TANZANIA TEACHING, AIDS ORPHANS AND MEDICAL PROJECT
ARUSHA , TANZANIA

An incredible opportunity to help teach at primary and pre-schools in this vibrant African Town.  Volunteers will also help at the local orphanages in Arusha where they will look after babies up to the age of two who often have no family due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.   A truly heartwarming project where volunteers cannot fail to be touched by these wonderful children and see the difference that they make!  For medically qualified volunteers there is also the opportunity to help in the local medical clinic.  A rewarding and varied volunteer project in the heart of beautiful Tanzania.

	Location:	ARUSHA , TANZANIA	Dates:	Any start date throughout the year.
	Fees:	£675 - 2 weeks £845 - 3 weeks £995 - 4 weeks £1,295 - 6 weeks £1,495 - 8 weeks £1,895 - 12 weeks	Payment:	£180 deposit at time of booking – balance of project fee due 8 weeks before departure
	Reference:	AV009

General Information

This rewarding and flexible programme allows volunteers to make a real difference to the children and babies of this local community.   Schools and nurseries in Arusha have very limited resources and volunteers who are able to bring new ideas of how to make the lessons interesting and fun are gratefully appreciated.  These children who have so little are very eager to learn and their excitement when volunteers arrive each day cannot fail to warm your heart.

Volunteers also have the opportunity to help look after the babies in the local Arusha orphanage, most of whom have no family due to the AIDS epidemic.  These babies range from new borns to 2 year olds.

This project is especially suited to volunteers who are flexible and pro-active and who want to immerse themselves in this vibrant African community.  The volunteer co-ordinators will help volunteers to understand the needs of each of their placements on arrival so that they can see how they can use their skills to have the maximum impact on the children and the project. 

Primary Schools

Uhuru Peak School

Uhuru Peak School is an English medium school, with an attendance of approximately 30 children aged 7-9 years old, that is rapidly growing in size.  There are currently fpur local teachers.  Volunteers help to teach basic maths, english, science and recreational activities including sports.  There is so much potential for volunteers to make a difference here and if volunteers have teaching skills, or show that they are capable, they can take their own classes.  As resources are so limited many volunteers bring out teaching aids, such as books and posters or learning games - which is greatly appreciated.

The ability to speak, read and understand English is of great benefit to Tanzanians and can open up new and better paid job opportunities for them when they leave school. The cultural exchange between volunteers and the local children is also valued in this regard.  Secondary school classes tend to be taught in English, while primary school education is taught in either English or Swahili. 

Orphanages

Due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its effects, there are many orphaned children in Tanzania. Typically a child who has lost one or both parents is cared for by relatives.  In some cases, however, relatives are unable to financially or logistically care for the infants. Orphanages typically struggle to meet the demand for their services. Volunteers will be asked to provide much needed interaction, care and affection to these babies.  Activities might include feeding, changing nappies, playing games and general interaction with these beautiful youngsters. 

Cradle of Love

This home for babies was established in 2004 to help care for newborns aged up to two years of age. The Centre cares for approximately 30 babies and as they are relatively well resourced through donations, the demand for their services is very high.  When the babies approach the age of two, a new home is sought for them. Many are taken back by their extended families and in some other cases get adopted or taken to another orphanage. Cradle of Love cares for both HIV-positive and non-affected babies. Volunteers will work a full day, from morning until late afternoon, caring for the infants. This includes feeding, changing nappies, and spending time with them playing games.  Many of the volunteers gain an amazing sense of fulfilment from helping to care for these orphaned babies and the hardest thing is saying goodbye at the end of their placement.

Pre-Schools

Volunteers teach, play games and help to care for and engage with the young children in the pre-schools. The Centres are open in the mornings, and children return home at lunchtime. These Centres, as with the schools, have few resources and volunteers are encouraged to bring supplies.

Tumaini Daycare Centre

This Centre, which has been set up by the Protestant Church, has approximately 25 children from the local neighourhood, and has one local teacher.  Many of the children are from families of very poor economic background and facilities are basic.  Swahili is the primary language spoken by the children although the exposure to English through the help of the volunteers is of great help to their basic understanding of the language.

Ebeneza Daycare Centre

This growing Centre currently hosts approximately 30 children between the ages of 3 and 6 years old and has two local teachers.   Volunteers help to teach and play games with the children in the mornings from 8.00 am - 12.00 noon.  Again most of the children are from very poor families, including those affected by HIV/AIDS.  As a result, the daycare centre sponsors many of the children directly and in fact a number of volunteers have chosen to sponsor a child themselves whilst on their placement.  As with Tumaini children are mainly exposed to Swahili but benefit greatly from the exposure to English words and phrases.

TUPO Nursery School

This school was founded by Mr Richard Daudi in 2001 when he discovered he was HIV positive.  In 2005 TUPO opened its nursery school which approximately 30 children currently attend. The parents and/or the children attending the school are affected by HIV/AIDS, and some children are orphans, which in Tanzania is defined as having lost at least one parent.  Only one local teacher is presently supporting these children in the nursery school and is therefore in great need of volunteer help. The school has few resources although porridge is typically available to the children in the morning.

Shepherds Junior Daycare Centre (and Primary School)

This large daycare centre is home to approximately 140 children between the ages of 4 and 10 years of age.  This school/centre is very well organised and full of enthusiastic children eager to learn.   There are a number of local teachers who welcome the help of volunteers. 

Medical Clinic

For medically qualified volunteers there is also the opportunity to help in the local clinics where you can work with the doctors and nurses in their daily activities caring for patients.  There are also placements available in the local maternity ward.  

If you would like to help in a medical capacity please contact one of the Amanzi Travel team so that they can arrange this element of your volunteer placement before you join the project.  We will also need a copy of your CV.  

Exciting Recreational Opportunities!

Many volunteers choose to take advantage of some of the wonderful recreational opportunities in the area either before or after their placement and Amanzi Travel can arrange this for them. 

Why not spend an extra week in Tanzania climbing the nearby Mount Kilimanjaro, or taking a safari trip to the Serengeti Plains or Ngorongoro Crater National Park to see the incredible African wildlife.  Alternatively a beach and scuba dive holiday in Zanzibar is an exciting opportunity.

There are also many smaller local attractions which the project co-ordinator can help to arrange including a Masai Village visit.

Schedule

Volunteers typically work betweeen 4 - 5 hours per day 5 days a week on this placment (this may vary depending on the placement so we ask volunteers to be flexible). There is plenty of need so if volunteers wish to work more hours this can definitely be accommodated.   Please just mention this on the application form or to the project manager. 

Volunteers are asked to specifiy on their application form the projects on which they would like to work - this is a very flexible project but this helps uto plan the placement before the volunteer arrives.

Support

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

Find out more about Amanzi Travel support

Orientation

A comprehensive information pack will be sent to all  volunteers upon booking their trip and further advice and information will be provided via telephone and email before departure. A full orientation will be provided on arrival at the project by the local support team which will include:

• Introduction to the volunteer house and neighbourhood
• Swahili lessons (two hours each day)
• Walking tour of Arusha Town
• Introduction to placement
• Local customs
• How best to travel around the region
• Health and safety

Accommodation and Meals

Volunteers will stay in the volunteer house which is located about 7 km east of downtown Arusha. The house has four dormitory style bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large living room and patio, and is gated.  It's a western style house with flush toilets and electricity (240v). There is hot water for showers but this is limited.  There are on-site staff who cook, clean and take care of the grounds. There is a night guard and a watchdog (who is actually just a puppy at the moment and called Scooter)!

Volunteers stay in shared rooms and sleep in bunk-beds under mosquito nets that are provided. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily and the staff will do the volunteers' laundry for a nominal fee.

Volunteers should bring money for bottled water, dining out, excursions and entertainment.

Getting There

Volunteers should fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport where they will be met by one of the project staff and transferred to the volunteer house.  Pick-ups can also be arranged from Arusha Airport or Arusha Bus Stop.

(There may be a number of ways to reach your destination airport - for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel)

Project Fees

What is included

• pre-arrival support & preparation
• airport transfers
• orientation program
• accommodation and meals as outlined above
• support and transport from your volunteer co-ordinator
• cultural activities

What is excluded

• visa 
• flights
• activities before or after your volunteer programme
• travel Insurance
• vaccinations
• telephone and email