Our trip to Tanzania had an emotional, life-changing impact on me. Since I have been home from Tanzania my life has not been the same.

Before leaving we read the book, Half the Sky. In reading the book I really struggled with the concept of why I was so privileged to be born in the United States with all of the opportunities that being an American offered.  I couldn’t grasp the fact that another girl, just like me, could be born in another country with what seemed to be but a few bleak options.

When I arrived in Tanzania I was able to sit down and get to know the girls that lived there. A local nurse translated for us and we had a ‘normal’ conversation.  It was then that I realized something few people ever truly understand. I knew then that these girls were no different than me; they were girls just like me. I also realized that being born in Africa is not a dire existence.  I recognized that the people of Tanzania have good lives and are not “less fortunate” in most cases.

I have always thought that in the future I would want to go to medical school and eventually open some sort of clinic in Africa. After my trip I knew for sure. I now have a passion deeper than I could have ever imagined. I physically cannot wait to return in hopes of enriching their lives as they have enriched mine.

This trip has overall changed my perspective of other cultures and specifically developing countries. I am incredibly thankful to Shawn Askinosie, all of my travel mates, and the people of Tanzania, for literally changing my life in only nine short days. Without the exact combination of people who went and those that I met, this trip could not have been the same nor would it have had the impact on my life that it has had.

Hot air rushes into my lungs. Not the wet, heavy heat of the marsh; nor the dry, scorching heat of the desert. This is a pleasant heat that fills every inch of my body. I am immersed in a nature I have never encountered; yet deep inside, I feel at home. The land itself feels alive; from the trees standing tall and regal, to the palms that lean and sway. Mountains stretch high above the trees; their peaks impaling the clouds, ever struggling to climb higher. Even the dirt I stand on feels raw, like the hands of a prisoner relentlessly fighting his chains.

I see an entirely new world. A forest of strange tropical trees, vibrant and bursting with life, stretches before me. The forest empties into a field, vast and flat but for two soccer goals made of little more than branches. In the distance lies a school, its weather-beaten exterior stands strong despite its years. Often it is full of children—students, learning and preparing for their lives. Today, however, is a day for play.

The field is alive. Students sprint across it, some bouncing happily and others with looks of fierce determination. School uniforms flap in the wind as the players chase after the ball. The air is filled with shouts and laughter; giddiness and urgency. Some voices call out happily, while others demand, “Mimi” (Me) or “Hapa” (Here).

Their shouts pulse into the air. The steady pound of their footfalls resurrects an ancient beat. The ground rises and falls in rhythm. On the sideline I hear an exchange of jokes and laughter; the mix of two languages barely limiting conversation. A low, guttural sound startles me. It comes from a strange herd of cattle that lumber next to the field. Their owner shouts commands and guides the herd with a sharp staff. He screams when a young boy gets too close, but the boy slips by, unharmed, with practiced ease.

Two people stand off to the side, so immersed in conversation that they are oblivious to the game around them. They stand almost eye to eye, though one slouches slightly. At first glance it seems they belong to different worlds. One wears a white blouse tucked into a navy skirt which is frayed at its edges. Her hair is held close in dark, tightly knitted curls. She wears tall blue socks and shoes that must have been bought used— long ago. The other wears a white t-shirt with tan pants. Her blond hair is pulled back in a tight braid, and the dust on her Nike shoes seem fresh. Looking closer, I see that they share a light in their eyes of excitement and wonder. They interlock fingers in a sign of sure friendship; and mirrored in their faces I see the first irrefutable smile.

My eyes, now entranced, shift from person to person. I see kids and adults, I see boys and girls, I see farmers, teachers, and businessmen; and everyone belongs. Perhaps the land is the only stranger; the land of a time long, long ago.  I feel a time when all of nature belonged; a time before corruption and greed. In every person I see an echo of this time: an expression of the face, or a look in the eyes. My very being seems drawn here, to this land of ancient power. I feel that through this land, I can finally discover myself.

One child stands slightly smaller than the rest. He sprints, head down; running faster and faster with a radiant expression on his face. His clothes are tattered, his hands are no stranger to hardship; yet he struggles and fights to accomplish his goal. His calloused feet take no notice of the roughness they touch. Beads of sweat slide off his forehead as his head bobs in motion. A fierce determination takes over his body. His mouth parts slightly, his normally relaxed brow creases, and his eyes fill with the fire of the African sun. Somehow I know that he has a heart that fights for what it believes in, and nothing else. I have never seen a person with so much emotion.

When I think back, I realize I have seen this boy before. Every man I met had this determination in his eyes; every woman I saw had his genuine smile; every child had his love. Even the mountains struggled and fought to rise higher, and the trees stood proud, and uncompromising. Each morning, the villagers rise with that African Sun and shake off their hardships. That sun fills them with hope and they know anything is possible.

What the people of Tanzania possess is a love for all people, and the strength to fight for what is right. They show a charismatic friendship that inspires all those who have the opportunity to experience it. Above all what I see in each Tanzanian is the ability for hope. Despite all struggle, despite all hardship, despite the numerous disadvantages they wake up to each morning; that glimmer of hope is always visible.

I adjust my eyes to take in all of my surroundings once again. I now see everything in a new light. No longer do I see mountains and trees, but I see tall symbols of hope and prosperity. No longer do I feel the vibrations of a game, I feel the beat of a war drum, pounding a message of victory. No longer do I hear shouts and laughter, I hear love in all of its forms. Yes, at this moment I know I have discovered myself, and I know what I must do. I know from this moment forward, I will work to show the world what I saw here, and spread this message of hope to all I encounter. I feel calmness set over me, a kind I have never experienced. I let all my troubles slide away as I slowly exhale.

Tanzania Time Capsule; by Bob Linder from Askinosie Chocolate on Vimeo.

Here is a longer version of the video that includes interviews with the students.

Askinosie Chocolate University Tanzania Trip With Student Interviews; by Bob Linder from Askinosie Chocolate on Vimeo.

In my first guest blog post, I shared about the technology piece for the Tanzania trip.  I felt a little blind going into the project, but we had some really good information provided to from the school on building layouts and measurements in addition to some nice aerial shots from Google Maps and pictures from a previous trip.  I had laid out placement of the generator and power lines based on some of the feedback received from our contacts in country.  I remember Kelsey Esther, one of our tech team members, asking me if I had a detailed schedule for implementation.  I think I said something like I have a plan but we better be ready for anything.

Photo by Bob Linder.

Well, the anything happened.  We hit the school on Monday, July 2^nd and met with the school officials.  They had a different plan than what we came in with.  After much discussion, it was decided to make some changes while still providing teachers maximum flexibility in how they used the equipment.  So, we redrew the plans and came in from the opposite end of the building.  Then the tech team jumped into action.  They were unable to provide a ladder, so our high school students stacked desks to get themselves up into the rafters to run the cables.  I’m pretty sure the Mwaya students thought they were crazy.

Photo by Daudi Msseemmaa.

That same day and for the rest of the week we ran those laptops in different parts of the school.  The Mwaya students just flocked to those things and watched until the batteries died.  They were so excited to see everything that was packed into the Khan Academy videos.  We spent the rest of the week setting up and training teachers and students on the systems.  The teachers really started thinking about different ways they could use these tools to accomplish their teaching plans.  They started working with the Open Office Presentation software, which really got their heads thinking.  See, up to now they would start in the upper left corner of a chalk board that stretched across the front of the class and hand write all their lessons.  Now they can build their lessons on the computers and save them for future use.   The most amazing thing about this project was the fact we could take gigabytes of knowledge and bring to a school that a year ago didn’t even have textbooks.

Photo by Bob Linder.

The Mwaya teachers and students have an amazing spirit and drive.  They shared with us their dreams of the future and what they want to accomplish in life.  They want to be doctors, business owners, husbands, and wives.  They have the same dreams that kids all around the world have but the only thing they lacked was the accesses to information so many of us take for granted.  What we did is miniscule to the need that is out there but it is a start and for those kids at Mwaya it was huge.  It was so huge that it drew the attention of a local politician who told use that helping with education was the greatest act of generosity we could provide.  This local leader, who was educated in the USA, promised to help bring power to the Mwaya School to help with this project be a success.  This will make Mwaya the first school in the region of 26 schools to not only be the first to have computers but the first to have electricity.

Photo by Daudi Msseemmaa.

The trip was a blessing for all of us, and I can say without a doubt that I learned and gained so much more from it than I could ever give.  The people of Tanzania are truly inspirational in everything they do, and I thank them for allowing me to be a part of their lives for that week.

Upon hearing I had been accepted into Chocolate University, I was humble and ecstatic for the opportunity.  I understood the significance and meaning of the trip, and expected it to impact me in various ways. Chocolate University is an extremely unique and special program, which teaches students the significance of social entrepreneurship and global responsibility.  Askinosie Chocolate emphasizes these unique features into its company.  It is essential for young students to be exposed to these principles, so that they could ultimately implement them in their future professions.

The days I spent in Tanzania resulted in some of the most memorable and unforgettable moments of my life.  Tanzania has an extremely unique geographical landscape and appearance.  The people would always smile and welcome our presence.  They were excited for our visit and hoped for the best throughout our journey.  It was an amazing spectacle to see them waive and greet us on our many bus rides.  I have never been in the presence of such receptive, friendly, and welcoming individuals.

The school and village kids were beautiful.  Everyone displayed a superior and hopeful demeanor and was grateful for their newly acquired computers.  Immediately after I walked off of the bus and stepped onto the schools grounds, various students greeted me.  We were not visitors to them but family.  Although I had very little knowledge of Swahili and they had their own troubles speaking English, we were able to help each other communicate effectively.  There was not a single aspect of the trip I did not enjoy.  In fact, everything amazed and impacted me somehow.

Our group was able to view beautiful Tanzania on an impressive and unforgettable bike ride.  The beginning of my ride was extremely stressful, because I had to adapt to the uneven roads and crowded streets full with people.  However as I progressed through my ride, it began to feel as if I was riding on my own bike back home.  The individuals walking the streets would greet us and exclaim, “Hujambo,” as we rode past them.  These greetings were very special.

The most meaningful aspect of the trip for me was the discussion our group of guys had with the schoolboys.  This discussion became intense for me.  Throughout the discussion I felt as if I knew who they were. They were extremely open to us and discussed important aspects of their lives.  They told us about their struggles, their lack of hope, and shortcoming of a better future.  However, they remained hopeful and optimistic about their future.  They agreed that the school was better off that day than what it was yesterday.  The boys were ecstatic about their new resources and hoped the computers would assist them to accomplish their goals.  Despite their various limitations, restrictions, disadvantages, and failures, they intended for us to give them advice and inspiration.  We introduced ourselves and provided them with a background of our lives.  I believe they were more of an inspiration to me than what I was to them.  I admit I have encompassed myself with pessimistic views during my personal experiences with adversity.  After the discussion I felt extremely guilty and selfish, because I realized their situation is extensively more difficult than mine is.  The discussion severely impacted me.  I became more humble, thankful, and grateful after the discussion.

The experience has forever changed me.  I do not worry about unimportant stresses or difficulties anymore.  If the school kids are able to demonstrate the sincere level of hope and faith, in which they did, than there is no excuse for me to come across as hopeless.

I was disappointed to leave Tanzania.  I developed several friendships and memories with the school kids.  It was difficult stepping foot onto the bus and driving away from the school on the final day.  During my time at the school I met Lucas, an exceptional student and inspiring individual.  He was well-mannered, friendly, polite, and hospitable.  We discussed topics such as school, football, and family.  We told each other our favorite aspects of our home and the features that we thought should be improved.  I even shared, discussed, and taught topics of Biology to him.  When I arrived home I reflected on the friendships I had made.  I analyzed and considered the several features of the trip.  I reminisced on the conversations I had with the school kids and cried.  The school kids are limited from opportunities, and clearly the odds are against them.  However I remembered that I provided many of the kids with my contact information.  I encouraged them to communicate and write to me, thus I did not completely say goodbye.  I realized that the conclusion of the trip was only the beginning of my Chocolate University journey.  The school kids now have valuable and useful resources.  They still have a significant work to complete and much to prove.  I hope to remain in contact with the many inspiring individuals I met.  I believe they are more of an inspiration to me than I am to them.

We traveled half way around the world and back in nine days. This incredible journey has yet to fully sink in for most of us. When we arrived back in Springfield at 6:30 Sunday evening, being greeted by our families and friends all I could think about was how I miss the family that I found at Mwaya secondary school.

Photo by Bob Linder.

Our bus arrived at Mwaya secondary school around 10:00am Tanzania time and we were greeted by all of the students. Our hellos began with shaking hands as we walked off the bus but as I walked over to greet the girls they surrounded me, and began to hug me with tears rolling down their cheeks. The welcome that I received from each individual was unlike anything I had ever experienced. That feeling of acceptance and appreciation continued to grow throughout the week.

Photo by Bob Linder.

These students are currently surviving on one meal a day which generally comes late in the afternoon. For them, that means they must sit through a full day of school trying to learn about science, math, literature, and much more on an empty stomach. Their desire to learn supersedes ours in a way you cannot imagine, the students first question to me was “What do you study?” which was then followed by the question:

“Can you teach me?”

Photo by Bob Linder.

With their desire to learn in the right place, Chocolate University’s goal was to make their dreams achievable. In order to do this we came with three goals, a sustainable lunch program, computers, and a new teaching plan. My group was focused on the sustainable lunch program, which was a collaboration of the PTA at Mwaya, the students of Mwaya and Chocolate University. In order to create a sustainable lunch program, Askinosie Chocolate worked with the PTA at Mwaya to sell one ton of rice to fund one year’s feeding program.  The parents had no words to express their gratitude for helping their students achieve a better life, and these students didn’t complain a single time about helping us stamp the bags, measure the rice, fill the bags, seal the bags, and finally prepare the product for sale. They were merely enthusiastic to help. We taught them how to stamp the bags, and they taught us how to use a candle to burn the bag in order to seal it. Though we all laughed at each other a few times this was an incredible experience, through language barriers and cultural differences we learned to work together in order to achieve our goal, bringing lunch to Mwaya.

By Thursday afternoon we had finished 1,045 bags of rice for their feeding program. This was an incredible accomplishment. Through this project I developed many friends which all taught me different lessons. As a whole my friends taught me about acceptance and beauty. I have never entered such a different community and been welcomed with such open arms. Everyone greeted us; there was so much happiness in the air, everyone was smiling and everyone was helping one another. It was unlike anything I have ever seen before. However, there were two friends that made an incredible difference in my experience and in my life. These two girls had an impact on me unlike anything I could have imagined. In a five day period they had taken me in as their sister, they showed me their homes, and told me about their lives and invited me into their families. When our final day came they didn’t understand why I had to leave them. They told me that I could stay and that I would be happier there with them. It was very difficult for me to leave them because over those five days I had grown just as attached to them as they had to me. I loved them and cared for them as if they were my sisters, as they did me. This incredible feeling, inspired by two young girls changed me for the better. It not only showed me love and understanding unlike any I had seen before but it also taught me about what an incredible impact I can make on someone’s life and for me that made all the difference.

Photo by Bob Linder.

The realization that I can make a difference and that I can change things even if it is for one person was incredible. Regardless of the difficulties, knowing that because of our journey two young girls felt appreciation and empowerment made all the difference in my life and has only inspired me to do more.

Here’s a little bit about the plan. While in the States, the team downloaded over 3,000 video lessons covering every subject imaginable from the Khan Academy website onto each laptop. The team, with the help of the Mwaya Secondary School staff, will install a generator and run extension cords throughout the rafters of the school. Eric and the students created documents explaining from how to change a lightbulb in the projectors to how to manually bring up the Khan Academy program.

All the documents, as well as all of the Khan Academy lessons on each computer, are stored on a hard drive, so if anything happens to a laptop, they can re-upload the programs. All of the donated laptops have new parts including a new battery so that all of them would have a guaranteed a four hour battery life. The team brought  white shower curtains to make the perfect weather-resistant screens for the projectors, and each item is numbered, so that if any issues arise, it will be easy to communicate the machine with issues.

Yesterday, the plan became a reality. The team worked with the Headmaster of the school and brought an Internet-based program and computers to this school. We have talked to government officials and believe that electricity will be here within a few months. Meanwhile we are using a generator. It is the only school in this district of 26 secondary schools with computers. 

This program was inspired after Shawn watched the 60 Minutes video about the Khan Academy. We highly recommend that you do the same. The Khan Academy is a non-profit, who’s mission is to provide, “a free world-class education for anyone anywhere.” The program is revolutionizing how classes are taught, and now, that same top notch program will be available to the students of Mwaya Secondary School.

Thanks to our Chocolate University computer team we believe that this has the chance to transform this school.

One of the projects the Chocolate University students are doing while in Tanzania is iniating a sustainable food program for the students at the Mwaya Secondary School. Like in the Philippines, the PTA is producing a product (rice), and Askinosie Chocolate is going to sell the rice to its customers and give all the profit to fund a nutritional lunch program for these students in Tanzania. This region of Tanzania is known for its delicious sweet rice offering Askinosie customers a unique tasting opportunity.

Yesterday, the Chocolate University students and the Mwaya students worked on stamping and filling the rice bags together. Another group also measured the height, weight and arm circumference of all the students, so that the effect of the food program can be evaluated throughout time. In the late fall, the rice will come ship with our container of cocoa beans from Tanzania so that no shipping costs will occur. Using this system, the program is fully sustainable, requiring no donations.

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This will come full circle when this same PTA who are producing the rice will have the opportunity to prepare prepare lunches for the students once the program is in place.

More updates from Tanzania coming soon!

One of the students, Kelsey, reflected on how this week prepared them for their African adventure. Check out this video, filmed by Bob Linder, of Kelsey discussing her experience on the ropes course.

“Naomba Chai,” she said.

“I want tea!” declared an eager student.

Their wide eyes and enthusiasm brought me joy and reminded me about my first time traveling to El Salvador when I was 16. It was truly a defining moment for me, and this trip will surely be a defining moment for them as well.

As the session continued, I learned all the hard work the students had put in that week since checking in to Drury University on Saturday. On Sunday, they spent all day in the chocolate factory doing everything from making chocolate to tasting chocolate. Shawn taught them all the ins and outs of how he runs his business and how the relationship with the Tanzania farm was developed. Chocolate education was paired with an emphasis on social entrepreneurship, and the idea that this model could be applied to anything the students are passionate about.

Photo by Bob Linder.

On Monday, the group explored the wilderness of the Ozarks by participating in a ropes course to build teamwork and communication skills. Here, the students learned more about each other and how to work through issues before facing any possible crisis overseas. The students rose to the challenge. The group also toured the Convoy of Hope headquarters in Springfield and had lunch with the Springfield Chamber of Commerce.

Photo by Bob Linder.

This activity-packed week led by Dr. John Taylor acted as a chocolate and Tanzania culture bootcamp if you will for the students. By Tuesday (when I met them), the students were beaming with enthusiasm for the upcoming adventure. That day Shawn also brought them their itinerary for Tanzania, which includes attending classes at the Mwaya Secondary School with the local students, setting up a laptop system for the students, stamping and filling rice bags to help fund a future nutritional food program there and participating in the Empowered Girls Club. They also received the trip t-shirts with the group’s motto: Kujengana, which means to build each other up in Swahili.

The adventure bootcamp ended on Wednesday with an inspiring pep talk from the President of Drury University, Todd Parnell. He asked each of the students what they wanted to be when they grew up, and afterwards, he said that he hopes to ask them the same question when they return. He told them to stay awake because this trip could change them forever.

I hope I get a chance to see those eager spirits again, too. I know my first trip abroad changed my life forever. It gave me a new passion to always be a part of making a global impact and to understand cultures outside my own. I am so thrilled that six years later I do get to make a global impact daily with my job at Askinosie Chocolate. I hope these kids with have their fire lit just like mine was when I was their age.

This guest post is from Bethany Parry who was recently hired as the Person in Charge of Getting the Word Out at Askinosie Chocolate. She graduated in May from Missouri State University with a double degree in Public Relations and Spanish.