Antonio is not just one of Tanzania School Trust’s regular supporters, he’s also a former volunteer at our Hill Crest School. His story is joyful as well as impactful!
The former volunteer had the opportunity to volunteer at Hill Crest School in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2017. What is remarkable for someone who’s busy enough as a first-year economics student, is that he was adventurous enough to travel to Africa, looking for what felt like the perfect balance between giving back and getting exposed to new experiences while traveling. “I was deeply motivated to positively impact a local community, so I packed my bags and left to Tanzania with a desire to assist how I was most needed.”
Asking Antonio on why he supports Tanzania School Trust is different to many supporters, he’s explained that his friendship with the school founder, Elizabeth, taught him many humbling lessons. “I was welcomed by Elizabeth Sakei, the local hero who inspired me through her fight for a better future for the poor rural kids, by leveraging on education as the main growth driver.” Indeed, Antonio was more than just a volunteer to Hil Crest! Choosing a proactive approach to many things, Antionio decided to take part in Elizabeth’s contagious commitment to improving the children’s future. Antonio was recognised by Tanzania School Trust’s teachers as “one of the most dedicated volunteers”, by assisting teachers during daily lessons, providing one-on-one support to the kids, drawing new posters with illustrations to help expanding English vocabulary, teaching new pedagogical games, etc. Volunteering in East Africa isn’t the easiest thing to do for many people, and some might even say it is an experience that will help you grow stronger. However Antonio has made some memories that will warm anyone’s heart: “The school took me in wholeheartedly and made me feel part of the community, despite language and cultural barriers. During my last day at Hill Crest, both teachers and kids sang me a tender goodbye song, expressing their gratitude for my visit, which is the memory I most vividly recall. I will forever treasure the heart-warming smile, the sensitivity and spontaneity of each child I met, who taught me a new definition of the word happiness.”
What Antonio takes back from his experience in Tanzania is this grey area between the fulfilment to be useful and the frustration of not being able to empower the community. This is highly relatable when we all have a life and a job to go to. This is where our charity intervenes: “fast forward 3 years and I discovered Tanzania School Trust, which enabled me to continuously support Hill Crest, by sponsoring monthly food for a child. I am delighted to sponsor a cause that I am part of, especially since I receive video updates informing me of how my donations are building a better future for kids in Arusha.”
We thank Antonio, and are very grateful to his commitment to our school and its great children!
