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Notes for volunteers

Is Africa a Dream?

Yes! Africa is a dream. It is ancient, it is beautiful and it is wild. It is a collection of growing nations struggling to acquire the advantages of the developed world. On the other hand it is not a dream.

Many volunteers for African projects have developed images and expectations of what Africa, and what working in Africa, is like. In almost every case they find that their dream is not the reality. What they find in Africa is not part of their expectations. They experience ‘culture shock’.

Kilimanjaro

It is therefore best to come with an open mind and few expectations. It will be necessary to change your diet and your living habits. You will have to adapt to African culture and accept what Africa has available.

One thing should be clear. No matter how skilled or well intentioned you may be you are going to learn more form the Africans than they will from you. They will communicate with you for a few hours per day but you will be immersed in African culture at the deepest level. You will discover a land and people of great antiquity, beauty and value. You will be part of the African dream.

One other point we emphasize. It is not the task of the Adopt a School program to change people! It is our task to help them. If they extend their hands to us we gladly extend ours to them.

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An Important Consideration

We are fully aware that this is a once in a lifetime experience for most volunteers and we do all possible to make this experience valuable and full of wonder. Your contentment is ours. We are also very protective of our schools and we make every effort to make the transition of the applicant to the school as smooth as possible for all concerned.

Volunteers are important to us but our chief consideration is the schools and the students. This is the purpose of our existence.

Our experience is that the chief beneficiaries of the volunteer program are the volunteers themselves. We are all volunteers here and we stay because of the great beauty that the Africans give us. What we have to give is less than what we take.

Africa is vast and we are small. It is arrogance to believe that we have more to offer than we can accept.

Therefore we ask you to come with the attitude of humility and gratitude and with the knowledge that you will receive great kindness and affection. The greatest gift you can give, and receive, is love.

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How we help you

It takes time to adjust to any new country. That is why we prefer our volunteers to come for a period of no less than three months. Even that period is very short for the adjustment to cultures as diverse and different as those found in Africa.

No matter how widely traveled you are when you suddenly find yourself in a remote African school you will naturally be confused as to how you should conduct yourself. Similarly, both the teachers and the children will be confused as to how they should react to you. Everyone needs time to adjust. Certain non African dress and conduct can be offensive to Africans and if you get off on the wrong foot you may find your time at the school less enjoyable.

To overcome this problem, all volunteers on arrival are met and accommodated for two or more days at our Arusha Rest House. Here you will meet teachers from the school and enjoy an informal look around Arusha. Most of your questions will be answered and you will have time to rest after your travels.

Soon after you arrive you are asked to go on a five day safari with one of the teachers from the school. This is our method of orientation. It is compulsory for all volunteers without exception as we find it settles the travel bug; introduces the volunteers to the country and prepares them to settle down at the school. During the safari they are introduced to Swahili and the subtleties of African life. There are many safaris on offer and we have arranged for them to be provided at heavily discounted cost. The cost of a Safari depends on the number of people who join it so we try to arrange for our volunteers to arrive at the same time.

If the volunteers wish to do more travels in Africa they should arrange to do them during the school vacation or after their period of service.

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What we are looking for in a volunteer

We do all we can to make the stay of volunteers as comfortable as possible. If the volunteers settle in well there is minimal disruption to the school and volunteers will get the maximum benefit from their experience.

Volunteers should be over 18 years old. in good health and prepared to adjust to the school and the culture. They must be able to speak English and be competent in the profession or trade for which they are volunteering.

It goes without saying that volunteers should demonstrate the highest moral standards particularly in sexual matters. AIDS is a serious problem in Africa and Africans are very modest in conduct.

Teaching qualifications are preferred but not necessary. There is the opportunity to assist in pre, primary and secondary schools.

People with drug or alcohol problems should not apply.

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Your Mentor

The School Teacher who accompanies you on your Safari will be your mentor for the duration of your involvement with the program. Your mentor will help with any personal or professional needs. Your mentor will also be your friend and you will soon develop a life-long bond.

While your mentor is there to help, your mentor and all volunteers at any school are under the direct authority of the head teacher. He will be open to suggestions but his advice must be closely followed.

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Accommodation

At present all volunteers for our African programs join the program in Arusha where we have a rest house. This is a comfortable private home with all meals and domestic services provided. The cost is $40 per day for adults and $25 for children under 12.

Near the school where you work we rent a small but comfortable village house and renovate it for use by volunteers. There is an entrance fee of $200 as we repaint and repair it before every group. Thereafter the cost is $320 per month for the whole house including domestic assistance and services. This cost can be shared by volunteers or the whole house can be booked by a single person or family. The house will have no TV and electricity, if available, will be intermittent. Electrical equipment is for hire in Arusha if you wish.

Every effort is made to help the volunteers feel comfortable so they may do their professional work without concern.

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The School Year

The Tanzanian school year is divided into three terms. The year starts in January with a one week break in April (Easter). The mid year break is for one month in June. There is a one week break in September and a one month break from December to January. Ideally volunteers should arrive in Arusha one week before the school term begins. They can then go through their orientation and start work at the beginning of the school term. It is most satisfactory if volunteers can stay at the school for one full term. After that they may transfer to another school if they seek a different experience.

The school hours are from 8.00 am to 3.00 pm but teachers are on duty from 7.30 am. Volunteers are required to work at least one morning or afternoon shift each day. That is a minimum of four hours. We find that volunteers prefer to work for half a day for the first few days then for the full day thereafter.

Volunteers may be asked to assist the tutoring of teachers or students with special needs outside of normal school hours.

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Transport

While African roads are often very rough there is usually adequate public transport. Taxis of varying quality are available in most locations. Volunteers may want to hire a car. The cost for an older vehicle can be as low as $100 per week.

 

 

Dress Code

Ladies must be prepared to comply with the African dress code which includes ankle length dresses, skirts or slacks and a modest blouse. Teaching is a very respected profession in Africa and teachers always dress in a semi formal manner. Men should dress in slacks and shirt but should have a jacket and tie for formal occasions.

The climate in the Tanzanian highlands is mild with warm summers and cool winters. The lowlands (Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar) are hot and humid all year round.

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Child Care

We welcome parents with children and they are able to attend classes in the school but parents must be aware of the circumstances they will find. Parents are advised to hire a nanny which we can provide.

 

 

Communications

Volunteers are required to have their own mobile phone which will accept a local sim card. There are internet cafés in Arusha and internet access from the Arusha rest house.

If possible volunteers should bring their own laptop computer.

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How to apply

At the request of the applicant an application form will be sent by email which should be completed and returned by email together with a photograph of the applicant and the people who are accompanying him.

The applicant will then be notified by email as to the success of the application and provided with any information necessary to help the applicant proceed to Tanzania.

One month prior to departure from the home country the applicant should forward his safari and accommodation deposit. When this is received a receipt will be sent by email and we will proceed with booking the safari and arranging accommodation.

The applicant can communicate with us at any time and all effort is made to give an immediate reply.

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Health

The highlands of Tanzania are a healthy environment but your health professional may recommend that you be vaccinated against ... Hepatitis A and B, Polio, Tetanus. Diphtheria, Yellow fever, rabies, typhoid. Meningitis and Cholera. Malaria is uncommon in the highlands but common in the lowlands and islands. Most locals however prefer not to take malaria prophylactics but to treat the disease in the early stages if it is caught. While malaria can kill, the symptoms are usually mild at onset. There are hygienic malaria testing stations in most areas of Tanzania. These matters are your own responsibility and must be carefully discussed with your health professional before arrival.

For minor health problems Arusha has adequate medical facilities but for a health crisis evacuation to Nairobi (Kenya) or the home country may be necessary. For this reason your health insurance should provide for these costs.

Volunteers should be aware that Adopt a School does not maintain an emergency fund for volunteers. Volunteers must make their own provision for emergencies. It is necessary to have a supporter in the home country who can be contacted should problems arise.

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