The orphanage located in Arusha was founded in 2009, with the goal of housing orphans, offering them not only shelter but also education.
The center is home to 25 children, ranging from the ages 4yr-15yrs old. It is run by loving dedicated staff, who have opened their hearts to these vulnerable kids and orphans. They provide shelter, food, love and education to orphans, abandoned and street children of the surrounding community. Currently the orphanage has many difficulties concerning the children’s education due to the lack of resources, so your support is fundamental for the center’s survival.
As a volunteer, you will participate in the children’s education and also in the management of the orphanage. You will be able to support the orphanage by providing an extra set of hands with the daily chores; cooking, meal preparation, washing clothes. Activities with the children include reading books, helping with homework, creating games, sports or coaching, teaching songs, dance or other past times. It is very important for you to have a lot of patience, an open mind and a sense of adventure. We do recommend volunteers to learn a few words and phrases of Swahili, which will be very helpful with the children.
Moreover, you will take part in the development of the children’s database with their curriculum and pictures. You can also participate in the orphanage’s webpage definition and development. Also you will also be able to launch crowdfunding campaigns for fundraising the orphanage’s activities and its children’s education.
We recommend you to bring your laptop and camera if you want to take part in the website development. Finally, donations of school material will be more than welcome!
You will stay in a volunteer house with other international volunteers. Travel from the volunteer accommodation to the orphanage is about 10 minutes bus ride each direction.
Start Dates
Year round, Arrival and departures on the weekend
Costs / Benefits
Inclusions
Program starts and ends in Arusha (JRO airport)
Airport meet and greet. Afternoon city tour and orientation
Monday to Friday volunteering. 30-40 hours per week
Weekends free to sightseeing
Typical shift work hours are 8am-12pm and 2pm-6pm
Support: Local ABV Director support 24/7 during placement
Departure: ABV Staff Escorted Airport Transfer
Accommodation: Volunteer House
Meals: Breakfast and dinner daily
Not included:
Flights to Tanzania. Entry Visa. Departure taxes. Vaccinations. Local Transportation. Travel & Health Insurance. Laundry and Internet. Sightseeing.
Requirements
During the Program, you should be:
PROACTIVE Jump in and maintain a positive attitude.
PATIENT Life in your host country moves slower than one might be used to. Relax and enjoy the slow pace. Remember, not everything is as organized and predictable as life in the US or UK.
FLEXIBLE Plans change, roads get flooded, and electricity goes out. Realize that not everything goes as planned, but good intention is always there.
CONSIDERATE Respect those around you and be a reliable worker at the program site. Tell your host family if you will be late. Advise the Project Coordinator if you are sick and can not work.
RESPECTFUL Remember that the local people you are working with, side by side, do so with little or no salary. They do this work because they believe in it. There are times when you may not agree with or understand the organizations decisions or direction. Although your suggestions are always welcome, your faith, respect and consideration for their long term work and commitment is appreciated.
FRIENDLY In order to truly help someone you must get to know them. Do not be afraid to make friends with the local people. Smile, wave and see how fast you are welcomed into the community.
TOLERANT The food, the culture, the smells and the sounds will be unfamiliar to you at first. We recommend that you dive in and experience life head-on. You will be surprised at how quickly you will adapt.
