Project Needs
In general there are a variety of needs and volunteers should keep in mind that you come to volunteer to help where it is needed most, not just to take part in your favourite activities. So be flexible and open-minded to any changes, or other activities that might need your support a little bit more than the ones you prefer. There is plenty of fun to be had while you work!
There is, besides daily teaching
and assistance, also a need for
financial support. Any possible
gifts and donations provided by
volunteers and their network of
people are extremely
appreciated.
If you have any of these small
items that can fit into your
luggage you are welcome to do
so!
- Educational posters
- Colour crayons
- Colour cardboard
- Pens
- Pencil
- Water paint
- Small scissors
- Glue
ZANZIBAR AND THE
AREA
On Zanzibar, time seems to have
stood still and people still live
traditional lives. Zanzibar has
been the entrance of Eastern
Africa for centuries and it was
here that most slaves were sold,
and Indian, Chinese and Arabic
merchants would arrive to trade
their fares and buy spices, ivory
and slaves.
The history of Zanzibar has
created a unique mixture of Indian, African, and Arabic
influences which can be seen in
its people, food, culture and
building styles.
Stone Town in Zanzibar,
Tanzania is magical, a labyrinth
of alleys and walkways barely
wide enough for bicycles and
pedestrians. Beautifully carved
doors lead entrances to a hidden
world of carpenters, sowing
shops, and Zanzibar family life.
Street vendors sell pre-cut
mango’s, coffee in little
porcelain cups, zamzam
(sugared nuts and seeds) and
souvenir shops try to lure you in
their paradise of beadwork,
Maasai dukka’s (colourful robes
the Maasai wear), ‘pole pole’
(slowly slowly) T-shirts and
beautifully made wood carvings.
It’s hot and humid but a feast to
the eye, especially in the
evenings when Forodhani
Gardens at the seafront
transforms in an open-air
restaurant, where you can buy
grilled squid, miskhaki’s (kebabs
of fish and meat), fresh tuna,
lobster and all the seafood you
can imagine. All this is washed
down with freshly squeezed
sugarcane juice mixed with
lemon and ginger.
Stone Town and the surrounding
villages offer volunteers the
unique opportunity to enjoy the
white beaches, clear blue water,
coconut palm trees and the
unique Zanzibar culture and food. The island is a popular
backpacker’s destination and has
a variety of small beach villages,
within 30 minutes travel, to
enjoy long weekends under the
palm trees.
The influences of India, Africa
and Arabia can be seen in its
inhabitants, the food and
building styles of the houses.
Zanzibar is the place of your
dreams and will surprise you
constantly when you volunteer
there.
Safety in
Zanzibar
• Ensure that your clothing is
modest when you are not on
the beach. Women should
not show too much of their
legs and chest, and topless
sunbathing is really
discouraged.
• If you are diving or
snorkelling, you may be
tempted to collect some
pretty shells from Zanzibar's
many coral reefs. Please do
not, as this kills entire reefs,
the devastating effects of
which can be seen in the
well-trodden areas of the
East African coast. Although
there are shell sellers, you
are asked not to buy shells
from them, as it simply
encourages this harmful
industry.
• Zanzibar is an amazingly
photogenic place but if you want to take photographs of
people, please ask for their
permission first out of
respect for them.
• If you are not Muslim do not
enter any of Zanzibar's
mosques.
• Keep in mind that your safety
comes with your own
behaviour and looking after
your personal items. Lock
your room, if possible, give
valuables to the coordinators
to keep for you and be aware
of your surroundings.
• Zanzibar is alluring to many
different tourists and many
women from the west will
find their African lovers here.
Be aware of the smoothtalking beach boys that you
will encounter and can
organize everything for ‘free’
for you or very cheap, there
usually is a price to pay
somewhere down the line.
