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
The work of any volunteer or student is coordinated by our Khaya coordinator in Arusha, who will bring you to the project the first day and look after your needs and questions throughout your stay. He will show you around Arusha, teach you how to take local transport and organizes fun and exciting weekend activities for you such as safaris to Tangarire National Park, Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater, hikes on Mount Meru or Kilimanjaro or visiting the Maasai communities in the area.

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!