This March break, 10 students and three faculty members are traveling to Tanzania to learn about sustainable development and educational opportunities in rural Tanzania. Please enjoy the blog post below from Amay ’27 where he reflects on their final moments in Tanzania, sharing how the joyful, connected community at Mainsprings inspired a deeper understanding of gratitude, presence, and the responsibility that comes with privilege—both abroad and back home at Deerfield.
Waking up early today at around 4:30, we prepared for our departure back home to Deerfield. As we loaded the vans, our group traded heartfelt goodbyes and final messages with the Mainsprings girls and staff. On the way to the Mwanza airport, I watched our last Tanzanian sunrise with a stream of reflections running through my head.
Before I arrived in Kitongo, I knew there would be much to learn from this experience, even coming from a Western world of global connectivity and attending a rigorous, prestigious school. But, what I learned from this experience exceeded all of my expectations. At Mainsprings, I witnessed some of the most genuinely happy people I’ve ever encountered–boys and girls of all ages filled with fulfillment and joy in their everyday activities. Without cell phones or social media, these Tanzanian students seemed more involved and immersed in the Mainsprings way of life, ranging from their classes, to their lunches, and even their sports games. The community brimmed with passion, loyalty, and faith, and they found meaning in all aspects of their daily routine and challenges. Being at Mainsprings made me think about the importance of escaping the trap of perfectionism and social conformity and competition at Deerfield, and how I and my Deerfield peers should strive to truly live in the moment and embrace the diversity on campus. My African adventure enabled me to build new friendships with Mainsprings students and staff while strengthening my relationship with the other Deerfield students on the trip.
Before we went to the Serengeti, Chris Gates, the founder and CEO of Mainsprings, told us not to feel guilty about going on safari, even though so few native Tanzanians ever share in this experience, but to remember that with privilege comes responsibility. At lunch on our last day in Tanzania, Chris reminded us of his message and how it’s a privilege to be a part of a community like Deerfield and that inevitably, there’s a responsibility that follows, the responsibility to be fully involved, or to, “buy in” like we say at Deerfield. According to Chris, it wasn’t optional, rather mandatory that we give back to the community we’re a part of, whether it’s not bringing your phone to class, showing up to games, or showing up to concerts, if we wish to prosper in our community, we have to commit ourselves to creating that environment.