In Tanzania, students have to write comprehensive final examinations at the end of primary school (year 7). Only the top 20% of students receive a scholarship for public secondary schools and can therefore continue their school careers. The remaining children can only continue their education in private schools, which many families cannot afford. For this reason, many children drop out of school at the age of just 14.
Neemah Secondary School is special because it offers students who would otherwise drop out of school a chance to continue their education. It is a private school, but is run as a non-profit organization.
We have been supporting Neemah Secondary School since 2022 as part of our Community Outreach Programme. Recognising the positive impact volunteers have on the students, teachers and the whole school, the school management has asked us to recruit volunteers to support the school on a daily basis. It is a secondary school from grade 8 – 13, teaching pupils who did not receive scholarships for public secondary schools and whose families cannot afford expensive private schools. The school fees at Neemah School are very low and many children are supported as scholarship holders through sponsors. Volunteers can work in the areas of teaching, workshops and pastoral care, as well as initiate other activities such as tree planting, renovations and play and sports days in cooperation with the community outreach programme led by our social worker Juma. In the long term, the establishment of a centralised sponsorship programme is also planned.
Many children at the school come from disadvantaged backgrounds and are only able to attend the school with the help of school sponsors or free scholarships. Other children come from middle-class Tanzanian families.
As a volunteer, you can get involved in all areas of school life, take on your own teaching units, plan projects, help with exam revision and support and offer extracurricular activities.
Tasks for volunteers:
Volunteers can get involved in many different ways. Here we listed some oft he tasks volunteers can do:
- Teaching in various subjects
- Assisting the teachers (planning lessons, preparing learning materials, playful learning, …)
- Teachers further education (e.g. alternatives on corporal punishment, positive teaching, project based teaching methods)
- Introducing different sports and games
- Taking care and assisting those with special educational needs
- Introducing music, art or computer classes
- Exam Preparation and extra tuition
- Help in the school garden
- Provide Pastoral Care to the teenagers
- Renovation / upgrading of the school buildings
Don’t let the above list limit your imagination, the schools are always happy and appreciate to involve your own ideas!
Wishlists for the school:
As the students pay very little to no school fees and the school receives no state funding, the buildings are in a very run-down state. Teachers' salaries cannot be paid on a regular basis either. Volunteers who would therefore like to start a fundraiser can be sure that their donations will reach the right place at Neemah School.
Painting and renovation projects can be carried out by volunteers in cooperation with local craftsmen.
Volunteers who would like to bring donations in kind from home can use the following wish list as a guide:
- Books and learning materials
- Visual aids for science lessons
- Art & Craft Materials
- Sports Equipment
- Technical teaching aids / computers
- Bedsheets for the dormitories
- Used Clothes for teenagers / adults
- Finding school sponsors for more children in need
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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 Volunteer Area. Once you apply and we confirm your application you will get online access to this area where you find a detailed 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. We are like an extended family and 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)
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We are STEP Africa – Exchange for Change, a Tanzanian volunteer organization 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, 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.
