On February 14th we left Lake Manyara an headed toward the Ngorongoro Crater. On the way, we stopped at the Tloma Primary School. This is a public, not a private, institution.

Built to educate 50 local children, the total number is now 815. There are 14 teachers. In Tanzania in order to get more teachers the schools have to provide housing, which of course this one cannot afford to do due to the expense of trying to educate 815 students.

The 7th grade class were our hosts. There were 88 students, four to each desk, one teacher. You can’t imagine how happy they were to see us, and how grateful they are for the privilege of going to school.

These kids either go to school, or work in the fields with the crops and livestock to help their parents. We saw countless young children herding goats, sheep and cattle along the roadways and across open fields every day, all day.

The vast majority of these kids have no running water. They live in homes built from bricks they make by combing animal dung with dirt, and press that in between sticks to build their homes. The homes have thatched roofs, but occasionally you see one that is sheet metal.

The kids walk to school, There is no bus. Some walk only a few feet to the school, others walk a distance oft round trip 5km daily.

Uniforms are required and cost $40 American dollars each. They uniforms are very attractive, although most were worn out and in dire need of repair or replacement.

I want to be sure you know that no child ever begged from us (neither did an adult for that matter). As we drove through Africa the children on the roads would stop, smile these amazing bright white smiles and wave wildly to us. Once we overheard them say “white people!” with pure glee.

So we walked to the courtyard of the school, and about 20 of the 7th graders were lined up, literally grinning from ear to ear. They were told to pick a person, and escort them into the classroom.

A lovely little girl picked me. I asked her name, she told me that and her age. Then she asked me my name and age.

We lined up at the front of their classroom and they proceeded to amaze us. First they sang three songs. All in English complete with hand/body movements. It was a performance. Then we all introduced ourselves and told them what we did for a living. They were mesmerized. They were allowed to ask questions, and boy did they. Then they were allowed to pick each of us, take us back to their desks, and show us their school work.

If you follow my Facebook page you saw me completely surrounded by these fabulous kids going through the safari pics on my phone. They literally invaded every inch of my personal space. They could not get close enough and could not have been more excited to see us.

We met with the headmaster and found out the best ways to help the school and the kids. I am in the process of vetting the information and will then let you know how, and if, you can help.

It was one of the best days of my life, and at the end of the tour several of my customers said it was their favorite experience of the entire trip. Talk about a great Valentine’s Day, one I will never forget.

A Valentine’s Day that forever stole our hearts