About the project
This project will focus on supporting the children reach their full potential as early as possible. This is a vital community service these pre-school centres provide where local children can feel hopeful about their future, learn and grow.
Note on our ethics: Our program is completely in support of locals and volunteers who want to support child development programs for those most at need. Our programs are mostly educationally focused and encourage volunteers to use their educational or professional skills to contribute to their chosen projects. We have a number or safeguarding checks in place before we accept or place any volunteers in any of our programs, especially those involving vulnerable and at risk children. Therefore we will always take safeguarding checks as a priority above all else. If you are accepted however, you do so knowing you're working in as ethical and socially conscious environment we can possibly provide.
The Problem
With so much poverty and socioeconomic issues in Tanzania, many children end up not receiving the best start to life. There are many reasons that create this heartbreaking situation.
- Lack of welfare and social support for single mothers
- Unwanted pregnancy and lack of planned parenthood or education around contraception
- Poverty and high rates of unemployment
- Complex domestic situations making it difficult for children to remain in their primary homes
- Loss of one or more parents
- Many more complex social situations that may lead to children needing housing or foster care
Children's homes and centers provide long term refuge for children that would otherwise end up on the streets, begging for money on the road or in highly dangerous/abusive living situations.
The center we work with is educationally focused ensuring the children are having a better start to their lives. The children receive pre-school/nursery classes with basic lessons where they learn to socialise and develop in a healthy environment. The children are cared for day to day by their teachers and nursery staff who ensure their social, nutritional and psychological needs are met. Working with volunteers provides additional support to the heavy workload of childcare, meaning more of the children are receiving one to one care and attention.
The Mission
Many bright and motivated volunteers have shone the light and shown the difference that can be made through volunteering. By providing time and classroom assistance, volunteers introduce new ideas, hope and development to the work already being done. Some have even gone on to sponsor children, providing them with funding for education until they finish school, giving children with a fighting chance at future. Through interaction with foreigners, the children also learn how to easily engage with people from different backgrounds from them, they pick up basic English very quickly and learn to love socialising.
Your role as a volunteer
Your role as a volunteer will be to assist the staff meet the children's development and social needs.
The children require a lot of support and stimulation to learn through play and social interaction. The center mainly require general day to day and people who are enthusiastic, patient and passionate about child development.
General childcare: Supporting the care of the children day to day.
Overseeing the children during class time
Assisting the staff with children who need more learning support or attention during the day
Helping with the upkeep-cleaning, cooking and maintenance every day
- Tending to the children during play time
Project Management: The center requires a lot of management support ensuring that it stays open. You can help by overseeing the weekly budget, fundraising, ensuring the centres are providing adequate meals, that the property is kept safe and clean, even photography or helping build their websites.
Training and supporting the staff: As well delivering small scale teaching and training to the local staff on first aid and general skills support.
- Health education and child health/nutrition
- Help to innovate and develop their current curriculum for pre schoolers
- Help to update and refresh basic child development and child counselling skills
- Training around sustainability
Assistants, students and interns are vital to help deliver the care the children required as the centre is also understaffed.
Why this is important
Many of the children have special needs, disabilities and require extra class room support, additional psychological care and special education.
These are exceptionally bright and engaged children who have the support of passionate and hardworking staff fighting for their futures. But there is so much more to be done. There is a need for refurbishment and educational toys and equipment is needed to progress these children.
But will you make a difference?
Yes. Many bright and motivated volunteers have shone the light and shown the difference that can be made through volunteering. By providing time and care, volunteers introduce new ideas, hope and healthcare at ground level, adding to the work already being done.
Your Stay
You will stay in a volunteer guest house in Arusha. Providing safe, clean and comfortable accommodation, comfortable bedding, excellent breakfast and dinner and housekeeping. This will be a quiet and friendly neighbourhood only 15 minutes from the main hustle and bustle of town. You will have 24 hour gated security, a domestic/cook (who will happily do your laundry for a small fee) and a coordinator who will ensure you settle in quickly and comfortably into your new town. This is a shared home where you will be staying with other volunteers and guests from across the world, so you will never be on your own in your new environment. The house is impeccably clean, well kept, modern and spacious.
Important VISA & Permit Information
You will be required to pay a for a VISA work assignment. Please note this is a legal requirement and your responsibility. Please enquire for details.
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