The special needs project in Tanzania is a great way for compassionate and caring individuals to support disabled children. In this project, the volunteers are expected to assist professionals and the staff in the centers or work first-handedly with the children who have learning disabilities. These disabilities can include being deaf or mute, physical disabilities, down syndrome, autism, and cerebral palsy. The activities include socializing, physiotherapy, speech therapy, teaching basic education, cleaning, and facility maintenance.

The challenges in the special needs centers are such as a lack of trained staff, a negative cultural perception by the community towards disabilities, a lack of relevant information and training for various special needs cases and lack of funds for food and other basic needs.

VISA & PROGRAM FEE:

The program fee covers your Airport pickup, Accommodation and Meals during your stay. And also a charitable donation from your program fee is given to the center. We do this on your behalf, to continue taking part in further developing the center.

After we have confirmed your program fees, we will send you the invitation letter and NGO Certificate. These documents will be required when applying for your visa. You will also send us a Copy of your Passport and your CV.

EXTRA FEES:

In this placement there is an extra fee of $100 per person. This is a contribution you give directly to the center when you start your program, to develop their facilities and service provision. You are also welcome to do more for the center as they have many needs.

SUMMARY: PROGRAM FEE + VISA + CENTER CONTRIBUTION.

What to Expect

The project involves work. This program welcomes everyone to volunteer, especially those with medical experience or a professional background in special needs care. It is a very crucial project as there is an inadequacy of facilities and materials necessary for appropriate service provision in education, treatment and care. You will be working with special needs children in a supporting role; you will be observing, participating in assisting and nursing, assisting in the workload, as well as fun and games for the children’s play time. It is better to approach this project with limited or no expectations, as these centers have different conditions than what you may be used to. Any activity can be assigned to any volunteer. Expect to be proactive and prompt.

What NOT to Expect

Limit your expectations, the work is fulfilling but not easy as our conditions in Africa derive unique approaches to everything. The centers are underfunded and not well equipped to cater to all the needs that the special needs children require. We encourage you to embrace the norms and be a part of the change and ensure the locals learn from you as well.

What are the Centers like?

Some have qualified professionals, and some don’t. There are barriers to communication such as language and experience. The focus is to work together, share your knowledge, skills, and applicable resource utilization strategies. Participate in planning activities and create relationships with the professionals and the children;  they are friendly and love that you are there to work with them. The supportive role you play as a volunteer is temporary, so make sure you make the most of the chances you have. 

What are the Children like?

The children are playful and extremely fond of volunteers as they participate in lessons and games very willingly. In the special needs group, the children will have communication barriers; therefore it requires patience and dedication to work with them. It is important to cater to their needs, but that won’t make it impossible to work with them. They appreciate the attention given, and the time spent with them will be very memorable. Use relations and experience to nurture the childrens' will and esteem, as well as sharing the right skills and experiences required to ensure good living conditions for them.

Duties and Tasks

The project involves caring for the special needs children and catering to their needs and wants in accordance with their disabilities, playing with and caring for them, assisting the professionals and staff in action plans, cooking, and cleaning. Participation in any of these activities depends on how comfortable you are with tending to the task provided. If a volunteer feels uncomfortable with a task, it is okay to be substituted with a member of staff.

Challenges

• Culture shock

• Inexperienced care for special needs children. If you are not confident, you do not have to tend to them alone, but with expert supervision instead.

• Firsthand experience on how poverty affects the livelihoods of the people, especially the disabled.

• Expectations. With high expectations, it is easy to be disappointed by the lags and reluctance to be involved, especially with impatience to reach perfection.

Positives

• Gain more experience and friends working with the special needs children as well as the local professionals.

• Participate in making a better life for people who lack the resources to do so for themselves.

• Attain new skills and experiences to further your profession.

• Arusha is a beautiful tourist city with much to appreciate. The people are welcoming, and the landscape and scenery are magnificent.

• Take the opportunity to travel and socialize on the weekends. There are many spots for leisure and fun.

THINGS TO BRING, DONATIONS

What can I bring?

Donating and sharing is appreciated. There are many needs due to the limited resources the centers have  ranging from food, clothes, learning and playing materials, shoes, among other basic requirements. You can also conduct a fundraiser with friends and family to solve a challenge in the center you will be volunteering at when you come.

Personal Things to Bring

Those for your personal use like decent clothes, sunscreen, soap, towels, slippers, torch, nail cutter etc.