Friends Childcare Supporter

Tanzanians are very friendly, conversational, and hospitable. There are general safety rules that enhance the cultural experience. Our accommodations are safe spaces protected by high security and are located at a safe neighborhood. Volunteers will be working with placement directors and other local staffs; please be cooperative.

It is heavily advised that volunteers do not go out at night alone, especially without a local guide or coordinator with you. It is also best to be very careful with your belongings when outdoors. Foreigners in general are targets for pick-pocketing and theft. We advise against carrying too much cash, bringing expensive items with you, and leaving your possessions unattended.

Volunteers will be working with 12+ organizations as partners while conducting the volunteer program. You can work with schools, medical placements, and other fulfilling programs. 

Volunteers should follow these roles:

• Attend to their duties at the placements from Monday to Friday.
• In the case of changing placements, the volunteer has to have a meeting with all the staff at the current placement.
• Stay at the placement for the required time (hangovers cannot be excuses not to attend to your duties).
• Report to the coordinators, supervisors, or placements whenever sick or unable to attend; it is best to provide prior notice.

Volunteers should expect to be involved in working with a younger age group in schools, day care centers, and the likes. The conditions in these centers and institutions might not be what you expect, and the approaches to the environment can differ. It is better to approach this project with limited or no expectations. Rather, expect to be proactive and adapt by initiating ways to improve the conditions, as any activity can be assigned to any volunteer.

The childcare project involves teaching, playing with and caring for the children, assisting teachers and staff in providing basic education, teaching hygiene and healthy living, as well as other activities like cooking, cleaning, and preparing children for school. The volunteers can also engage in implementing class schedules, creating class decorations, and enhancing the capacity of the centers by assisting in advancing the administrative departments. It is imperative to familiarize yourself with the Tanzania curriculum.

Participation in any of these activities depends on how comfortable you are with tending to the task provided. If a volunteer feels uncomfortable with a task, it is okay to be substituted with a member of staff. 

Volunteers are not required to bring anything on your volunteer placements, but if you feel like donating and sharing it will be appreciated. There are many needs due to the limited resources the centers have.