DeKALB – Kurt Thurmaier’s trip to Tanzania this year is going to be a little more special than previous ones.

The Northern Illinois University professor has frequently visited the village of Nyegina, Tanzania, which is in the northern part of the country near Lake Victoria. Thurmaier said his efforts to enhance a school in the village began when he and his wife visited Tanzania for their 25th wedding anniversary.

“We came away exhausted, but really challenged to help,” said Thurmaier, who co-founded the Tanzanian Development Support organization in 2008 with his wife, Jeanine. Thurmaier said he is looking forward to going back this year for his 30th anniversary.