Tanzania - Volunteers' Reviews

My Tanzania Experience

I was at LWCC for 9 weeks from October through to December 2007 and it was everything I could have hoped for and much, much more. I was welcomed into my host family with open arms and by the end of my stay really felt like part of the family

When I arrived I was the first volunteer and at first I found this a little daunting but my mind was soon put at ease when I chatted to the family and the teachers about how I could help and I realized that there was loads of stuff that needed doing where I could be of assistance. The work of volunteers at LWCC was varied. On any given day I could be going to the new land and helping with the building work, helping with the newsletter, or perhaps going into town to get the maize and flour for the children at the center. However the majority of my work was with the children themselves. During the first month I was there I did some classroom teaching and during my second month I was given the job of teaching English to Standard 3. I also played games and sports with the kids, baked cookies and did art and craft among many other things.

Lara Grant (center of photo in blue shirt) with Mr. Kimaro and the Children of Living Water

One thing that all volunteers are expected to do is to go to the center from 3.00 and help the kids with homework and play with them. This was always the best part of the day as the children were relaxed as it was no longer school time. At this time we generally good fun reading, playing in the garden, dancing to the radio and CD's or just chatting.

As well as the work that you do whilst at the center the family are also keen to introduce volunteers to Arusha and the surrounding area and arrange trips such as to nearby Lake Duluti or to the UN tribunal for the Rwanda Genocide.

My time at LWCC was busy but it was a fantastic experience and one which I hope to repeat and I would recommend Tanzania program to anyone.

Lara Grant

Please summarize your volunteer/internship experience:

We arrived the first day, tried but were greated warmly. Once we got to the orphanage we were greated by the girls and had a nice introduction with singing and dancing. Day to day we working on building the class room. We mixed cement, moved bricks, and built the walls. We also had time to go into town once or twice. We were able to visit the wood carving market and the fabric market. The work was hard but fun. At night we had time to spend with the girls, my favorite part of the trip. Meals were good but repetitive. It was nice to experience the food that the girls eat on a daily basis but compared to what we have back home in the states it was a little hard to get used to having the same thing for lunch and dinner every day. All and all I loved the trip.

Would you recommend Global Crossroads programs to others? Yes
Would you mind serving as a reference for future volunteers? Yes
(If yes, please write your email address): meg_cowell@missporters.org

Fantastic experience and one which I hope to repeat and I would recommend it to anyone.

I was at LWCC for 9 weeks from October through to December and it was everything I could have hoped for and much, much more. I was welcomed into my host family with open arms and by the end of my stay really felt like part of the family

When I arrived I was the first volunteer and at first I found this a little daunting but my mind was soon put at ease when I chatted to the family and the teachers about how I could help and I realized that there was loads of stuff that needed doing where I could be of assistance. The work of volunteers at LWCC was varied. On any given day I could be going to the new land and helping with the building work, helping with the newsletter, or perhaps going into town to get the maize and flour for the children at the center. However the majority of my work was with the children themselves. During the first month I was there I did some classroom teaching and during my second month I was given the job of teaching English to Standard 3. I also played games and sports with the kids, baked cookies and did art and craft among many other things.

One thing that all volunteers are expected to do is to go to the center from 3.00 and help the kids with homework and play with them. This was always the best part of the day as the children were relaxed as it was no longer school time. At this time we generally good fun reading, playing in the garden, dancing to the radio and cds or just chatting.?

As well as the work that you do whilst at the center the family are also keen to introduce volunteers to Arusha and the surrounding area and arrange trips such as to nearby Lake Duluti or to the UN tribunal for the Rwanda Genocide.

My time at LWCC, Tanzania was busy but it was a fantastic experience and one which I hope to repeat and I would recommend it to anyone.

Lara

I arrived in Dar Es Salaam last Sunday for the language and culture program for the week and then I am supposed to travel to Arusha for my project with HIV/Aids. I am having a great time, by the way. Yotam and the staff are awesome!

Thanks,
Katie Meerdink

Watching pure joy and happiness derived from the simple things in life is an inspiring thing

Thousands of miles away from home, I had never felt so accepted as I did in a small orphanage in Dar Es Salaam (Tegeta), Tanzania . I flew into Dar Es Salaam International Airport feeling like the stereotypical outsider. Aside from the difference in my skin color, there were cultural differences as well as the most intimidating difference- language. As I entered the blue door off of a side street, I instantly felt the love which radiated from within those walls. I was greeted as though I was already a part of their family. Treated with the utmost hospitality, I felt right at home in a vastly unfamiliar setting. The differences that once plagued my mind faded in o the obscure background as I was accepted and embraced for who I was. For one of the first time, I felt as though I was being seen for who I really was rather than the superficial differences that are commonly ingrained in perceptions. There was no judgment based on race, culture, or even language. The language barrier, which I had been most concerned with turned into an opportunity to learn as well as teach. Some of my best memories are the times when I would sit down and read a book with the kids. They would work their way from word to word and through sentence upon sentence. While reading we would point to the pictures and identify recognizable things: "cat", "Christmas", "boy/girl". I would point something out at the beginning and then from then on, I would sit back and watch as the kids flawlessly identified the newly learned objects. They also taught me how to say things in Swahili by first saying them in English and then following it with"in Swahili _________". Although I picked up on a few key words and phrases, the kids far surpassed me with their ability to learn.

Watching pure joy and happiness derived from the simple things in life is an inspiring thing. The children were able to turn others' discarded items into imaginative games, and it was truly a pleasure to watch. These kids have revived the importance of having an imagination in everyday life. With a stimulated imagination, the perils of life fade away and are miraculously replaced by happiness. The children have taught me a valuable lesson in making the best of any situation simply with what is at hand.

The opportunity to spend time in an orphanage in Tanzania has taught me a great deal about myself as well as what the truly important things are in life. Any differences that do exist are just those special things that make us all unique individuals. I learned that beneath all of that, we are all connected with the unbreakable power of love.

I cherish the time I spent in Tanzania , and specially the time at the orphanage, as there is now, and always will be, a place in my heart for those great kids.
Sincerely,
Evan Dyer