(Pictured: Playing with the children at Upendo Orphanage)

A team of Sixth Form students and staff from Thornleigh Salesian College recently returned from a month in Tanzania.

The visit began with a rest day in Oyster Bay, swimming and playing football on the beach with the locals to build up some stamina for their 12 hour bus ride to Moshi, on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro.

Students taught at the primary school, and supported evening revision sessions. They prepared lessons in their free time, and tried them out on their teachers. At Upendo Childrens' Home, they redecorated the playground, and played with the children, and some students spent time on the labour ward at St Joseph's Clinic. In fine Salesian tradition, plenty of sport was played, too.

Thornleigh students organise fundraising events throughout the year in preparation for each Tanzaia visit, and take gifts for the children with them – this year, the football shirts they presented went down very well.

Although they put in a lot of hard work, they were able to experience the amazing natural environment, with a trip to Tarangire National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, where they were delighted to catch a glimpse of four rhinos, and a strenuous climb to the base camp of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Thank you to Modern Languages teacher, Mrs Brown, for the photos!