Summer 2024 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: ReCoding Africa First Week
Our first week at Ghomme Secondary School in Dar es Salaam has been a whirlwind of creativity, learning and inspiration. As we arrived, we welcomed Eliya Sichone, a Ghomme graduate, as a volunteer on our ReCoding Africa team. Once again, we had to overcome some challenges like connectivity, adjusting to different living standards, and the Tanzanian boarding school diet, always keeping a positive and constructive spirit.
Our week began with an engaging introduction to Cisco skills led by ReCoding Africa volunteer Chase Wade and Linda Stevenin, ReCoding Africa co-founder, who worked with students to set up their Google email accounts, a crucial step for using the Cisco platform. Just as at Kwetu School in Zanzibar, Ghomme students delved into the fundamentals of cybersecurity, gaining insights into the world of IT and an understanding of the role of technology in our digital world.
Chase also led a creative writing course where students explored the art of storytelling. Through various exercises and prompts, students tapped into their imaginations, learning how to craft short stories, poems and songs. This course is not only an opportunity for creative expression but also a valuable exercise in developing writing skills that will benefit students across all subjects.
Mariarosy Calleri, R.O.S.A. President and ReCoding Africa co-founder, guided students through the exciting world of filmmaking. She provided an introduction to scriptwriting, teaching students how to develop their creative ideas into compelling narratives for the screen, laying the groundwork for their final film projects.
Our social media volunteer, Jennahvy Nguyen, led a stimulating ice breaker through an art project titled “Your World”. She encouraged students to express their inner selves using text and drawings, emphasizing that while we may appear similar on the outside, our inner worlds are diverse and unique. The project fostered a sense of unity and respect, setting a positive tone for the weeks ahead. Next, Jennahvy introduced digital journaling using the application Canva. Students learned how to use this powerful graphic design tool to create visually engaging content.
Eliya presented the world of paper art to his former schoolmates. Through various crafts, including origami, they discovered the endless possibilities of transforming a simple sheet of paper into something extraordinary. Eliya highlighted the numerous benefits of paper art, such as enhancing concentration, improving spatial reasoning, and fostering patience. By folding, cutting, and shaping paper, students can not only create beautiful pieces of art but also develop valuable cognitive skills.
Our week concluded with a stimulating introduction to entrepreneurship led by Mariarosy followed by a workshop with DIHA, Digital Hut Africa, a local tech start up founded in 2022 by Peter Lukanga and three fellow University of Dar es Salaam graduates. They shared their journey from university students to young entrepreneurs running a startup that meets community needs by developing innovative applications integrating AI. The students were captivated by their story and engaged for the first time in hands-on electronics lab activities.
As we wrap up our first week at Ghomme Secondary School, we reflect on the incredible experiences and knowledge shared, from artistic exploration to technical skill-building and entrepreneurship culture. Through our innovative teaching, our students have embarked on a journey of growth and discovery.
We look forward to continuing this meaningful adventure and witnessing the progress our students will make in our second week together. Stay tuned for more updates and insights from ReCoding Africa at Ghomme Secondary School as we continue to inspire and empower our students!
