Tanzania

On this spring break trip, students will partner with Mainsprings: The Janada Batchelor Foundation for Children, to learn about sustainable development. Located in Kitongo, Tanzania, on the south shores of Lake Victoria, Mainsprings, with a stated mission to end extreme rural poverty in Tanzania, focuses on education and refuge for young girls, as well as sustainable agriculture. Education is available for not only the 40 girls living at the campus, but it is also offered to regional students. During this trip, students will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of non-profit organizations, through immersion in the daily operations of Mainsprings (e.g., working in the dining hall, on the farm, and with reading buddies), attending seminars, and partnering with Tanzanian students on projects. Students will also learn from farmer educators about ecological agriculture, on the multi-faceted on-site farm, with rows of perennial trees (e.g., banana, papaya, avocado) interspersed with short rows of annual plants (e.g., kale, eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, onions, sweet potatoes, corn). Finally, students will experience the Serengeti National park, learning about conservation, social justice, and regional approaches to land protection. Through these experiences, students will return to Deerfield with an increased understanding of environmental sustainability and educational approaches to effect lasting change.