After successfully completing RIDETZ with TFFT in 2010, I was eager to get back on the bike again for round two in 2012. An injury prevented me from riding this summer, but only further increased my desire to return to Tanzania and help TFFT in any way I could, while furthering my knowledge about the foundation’s efforts on the grounds here in Tanzania. After relaying to Meghann and Kaitlin my desire to get more involved this summer, I was offered a month long internship with TFFT in Arusha. I quickly jumped at this opportunity, determined to contribute in some way to the foundation that means so much to me and to the children that I have watched grow up at the Nkoaranga Orphanage.

I headed this way, hopeful that my past experiences in Tanzania would provide me with the knowledge necessary to productively carry out any jobs that were sent my way. Unaware of what exactly those jobs would be, I showed up at the TFFT office Monday morning, ready to start work and learn more about the incredible work that the TFFT team tirelessly does for the children every day. I was greeted by a warm staff who welcomed me aboard and excitedly told me about their work and what to expect in the coming weeks. The office is a happy and busy environment, filled with people who are clearly passionate about their jobs. I am lucky to be immersed in such a spirited and hardworking environment that makes coming to work a joy, not a chore. I think what struck me most on my first days was how much each member of the team cares about their work.

I saw this passion during a meeting with the team on Tuesday where I was shocked by the extent of which they knew each child. For example, a long conversation was held concerning the health of one student, her recent visit to the doctor, her upcoming visit to the doctor, and a plan of how to monitor her health during the upcoming school break. Another conversation was held in which individual students were named along with their class rank, strongest subjects, and weakest subjects. The team knew minor and major details about each child off the top of their heads and genuinely cared about bringing any concerns to the table and tackling them as a team. It really struck me that this is what is so unique about The Foundation For Tomorrow: each one of their students is cared for by the team like they would be by their own parents. It is reassuring to know that each of these children will be so well nurtured and looked after under the care of TFFT. 

My first afternoon was spent at Usa River Academy, where I was overjoyed to reunite with the most recent group of kids to leave Nkoaranga to attend school. The kids rushed to the TFFT truck as it pulled in, opened the door and the jumped into my arms, excited to see a familiar face back for the summer. I asked Emanuel and Dainess in Swahili how school was, but to my surprise, they answered in English! I was so impressed by their level of comprehension in a language that I had never communicated with them in before, a result of english classes and the full circle program. I was even more impressed by the change I saw in the children themselves. They were better behaved and more polite than I had ever seen them. I know this change and maturity can be attributed to the values and lessons that tfft instills in it’s children from early on. The older kids are reflections of what the younger kids will be like when they grow up: respectable young men and women who are so appreciative of all they are given and who take full advantage of every opportunity to learn at school and in the community.

So far, being a part of this team has allowed me see more of what TFFT does here on the ground, but I still have so much more to learn and see. I have been introduced to a number of partner schools and orphanages that TFFT has opened it’s arms to and have become friends with the incredible people who work here. I have been assigned some exciting projects for the coming weeks that I can’t wait to share at the end of my trip. I’ll keep posting updates in the meantime, thanks for reading!