ORPHANAGES
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Volunteering at SWIWSCO Children's Village, Shirimatunda
At the Children’s Village volunteers will experience Tanzania immersed in everyday Tanzanian life. Being active in everyday activities alongside the children and young people enables volunteers to observe and learn about their individual personalities and talents. There is a variety of games and play equipment at the Children’s Village however volunteers are encouraged to bring their own personality to the project, by teaching new games and activities. The children and young people return from school from 3:30 onwards. In a household of more than 20 people, everyone’s participation is required and each person has individual responsibilities to attend to. The main house and compound is cleaned and tidied several times a day, meal preparation which may include sorting through beans or rice, and hand-washing of clothes, all take time and energy. The participation of volunteers is a great motivator. Study and homework is completed every night in many subjects; English, Mathematics, Science, Kiswahili, Geography, History and Civics. The interest of volunteers in learning about their school day, reviewing their work, answering and asking questions, reading aloud etc. is extremely valuable. The children and young people are home at the weekend and enjoy the involvement of volunteers in helping with homework, playing games, exploring the neighbourhood and organising activities. |
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Volunteering at Upendo Children’s Home, Moshi
Upendo Children’s Home is managed by the Catholic Church’s Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood. Upendo provides a home for up to 60 children between birth and age 7. Some lost their mothers during delivery, other newborns were left behind in the hospital and others were abandoned. Upendo provide early childhood education with singing, dancing, drawing and games. It operates a Nursery School for children aged 3 years onwards which is attended by both its own and neighbourhood children. The children learn numbers, the alphabet, colours, days of the week, months, greetings, reading, writing and other skills needed at primary school. Upendo is dependent on private donations. In addition to proving direct care to children, it operates a 2-year Nursery School Teaching/Nursing Program for up to 40 students and maintains a farm on which it keeps pigs, cows and chickens as an income and food source. Volunteers at Upendo generally begin at 9.00am and finish at the children’s nap time around 1.00pm. However, as Upendo is located close to SWIWSCO’s volunteer house (30-40 minute walk or 10 mins taxi ride), it is possible to return in the afternoon. Volunteer activities include playing with the children, changing diapers, assisting with toileting, showering and feeding. Some of the children have a disability and need additional time and care. Volunteer opportunities are available 7 days a week. Upendo offers internship placements for students in field of social studies. Volunteers and interns wear their own clothes but shoulders, stomach and knees need to be covered. T-shirts and below the knee skirts and shorts are allowed. |
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