Bob’s off to Tanzania - for a 'gap year' with a difference!

22/05/2008

In October 2006 Bob Phillips climbed to the top of Kilimanjaro with five friends. This summer he plans to return to Tanzania -  to the same place where the trek to the top of Africa’s highest mountain began, but this time to support teachers in three local schools.

 

Bob retires this summer after spending a working life in education, having been a PE teacher for 19 years. In 1991 he joined Stockport Council Education Service with responsibility for Physical Education and Outdoor Education. A few years later he was promoted to adviser, supporting and monitoring schools in Stockport.

 

After his 2006 nine day trek to the top of Kilimanjaro, Bob and friends were given a local tour by one of their guides including a visit to a school. There he was overcome by the joy of the youngsters for education. The facilities were poor; the classrooms were in poor condition, books had to be shared but the children were bursting with enthusiasm.

 

As retirement approached he wondered if he could make a contribution to the education of the youngsters he had met. The Marangu Hotel, Kilimanjaro had done such a good job of organising the trek; now could they put him in touch with the school. The hotel owners did even better-they told Bob about “Project Kilimanjaro”  -  focussing support on three primary schools at the foot of Kilimanjaro.

 

Bob contacted the project and offered his services. This coincided with a new development in the project which aims to improve teaching and learning. Bob and his experience was just what the project needed; he met the project director, a British woman married to a Tanzanian headteacher, when she was back in the UK, and was immediately invited to spend February half term in Kilimanjaro.

 

There he visited the three schools, met teachers and the district Education Officer and observed lessons. He was introduced to the Masai warrior who will be the night watchman outside his accommodation, and accepted the offer to join the project.

 

Bob leaves on 25 August to take up this voluntary post for 15 months. During his time working on the project, he will develop a Sports Project linked to the community, and help support headteachers in more effectively managing their schools. He will also guide and advise teachers so the young people learn more effectively. While visiting Tanzania he was invited to a church service to be introduced to the congregation. As everywhere else he was received with great warmth.

 

One question put to him while being interviewed was what he hoped to gain from his time in Tanzania. With tongue in cheek he said find a wife. He received two offers before he left!

 

Bob says “I now have a good slide show of my visit to the schools in February and what I will be doing. If any groups in Stockport wish for a presentation I am happy to join them. After the presentation it may be that they will wish to support the project - not me, as Stockport’s pension will be sufficient for my needs.

 

"I can be contacted on 0161 474 3941.”