The preschool has about 50 pupils, with 5 teachers and classes are divided into a baby class, a middle class and a preparatory class. In the primary school there are more than 100 pupils, 13 teachers and 12 classes. The preschool and primary school are in the same compound so you have the flexibility to choose one project or switch between the two.
Schedule
The volunteer hours begin at 8am. The preschool finishes at 12:30pm and the primary school at 3pm. Lunch is provided.
Daily activities include:
– supporting the teachers by helping teach subjects such as English, maths, history, geography, art, sports and biology
– helping the children with their homework
– helping children who have difficulties with certain subjects and need extra guidance
– preparing the children’s lunch
– playing with the children
– taking care of small maintenance issues around the school
– singing songs with the preschool students
– teaching the children how to play nicely together
– preparing lessons and teaching aides for the following day
– attending staff meetings
No previous experience necessary
This project does not require any previous experience. St Pius welcomes all volunteers and appreciates their ideas and support. Please keep an open mind and remember that schools in Tanzania are run differently than in your home country. For example, corporal punishment is sometimes used and the classrooms are often poorly equipped.
Location
This project is located 5kms (3.1miles) from the hostel and can be reached by public transport.
The volunteer programme was a highlight of our trip. We spent five days working in a small school for 3-5 year old children called Venance Care Foundation. It was set up by a man called Venance who was also very passionate about enhancing the lives of these children and encouraging them to work hard in life. Despite it only being a small set up, Venance and the teacher did a brilliant job at teaching the children on a daily basis with minimal teaching facilities. As volunteers, we were given the opportunity to teach the children and play with the children each day. It was absolutely brilliant listening to the children sing and dance during break time and also teaching them nursery rhymes and songs from our own country. I would really recommend taking a box of pencils, pens, paper, colour books, chalks, craft materials etc if you were planning on volunteering at somewhere like this, as they seemed to need all the help them could get with teaching facilities.
Elena, 18, Germany
Founder’s interview:
| 2 weeks: | 500€ |
| 3 weeks: | 650€ |
| 4 weeks: | 800€ |
| Every additional week: | 150€ |
You can choose between a single room or four-bed room in the hostel and a host family.
The minimum stay is two weeks. Due to visa regulations you can spend a maximum of two years as a volunteer in Tanzania.