UOW students revamp Tanzanian school dormitory thanks to Brew Bequest

Manyara Primary School lies nestled on the outskirts of Tanzania's Tarangine National Park. The school is full of life but lacks basic infrastructure and resources to support optimal student learning. The girl's dormitory, designed to accommodate 50 beds, houses 150 students who go without necessities like mattresses and mosquito nets. Wildlife often roams the school at night while the students sleep. 

Over the past two years, 25 students from The University of Wollongong (UOW) embarked on multiple trips to Manyara that would change lives locally and abroad. Thanks to the Cynthia Brew Bequest, the Tanzania Cultural Immersion Experience became an eight-day mission to overhaul the school's dormitory. This involved repairing roofs, installing water tanks and solar-powered pumps, erecting fencing and pouring concrete for the outdoor area.   

For International Studies student Amy Eggleton, this was the opportunity of a lifetime and a trip of many firsts. Having never used power tools, she initially struggled to gain confidence with the equipment. 

"Because I had no experience using tools, I was very nervous, and I was shaking and struggling to find the confidence to use the circular saw," Amy says.  

Under the supervision of group leaders, the students each learnt how to operate the tools safely. With some extra practice and encouragement, Amy experienced a breakthrough.

^{Students paining the girls' dormitory at Manyara Primary School.} 

"It was a massive steppingstone for me, as I pushed myself beyond my comfort zone and learnt new skills. My confidence continued to grow for the remainder of the trip, and by the end, instead of holding ladders, I was getting up onto tanks and roofs and becoming more involved with the work," Amy says.   

Cynthia Brew's passion for adventure and the outdoors lives on through her bequests. She has given generously to the University, as she understood how giving creates a ripple effect.  

UOW honorary fellow Professor Glenn Salkeld touches on the power of such experiences for students and how they continue Cynthia’s legacy.

"As a teacher, Cynthia knew that opportunities could change people's lives," he says.  

"It's not just about the academics but about how our students apply their learning to contribute to their communities," Professor Salkeld adds.  

By the end of the 2023 trip, the group had successfully installed two water tanks, provided new mattresses, constructed a roof, cleaned out the dormitory, and built a new storage container and classroom. In their downtime, they played sports with Tanzanian students. Amy recalls how sad they were to part ways after eight days.  

"We had formed connections with them, and they didn't want us to leave. It made me realise how much of a difference we had made to their lives."  

UOW philosophy and criminology student Alyssa Bourd was among the second group of UOW students to visit Manyara Primary School earlier this year. She says the experience was eye opening.  

“While you have expectations of what their lives may look like, it is completely different to experience and be there firsthand,” Alyssa says.  

^{UOW and Manyara Primary School students.} 

Upon returning home, Amy and Alyssa, like many students, want to continue to help communities across borders and are grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a life-altering trip. 

"I hope to go back one day to provide more assistance. This trip ignited my passion for humanitarian projects and enabled me to develop more confidence, various skills, and memories that will last forever," Amy adds. 

With the efforts at Manyara Primary School now complete, the program will move to Nepal in 2025, continuing its mission of cultural immersion and support. 

“I am really hoping to attend the Nepal trip in 2025 as it directly correlates with what I see myself doing in the future. I think it would build on my experience and skills I learnt during the Tanzania trip and apply more directly to how I see myself being involved in this type of business, as they work with NGO’s and with social justice issues,” Alyssa says.