About the Program
This essential program working with children in Tanzania supports the under resourced, yet fundamental, area of early childhood education. The program is available in pre and primary schools in the gateway city of Arusha.
Early childhood education is sadly often neglected in Tanzania's education system, lacking guidelines, funding, resources and quality staffing. This program provides volunteers with the opportunity to share their support, knowledge and skills with those children in need, helping to shape lives and ensure children get the best start. It is essential that volunteers are enthusiastic and flexible as this program needs motivated volunteers who love caring for children and are willing to dedicate themselves to a number of tasks to enable the successful running of the pre/primary schools.
Goals of this Project:
- Provide education and support to preschool and primary school children in Arusha
- Improve the future prospects of the children of Tanzania
- Expose non-English speakers to native English speakers in order to improve pronunciation and conversational skills
- Enable inter-cultural exchange which benefits both children, staff and international volunteers alike.
How You Can Help
Volunteers play an integral role in achieving the goals of this project, proving teaching assistance and quality care to help these wonderful children grow and thrive! The program gives volunteers a wonderful opportunity to associate with children from different backgrounds and ethnic communities.
Volunteers will support the children in a multitude of ways, including educating the children about personal hygiene, assisting at meal times, playing games and developing the children’s physical health through active movement as well as assisting local teachers with basic learning such as English, numeracy, literacy and fundamental science. As the program supports several pre/primary schools in the local community, volunteers are welcome to note a preference for working with preschoolers, primary students or across these age groups in a combined pre/primary school setting. Our fantastic local team will assign volunteers based on the best fit.
This a wonderful opportunity to boost children's chances of staying in education for longer and improving their overall wellbeing and future prospects!
Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
- Arranging games, art, sports and other activities
- Interacting with the children as positive role models
- Assisting with mealtime preparation and clean-up
- Helping local teachers with delivering lessons and assisting children with their homework
- Teaching the students basic English, the alphabet and numeracy
Requirements
Love Volunteers welcomes all those 18 years and over who wish to help create a brighter future for children through the power of early childhood education. This project best suits those with experience and/or qualifications in the field of childhood development and education, though volunteers who simply wish to explore an interest in this field are also welcomed as there are many ways you can assist in the classroom.
Ideally, volunteers on this project will have at least a basic knowledge of the local language in order to communicate effectively with staff and students, though this is not a pre-requisite. Importantly, all applicants must first and foremost have a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude. If this sounds like you, we want you on the team!
Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:
- Emergency contact
- Police check
Project Location
Situated in northern Tanzania, Arusha is the capital of the Arusha Region and is surrounded by some of Africa’s most famous landscapes and national parks. Situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley, it has a mild climate and is close to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as having its own Arusha National Park on Mount Meru.
Arusha balances well the ‘city life’ with the ‘small town’ feel and that makes it even more attractive in the eyes of tourists and travelers from all parts of the world. The city is surrounded by farm estates growing coffee, wheat and maize. These farm estates are being maintained by the Arusha and Meru tribes since the 18th century. Arusha is commonly referred to as the safari capital of East Africa. This is because it is the main starting point for safaris into Tanzania. It is a vibrant town renowned for its streets filled with tourist vehicles, the Maasai warriors and the famous Central Market. Awesome!
Start Dates & Duration
This project is available year-round and programs start every SATURDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 1 week to 12 weeks. Longer stays can be arranged directly with the local team, but will be subject to availability and individual visa conditions.
For current available start dates please check the calendar on the right.
Arrival & Orientation
Volunteers are collected on arrival by the local team and transported to their accommodation for a brief welcome session. The following day a full orientation session is conducted, covering local and regional customs, transport, rules and recommendations as well what to expect from the volunteering experience in Tanzania. The orientation includes a town tour and the opportunity to purchase a SIM card and data package for internet access during the placement.
This is a great opportunity to get to know the hosts, meet fellow volunteers, ask any last questions and perhaps even start to make those safari trip plans...oh yeah!
- Program Arrival Day: SATURDAY
- Program Departure Day: SATURDAY
- Arrival/Departure Airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania (CODE: JRO)
Accommodation & Meals
Volunteers on the Childcare program in Arusha are accommodated in a modern, comfortable, safe and secure hostel run by our local partner in the Sakina neighbourhood of Arusha, just 25mins walk into the centre of town - or a short ride on the ubiquitous motorbikes or Dala Dala (minibuses).
Volunteers are housed on their own floor in dormitory style rooms shared between 4 - 6 persons. Rooms are split by gender. Each room has a private bathroom with hot showers (water is a scarce resource in Arusha so enjoy the luxury sparingly!), mosquito netting over each bed and individual lockable storage for valuables.
A local team member lives on-site at the hostel and is on-hand from 9am - 8pm on weekdays to assist with anything volunteers require.
Communal areas include a swimming pool, set amongst exotic fruit trees, perfect for cooling off on a hot day and a roof-top terrace where volunteers can relax and enjoy the stunning sunsets. The hostel is set behind a 2 metre high wall and has 24/7 security for peace of mind. Laundry can be done onsite, either in a washing machine for a small fee or by hand.
Volunteers are provided two meals per day at the hostel. A cook prepares vegetables, pancakes, eggs and fruit for breakfast. Dinner will be international as your hosts cook both Tanzanian and Western food.
Don't worry if you are vegetarian, vegan or have any allergies, as the local team can cope with these too. The hostel is also equipped with a fridge and shelves to store your own groceries and you are welcome to prepare some of your own meals if you prefer. Easy!
Prefer a private room?
No problem! We can arrange private rooms at the hostel on request. The additional cost is $120 for the first week and $60 per week thereafter.
Fees
That’s just USD 64 per day* for:
*In addition to the program fees listed above a Registration Fee is payable to secure your place. The registration fee is USD 299 for those volunteering with Love Volunteers for the first time or USD 149 for any subsequent volunteer placements. The registration fee includes: lifetime LV Alumni Membership, fundraising support & advice, dedicated pre-departure support, certificate of completion (on request), and exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner.
Some things are not included in the program fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, additional foods and snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country trips and excursions, return airport transfer (unless mentioned above).
Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the Love Volunteers Terms and Conditions & Refund Policy.
Additional Info
Important Visa Information
An ‘Ordinary Visa for Humanitarian and charity activities’ is required
to volunteer in Tanzania. It cost US$50 (US$100 for US-citizen) and can
be obtained on arrival. Our local partner will issue an
‘invitation letter’ that you need in order to get the right visa. Please
ensure you have sufficient US$ to pay for the volunteer visa on arrival
(notes must be no older than 2009). The visa, which is valid for three
months, can then be renewed for a further three months if required.
Note: All travelers require return or onward tickets, all documents required for their next destination and proof of funds. Currently visitors arriving from infected areas must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travelers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.
Prefer a private room?
No problem. We can arrange private rooms at the hostel. The additional cost is US$120 for the first week and US$60 per week thereafter.