20 years of partnership to Lerang’wa!

This July, 19 Lower Sixth pupils travelled to Lerang’wa, our partner school on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, for an unforgettable two-week visit.

The first week centred on our long-standing partnership with Lerang’wa School, with Caterham pupils spending their days teaching lessons across a range of subjects. Alongside the classroom experience, there were plenty of opportunities to experience the local community and landscape, including a visit to a Maasai boma, assisting in the school’s vegetable garden, a local market and encounters with Tanzania’s wildlife, including giraffes and antelopes.

The week at Lerang’wa culminated in a day of sport, bringing together pupils from both schools, followed by a special celebration marking 20 years of partnership between Caterham and Lerang’wa. It was a fitting opportunity to reflect on two decades of friendship, shared experiences and educational exchange between the two communities.

The second week offered the chance to explore more of Tanzania’s extraordinary natural environment. The group enjoyed swimming in the region’s hot springs, canoeing and birdwatching, before heading on safari. The highlight was a visit to the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s great wildlife destinations.

The trip provided far more than a memorable adventure. It gave our pupils the opportunity to teach, learn and build relationships with young people in a very different setting, while experiencing first-hand the culture, communities and remarkable landscapes of Tanzania. Most importantly, it was a wonderful way to celebrate 20 years of a partnership that continues to enrich both schools.