.
Depart for Monduli around 10:30 am.
Lunch at Guesthouse in Monduli.
Afternoon- Plant walk/hike guided by Sululu.
Dinner- At Dutch Guesthouse.
Discussion- get to know each other.
Dinner and accommodation: The Dutch Guesthouse and Emanyatta Lodge, Monduli Chini.
Day 3: Visit to Maasai village in Enguiki
Breakfast- at guesthouse.
Visit Enguiki Maasai village. Talk with villagers, olaiboni and elder women herbalists.
Picnic lunch
Afternoon: Visit coffee farm supported by Technoserve.
Dinner- At Dutch Guesthouse
Talk- on Tanzanian politics and economics.
Dinner and accommodation: The Dutch Guesthouse and Emanyatta Lodge, Monduli Chini
Day 4: Visit to Local Market and Reforestation Projects
Breakfast- at guesthouse.
Depart Monduli and on the way tour a traditional Maasai local market at Kisongo.
Project on to Mkonoo. Learn about re-forestation program and talk with network members.
Lunch- goat roast prepared by villagers (vegetarian option)
Discussion- separate groups with men and women
Visit Nadosoito if there is time.
Return to Arusha Resort
Discussion/debriefing- impressions of Monduli
Dinner- on own
Accommodation: Arusha Resort Hotel, Arusha town
Day 5: Education Projects, IT for development, Traditional Health Clinics
Breakfast- at Arusha Resort
Visit Siwandeti Computer Center. Briefing about Terrawatu's IT project.
Proceed onto Natema Primary School. Visit classrooms and talk about construction and child school sponsorship program.
Visit Ilkiding'a Secondary School and talk with students and teachers about project.
Lunch- in Arusha town (e.g. Pizza Point)
Afternoon- Visit Terrawatu traditional medicine clinic in Arusha and discuss preservation of indigenous knowledge with traditional healers.
Dinner- on own
Accommodation- Arusha Resort Hotel
Day 6: Mweka Wildlife College/ Mt. Kilimanjaro, Moshi
Breakfast- Arusha Resort
Visit to College in foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Option for hiking.
Dinner- on own
Accommodation: Arusha Resort Hotel
Day 7: HIV/AIDS, Health Care
Breakfast- Arusha Resort
Meet with local NGO working on the HIV/AIDS problem in Arusha region- e.g. Women in Action
Lunch- in Arusha town
Visit Hospital
Closing dinner of People-to-People safari
Transition lecture on wildlife and community issues- David Erickson, Project Direction Cullman & Hurt Community Wildlife Project)
Briefing on wildlife safari
Accommodation: Arusha Resort Hotel
Begin Wildlife Safari with Terrawatu partners Naipenda Safaris
Day 8: Lolkisalie
Drive to Lolkisalie village on the Maasai Steppe bordering Tarangire National Park. Camp in the village and have evening campfire discussions with Maasai villagers.
Dinner and accommodation: Camping
Day 9: Lolkisalie
After breakfast, hike on Lolkisalie mountain and discuss ecological issues in the area. Other activities include village visit and walking with Maasai warriors.
Dinner and accommodation: Camping
Day 10: Tarangire National Park
Drive to Tarangire National Park through back roads, game viewing along the way.
Dinner and accommodation: Tarangire Campsite
Day 11: Tarangire and Ngorongoro National Parks
Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Picnic lunch along the way. Settle into campsite at Simba Camp.
Dinner and accommodation: Campsite.
Day 12: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Early morning descent into Ngorongoro Crater for a full day of game viewing. Picnic lunch in crater.
Dinner and accommodation: Campsite.
Day 13: Lake Manyara National Park- Arusha
After an early morning breakfast at campsite, drive to Lake Manyara National Park. After game drive, return to Arusha Town.
Accommodation: Arusha Resort Hotel.
Finish Wildlife Safari.
Day 14: Day to rest, last day in Arusha
Breakfast- Arusha Resort
Options around town, discuss with Terrawatu staff
Accommodation: Arusha Resort Hotel
Begin Safari on Swahili Coast
Day 15: Travel to Dar es Salaam
Breakfast- Arusha Resort
Bus from Arusha to Dar es Salaam. Leaves 8am, arrives between 5-6 pm.
Accommodation: to be determined
Day 16: Bagamoyo
Bagamoyo- 1 hour drive north of Dar. USAID works with a community group there. Places to visit include small but interesting museum with section on some of the European explorers to the region. Ruins of German colonial era, slave trade, mosques. For part of the 1800's Bagamoyo was the capital of German East Africa. Nice beach and good seafood.
Accommodation: To be determined. DSM or Bagamoyo.
Day 17: Visit US Embassy, USAID, University of Dar es Salaam
Visit to the United States Embassy in Dar es Salaam. This is the new embassy, built after the old one was bombed by Al Qaeda in 1998. It resembles a fortress and is very interesting to see. Terrawatu has close contacts at both the Embassy and adjacent USAID mission in Tanzania (United States Agency for International Development)
USAID staff will give briefing of US role in Tanzania and efforts to bring Tanzanian culture to the States.
Meet with HIV/AIDS and Public Health team and Agriculture team.
University of Dar es Salaam (Tentative, if there is time)
Take 4pm ferry to Zanzibar. Arrival time 6:15pm in Stonetown.
Accommodation: Mauwani Inn
Day 18: Zanzibar and Education
Breakfast- Mauwani
Visit to Madrasa School supported by USAID to learn about community-run school and role of education in Islamic Zanzibari families.
Visit Kiemba Samaki Secondary School and learn about teacher training program.
By June 2006, there should be some Peace Corps volunteers in Zanzibar and we can arrange to meet and talk with them (checking this possibility with USAID)
Accommodation: Mauwani
Day 19: Zanzibar, Environment and HIV/AIDS
Breakfast- Mauwani
Morning time, visit Jozani Forest and learn about community conservation project support by WWF (World Wildlife Fund)
Afternoon, visit ZAPHA (Zanzibari People Living with AIDS) program in Stonetown. Can also visit other sites around Stonetown, arrange talk with local fishers and discuss environmental program of over-fishing, reef construction, and impact on livelihoods.
Accommodation: Mauwani
Day 20: Day visit to Menai Bay Conservation Area
Today we spend on a marine safari
Departing from the village of Fumba, 30 minutes from Stonetown.
Accommodation- in Stonetown, Mauwani and neighbors
Day 21: Relax on beach- Kendwa
Breakfast- Mauwani
Travel 2 hours north to Kendwa, Zanzibar
Opportunities for diving.
Accommodation- TBD (option: Sunset Bungalows)
Day 22: Depart Tanzania
Ferry back to Dar es Salaam in the afternoon. There is a 1pm ferry.
Final debriefing and farewell.
Dar to Nairobi 19:45 flight...or departure directly from Zanzibar to Nairobi, evening time.
Please note that details are subject to change depending on weather/road conditions and schedules of people we meet with. Thank you for your understanding.
Terrawatu is a non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to providing consulting, educational, and experience-based services regarding environmental stewardship and cross-cultural relations.
Terrawatu creates Oloipung'o experiences for individuals, families, and modern tribes. Oloipung'o "o loy pun go" is a Maasai word meaning "a person who travels outside of his or her compound to explore a different part of the world and then turns back to share with his or her village." Terrawatu journeys take you to places in Tanzania truly "off the beaten track." Your guides are some of the best ambassadors around.