From September 21- September 28, four LPGM travelers spent quality time with our partners in Tanzania. If you've ever wondered what a day-by-day rundown of an LPGM trip could look like, here's your chance to peek behind the curtain. Each trip is unique, with some overlap between them, but here's how this trip went:

Sunday, their first day in Tanzania, started with a worship service at the church attended by Eripoto founder, Esuvat Lucumay. The theme of worship was "receive the gifts you've been given," which felt apt for this trip. For the remainder of the day, the travelers spent time at Eripoto - meeting residents and staff and hearing their stories.

Monday was spent exploring Arusha National Park on foot, followed by dinner with Mwangaza advisors Phillip Wilder and Daudi Msseemmaa.

On Tuesday, they visited Mwangaza's most recently-added partner school, Lowasa Secondary School. The school's headmaster is "all in" on the Safe Schools Initiative, according to LPGM program manager Laura Feile, and it's good to have a Mwangaza champion at the helm.

Wednesday consisted of a special visit to Eluwai, the Maasai village of Musa Kamaika. Musa wears many hats. He is the director of nonprofit called Natopiwo Partners, translator, tour program coordinator and guide, and research assistant. He recently completed Fulbright research with Friends of Mwangaza board member Laura Wangsness-Willemsen. The travelers were joined by young woman from Minnesota named Adele who is currently spending a gap year volunteering.

Their Maasai hosts killed and prepared a goat for them, which was a huge honor. The travelers spent the visit attending worship at Eluwai Lutheran church, drinking chai with Musa and his neighbors in his boma (a homestead made of mud, sticks, and thatch), sharing lunch, and visiting the village preschool. Musa's friend Enoty helped with translation, and the travelers were given traditional Maasai jewelry and were wrapped in Shukas (vibrant cloth worn by Maasai with rich historical and cultural significance).

Thursday brought another safari adventure, this time at Tarangire National Park. The travelers, especially LPGM board chair Kathleen Hokemeir-Seim, were thrilled to see elephants.

On Friday, the travelers had chai with the Mwaganza leadership team and talked about the future growth and expansion of Mwangaza.

The rest of the day was spent at Eripoto. The travelers played with the preschoolers, met with Esuvat and Eripoto staff, and baked with the Eripoto girls. Many of the girls at currently at school and are staying in boarding homes, so the travelers spent time with the college-aged girls who are waiting for university classes to be back in session.

Saturday brought a Peace Summit at Manyara Secondary School. The travelers sat at the head table as each participating school performed skits, songs, dances, and poetry for them. These performances were inspired by what the students had learned during peace club. Each school was given 45 minutes-1 hour to perform, so the travelers were treated to hours of entertainment.

On the travelers' final day, Sunday, they attended a partner summit where LPGM partners from Eripoto and Mwangaza met for the first time. This exciting opportunity felt like worlds colliding in the best way. The partners connected, attended a nonviolent communication training and shared their experiences with one another. They even discussed potential ways to collaborate. After the discussions wrapped up, the group hiked to a nearby waterfall.

The travelers returned safely to the United States on Monday, September 29 - exhausted and grateful! 

Learn more about Tanzania travel with LPGM