We run three centers — in Arusha, Tanzania, and in rural, northern Tanzania — serving hundreds of impoverished children and their extended families as well as elderly people exiled from their communities.
LOHADA strives to empower families by educating children and helping their guardians to break the bonds of prostitution, alcoholism and abuse; and to be a guardian to children who have no one because they have been abandoned, orphaned or abused.
LOHADA was officially registered in October 2000. Donations allowed operations to move to a row of rented rooms, then to a house. Now, LOHADA has four centers, Camp Moses, built in Arusha in 2004, is home to 60 children under 7 years of age who have been orphaned, abandoned, abused or subject to extreme poverty. Camp Joshua Christian School opened in 2005; it is a primary school for 120 children, mostly from Unga Limited and other nearby slums. About 85 students board at the school. Camp Patmos, in the rural region of Shinyanga, serves marginalized children and destitute elderly people who have been chased from their homes after being accused of witchcraft.
LOHADA is funded entirely by donations, both from Tanzanians and international donors. LOHADA continually works to become more sustainable with projects such as raising chickens and developing education programs that can attract paying students.
Volunteer
Come join us. And be changed.
Maybe you've wondered what it’s like to teach science in an African school. Maybe you know how to build a dormitory or help children with learning disabilities. If you want to use your skills to change lives — especially your own — LOHADA has a perfect opportunity for you.
LOHADA is the sum of its volunteers. They spearhead fundraising, paint classrooms, mend clothes and send donations. Once home, they begin the real work of raising awareness for an organization that depends on its donors.
The work of LOHADA is ongoing and the needs are many. Volunteers are vital to keep LOHADA at the forefront of helping children.
Fees
Positions are of a “paying volunteer” nature and are determined by the length of stay. The fee covers accommodation with a local host family and three meals per day (breakfast and dinner with host family and lunch at the center). Travel expenses to and from Arusha/Kilimanjaro Airport not included.
- Up to one month: US $700
- ApplyTwo months: US $1,300
- Three months: US $1,600
- Four to six months: US $1,800
Positions:
Specific jobs roles and activities are flexible. Some volunteers take the following roles.
- Nursery School Assistant — Helping with daily care, education and recreation of younger children at Camp Moses.
- Grieving Center Therapist — Therapist, psychologist or counselor to help children deal with grief of losing a family member.
- Primary School Assistant — Working at Camp Joshua with primary school children, helping with lessons and recreation.
- Handyman/woman — Working to repair, maintain and improve LOHADA infrastructure.
- Special Education Instructor — Evaluate children and train LOHADA teachers to help students with learning disabilities.
- Teaching Instructor — Instructing teachers on better, more effective methods of teaching.
To fill out a volunteer application, click the “Apply” button above.
