This morning, 12 students, Emma Coffin, Toby Emerson, and Julie Schloat departed from Deerfield’s campus to start making their way to Tanzania. For this trip, students

Jackson Pitcher ’19 and Saadhya Bahudodda ’20 describe a long day of travel to Mwanza.

Isabella Geraci (’19) and Sai Dulam (’19) share stories of and reflections on their project rotations. Students are rotating through three projects, and this blog post describes two of the projects: working in the kitchen and with elementary students on an art project. 

Three students on the Tanzania trip share their reflections. Mae Emerson writes about her reading buddy; Tavian Njumbi writes about the importance of community; and Megan Graves finds joy in cooking and cleaning.

Erin DeMarco (’19) celebrates her birthday with new traditions, as the girls at Mainsprings welcome her into their community. 

Samara Cummings (’20) and Saadyha Bahudodda (’20) share stories and reflections from their safari, including some contrasts they feel.

Liv Mikesell ’20 shares the groups day of community service with the Form 4 students, while Megan Graves ’18 describes a different kind of food “harvesting” experience.

Tavian Njumbi ’18 describes a “cheerful” yet emotional evening as the group’s stay in Kitongo nears its end.

Emily Stonestreet ’19, Isabella Geraci ’19, and Sai Dulam ’19 share an exciting experience while visiting the Serengeti.

Mae Emerson ’19, Erin DeMarco ’19, and Olivia Geraci ’19 describe the difficulties of saying goodbye to the people and place they have come to love.

Trip leader Toby Emerson shares a reflection from his time in Tanzania.

This morning 13 students, Toby Emerson, Beth Hooker, and Dana Emerson departed from in front of the MSB to begin their travels to Tanzania! For this trip, students will partner with Mainsprings to focus on understanding sustainable development.

Maggie Tydings ’20 and Jeffrey Chen ’19 share the groups lengthy travel journey to the Mainsprings campus in Mwanza, where the group will reside for the next couple of days.

Michael Fadugbagbe ’21 describes his new surroundings and the first meeting with his reading buddy.

Hanna Deringer ’20 shares highlights of her first day with her reading buddy, and Christina Halloran ’20 reflects on the warm affection of the Mainsprings community.

Mason Zhao ’20 comes to realize the issues that lack of transportation poses to school children in “rural Tanzania,” and the importance of an “integrated community.”

Nathan Hu ’19 reflects on a day of hard work and the “constant excitement and passion” the JBFC girls permeate, and Maddy Sofer ’21 finds similarities that make a strong connection with her reading buddy.

Addie Seegilson (’20) describes teaching an arts class to kindergarteners,  followed by sharing a meal with a family during Village Night as she adjusts to Tanzanian customs. 

Ellia Chiang ’21 reflects on the powerful meaning of a simple hug, and Mary Blake Zeron ’21 describes her day teaching a Biology class, helping cook lunch, and attending a school assembly.

Nathan Hu ’19 describes an exciting first day in The Serengeti.

Lexi Roadside ’21 reflects on her time with the JBFC girls and their warm caring culture.

Jeffrey Chen ’19 shares highlights of the groups second day at The Serengeti National Park, and Maddy Sofer ’21 recounts a welcoming return back “home.”

Ellia Chiang ’21, Hanna Deringer ’20, Christina Halloran ’20, and Mason Zhao ’20 reflect on the meaning on making new friends and the difficulties of saying goodbye.

Yesterday afternoon, 12 students and three faculty trip leaders departed campus to begin their travels to Tanzania! For the next 11 days the group will be based out of Mainsprings, The Janada Batchelor Foundation for Children (JBFC) in Kitongo, Tanzania, participating in projects and partnership during their stay.

Trip leader Toby Emerson, shares the groups 32-hour journey to Tanzania.

Anna Dyjach ’24, shares a warm and welcome arrival at Mainsprings.

Ephraim Tutu ’24 recounts a busy day learning about Mainsprings sustainable efforts, teaching kids how to make paper airplanes, and making new friendships.

Ella Hynds ’23, reflects on the similarities between Deerfield and the Mainsprings School, and the importance of role models. 

Avery Izzo ’24, explains how her perspective on language as a barrier has changed, rather than being a “serious challenge,” language “can serve as a means of genuine connection” and “to make life-lasting connections.”

Juliet Amadeo ’24, comes to realize that although her time in the Serengeti has been “spectacular” she misses the Tanzanian food and culture, and most importantly, the Mainsprings community.

Bianka Dusseault ’23, reflects on the experiences shaping her “Tanzanian story.”

Dylan Camp ’24, embraces the unplugged nature of this trip and the importance of being fully present. 

Robbie Hua ’24, recounts the days activities and the lessons learned.

Kathrine Margulis ’24, reflects on her time in Mainsprings, the strong connections she made with the JBFC girls, and the difficulties of saying goodbye.

Lauren Smith, 24, shares a letter of gratitude with the Mainsprings community.

After a 72-hour journey, the Tanzania group has arrived in Kitongo. Trip leader, Toby Emerson shares the groups welcoming arrival and first day at Mainsprings.

Aaron ’24 and Barack ’24, describe a fully immersive experience at Mainsprings. 

Elannah ’25 and Finn ’25, recount a day learning about permaculture, splitting off into working groups, and making new friendships.

Sawyer ’25 and Allie ’25, reflect on the differences and similarities between Deerfield and Mainsprings.

Sarah ’25, describes the groups two day safari adventures and is grateful for the experience.

Lillian ’24, shares a list of observations and facts she has compiled during her time in Tanzania. 

Miu ’24, reflects on the meaning of having a sense of  belonging.

Jasper ‘ 25, reflects on how his safari experience has allowed him to grow as a person by understanding the extreme opportunities that he has been given.

Chas ‘ 25, reflects on the meaning of our shared humanity and the value of fully immersing in a culture. 

Haley ’25, Sophie ’25, and Hayden ’25 reflect on the meaningful connections they’ve made and the difficulties of saying goodbye.

Mia ’24, reflects on the importance of human connection and the joy found in “simplicity in life,” and Rob ’26, recounts a Serengeti experience.

Jack ’25, reflects on what it means to appreciate new experiences despite having conflicting emotions.