Community Outreach Assistant

About the Program
Tanzania and all the Sub-Saharan African countries are badly affected by the epidemics of poverty and HIV. The number of orphans and street children is growing. Efforts have been made by various local organisations to protect these children by offering much-needed education as well as skill-development training. Most orphanages in Tanzania lack resources and are under-staffed; and they focus primarily on offering formal and informal schooling and a safe place to live and study.

This grass roots project on the outskirts of Arusha is led by local Pastor Charles who started looking after street children and orphans by providing them with a safe place to stay. As there was a lack of education for these children, educational needs resulted in starting a school and vegetable gardens to provide in their own needs. Today the center houses both a small orphanage with 9 yound children, the school (during the mornings), adult education and skills development projects.

We have a strong focus on further growing and increasing services at the Tunawapenda Watoto Center (meaning ´we love children´ in Swahili) such as homework guidance classes, sports and game activities, adult education, women sewing classes, computer classes, micro credit advise and more to offer not only the children but all those in need of basic services in this community.

Needs
There is, besides daily teaching and assistance, also a need for financial support. If volunteers would like to give a donation or a gift to the project, it would be greatly appreciated. If you wish to donate, affordable stationary and school uniforms are available on location for you to purchase.

Guidance and Supervision

Participants are guided in many different ways during their stay with Charles and his team. 

Paskazia Mazulla, (Charles’ daughter) will be your daily contact person. She will is there to answer your questions and provide support, so please feel free to ask/discuss anything with her. Paskazia is also the person to talk to arrange extra activities.

Teacher Irene will be your contact person at the school. She will show you around and make you’re your skills are put to good use. If you have any suggestions your very welcome to talk to her about your ideas.  

It is however very important to take initiative and communicate if you have questions or any issues/concerns. Working with local staff can be challenging and there are not only language barriers but also very different expectations, cultural beliefs and concept of being on time. It is important to communicate openly, with patience and respect towards the local circumstances.

Nanjaro is the school’s driver. He usually welcomes new volunteers at the airport and takes them on any extra activities. 

Of course there is also Charles who oversees the team and makes sure volunteers are well taken care of. 

It is important that volunteers of this project understand the importance of the following:

• You are a guest and only here for a couple of weeks or months; things don´t change overnight.
• Be respectful at all times even if you don’t agree with certain ways.
• Come openminded and keep your expectations realistic; things will always be different from what you thought they will be.
• Don´t expect western standards, you will live and eat like most locals will do and see it as an opportunity to learn and experience.

Day to Day Activities

Volunteers generally get involved in the following activities:

• In the morning, you assist at the school and assist in your allocated class room. You will work together with the teachers to see how and where you can assist.
• Assist with feeding, washing and clothing the children where needed.
• There are lots of possibilities if you want to be involved after school by helping in the creation of vegetable gardens, playing with the children, assisting with sports activities, arts and much more.
• Setting up new programmes, helping with painting, fixing up the community centre and other practical support.
• Visiting surrounding communities and families and supporting any current projects.

Go on safari in the national park near Arusha where you can spot different animals! If you like sports, go hiking or canoeing, there are several hiking trails where you climb up a mountain to see a stunning view. There are cultural tours as well, experience the traditional culture of Arusha by visiting the locals or the local market where you can find some souvenirs to buy before you go home!

Tours and Outings (Full Day Tours)

To arrange extra activities and/or tours for weekends and public holidays, you can talk to Paskazia. Prices will depend on how many volunteers what to join in, but to give you an idea of the options, check out the list below. 

Lake Duluti (full day tour)

Included 

• Transport and driver

• Entrance fees

• Packed lunch and water 

• 1 hour hike and canoeing trip

• Minimum 2 people

• 40-50 USD per person

Sanuwari Waterfall Hike (full day tour)

Included 

• Transport and driver

• Entrance fees 

• Packed lunch and water

• 3-4 hour hike to waterfall

• Minimum 2 people

• 25-30 USD per person

Arusha National Park (full day tour)

• Full day safari

• Transport & Driver.

• Entry to Arusha National Park

• Packed lunch and water

• Minimum 2 people

• 120-180 USD per person

Majimoto Hotsprings (full day tour)

Included 

• Transport and driver

• Entrance fees

• Packed lunch and water

• Visit hot springs

• Minimum 2 people

• 40-50 USD per person

Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Plantation (full day tour)

Included 

• Transport and driver

• Entrance fees 

• Packed lunch 

• Waterfall hike 

• Visit coffee plantation 

• Local beer tasting.

• Minimum 2 people

• 50-60 USD per person