We are STEP Africa – Exchange for Change, a Tanzanian
social enterprise that was founded in German-Tanzanian cooperation in
2014. We organize and supervise meaningful and ethical volunteer
placements and internships in Arusha, Northern Tanzania. Till date we
have hosted over 1000 interns and volunteers from all over the world.
With
our programs we aim to contribute towards international understanding
and give our participants intercultural and global ability to act. With
the support of our participants we are committed to worthy projects and
initiatives in Tanzania. We believe that working together in
intercultural teams by exchanging ideas and viewpoints will let everyone
involved, Organizations such as volunteers and interns, benefit in the
long run.
Our team combines relevant qualifications and many years
of experience in project coordination, volunteer mediation and social
work in Tanzania and abroad. Our supervisors are available as contact
persons on site at any time for our volunteers and projects. We offer
our volunteers the opportunity to use their knowledge in Tanzania to get
involved in meaningful projects and to gain valuable professional
experience in different fields such as Social Work, Women’s Rights,
Primary Schools, Daycare Center, Health Care, Animal Welfare and
Environmental Protection.
We firmly believe in the power of change through intercultural exchange. With
our programs we promote and demand equal rights and cultural tolerance.
We place our volunteers exclusively in projects in which they can gain
valuable experience for their future. Our volunteers do not replace
local employees. Volunteers are assistants who offer support to local
staff and, for example, perform tasks for which there is otherwise too
little time. It is important to us that we only place our volunteers in
projects that share our values towards international volunteering.
Our
Volunteers are encouraged to start fundraisers for their respective
institutions in Tanzania before, during or after their stay in Arusha.
We have experienced great success with this in the past and present and
saw our volunteers making great impacts in this area as well. We are
connected to several European NGOs founded by our former volunteers that
are continuing to support and promote their former work institutions
here in Tanzania.
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Project Describtion
Gily’s Children Foundation is a daycare, pre-school
and after school center for children aged 9 months to 9 years founded in
2019 by Gilbert Peter Lasway. It offers age-appropriate care for
children whose families come from difficult economic and private
backgrounds. Most parents or legal guardians of the children cannot
afford to pay any fees to the facility and thus an international
sponsorship program ensures that the children receive care, education,
meals and health care despite their difficult backgrounds.
Gilys started with only one
rented house as a facility for the younger children. Thanks to the help
of generous donors, a plot of land was acquired in 2020 to build a
second larger house. Since 2022, the preschool children have been taught
here in the “New Gily’s”. Since 2023, the upper floor is also almost
finished, where afternoon care and support for the school children takes
place. The goal for the new building is also to offer various education programs. As an assistant in the Pre- and After-School Center your workplace will be the NEW GILY'S.
Daycares and Pre-Schools in Tanzania are a very important addition to primary schools as there aren't any public care facilities for children below school age. Many children are left alone at home while their parents or care takers struggle to work and provide for their children. Due to lack of alternatives they often do not have a choice but to expose them to potentially dangerous situations alone in the neighborhood. That's why institutions like the Gily's Children Foundation play such an important role in not only providing a profound childhood education but also in providing a safe and nurturing environment for the children.
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Further important Information:
Preparation
Preparing for a volunteering
assignment abroad isn't always a simple task as there is a lot to keep
in mind. Our team will be there for you along the way. We have our own
STEP Africa preparation area. Once you apply and we confirm your
application you will get online access to this area where you find a
detailed 90 pages preparation handbook as well as many further updates
& information and the contacts of other volunteers travelling at the
same time as you. In case of any questions you will always be able to
reach us via E-Mail or Phone / WhatsApp.
On the Ground Support and Emergency Availability
The
whole STEP Africa Team is on the ground in Tanzania. You will always be
able to talk to us in case of any problems, questions or if you simply
want to have a chat. We are there for you! Of course we are available
24/7 in case of any emergency.
Vaccinations/ Medical Care in Tanzania
We
recommend that you consult your trusted travel doctor for individual
advice on travel vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis. There aren't any
mandatory vaccinations for entering Tanzania and the risk of contracting
malaria is considered very low in Arusha due to the altitude. If you
plan a trip to the island of Zanzibar, you will need to get a yellow
fever shot as it is mandatory there.
Arusha has some good private medical facilities, so in case you fall ill you will be in safe hands.
Booking of Flights and Insurances
Booking
your flights and respective travel insurance is not included in our
fees and will be your own responsibility. This however is an advantage
for you, as you will be able to scan for the best and most affordable
offers from your home country or country of residence. Of course we are
always happy to help and offer advice in case you are unsure what is the
best solution for you.
Our arrival day is Thursday and our departure
day is Wednesday. Please take this into account when booking your
flights.
Visa
In order to
volunteer in Tanzania you will need a Visa for Humanitarian and Charity
Activities which costs $100 for US-citizens and $50 for citizens of all
other countries. This visa is valid for 3 months. Those planning to stay
for up to 6 months will need a visa extension which costs $300 ($250
for non US-citizens respectively)
COVID-19
Tanzania
received the "Safe Travels Stamp" from the World Travel and Tourism
Council. There are currently no entry requirements such as PCR-Test or
vaccination.
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