Planting Love in Tanzania

Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro with my best friend, Kim, was an amazing, life-changing event. Mount Kilimanjaro, at 19,341 feet, is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world and the absolute rooftop of Africa. A little bit of Will is watching over this beautiful country from Kili's summit.

July 2018 – Arusha, Tanzania

Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. Sadly, it has been ravaged by AIDs leaving more than 1,300,000 children orphaned. In the shadow of Kilimanjaro lies the town of Arusha, home to St. Joseph’s Orphanage.

Run by Sister Crispina Mnate, the orphanage provides home and schooling to more than 50 children. Unlike many orphanages, St. Joseph’s is a permanent home and family. The children stay until they complete their schooling, are employed and ready to leave.

Sister Crispina was gracious enough to allow us to plant 3 trees at the orphanage. Because these children need so much, we decided to plant trees that would produce food. A beautiful cherry tree, walnut tree and avocado tree were selected.

Avocado: The Avocado, in the Aztek World, represents love. It takes about 10 years before the tree will begin to bear fruit.

Walnut: The Walnut tree is a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, intelligence and inspiration. It should begin producing a substantial volume of nuts around year 2026.

Cherry: The beautiful cherry tree will begin producing cherries in 2021 making. Revered in many countries, the cherry tree symbolizes the fragility of life, rebirth and new beginnings.