Volunteer Teacher Initiative

Our volunteer program aims to give our Engutoto Daycare Center a more sustainable education by assisting our current teachers in different aspects of teaching and creative learning. Engutoto was born 22 years ago to serve the most marginalized communities in the ward especially young girls. The schools in Tanzania are not as organized as western schools and with our program we want to try to close the gap.

Chances of early learning education are almost none existent let alone daycare centers, that’s where Engutoto Daycare Center comes in to serve the most marginalized and forgotten child. Also, when the number of pupils in a class becomes too high, our Daycare center can't always afford to split the class because we have limited teachers/ don't have enough teachers. This is where you come in. After an introduction period alongside our teachers, and you feel comfortable, you will be able to teach a class by yourself.

Books are scarce. Usually there are 1 or 2 books per subject per class. Students will copy from the blackboard but they don't all have the same pace. Individual attention is required sometimes but the teachers lack the time between writing on the blackboard, making corrections, and going around the classroom to check for themselves. With the help of the volunteer, we can avoid having some of the students just sitting in class when they're finished writing, and more importantly, we can get those students that need individual attention up to speed with the rest of the class. We embrace all the ideas coming from volunteers to improve our Daycare Center, teaching methods, etc... We welcome all input and this has shown to be very useful in the past. Teachers gladly adapt to improved structures and processes, even after the volunteer has left. Together with our teachers, the role of the volunteer and the aim of our program is to make sure that the time in school is spent as efficient and effective as possible, so that the students can get the maximum out of their education and have more opportunities in their future.

There also is an after-school reading and creative class where volunteers can teach students to be creative, dance sing and be kids. Students from all over the villages come here to study more and improve their skills, so as you can tell, they are very eager to learn. Since these children are all in different class stages at the daycare, volunteer help is definitely welcomed: giving exercises, making corrections, explaining different subjects, ... It also has a small playground with a soccer field right outside where volunteers can play educational games with our younger baby classes or organise P.E. classes.

The daycare is at a walking distance from the hostels/homestays and host families. Our Daycare Center has sufficient number of classrooms, with a make shift small playground and a one room teacher’s room. The playground has a makeshift tire swing and a soccer field so volunteers will definitely not get bored during breaktime. Tea and cake are also provided during breaktime at the school, which volunteer can enjoy together with other teacher and volunteers. The host families are located in the nearby villages, in a quiet and peaceful surrounding, but still walkable distance to Arusha town. They are plenty of shops around in the villages, but if volunteers need something specific, Arusha city is only a 20 minute walk away. The scenery here is beautiful with plenty of green and a view of Mount Meru. Even short hikes can take you to the most scenic viewpoints, that regular tourists don't get to see. Volunteers will get to know and befriend people living around, and truly become a part of the tight knit community. Not a day will go by without a friendly greeting on the streets, that is guaranteed.

Volunteers don't have to bring any special equipment for the program but If you wish to bring any material, school supplies like books (school books or reading books for the library), pens, pencils, are always greatly appreciated; but these can also be purchased here.

The children are very eager to learn and they really look up to their teachers, so it is important that volunteers are aware of that. We expect volunteers to be open-minded and act with respect towards both the schools and the host family. Common courtesy is appreciated. The volunteers can count on us to be around for basically any problem you are facing. We will support you and listen to what you have to say. We will take care of you in your free time and help you make arrangements for anything you need, from buying phone credit to organizing local walks. You will have the local insight and knowledge that regular tourist do not have, thereby learning so much more about our culture, surroundings, traditions, and way of living.