Experience Mainsprings 2018

A group of participants in our first of three “Experience Mainsprings” trips this year recently returned home from a ten-day stay on our flagship campus in Kitongo. These trips provide volunteers with the opportunity to not only experience all that our campus has to offer, but also gives volunteers the opportunity to travel with our staff to Tanzania.

Experience Mainsprings volunteers participated in a permaculture seminar, permaculture project, volunteer rotation (including farming and assisting in the dining hall), reading buddies, village night and a village walk, a day-long safari in the Serengeti, and of course, plenty of time to get to know our girls and staff! This year, Experience participants also had the opportunity to learn about local arts.

With this year’s Experience group being a combination of both new and returning volunteers, we decided to ask them a few questions.

Why did you want to come back to campus this year?

“I wanted to come back because it feels like a second home, and being around the girls is always so positive and refreshing. This year was different for me because I have been able to see how they have grown up over the span of three years. Coming back and seeing how much they have grown is always cool to see, and I’m so proud of who they are becoming.” – Laurel S. (3-time volunteer)

What did you learn during your time at Mainsprings and what will you take away from this experience?

“I learned so much more this year than I have in previous years about the programs here and the way the campus is run. I learned a lot about permaculture and about how girls arrive at Mainsprings. We were all talking about how we want to try permaculture in Tulsa!” – Ellen G. (3-time volunteer)

“I learned that a great way to gain strength to get through hard times is to form meaningful relationships with others, like the girls do with each other.” – Hannah D.

“I love Mainsprings’ holistic approach for supporting the community. They raise the ‘whole person’ and I can’t wait to see the amazing things that the girls will do when they grow up!” – Samantha S.

What was your favorite part/memory from this trip?

“My favorite memory from the trip was the first prayer time. I didn’t know what to expect and when I walked in and the girls just started singing in Swahili with the most beautiful voices – that’s something that I’ll never forget!” – Ava B.

“The village walk or village night. I also like to spend time with the girls!” – Eva C. (3-time volunteer)

“Getting close with the girls and experiencing the culture here!” – Megan S.

Categorized in: Experience Mainsprings, Volunteer, Volunteering in Tanzania

This post was written by Mainsprings