TANZANIA ORPHANS AND STREET CHILDREN PROJECT
MWANZA TANZANIA

If you are looking for a project that is both inspiring and rewarding, then look no further!  This project is based in Mwanza City (known as Rock City) on the beautiful Lake Victoria in the north of Tanzania, the second largest fresh water lake in the world.  This amazing country in East Africa has a huge diversity of scenery – from palm lined beaches  to remote wilderness – but suffers from low life expectancy and more than 1.3 million people suffer from HIV/AIDS.  Many children in Tanzania have been orphaned by this epidemic and volunteers to this project will work with these abandoned children (orphans and street children), helping to care for them and provide vital support in their early childhood years.  They will also help in an educational support programme aimed at reintegrating the children back into school and society in a stable and caring network.

	Location:	MWANZA TANZANIA	Dates:	1st and 3rd Monday of each month
	Fees:	£585 - 2 weeks £795 - 4 weeks £995 - 6 weeks £1,105 - 8 weeks £1,405 - 12 weeks	Payment:	£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure
	Reference:	AV030

General Information

Tanzania is a country known for its hospitality and friendliness, with a huge variety of landscapes ranging from the vast open plains of the Serengeti, to fantastic wildlife reserves such as the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park and of course Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa and a real attraction for keen hikers.

The number of orphans and street children in Tanzania is increasing, particularly in the urban areas of Mwanza.  Volunteers to this project work at a local children’s home, which cares for a small number of these orphans and street children.  There are currently about thirty boys living at the home, with ages ranging from 5 - 16 years of age.  Most of the boys attend school during the day time but a small number of young boys or boys who have recently arrived at the home are looked after solely by the volunteers who provide lessons for them during the mornings and early afternoons, the aim being to integrate them into the state educational system as soon as possible. The older boys, who return from school mid-afternoon, are divided into small groups by age and ability and are given top-up lessons by the volunteers - in maths, science, history, geography as well as English.  They have achieved remarkable results with these boys who are all doing really well at school.  Frequent tests are given to all groups and it is not surprising to see many of them score full marks for spelling.  Sometimes they are rewarded for their good work - perhaps with a visit to the local pizza restaurant.

The early evenings are spent playing games or socialising with the boys who really enjoy the opportunity to practise their English.   No-one can fail to be moved by the warmth of the welcome given by these young children to the volunteers that join them.

In addition to providing educational support, volunteers may also become involved in nutritional programmes planned for boys with HIV/AIDS.  These boys need extra meat, fish and fruit and volunteers might be able to accompany the project manager on visits to the local market to purchase these items.

Unsurprisingly, some of the boys - particularly those with the HIV/AIDS virus - have emotional problems and counselling is offered to them.  Volunteers might become involved in this valuable work - it is very rewarding to give time to listen to these young men and find out a little about their background, which is often traumatic. 

This orphan and street children project focuses on sustainable development and some innovative programmes are in development including a sports academy and some schemes that will emphasize the importance of vocational training.  It is hoped to establish workshops in perhaps woodwork or leatherwork where boys will be able to develop skills that may provide them with a living in later life.  Some of the boys make bracelets, necklaces and key fobs in beadwork which they sell to the volunteers for small amounts of cash.  Hopefully this will encourage them to see some financial return for the results of their efforts and hopefully begin to establish a good work ethic within them.

The project has the support of the Tanzanian Government and local city council and aims to develop projects to support these vulnerable children and their needs and the needs of their families. 

Future Developments:

A day nursery is in the process of construction close to the volunteer house which, when open, (hopefully in September) will provide places for young children and babies.  Volunteers may be involved in some painting in the construction period and may help staff in the nursery once it is open.

Optional free time activities

Project staff will be happy to help volunteers to organise weekend excursions - some of which are outlined below:

Rubondo Island - an opportunity to spend 3 nights on this island, with excursion by boat, trekking in the jungle and see some of the island’s wildlife – elephants, giraffe, hippos and crocodiles – or relax on the beautiful beaches or around the hotel swimming pool.

Serengeti and Ngorongoro/Manyara Safaris- take the opportunity for a 3 or 4 day safari in these famous National Parks – perhaps with a game drive to spot the local wildlife.

Evenings will generally be spent in the volunteer house, perhaps listening to music, watching television or playing games.  Volunteers may also visit some of the local hotels where they can use the internet facilities, enjoy a swim in the stunning swimming pool or have a beer watching the sun go down over the beautiful Lake Victoria.  

Recent Review (2009)

Anyone who has volunteered on this project cannot wait to return and spend time with the boys (and the staff) who live there and who are so friendly and who make them all so welcome.  Mwanza City is the home to this project and is situated on the south side of Lake Victoria, the second largest fresh water lake in the world.  The city has many orphans, either children who have been abandoned by their families, or who lose their families to HIV/AIDS, and many of them find their way to the Orphanage.  It is currently home to 32 boys, aged between 5 years and 16 years of age.  They all have to help with the daily chores, such as helping to keep their beds tidy and giving a hand with making the evening meal.  Most of the boys go to school each day but those who are too young, or who are newly arrived, need help to reintegrate them into the school system and so their daytime lessons are given by the volunteers who also help to make sure the boys get their regular malaria and HIV checks at the local hospital or health centre.  Nutrition for boys who are HIV positive is very important and the limited resources are used as best they can be to help these disadvantaged children.   The project has the support of the Tanzanian government but relies very heavily on the help of the volunteers, who come from many countries around the world.  The volunteers often arrange little outings for the boys and recently they fixed up – as a treat – a short boat trip on Lake Victoria.  But horror of horrors – many of the boys cried and clung to them in fear of being in a boat in the water, which many of them had never seen before!

The boys are all very, very keen to learn English and are eager for the extra lessons and help with homework they receive from the volunteers.   After homework and the evening meal they all enjoy some playtime and the chance to socialise with the volunteers – they cannot resist the opportunity to practise their English at any opportunity they can.

All the volunteers live together in the volunteer house which is just outside Mwanza Town.  It is quite exciting to get the local dala dala (bus) to go into town and there are lots of shops, banks and cafes there.  Volunteers usually spend the evenings together at the house, listening to music or playing games.  They sometimes go to one of the lovely lakeside hotels where for a small sum they can spend the day in the pool or use the internet facilities or just have a beer watching the sun set over the beautiful Lake Victoria.

There are lots of places to visit before returning home – the Serengeti and Ngorongoro are well worth a visit to go on safari or a game drive to see the local wildlife, and it is possible to hike up Mount Kilimanjaro – but that is only for the fittest!!

Currently a day nursery is being built close to the volunteer house and when this is finished volunteers will also be able to help out with the daily care of the babies and young children when it is open.  In the meantime, some help with painting the nursery will be needed. 

For anyone who wants to make a real difference to the lives of children in Africa, then Mwanza is the place to go.  You cannot fail to be moved by the warmth of the welcome the children give and be inspired by what is being achieved with such few resources. I am sure that once you have visited you will be saving hard to go again soon.

Support

Support and advice is available from your Project Managers whilst on the project and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.

Orientation

A comprehensive information pack will be sent to all volunteers upon booking their placement and further advice and information will be provided by telephone and email before departure.  A full orientation programme will be provided on arrival by the project manager and will include:

• An introduction to Tanzanian culture and values, local food and practices
• Basic local language lessons
• Health and safety advice
• Money and transport in Tanzania
• Introduction to local project areas, schools and staff
• Advice on using free time and excursions to the city

Accommodation and Meals

Volunteers will stay in a comfortable, shared volunteer house just a short ride from both the airport and from the Children's Centre.  The house has several bedrooms and there are shared washing facilities.  There is a kitchen, living room and courtyard and also TV, CD, DVD and video players.  Volunteers will travel to and from the Children's Centre on public transport (during daylight hours).  These are the local dala dalas which are very inexpensive and a real adventure.  Any transport to and from the Children's Centre after sun down will be provided.

Three meals a day are provided.   Breakfast is usually self-service, and consists of cereals and tea and toast.  A light lunch is available, also on a self-serve basis, for those returning to the house at lunchtime.   Alternatively volunteers may wish to have lunch in town - there are lots of local restaurants and food is inexpensive.  The housekeeper prepares the evening meal for everyone.

Getting There

Volunteers will need to arrange flights to Mwanza Airport, Tanzania where they will be met by one of the project leaders. The journey from the airport to the volunteer house will take about five minutes by road.  Flights can be arranged from Dar es Salaam or Nairobi directly into Mwanza with Precision Airways.  For further information please contact Amanzi Travel.

Fees

What is included

• Donation to the project itself to pay for building materials, equipment etc
• Transfers to and from Mwanza Airport
• Full on-site orientation
• Accommodation in shared volunteer house
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
• Support from local project staff
  

What is excluded

• Visas and personal travel insurance to cover repatriation
• All flights
• All items of a personal nature, gifts, clothing etc
• Email, internet and telephone calls
• Soft drinks, beer, wines and spirits
• Any extra excursions over and above the planned itinerary