Milestones Children Therapy Clinic is a new therapy centre that opened in 2024 and was founded by the Kenyan occupational therapist Sudi Mudi. Children aged up to 12 years with special needs, congenital and non-congenital disabilities and from all social backgrounds receive physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy here. Those delayed milestones are mostly caused by Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Spinal Bifida, Hydrocephalus/Microcephalus, Speech Delay, Muscular Dystrophy, and other neurological conditions. Therefore, the therapy centre is planning to add aquatic therapy once facilities are in place.
The centre charges very low fees for the consultation and the therapy sessions. Even children whose parents cannot afford treatment are not turned away, but a joint solution is sought to enable the children to receive regular therapy. A sponsorship programme is planned for such cases in the future.
Volunteers and trainees in the areas of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy are particularly welcome to support the further development and work of the clinic. Work experience is not a must but is beneficial. Furthermore, it is required to cooperate in a team and be open to learn from the local staff team and vice versa.
Tasks for volunteers
The centre looks forward to work with volunteers who can help with:
- Clinical assessments and evaluations
- Planning individual therapy programs (with short and longterm goals)
- Conducting fun and child-friendly therapy sessions
- Documentation
- Maintaining Social media channels (Instagram, YouTube, ...)
- Developing a website (from scratch)
- Attending regularly evaluation meetings
- Giving advises how to improve general services (clinical, structural and managerial area)
- Assist counsel parents
Working Location
The therapy clinic is located in the Njiro neighbourhood and can therefore be reached from our volunteer houses in just a few minutes. You can either use the local busses (~0,20€ per ride, 5 minutes) or walk by foot (~ 20 minutes) to the project.
Working hours
The Clinic facility is open from 8am to 5pm from Monday to Saturday. They offer approximately 6 to 8 sessions per day (~60 - 90 minutes per each session).
Project needs
The most beneficial help for the project is to give knowledge and get into exchange with Sudi. To find out, which cases might be frequent at the moment and to prepare in these fields, you are welcome to get in contact with Sudi via WhatsApp before your arrival (we will provide you with his details once your placement is confirmed).
Wishlist for Donations in kind that can be brought from home:
- Books (Sensory Integration, primitive reflexes, ASD, Assessment tools, Child Psychology etc.)
- Swings (sensory swings, saucer flying swing, unicam climbing rope, web chair swing, bucket toddler swing and camping hammock)
- Carabiner snap hooks and bungee cords (heavy duty)
- Dynamic movement sensory socks
- Noise cancelling headphones
- Balance textured stepping stones
- Ninja warrior obstacle course for children
- Montessori wooden busy board
- Sensory mats/ sensory wall panels
- LED fibre optic lamp with remote
- Soft plastic cones
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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.
