More than Just Conquering Mountains!

2021 marks my 21st year being part of the ISM, and now, the UWCEA community!

Growing up in a family that breeds in me a predilection for nature and hiking, I always cherish the abundance of green vegetation endowed on Moshi. In fact, despite my time spent in bigger cities such as Dar es Salaam or Mwanza, such a precious commodity of an unspoiled and invigorating environment is what never fails to make me love Moshi above them all.

With the transition from ISM to UWCEA, I am thrilled to see the number of students involved in the OP Trip Program increasing over time. I am even more enthralled by the fact that we have students coming from all over the world in each trip, which, I strongly believe, does induce a joyful outdoor experience to the fullest. I love seeing their excitement to explore the beauty of Tanzania, you know, those breathtaking landscapes. I love seeing them being curious about Tanzanian cultures, about how local people live in every tribe we set our foot on. South Pare, North Pare, Usambara, Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro, or Mount Hanang, they all afford novel experiences, those that are all representative of Tanzanian nature and culture yet also so diverse.

Nevertheless, above them all, I love to see our students challenging themselves and conquer different mountains. You know, it is special for me to see them going against all odds faced at high altitude while attempting to summit either Mount. Kilimanjaro or any peak. They carried their own heavy bags full of gear, and step by step, they used their physical and mental strength to move forward. Oh, to me, it is also lovely to see their reactions when they first encountered the snow. It reminds me that such a thing is not prevalent everywhere, and it is such a special feeling to realize that OP Trips, as I am coordinating, provide them a chance to explore and broaden their experience, those that they have not tried.

Throughout years, witnessing each generation of students come, graduate, and then leave to pursue the next stage of their life, I am always touched to know that via OP Trips, memories of their time in Tanzania will always be there, imprinted and lingering on in their minds and hearts. I really hope that if they have an opportunity, they would return to be reminded of their time here, to be embraced by the beauty of Tanzania, once again!

Isaac Foya, UWCEA Outdoor Pursuits Coordinator, Tanzania.