Volunteering for Change…….

onelovetanzania
5 hours ago
4 min read

If you think Volunteering is about putting a smile on a child’s face….you’re correct, and Tanzania is the place to do just that.

Children from impoverished communities, abjectly poor families, homes broken by outdated cultural values, vulnerable children orphaned or abandoned, abused and mistreated infants and teenagers, sick children with no family means of support…….and everyday children everywhere, are longing for care and understanding from those of us who love to hear the sound of children laugh and seeing the confidence of knowing they are worthy.

Australian mother of 3 young adults, Donna, is one of us who knows what it’s like to bring hope and restore trust to children let down by their own society.

Whether working one on one with children struggling to grasp the concept of numbers or demonstrating how to wear a re-usable sanitary pad, Donna has brought smiles to the faces of children of all ages and backgrounds in her short time volunteering in Tanzania.

The Lion King Homestay, Moshi

While enjoying the comfort of The Lion King Homestay, Moshi, at the special volunteer’s rate of $25 US per night, Donna has been hosted by One Love Tanzania and introduced to a range of education volunteering experiences through our many NGO partners in Tanzania.

Sweet afternoons at Team Vista English language tutorials, reinforcing color through simple games, music and coloring with local sponsored junior primary teachers Angel and Ernest, fostering better classroom practices for both children and teachers, encouraging and reinforcing connection and positive learning for life.

Teens Deserve Smiles Too!

Working at Boma Mbuzi Secondary school in Moshi, Donna won the hearts of the year 8 boys while working in the classroom with our local sponsored Biology teacher, Lembris.

Demonstrating learning can be fun, and positive behavior does bring rewards. While year 7 and 8 girls were all smiles and thanks as together, we delivered our information sessions on menstrual awareness, hygiene and distributed re-usable menstrual kits, and personal hygiene packs supplied by partners Team Vista and Fair World International

Maasai Magic……Yes Please!

A week at Serengeti School in Ololosokwan Northern Tanzania, saw Donna sharing her time between this new kindergarten school established under the guidance of Mulika Africa in 2024, and the local Massai tribe, learning more than she was actually teaching!

Living locally, complying with “Äfrican Time”, brought a new slowness to Donna’s pace as she

discovered daily, when Tribal people say Badae…..later…..they actually mean, much, much later!!!

It’s the Simple Things

Bringing simple art and craft to children who have no, or at best, limited creative learning opportunities, is huge in Tanzania. A well received, fun focus of our Sunday visit to partner organisation, Upendo Children’s Home.

Before sharing family lunch with the children, drawing, coloring, face painting, and Donna’s crazy “Very Hungry Caterpillars” brought endless smiles and enjoyment. Resetting the minds of these children from backgrounds of immense family heartbreak and pain.

The children’s new “Brag Board” now an uplifting splash of color adorned by caterpillars and vivid magic fold cutouts, reminding the kids we do care, and they are valued.

Play Time for Volunteers Too

Of course, volunteering isn’t all hard work!

Tanzania offers the most spectacular scenic locations and exhilarating adventures.

From local day trips exploring the foothills of Kilimanjaro, pristine waterfalls, thermal hot springs and breathtaking lakes either by car or bike….to more ambitious wildlife safaris, exhilarating mountain hikes, relaxing beaches and fishing ports, the self-empowering Kili climb……and of course the jewel in the crown, Zanzibar…..all at your fingertips.

While in Moshi, Donna lavished the local life, market shopping, street vendors and of course the inviting café culture and local dining experiences with Homestay Hostess Sophia.

A day immersed in the serene beauty of Rau Forest Moshi, chatting with her new friends the Colobus Monkeys, a few local cooking classes thrown in and then of course, the pleasure of relaxing in the comfort of our own well-appointed, safe home away from home, The Lion King Homestay Moshi.

The Never Ending Volunteer Journey

Moving onto new adventures and volunteer experiences, Donna has returned this week to her first ever life changing volunteer experience Lift Them Up Foundation in Usa River.

LITU is a kindergarten school established by qualified locals Lillian Sabuni and Abel Bisibana when they identified the need to provide accessible education for the many children in their area unable to commute the long distances to the nearest schools.

Lillian and Abel have purchased land nearby and are currently building new classrooms to enable them to relocate from their cramped rented premises and offer classes in an environment conducive to quality learning. Lilian and Abel also welcome volunteers from all around the world to Lift Them Up, where every child matters.