AVAILABLE FOR ARUSHA, KILIMANJARO & MWANZA, TANZANIA
Program Overview
In Tanzania’s bustling communities, thousands of children under 5 lack access to structured early education while parents work to sustain their families. Our daycare initiative provides a safe haven for development during critical growth years. Volunteers create nurturing environments where toddlers build cognitive, social, and motor skills through play-based learning—directly combating malnutrition and educational gaps in low-income areas.
Why We Do This
- Ignite school readiness through pre-literacy/numeracy foundations
- Ensure nutritional security with daily balanced meals (porridge, fruits, vegetables)
- Support working parents with trustworthy childcare alternatives to street neglect
- Develop motor skills via sensory play and outdoor activities
- Prevent childhood trauma through stable emotional anchors
What You’ll Do Daily
| Time | Activities |
|---|---|
| Morning (8–11 AM) | Welcome songs • Fine motor skill stations (puzzles, blocks) • Hygiene routines |
| Midday (11 AM–1 PM) | Supervised lunch • Swahili language games • Nature exploration |
| Afternoon (1–3 PM) | Storytelling • Cooperative play • Recycled-material art |
| Dismissal (3–4 PM) | Parent handover support • Progress documentation |
Core Responsibilities
✅ Facilitate play-based learning activities
✅ Prepare and serve nutritious snacks
✅ Conduct developmental screenings (motor skills, language)
✅ Create low-resource educational tools (e.g., texture boards)
✅ Maintain hygiene and safety protocols
✅ Document children’s milestones
Project Locations
Arusha Hub Center
- 🧸 Play Zones: Sensory garden, indoor motor skill arena
- 🍎 Nutrition Station: Daily meal prep facility
- 📚 Learning Nooks: Local-language picture books, tactile toys
Community Outreach
Mobile playgroups serving 15+ villages across Kilimanjaro foothills
Duration & Pricing
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| Weeks | Cost | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $250 | Shared hostel • Breakfast • Airport transfer • Swahili phrasebook |
| 2 | $450 | All above + lunches • Cultural orientation • Activity materials |
| 3 | $580 | Full meals • Developmental toolkit • Maasai storytelling session |
| 4+ | $180/week | Swahili lessons • Weekend activity discounts • Extended support |
Arrival & Orientation
✈️ Airport Pickup: Kilimanjaro (JRO), Arusha (ARK), or Mwanza (MWZ)
🛏️ Accommodation: Gender-separated shared hostel (safe, walkable to centers)
📚 Training: Child development principles • Safety protocols • Trauma-aware care
⏰ Schedule: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (flexible for parent handover times)
Human-Centered Approach
- Language: Use key Swahili phrases:
- “Tupige makofi!” (Let’s clap!) for encouragement
- “Tuna furaha?” (Are we happy?) for emotional check-ins
- Tools: Bring washable markers • Texture boards • Reusable sticker kits
- Connection: Co-create “growth trees” where children add leaves for new skills
What to Expect
- Dynamic classrooms: 15-25 children per center, aged 2–5
- Resourceful environments: Open-air learning spaces • Locally made toys
- Cultural immersion: Participate in harvest songs • Traditional dance breaks
- Visible impact: Language blooms within 2 weeks • Motor skill leaps
- Community trust: Parents’ daily gratitude for childcare access
Impact Areas
| Focus Area | Volunteer Role |
|---|---|
| Cognitive Development | Pre-math games • Color/shape recognition • Memory exercises |
| Nutrition & Health | Meal supervision • Handwashing routines • Growth monitoring |
| Social-Emotional Growth | Conflict mediation • Emotion identification • Group play |
| Family Support | Parent workshops • Sibling inclusion • Home learning kits |
Key Requirements
- Minimum Age: 18
- Vaccinations: Yellow Fever certificate required
- Advance Notice: 4 weeks for placement matching
- Registration: $350 (covers administrative costs, training, and materials)
Weekend Activities (Optional)
| Experience | Cost | Includes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maasai Village Immersion | $90 | Bead-making • Traditional cooking • Livestock herding | |
| Arusha National Park Safari | $220 | Guided wildlife drive • Picnic lunch • Waterfall visit | |
| Coffee Plantation Tour | $50 | Harvesting demo • Roasting workshop • Tasting session |
Included in All Placements
✓ Shared volunteer accommodation (bunk beds, fans, mosquito nets)
✓ Breakfast & dinner daily (local cuisine: ugali, beans, seasonal fruits)
✓ Airport pickup with welcome team
✓ 24/7 emergency support
✓ Program donation ($50/week per child for meals/educational materials)
OTHER FEATURED PROGRAM
Health Volunteer program (volunteer and internship)
Support overburdened Tanzanian hospitals serving 200+ patients daily. Gain clinical experience in pediatrics, surgery, and HIV clinics while providing critical care in resource-limited settings. Perfect for pre-med and medical students.
