It’s been a big start to the year for the Bandari Project, and we’re excited to share what’s been happening thanks to your continued support!
Volunteer Trip Highlights
14 amazing volunteers recently returned from Tanzania after two packed weeks of hard work and even bigger hearts. Here’s what they helped make happen:
- Painted the playground and a beautiful mural
- Built outdoor tables, seats, a compost and a bread oven
- Ran teacher professional development
- Stocked and covered hundreds of books for the library
- Built new shelving in the teacher storeroom
- Helped cook mandazi in the kitchen
We’re incredibly grateful to this group, their energy was contagious and their impact will last a long time.
Thinking of Volunteering?
Here’s what one of our recent volunteers, Bianca Schultz, had to say:
If you’re considering a trip to Tanzania to volunteer with the Bandari Project, let me tell you, it was the perfect mix of work and play! Every day brought new hands-on projects: from cataloguing books in the library and painting murals to singing with the kindy kids and dancing with the older ones. My husband built a compost heap, installed bookshelves and helped build a wood-fire oven. We had people running art workshops, fixing playgrounds, filming videos, there really is something for everyone! Don’t worry if you’re not ‘practical’ , if you’re willing to help, there’s always something to do.
Afternoons were for soaking up local life: exploring town, swimming, tasting local food (and beer!), visiting Masai villages and going on safari. We even found a café with a barista trained in Melbourne for our coffee fix! It’s an experience none of us will ever forget. Our children were 11 and 13 when we went, and they completely surprised us with how adaptable and open they were. They still say “Karibu” and “Asante sana” like it was yesterday. It was a true cultural exchange, full of laughter, learning, and connection.
Interested in joining a future trip? Stay tuned for future volunteer trip info or email us anytime at thebandariproject@gmail.com to express interest.
Clean Water is Here!
Thanks to our friends from the Global Nature Fund organisation, we’ve installed a water purifying system so that students, teachers and the close neighbourhood have access to clean drinking water. The grant included a solar system so the electrical needs are independent of the local power grid.
The fund was collected through the campaign Trinkbecher für Trinkwasser in which soccer fans donated their drinking cup deposit during home matches of the soccer club Hannover 96.
We are beyond grateful for this life-changing support!
Spirulina Superboost!
In February we welcomed visitors from VAXA Technologies (Iceland) who are donating theirIcelandic Ultra Spirulina (ISU) to help improve student nutrition.
They also carried out health checks, visited families, and met with community leaders, and we’re excited about the lasting impact of this partnership which will have huge benefits for our students.
Thank you again for being part of the Bandari Project!
Every bit of support, whether it’s sharing a fundraiser, sponsoring a student, or showing up at an event- helps us keep making a difference!
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