Falling in Love with Moshi: A Small Town in Tanzania

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Before I went on this adventure, I thought I would be done with Moshi because I have been there 3 times and spent a total of 12 weeks, but the contrary has happened. I can’t get enough of Moshi and I definitely see it as my second home.

Last July and August, I spent 8 weeks in Moshi, Tanzania. It was not my first or second time in East Africa but my third time.

I spent the previous 2 years volunteering with the Maasai warriors and Wazee old folk on the Education, Community Engagement & Cultural Exchange project, and this year interning.

Before I went on this adventure, I thought I would be done with Moshi because I have been there 3 times and spent a total of 12 weeks, but the contrary has happened. I can’t get enough of Moshi and I definitely see it as my second home.

There are 6 reasons why Moshi gives me that feeling:

  1. Moshi Town
  2. The Projects
  3. The Project Teams
  4. The Trips and Tours
  5. The Pace of Living
  6. The Tolerance

 

Moshi Town

Moshi is a town in northern Tanzania at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Moshi is known for its coffee farms and has busy, colorful streets where there is always something interesting to discover and people to meet. It might be small, but there are many restaurants and opportunities for shopping that will keep you busy and let you experience the charm of East Africa.

The Projects

I taught the Maasai warriors every year, but this year I could see how much the students grew in just 8 weeks. It was amazing for them as students and amazing for me as a teacher to see the progress and know they are closer to achieving their goals.

I do not know how to put into words my experience on the Wazee project.

I visited the elderly home for 8 weeks every day and can definitely say you get back what you give them. After playing games, helping them with activities, giving them fruit, and talking to them (through the project leader who speaks Swahili), we formed bonds that I will never forget. All the members have a special place in my heart.

The Project Teams

After spending 12 weeks with the project teams they have become more like family than staff members.

They do their jobs with so much passion and laughter and genuinely care about the people who volunteer and intern on the projects.

When I said goodbye, we were all in tears – me the most of course!

 

The Trips and Tours

Moshi is the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro so there are tons of opportunities for hiking and exploring the famous mountain. But if you aren’t interested in hiking there are so many other trips and tours to do, like going on a day trip to Kikuletwa Hot Springs, an unexpected oasis in the desert scrub, or to Arusha National Park and Tarangire National Park, where wild animals like elephants and giraffe roam.

After 3 years I still haven’t done everything there is to do!

All in all, Moshi is an amazing town in one of the most beautiful parts of East Africa. It is definitely worth it, but you will just have to see for yourself.

The Pace of Living

There is no stress in Moshi, only pole pole, which is pronounced “polay polay” and means slowly, slowly in Swahili.

The Tolerance

People in Moshi, Tanzania are so humble, friendly, and accepting of each other, no matter where they come from and who they are. Talking to people and learning about the culture and country is so easy when people are so welcoming and want to get to know you without any hesitation or judgement.

Also read: A Week in the Life of a Girl Impact Volunteer in Tanzania

volunteer-with-maasai

Projects in Moshi, Tanzania:

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