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Travel to Tanzania and Volunteer |
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To travel to Tanzania and volunteer is becoming a popular way toexperience another culture. Both young people in their gap-yearand older people taking a career break travel to Tanzania inorder to spend time working and traveling.
By traveling to Tanzania the volunteer makes a difference to ourcommunities in parts of Tanzania that are rich in culture,variety and natural beauty; but where there is poverty anddisadvantage. Some companies arrange placements and courses forvolunteers to develop skills in towns whilst others sendvolunteers to remote rural but areas of the Tanzania.
Volunteers fall into several groups the gap students that prefera volunteer program that is ccomprehensive, fun and challenging.Normally from one to six months month programs which - includingtraining, on-site support staff, accommodation and travelinsurance.
Summer Mini-Gaps are summer programs, for school leavers goingstraight to University, or University students during the summerbreak.
School Expeditions: are from tens up to four week expeditionsfor school groups. This involves work in a community or schoolbuilding project and then a safari or to climb Kilimanjaro.
Career Breaks are a fulfilling two week to six month program,which can be incorporated into existing travel plans - includingtraining, support and initial accommodation. Designed for over21s and those looking for a more independent placement.
Popular volunteer work in the towns usually involves workingwith the street-boys. These programs need volunteers to committo at least three months. They are quite involved and requireworking on the streets to build up a relationship and trust withthe street-boys. Once they have come to the hostel returningthem to their families is a priority with a follow up program toensure the boys readjust to family life. The boys who are notable to return home or indeed have no families are sent toschool, guided on how to live healthy and life skills aretaught. Volunteers are expected to get involved with all aspectsof this work.
The rural area's normally offer teaching positions. A normalweek will have around 15 hours of English lessons. Duringlessons the volunteers may work with a Tanzanian teacher or mayhave a class all to themselves. The volunteers role is to focuson improving speaking and listening skills and building thechildren's confidence to communicate. This means lots of fun andinteraction, including games, songs dressing up, and any othercreative activities that get the kids using English. There arealso roles at kindergarten where the children are normallybetween the ages of 4-7. There is a great opportunity forsomeone who loves playing with and entertaining children as wellas teaching them basic English. The kindergarten is a lessdaunting environment but equally challenging and rewarding.Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world and assuch the standard of living appears very low to us. A huge partof the adventure of living and working in Tanzania is theaccommodation and living conditions; great for those with asense of adventure. Volunteers soon adapt to the Tanzanian wayof life that is dictated by the hours of daylight. With theabsence of electricity, waking hours become fairly similar todaylight hours. There will be plenty of free time to relax,enjoy Africa, get to know local people. It is important thatvolunteers come equipped to entertain themselves with books,musical instruments, paints, running shoes and a host of ideasthat can be swapped with other volunteers.
About the author:
For a more comprehensive guide to volunteering in Tanzania ortravel in Tanzania contact Ian throughhttp://betheladventure.co.uk or Philemonhttp://www.aardvark-expeditions.com Using responsible tourism tochange lives.
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