I have returned from the trip of a lifetime. For my mother-in-law’s 85th birthday, she treated me and my sister-in-law to an Overseas Adventure Travel tour of Tanzania, Africa. O.A.T. is a tour company that prides itself on providing a total cultural experience. You don’t just view a country, you experience it.
Our trip to Tanzania began on June 25th, but we did not arrive into Kilimanjaro airport until the night of June 26th after two lengthy flights, Houston to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Tanzania. There is no way around it. Africa is far away!
This experience was so full that I will be writing multiple blog posts to share as much as I can with you.
We spent the first few days in Arusha. Arusha is a bustling city. Our first stop was a clay water filter project.
Front of Safe Water Ceramics in Arusha, Tanzania.
The Safe Water Ceramics of East Africa produces clay water filters to provide clean water to families and schools around Tanzania and Kenya. The number one health problem in Africa comes from limited access to clean water. We were fascinated by the process of creating these filters.
Surrounded by drying water filters, Mesiaki demonstrates his foot powered pottery wheel.
In 2005, Tracy Hawkins met Mesiaki Kimerei, a master potter in Arusha, Tanzania. After learning of the dire need for filtered water and the process for making these clay water filters, she teamed up with Mesiaki to produce these ceramic filters. In 2015, Safe Water Ceramics won the Energy Globe Award.
Proud of his Globe Award, Mesiaki is passing the skills to his daughter.
Eleven people in our group lined up to donate. One water filter for a family or school costs $40. You can learn more about the project and donate here. Already, on the first day, I knew that this experience would have a profound effect on me. Something that we take for granted, clean water, is a privilege in the country of Tanzania.
At the end of our first day, we were treated to a view of Mt. Kilimanjaro peeking out and saying “Jambo!”
Mt. Kilimanjaro in the distance.
Reflections on the Teche 
What an amazing trip. I look forward to living it vicariously through your words.
Margaret, you should check out my fellow Pen Woman’s daughter’s amazing invention! It is a water cleaning “book” ! It is going to help so many people around the world to have clean water in an economical way. It is really going to happen!! Everyone should know about this. http://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2016/01/05/exp-gps-0103-last-look.cnn
Dr. Terri Dankovich of Carnegie Mellon invented this and now they are in the implementation stage. Can you imagine how this is going to help? It can be tailored eventually to the specific needs of a village, area based on their water source and its specific Problem(s). Can’t wait to hear more about your trip!!!
This is truly amazing. The active ingredient for the ceramic filters is silver colloidal like in the books. I hope that one day all water transmitted diseases will be eradicated. Education is key. Many of these children have learned not to drink water. They drink milk. Hopefully with easy filters and education, their habits will change.
Wow,Margaret you remain an inspiration. What an amazing trip indeed!
I’m really looking forward to your reflections on this time.
Way to go!
What a wonderful gift from your mother-in-law, and the experience with all three of you. I appreciate you taking the time to share your trip, Margaret.
I’m so looking forward to these blog posts, Margaret! You started out the trip in a memorable way. Thanks for the links to further investigate, too.
Clean water is such an issue. We are privileged to have all we have, Clean water for all should be a privilege for all. Can’t wait to read more about your experiences.
I saw some of your Facebook posts and was wowed!! I knew you’d be writing about your experiences. I look forward to reading them all!
[…] is my third Tanzania journal entry. To read about clay water filters, journal entry #1, click here. To read and enjoy a video of Tarangire animals, click […]
[…] have been blogging about this trip since I’ve returned. You can read previous posts: Safe Water for Eastern Africa, Tarangire National Park, Maasai village, and Lions on the […]
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