The children in Tanzania always need extra support as they are vulnerable. Given that the schools and day care centers are underfunded and with limited resources, the childcare project always appreciates the support, love, and care provided to the children as well as any advancements to enhance the capacity of the institutions. You can find child care options in schools, day care centers and orphanages.
Other children who go to the daycares live with single parents who have to work 9-5 to survive, thus the parents bring their children to the centers, to occupy the child’s time with education while they are at work because it has proven to be a safer environment than leaving them at home with a house help or in a community where the child can learn bad habits from adults. In the community alone, they are also prone to unsafe incidents like rape or molestation by envious community members whereas the parent is not around at the time to protect or oversee the whereabouts of their child.
This program is very important to the child because it presents an opportunity to prepare him/her for their academic journey, learn about a child’s interests and behaviors as well as teach them to behave and learn better. Childcare consists of providing basic education, playing games, teaching the essentials of healthy living, and working alongside supervisors to improve and run the center.
What to Expect
Volunteers should expect to be involved in working with a younger age group in day care centers, orphanages 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.
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.
What NOT to Expect
“Easy does it” won’t apply to this project. Trust is to be earned; the center’s administration needs to be assured that you are qualified and experienced enough to be involved in their work day. There are hectic days and slow days. Participate fully and get involved. You will not be alone.
Duties and Tasks
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.
Challenges
Culture differences, specifically the different approaches to life.
Different living conditions (for example: the weather, availability of basic resources such as water and electricity, consumer goods and distance to services).
Transportation (inadequate transport especially in the rural areas, bumpy rides while traveling with bodaboda and congested village buses)
Expectations. With high expectations, it is easy to be disappointed by the lags and reluctance to be involved, especially with impatience to reach perfection.
Different expertise approaches in regard to limited resources.
Positives
Learn how to sustain the needs of others with inadequate resources
Attain new skills and experiences to further your profession
Arusha is a beautiful tourist city with much to appreciate. The people are welcoming, and the landscape and scenery are magnificent.
Take the opportunity to travel and socialize on the weekends. There are many spots for leisure and fun.
THINGS TO BRING, DONATIONS.
What to bring?
If you feel like donating and sharing it will be appreciated. There are many needs due to the limited resources the centers have, ranging from learning and playing materials, colors, clothes, food supplies etc.
Personal Things to Bring
Those for your personal use like decent clothes, sunscreen, soap, towels, slippers, perfume, torch, nail cutter etc.
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