Health & Special Needs

Destiny Foundation

Destiny Foundation Tansania volunteering children with disabilities

The Project

The Destiny Foundation provides care for children born with mental and physical disabilities. It was founded in 2017 by Bryson Lyatuu who has over twelve years’ experience as a special needs teacher. The Destiny Foundation provides room and board for 15 children, and has an outreach program that helps up to 80 children in the community. Different cultures have different views of disability, and in Tanzania many disabled children do not receive the care they need. People with disabilities experience stigma and discrimination in the form of prejudice, negative attitudes, abuse and maltreatment. And disabled children often do not have the opportunity to spend time with other children their own age, and so miss out on the positive impact of peer interactions.

The services provided are:
– physiotherapy
– speech therapy
– visual stimulation
– community awareness building
– survival activities and life skills

1L3A3547
Destiny Foundation Viva Tanzania
1L3A3554

Your Work

Volunteer experience video:

Schedule

The volunteer hours begin at 8am and finish at 4pm. It is possible to also work on weekends if you wish. Volunteers help staff provide care to the resident children and help with the outreach program. As each child is at a different level care is tailored individually. There is a team of qualified therapists, nurses and teachers who work alongside the volunteers to make sure the correct care and procedures are followed. A light lunch is provided.

Daily activities include:

 playing with the children
– helping with reading and writing activities
– providing physical therapy (under supervision)
– helping prepare lunch
– helping with the outreach program by visiting children in the community who require care (accompanied by a team member)

No previous experience necessary

This project does not require any previous experience. The foundation welcomes all volunteers and appreciates their ideas and support. It is important that you are patient and considerate when caring for the children.

Location

This project is located 2kms (1.2miles) from the hostel and can be reached by walking.

“I will never forget my time with Viva Tanzania! Because I came to Arusha alone, it was important to me to get connection as soon as possible. For that I was in the right place! Whether it was about getting my internship visa arranged, a day trip, a safari or bringing clothes to the tailor. Since I stay in a 4-bed dorm room, it was easy for me to get to know other woman! The fact that the terrace and living / dining room offers alternatives, everyone found a place to be by themselves at any time or to get together if they wished. The different dishes were delicious! With Viva Tanzania I really felt welcome not as a tourist or visitor but after a short time as a friend, thank you for this feeling and the nice time. At first I was very insecure and restrained for my work with the Destiny Foundation. Because I did not understand or could speak Swahili I could not communicate well with the teachers nor the students. Over the weeks the teacher involved me more and more in the everyday school life. The more vocabulary I learned, the better it worked out with the students. The teachers were happy that I mastered at least the greeting without problems after a few days. I can only recommend warmly to everyone to make the same or similar experiences. Dare it! The children appreciate your affection and presence and the teachers take every assistance with thanks!”

Emily, 22, United States of America

Founder’s interview:

Destiny Foundation Tansania logo
Destiny Foundation Viva Tanzania
Destiny Foundation Viva Tanzania
Destiny Foundation Viva Tanzania
Destiny Foundation Viva Tanzania
Destiny Foundation Viva Tanzania
Destiny Foundation Viva Tanzania

Project price

2 weeks: 650€
3 weeks: 850€
4 weeks: 1.050€
Every additional week: 200€

Accommodation

You can choose between a single room or four-bed room in the hostel.

Project length

The minimum stay is two weeks. Due to visa regulations you can spend a maximum of two years as a volunteer in Tanzania.

Let your adventure to start

Book your place now

Are you interested in the project? Fill out the registration form and we will start planning your stay.
Start your volunteering experience in Tanzania and get the lifetime experience!