Volunteer - Education & Community Project

Education & Community Project - Tanzania

Situated at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, Moshi is a modern, vibrant town in northern Tanzania.

Here, you will discover a dynamic mix of Tanzanians from different tribes and backgrounds, all living and working together side by side under the shadow of beautiful Mount Kilimanjaro. In Moshi, you will find a warm and welcoming community operating at a leisurely pace in a sunny climate.

Kilimanjaro is the perfect location for adventurers wanting to explore a fascinating part of Africa. Located a few hours’ drive from major safari destinations such as the Serengeti, the Ngorogoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire, you are ideally situated to experience all that Tanzania has to offer.

Below is some information regarding the current projects volunteers will work with during their time in Moshi, you can expect to be involved with any of the following, during your stay.

Nursery schools are usually divided into three classes in Tanzania; babies (ages 2-4), juniors (ages 4-5) and seniors (ages 5-7). Volunteers typically work with all three groups at FCEC, teaching the children English, singing songs, playing games and leading creative activities.

Second Chance Education Centre (SCEC) - Unfortunately the rigid and complex education system in Tanzania results in many young people leaving school early. SCEC sponsors young people to gain a valuable education, therefore offering them a much needed ‘second chance’. Volunteers teach English to teenagers as well as adults from the local community.

Maasai Literacy and English Project - A lot of people from the Maasai tribe come to Moshi to secure jobs in the tourism industry. Many people have not had the opportunity to attend school when they were children, and therefore most cannot read or write. Volunteers work on improving literacy, as well as teaching basic English to help the Maasai in their jobs. 

English Lessons in a Tourism College - In the afternoon some volunteers go to Matumaini Mapya (meaning ‘new hopes’ in Swahili), a small tourism college which offers courses in hotel management and tour guiding and operating. Here, volunteers offer supplementary English lessons to students. Volunteers also relate back to tourism topics and skills for the workplace, such as; customer service, interview skills and CV/resume writing. These skills combined with English lessons offer much needed support for students who are getting ready to join the work-force in the tourism sector.

HIV / AIDS Education - Volunteers will teach students English as well as HIV/AIDS awareness. Volunteers will be supported by project staff to deliver much needed English lessons and HIV/AIDS awareness. Young people from Tanzania are considered to be an ‘at risk’ group in terms of HIV transmission. Therefore, HIV and AIDS awareness alongside English classes are extremely important. Local teenagers and volunteers alike find themselves learning a great deal about some of the world’s most challenging issues.

Community Work - You will also have the opportunity to work with other groups within the community, most notably an old folks home. This project brings together elderly members of society and the volunteers, with activities and conversation. Each resident has his/her own personality and greatly enjoy interaction with our volunteers. The community project involves working with these people on various activities, as well as helping with the upkeep of the facilities.

The "Project Contribution" included in your overall fee will contribute to the long-term sustainability of the project during your actual volunteer stay on the ground.

All of our Projects require you to be in good health, be reasonably fit, and on this particular Project, a minimum of 18 years old.

PLEASE NOTE THIS PROJECT RUNS EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER YOUR OASIS OVERLAND TRIP.

School lessons
volunteers at Maasai camp learning the life of the maasai
Views Of Kilimanjaro

Prices

A £300 deposit is required to book this project. Please note the average weekly price reduces for every extra week booked. All prices are in Pounds Sterling (£GBP) and are per person (pp). Once requested your volunteer project cannot be refunded or exchanged.

No. of Weeks & Cost

2 weeks ------- £965

3 weeks ------- £1225

4 weeks ------- £1485

5 weeks ------- £1745

6 weeks --------£2005

7 weeks --------£2265

Advertised price based on 2 week project, please ask for a price if you have more than 7 weeks to spare.

Dates

Please contact Oasis Overland in regards to Start dates for this project

Included

  • Shared Accommodation in same gender rooms
  • Project donation
  • Orientation programme
  • All transfers to and from Kilimanjaro airport
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (usually back at the volunteers house)
  • Housekeeping and Laundry done on a regular basis
  • Support and guidance of experienced field-workers and co-ordinators

NOT Included

  • Flights
  • Visa costs
  • Travel & Medical Insurance (must cover volunteer work)
  • Costs and items of a personal nature
  • Email, Wi-Fi and telephone calls made during your placement (charged out at cost)
  • Any activities and excursions outside of your planned itinerary

During your stay you will have the opportunity to enjoy excursions in and around the area. The climate in Moshi is generally warm and sunny, the surroundings magnificent, and animals plenty. Going on a wildlife Safari while in Tanzania is a must. Additional sight-seeing can be arranged directly through your project.

Project Orientation

  • You will receive a detailed welcome pack which includes information that will help with your integration into the project, as well as give you further tips for your involvement on the project
  • Introduction to all senior project staff and heads of department
  • Introduction to Kilimanjaro and the surrounding area
  • Overview of the volunteer project, roles and responsibilities

Volunteer Highlights

  • Teaching English to children, teenagers, members of the Maasai tribe and adults in the local community
  • Helping raise awareness regarding HIV/AIDS in the community
  • Assisting organizations who represent marginalized groups in society such as, the elderly
  • Assisting in improving educational facilities in the community
  • Teaching English and playing developmental games with nursery school children
  • Living in a rural Tanzanian village, experiencing life in a typical African town, and have the opportunity to make a tangible difference to a community
  • Getting a taste of the Tanzanian culture by learning a bit of Swahili!
  • Exploring other areas of Tanzania during free time such as going on a Safari and visiting Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation and Hours

Volunteer accommodations are situated in the rural village called Msaranga, 6kms from Moshi town. You will be staying in shared accommodation with other volunteers. Rooms are comfortable but basic and you will be placed in same gender rooms. The rooms are furnished with shelves to put your clothes on and you will be sleeping in bunk beds.

Hours are normally between 08:00 until 17:30 followed by dinner, although this can vary depending on season. Monday to Friday, with Saturday and Sundays 'off' to explore the area.

Transfers

You will be met on your arrival at Kilimanjaro international airport and transferred to Moshi to start your project.

Insurance

It is a compulsory requirement that you have adequate travel insurance before you join any Oasis Trip & at the very least are insured for all necessary medical & repatriation costs incurred overseas with a recommended sum insured of £500,000. It is also wise to leave a copy of your insurance policy with a friend or relative for safe keeping.

Please ensure that your policy covers you for Volunteering work and activities. We believe that your safety and holiday enjoyment are very important. It is a mistake to think that "it will never happen to me". It is also very important that you are covered for all the activities that you may wish to undertake while on our trip.

For further information on the insurance we offer, the activities covered, costs and how to book please check out the Insurance section of our website.

Visas and Vaccinations

Most nationalities require a Visa for Tanzania. You will need to purchase a holiday / tourist visa upon arrival at the airport as well as a volunteer visa to work on the project. This is approximately $250 USD.

As we are not medically trained - we are unable to give detailed or professional advice on vaccination requirements, therefore please consult a reputable travel clinic or GP for advice on any medical issues. We suggest allowing 8 weeks to get all your vaccinations. For more information visit: www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk or www.nomadtravel.co.uk  Oasis travellers receive a 10% discount on vaccinations, medical kits, clothing and camping equipment from the Nomad Travel Clinic - you will receive your discount code on your booking receipt. Medical advice should also be taken regarding Malaria risks.

Clothing and Equipment

Please see our full list of Clothing and Equipment, in the Essential Trip Information on each trip page, for the Overland trip that you are undertaking before or after this project. This should more than cover the items you will need for your Project. You will also receive a full Welcome Pack from our Project Provider, after booking, that will list any other items.

Responsible Travel

Before you go

  • Remove unnecessary packaging before you go - waste disposal facilities are often stretched in the places we visit.
  • To avoid unnecessary pollution of local water supplies take environmentally friendly toiletries with you.
  • Why not invest in a wind-up or solar-powered torch or media player before you travel or at least rechargeable batteries.
  • Learn some of the local language and read up on the local history / culture before you go. You'll get so much more out of your trip. Why not pack some pens / pencils exercise books in your rucksack and they can be donated to a local school or project while you're away.
  • Take a sturdy water bottle with you from home that you can re-use throughout your trip.

While You're Travelling

From experience gained in running trips, we have developed our own practical and a manageable environmental policy.  We welcome your input on this, plus any new ideas you may have, to improve our existing procedures. As a guide here's a few tips to bear in mind.

  • Don't waste water. It is a scarce resource in many of the places our trips visit.
  • Never buy endangered species or endangered habitat products. Apart from the fact of it being illegal it also encourages the trade to continue.
  • Look after and preserve the areas we visit. Be careful about stepping on coral reefs or trekking on undesignated tracks.
  • Buy locally made crafts and products helping to support the local economy.
  • Don't feel when bargaining that you have to get the cheapest price possible just for the sake of it. Pay what the item is worth to you.
  • Try the local food and drinks - this will help to support local farmers and food sellers. Sitting in a local cafe is also a great way to meet local people.
  • Dispose of litter appropriately on your trip. This includes cigarette butts. Not only does litter look unsightly it can be lethal to wildlife.
  • Where any toilet facilities exist, however unsavoury they might seem to you, they should be used. Where they do not, always bury your waste and make sure it is never near, (at least 30m) from a water source.
  • When game viewing do not encourage your guides to get too close to the wildlife so that their natural behaviour is impeded.
  • Respect local customs, traditions and beliefs of the people in the different regions that you travel through.
  • Do not take photos of people, ritual events or special places unless you have asked first. Dress appropriately according to local codes and show respect around religious festivals.
  • Recycling is almost non-existent in many of the areas and countries we visit - we do the best we can with limited resources & space on our vehicles.

For books dedicated to travelling more responsibly & ethically see: www.tourismconcern.org.uk

Please note that you will be required to fill out an application form prior to being accepted on the Project. You may also be asked for references.

This Project can be combined with any other African Project.

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