“Environmental education on Kilimanjaro: student exchange visits the Himo Tree Nursery”

The Tanzania group from the Toni Jensen Community School in Kiel is visiting its partner school Himo Secondary in Moshi District, Tanzania. As part of development cooperation, they get to know a foreign culture, make friends and develop project ideas.

We are delighted to be able to welcome the 10 German and 10 Tanzanian pupils, each with 2 teachers, to Himo Tree Nursery for two days as part of this exchange.

Among other things, the school partnership deals with environmental issues and related activities, which it incorporates into projects. For example, the wish was expressed to get to know the tree nursery based in Himo better and to take part in its environmental education activities. 

After a brief introduction to the history of the nursery and its vision for the future, the first day focused on beekeeping. After the students learned about the differences to the German way of keeping bees, they got straight down to practical work.

A commercial beehive was professionally prepared to attract Tanzanian wild bees to form a new colony. To do this, all the wooden parts of the beehive had to be rubbed vigorously with lemongrass.

In order to protect the future new bee colony from ants, the approx. 1.50 m high metal stand was also prepared accordingly.

The tour continued in the Honey Processing Room, where everything revolved around the further processing of the honeycombs that had already been harvested. Together we pressed, centrifuged, bottled and labeled the honey. Of course, the students were also able to taste the fresh Kilimanjaro honey.

The second day was all about composting. What can be composted? What processing steps are necessary? How does compost affect the soil structure?

The 20 pupils were divided into two groups. While group 1 turned the existing compost heap, group 2 tried to get more green waste from the local market for free.

After hard work in the unaccustomed heat, everyone had a final dinner together to reflect on the two days at the Himo Tree Nursery.

It was fun with you. Karibu tena!