 Have you ever immersed yourself in an environment that was completely unfamiliar?
This summer, 12 youth from around the United States did just that by traveling to Tanzania through a Roots & Shoots Youth Leadership Immersion Experience. On an intense 15-day journey, these teens took their leadership skills to a whole new level. Led by Roots & Shoots partner organization Global Explorers, the trip empowered the young travelers to learn about conservation biology, conduct scientific field research, study local communities and work side-by-side with local students on a service project. R&S-Tanzania's Eastern Zonal Manager Erasto Njavike and Northern Zonal Manager Japhet Jonas introduced the travelers to local Roots & Shoots members, while Shadrach Kamenya, Research Director at Gombe Stream Research Center gave them a warm welcome to Gombe. The JGI-Tanzania staff hosted the group with outstanding programming and adventures, including visits to important Tanzanian conservation sites, such as Mweka College of African Wildlife Management, the Tanzania Country Office of the African Wildlife Foundation, Arusha National Park and, of course, Gombe National Park. The youth also got to see some of Tanzania's fascinating natural and cultural features, including the 15,100-foot peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, the Masaai community of Ngorongoro Crater and the grazing wildlife of the Serengeti. One of the youth travelers was Renee Shalhoub, group leader of Seton Hall R&S at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. Originally from Madison, New Jersey, this Roots & Shoots College Leadership Council member shared the story of what she called "the pinnacle of our four-day cultural exchange experience." .png "Renee") Playing a competitive game of soccer in the rain was not something that crossed my mind when planning my trip to Tanzania this summer, but it happened in full force and I'm sure glad it did! After spending many days together learning Kiswahili from thefabulous and dynamic Ms. Lydia, conducting soil sample research and making fuel-efficient stoves, our group needed some release. A hike to the native Tanzanian students' secondary school turned out to be the ideal experience.
We were guided by two Roots & Shoots-Tanzania volunteers—Meg and Angela—through two miles of beautiful rainforest, crossing streams on logs and noticing all the beautiful flowers and plants. As I walked through the forest, I couldn't help but be inspired by all the beauty surrounding me. The walk provided me with moments of self-reflection and a sense of spirituality. We were able to talk [to the Tanzanian youth] about a variety of different subjects, all the while reminding each other of how similar we really are. After our hike, many students jumped at the opportunity to play a game of soccer, and teams were divided up. A few people led the teams in a spirited and messy game of soccer, while a couple of us kept score on the sidelines. It was a perfect way to bond with our fellow Roots & Shoots members and conclude our four-day experience with them! A few days after the soccer game, the group got a pleasant surprise at Gombe: Dr. Jane in the flesh! They also enjoyed some up-close views of the Gombe chimpanzees.
Read about more Roots & Shoots travel adventures:
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