After spending a year educating in Tanzania, math teacher Ben Snyder returned over the summer to continue teaching at LHS and VHHS.
Snyder knew of Haven of Peace Academy (HOPAC) from his past international schooling before he was interested in teaching with them, and he contacted a former teacher to start the application process.
Before committing to HOPAC, Snyder secured his position as an LHS math teacher for the ‘09-’10 school year.
“After talking with the administration at LHS, we reached an understanding that my position would be available upon my return, as long as I came back the following year. Had our time in Tanzania extended beyond one school year, then my position would not have been open to me any longer,” Snyder said.
HOPAC is an international, Christian school located in Dar Es Salaam with about 300 students in grades K-12. About 40% of the students are from missionary families from either the U.K or the U.S, 30% are from various parts of Tanzania, and the remainder students come from among 34 different countries.
Like many of the students, Snyder himself came from a missionary family and attended schools similar to HOPAC.
Snyder and his wife flew from the U.S. on Aug. 6, 2008 to London, and then took a connecting flight to Tanzania.
While at HOPAC, Snyder taught math to grades six, eight, nine, eleven and twelve. In addition, hecoached basketball and soccer. With his wife, he also hosted a ninth grade youth group at his home.
He found benefits in teaching at HOPAC.
“It’s easier to get to know the students and have a mentoring relationship because the classes are fewer,” Snyder said.
Snyder and his wife lived in a compound house near the school with about six other teachers. Unfortunately, due to extremely warm weather, Snyder’s house experienced some inconveniences.
“We would usually eat between 5:30 and 7:00, depending on what time we got home from school and how long it took to cook. The time it takes to cook varies a lot depending on electricity staying on or going off,” said Snyder.
Even though Snyder enjoyed Tanzania, he missed many family and national events back in the U.S. For example, he missed his brother’s wedding and the birth of his new niece. However, he and his wife watched the wedding and chatted with his family via Skype.
For social activities, Snyder and his wife spent time around Dar Es Salaam, at English movie theaters and coffee shops, and sightseeing in other areas of Tanzania.
Snyder and his wife visited Zanzibar, an island located about 30 miles off the coast of Tanzania, also went to a safari camp in Mukumi National Park, located about 150 miles west of Dar Es Salaam.
Snyder felt comfortable in Tanzania, despite the new environment.
“In general, the other Tanzanians are very friendly. I never felt threatened or anxious around them,” Snyder said.
Snyder and his wife left Tanzania on June 30, 2008, and arrived back in the U.S. on July 2.
“It was an incredible experience. We can’t say that we loved every minute of it, because there were some times that we really hated being there, but it was an amazing opportunity to witness life in a different culture with some unforgettable people,” Snyder said.