Our 2017 Tanzania exchange began on the mini buses to Gatwick on Thursday 12th October where students boarded the plane to Dubai and then transferred on to Dar Es Salaam. It was here that fourteen Year 13s who have been fundraising their socks off all year met the Minaki boys, their new friends, for the first time. They welcomed Imberhorne to their country with their national anthem, singing proudly in the entrance to the airport. A moving moment for all.

The first week was spent at the Minaki High School which our group described as both eye opening and inspiring. Visits to the Kisarawe village, Kisarawe Orphanage and Chanzige Primary School followed, "bringing new stories from some truly incredible people" commented Jemma Walton, Tanzanian exchange student. Jemma went on to say, "we were bombarded with friendly and enthusiastic children in every lesson that we taught at the school, making the experience both challenging but overwhelmingly enjoyable."

The Kisarawe Orphanage was a fantastic afternoon spent amongst excitable and engaging young children, thoroughly enjoying every game that was played with them.

The second week brought the group more personal challenges of a different nature. A mountain hike was both mentally and physically demanding but everyone pulled together as they made their way up, before celebrating their victory in the beautiful pool at the top. The safari that followed offered hundreds of photo opportunities which were definitely taken advantage of and the final days at the beach brought them even more fun in this wonderful country.

Asante Tanzania for making this trip an experience none of them will ever forget. As a school, we now look forward to continuing fundraising for this important and long standing project that will see the Minaki High School boys fly to the UK in March 2018 for the second leg of the exchange.