St Edmund's Catholic Academy

Mrs Letheren, Vice Principal, and a group of ten students have started their journey to Tanzania to take part in an expedition, where they will contribute to a variety of projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, helping to create meaningful, long-term solutions to some of the region’s most pressing challenges.

The group will fly from Heathrow this evening and land at Kigali, Rwanda, at 07.00 on Wednesday, 8th July. From there, they will take another flight to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, arriving at 16.25 local time.

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Friday 31st July

Team Simba completed their final day of project work today. They are really proud to have finished the ramp that provides accessibility to classrooms ensuring that everyone can access education. Tomorrow the team are taking a trip into Moshi town and will have a last lunch together.

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26th July – 1st August Camp Msaranga

Msaranga Village is a peaceful village located on the outskirts of Moshi town, at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. The area is known for its scenic landscapes, cool climate, and rich Chagga culture. Msaranga offers a mix of rural charm and easy access to Moshi town. Your accommodation here will be in tents. On your final night in Tanzania, it’ll be a lovely chance to have a final team meal, to reflect on all you have accomplished.

Team Simba have been laying concrete paths in another primary school and hope to get a ramp completed for the students who need one.

Saturday 25th July

Team Simba pent this morning cooking in the village, feeding the goats and planting banana trees. They have also visited the Materuni waterfalls which meant they had to do a very muddy but beautiful walk. They have also visited a coffee plantation and got to sample the produce!

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Friday 24th July

Team Simba, over the last 4 days, have built a concrete path for the children at the school. It was really hard work, digging, mixing cement and laying it, but so worth it.

Today the team spent the morning cooking in the village, feeding the goats and planting banana trees.

Photo Gallery – CLICK HERE

26th July – 1st August Camp Msaranga

Msaranga Village is a peaceful village located on the outskirts of Moshi town, at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. The area is known for its scenic landscapes, cool climate, and rich Chagga culture. Msaranga offers a mix of rural charm and easy access to Moshi town. Team Simba accommodation here will be in tents. On the final night in Tanzania, there will be a chance to have a final team meal, to reflect on all they have accomplished.

19th – 25th July Camp Kiboroloni

Camp Kiboroloni is one of the larger camps, and due to the space, there is plenty of room for activities in the evenings. During the stay here, Team Simba will practice Swahili, learn some cultural activities, including cooking of Chaga food, and visit Moshi town. The team will be working at Kiboroloni & Mnazi Primary Schools to improve their school facilities and play games with the local children.

Team Simba will spend the next four days completing building work in the local primary school, building a path to keep the children clean during the rainy seasons. Hard work but really enjoyable. The school children spent some time with the team too.

Thursday 16th July

Team Simba enjoyed a nature walk this morning, where they were greeted by a giraffe happily munching leaves from a nearby tree.

The team then got to work building a dam around a watering hole, creating a valuable water source for the wildlife within the game reserve. Their efforts will help ensure animals have access to water as the area continues to develop, making a lasting contribution to the local environment.

Team Simba will be meeting a Masai tribe this afternoon. How exciting.

Monday 13th July

Team Simba spent this morning making traditional Mandazi and chapati with local women from the village then enjoyed playing beach volleyball during the afternoon.

The team have a 6 am start tomorrow and an 11 hour coach transfer to camp Ndarakwai located within a game reserve area.

Sunday 12th July

Team Simba’s last day in Camp Tanga. The next group will continue with their work. The team spent the afternoon learning Swahili cultures at the village, including learning how to weave with women from the village before playing some football with the locals. Team Simba are looking forward to moving on to Camp Ndarakwai wildlife camp located within a game reserve area.

Saturday 11th July

Team Simba have been painting the village school building today.

Friday 10th July

Mrs Letheren said, “We walked to the village we will be working in today and met the children. This afternoon we learnt how to make plastic key rings from plastic waste from the ocean.

Thursday 9th July

This is the view of the Indian Ocean from the dining room area at camp.

Burning off some energy before dinner.

Morning views from Andre Letheren and the team, who have safely arrived in Tanzania and are now making their way to the remote community where they’ll be serving and doing God’s work.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers – please continue to keep the team in your thoughts as they begin this incredible mission.