Killing it on Killi
June 17, 2025
Jambo from Tanzania!! The group arrived safe and sound with high energy and spirits on Tuesday night. Once we reached our hotel for the night, we shared our first meal together and had a Moonup full of laughter. The avocado tree above us had its eyes set on Sam, as avocados kept dropping all around him – and the mysterious bird in the tree kept chiming in to say hello. We laughed our way through Moonup and into the night. It’s safe to say that this group is hilarious and has already grown so close!
The next morning, we woke up and headed to our next destination for the service portion of the trip. This past week has been an incredible time of getting to know one another and immersing ourselves in the local culture. Our first LODs (Leaders of the Day), Trey and Lydie, helped everyone settle into our amazing campsite upon arrival.
The next day, we began our community service at the Mungere School just outside the town of Mto Wa Mbu. On day one, we toured the school, met the kids, and played soccer with them. Soccer MVPs of the day were Rachel, Coco, and Emma!
The rest of the service days were filled with helping around the school and forming amazing bonds with the kids. On day three of service, we met the students in their village and walked with them to school. It was a beautiful walk through several small villages and past scenic rice fields. After working on our project, we played basketball with the kids, and many of us got our hair braided. The next day brought even more braiding – Emma and Coco came out with the best French braid styles!
We also shared music and dances with the kids, and had so much fun learning their favorite moves to each of their songs. That afternoon, we stopped at a local art studio on the way home from school. We were all stunned by the beautiful artwork, especially Rachel! Many of us picked up paintings to bring home. Next, we visited a woodworking shop where we learned about the types of wood locals use to make hand-carved animals, utensils, and more. Bradford and Coco even got to try sanding down one of the wooden creatures at the shop. A highlight of the afternoon was tasting the local cuisine-Foo Foo-at the woodworking shop! The group had been dying to try Foo Foo, and everyone was thrilled, especially Lydie!
One of the best parts of this past week has been our amazing campsite. We’ve been enjoying delicious meals and great company. Our afternoons have been filled with swimming, relaxing by the pool, card games, and our favorite lawn game, “Suie”, with a soccer ball. This group also loves music and has created an awesome playlist. AP, Atticus, and Sam have bonded over their love of metal and rock music and are slowly converting the rest of us too! We all agree that the stars have been the best part of the campsite-they’ve been absolutely breathtaking every night. Trey even saw his first-ever shooting star, and Bradford said the stars were the best she’s ever seen!
The group has been having so much fun. Sam keeps everyone laughing, and Rachel’s kindness is contagious. Ophelia and Emma have impressed us with their language skills-the whole group was in awe when Emma spoke French with other visitors at the campsite. We’ve all been learning lots of Swahili words, sayings, and numbers, but Opélia has taken it to the next level. Whenever we need help remembering a word in Swahili, she’s our go-to girl!
We’re back in Arusha now, preparing for our Kilimanjaro climb tomorrow! This group is incredibly close, and we’re so excited to see how much they’ll grow over the next week. The energy and excitement for the climb are buzzing, and we know this group is going to crush it!
It’s been an amazing first week-filled with service, connection, laughter, and memories. The group has not only formed strong bonds with the local children but has also built such a special connection with one another. Thank you so much for sharing each of them with Moondance and with us for this incredible three-week adventure. The energy and vibe of the group wouldn’t be the same without each and every one of them. They rock!
– Hailey and Duke
Here are a few words from our crew!
Lydie: Hey family! Dad, happy late Father’s Day! I miss you guys so so much but I am having the most amazing time. Africa is beautiful and y’all would love it! I can’t wait to tell you guys everything when I get back. I got some awesome art to bring home to y’all and other than that I haven’t made any shopping errors. Hudson i hope your life isn’t too miserable without me! Tell my friends i love them so much and iI can’t wait to see them! Don’t miss me too much 🙂 Love yall! -Lydie
Sam: What’s up. Miss y’all. Happy Father’s Day. I’m having so much fun. I’m about to go climb Kili.
AP: Hey guys! We just finished amazing service and are prepping for Kili. Africa is absolutely amazing. I miss y’all so so much and give Pippa a treat for me. My group is amazing and Happy Father’s Day! I think I might need a new bathing suit for the 4th of July wink wink. Love yall!!- Pricey
Bradford: Hi family and whoever is reading I miss yall sm! I am having sm fun with my group. We just finished service and are about to start hiking Kili I am nervous but excited ! This place is really cool. Can’t wait to get back and tell yall about it. Happy Father’s Day dad! Don’t miss me too much I am thinking about yall!! Love brad
Atticus: What’s up. All is going well. Happy Father’s Day. Hope all is going well. Having a blast. About to climb Kilimanjaro. Can’t wait to see you.
Emma: Hey guys what’s up. I hope y’all are enjoying y’all’s trip!! We just finished a week of super fun service and now going to hike Kili tomorrow then safari. Ophelia and I met some french people who had just come back and showed us pics, so beautiful. Happy Father’s Day Dad miss you. Mom you are going to actually love me I bought you the most beautiful African art for the house. Miss y’all and see you soon.
Ophélia: Hi Mum and Papa. Tu me manques! I’m having a great time and I discovered a new skill of
mine; Bartering! I have been super curious since getting to Tanzania and I have learned how to count to 100 in Swahili which is pretty cool. I know how to say a couple of other things as well. I’m really looking forward to summiting Kili and i can wait to show you guys the souvenirs I bought, they are all things useful! See you soon also dad I still have your credit card so do not worry.
Coco: Hey guys! I’ve missed you all!! I’m having so much fun!! Right now we’re prepping for Kili and we will be starting the climb tomorrow!! I’m a little nervous but im trying to get a good insta post so I will just have to push through it. I am super excited for the elephants and giraffes! I hope you guys are having fun at home and happy late Father’s Day dad! Also give bibble and poofa lotssss of kisses for me! Please pick me up with wingstop! 🥺 Africa is super pretty though! I have lots of pictures and stories to tell when I get back! See yall soon!!!
Trey: Hey Everyone! We’re climbing tomorrow (don’t worry, I’ve been drinking lots of water) and I can’t wait! The past week has been changing and inspiring. I have gained endless new perspective. Tanzania is absolutely magical, I’ve never been somewhere like it. I hope to return one day! The group is so much fun!
Together At Last!
June 11, 2025
Hello Kilimanjaro Families!
We are excited to report that our last student has safely landed in Tanzania. The group is so excited to be all together, and we 100% share in that excitement! Trip updates and a group photo are to come… Stay tuned!
Cheers,
Moondance HQ
Safe Arrival!
June 10, 2025
Hello Kilimanjaro Families!
We heard from our leaders this afternoon that the group landed safely! One student’s flight was delayed, but they will be greeted by a leader at the airport and join the group soon. The group is so excited to start their adventure together!
Please remember our leaders and students will be unplugged during their trips, but we will be posting trip updates throughout the next week! This will allow you to follow along with the trip. You can also follow us on Instagram, @moondanceadventures, to see more of what we are up to!
– Moondance HQ
