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The Volunteer Project
This project is based in the areas surrounding Mwanza City (known as the Rock City) on the edge of the beautiful Lake Victoria. The huge numbers of orphans and street children in Tanzania is increasing. This project has recently established an important partnership with a local children’s home, which cares for a small number of orphans and street children. They are also currently developing a school and sports academy; to bring education, games and structure into the lives of these children, together with much deserved happiness.
You will help to provide vital assistance to orphans and local street children in an educational support programme, which aims to reintegrate children back into school and society, whilst also creating a safe, stable and caring network in which their rights as children will remain protected and free from abuse. This programme aims to provide free education, medical insurance, clothing, meals and care to the orphans and street children at the centre through a vital network, whilst also striving to reintegrate them back into society through re-housing and social sustainable development.
Many orphan and street projects do not actually provide the necessary means to create a sustainable programme and thus continue the vicious cycle of poverty in Africa. This project is unique in that it creates a holistic programme, effectively responding to the needs of vulnerable children in order to create a positive cycle of development and effective method, allowing youths to be independent and successfully socially integrated into their local communities once more. There are currently 25 boys in their care in the age range of 7-15 years. About 14 children attend school in the morning and come back to the centre in the afternoon; therefore from 2pm to 6pm you will be able to spend time with them.
At the moment there are a few children who are not attending school, therefore volunteers are able to take class sessions with these children in the morning (from 8:30am - 1pm).
Working with these children is an investment, which is critical for their own health and also that of society. Training, educating and supporting vulnerable youth can have a very long-term impact on the socio-economic and environmental problems that are currently found in Africa and Tanzania in particular.
When integrating the children back into society, either through formal schooling or through their families, you will also play an important role in the local education of these groups and institutions.
This will include:
- Vocational training, to build the earning potential of the families so that children do not have to work on the streets and are able to gain an education and the right to their childhood once more
- Health education, which includes sexual health, HIV and AIDS awareness, nutrition and pregnancy
Creative and Sustainable Projects
This orphan and street children project is focused upon sustainable development and has thus created some innovative programme areas, which emphasise the importance of vocational training. For example, you can help to work with local artists to develop artistic skills in young children and start new art projects and murals around the community.
Other planned and underdevelopment areas are:
- Sports academies, games and skills
- Education centres, vocational centres and libraries
- Boarding houses for children
- Childrens’ rights centre
- IT centres for computer skills
- Building projects
This programme is collaborating with the Tanzanian Government, Mwanza City Council and other centres in Mwanza wherever possible. This is to enable us to develop common projects that support vulnerable children and further expand the quality and awareness of national responses to these issues and the varying needs of the children and their families.
Project Support
Throughout your stay in Tanzania you will have the support and guidance of our native Tanzanian project manager, Mr. Mutani Yangwe, and the team. They will provide you with competent assistance and help you with any questions or advice you may need during your stay. The house staff will be on hand throughout the day and Mutani stays a short journey by dala-dala (mini-bus taxi) from the house.
In addition, we will provide you with a 24 hour emergency contact number before you depart, so that you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.
Project Orientation
On your first full day in Mwanza you will be given a comprehensive orientation by Mutani the project manager, or one of the project co-ordinators.
The orientation will include:
- An introduction to Tanzanian culture and values, local food and practises
- Basic local language lessons
- Your health and safety whilst in Tanzania
- Money and transportation in Tanzania
- Workplace ethics and an introduction to your local project area, schools and staff
- Areas worth visiting in your free time and an excursion to the City
Accommodation & Meals
You will stay in a comfortable, shared volunteer house just a short mini-bus taxi (dala-dala) ride and walk from the Street Children Centre and Day Care Centre. The house is in a safe area and is fenced and gated. There is also a cook, housekeeper (although volunteers are expected to do their bit to keep the house clean and tidy) and night watchman for your security.
The house has three bedrooms, all with fans, and one en-suite containing western facilities. There are also shared washing facilities. The house has a kitchen, living room (with fan), courtyard and office, and comes with TV, CD, DVD, and video players. Three meals per day are provided. Breakfast is usually on a self-service basis, consisting of cereals and toast, although the cook may treat you occasionally. A light lunch will be available, again on a help-yourself basis, if you plan to return to the house at lunchtime. The cook will prepare the evening meal for you.
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