Daily Life
Who cares for the children?
We have a dedicated team of caregivers who look after our children. Most of our staff have a certificate, diploma and degree in childcare. On top we have 4 social workers as well as two cooks who look after the well-being of our kids.What does daily life at the Children’s Home look like?
Every morning the children wake up between 5 and 6 am, prepare for school, eat breakfast, and then head to school. Our children attend different schools around the area depending on their needs and academic achievements. Our children return from school between 4:00 and 6:00 pm. They then spend some time with our volunteers who provide individual assistance with the homework and fun activities afterwards. The children then take a shower and get ready for dinner. After dinner, the children finish their homework in Study Hall with the assistance of the caregivers. The children attend school Monday-Saturday. On Sundays they do chores, relax at home, play football or go to the church.
Health and safety (this is for volunteers)
What vaccinations do I need? And what about malaria prophylaxis?
Tanzania: An important thing to know about volunteering in Tanzania is that we can’t tell you whether you should or shouldn’t take malaria tablets – we strongly advise you to make an appointment with a travel doctor and discuss your trip with them, then make a decision based on their advice. Your doctor can also recommend different vaccinations you may need.
Whether you take tablets or not, you should bring a good insect repellent and make sure to use the mosquito net on your bed (all of our beds are protected by nets).
It’s also worth remembering that malaria can be easily treated – if you fall ill during your stay we will accompany you to a nearby Hospital as soon as possible for a diagnosis.
Packing
What kind of clothes do I need to wear?
Tanzania: While at our Orphanage or visiting Mwanza it is important to dress a bit more conservatively and wear clothes that cover your knees and shoulders. You can wear bikinis at all resorts and hotel & private beaches but you will need to wear a t-shirt and half long leggings or bathing trunks that cover your knees when you go to public beaches (for example with our kids on Sundays).
What is the weather in Tanzania like?
Tanzania: Tanzania has a tropical climate with a hot, humid and rainy season. The heaviest rains are from mid-March to May. From late October – December there are lighter rains. Even though there are rainy seasons, it can still rain at any time! It’s always a good idea to pack a rain jacket just in case.
Our volunteers play an important role in our projects, providing much-needed support, assistance, and individual attention that is crucial for children’s growth and development. As a volunteer for Fonelisco you will be participating in a meaningful way in projects that are valued by the communities with whom we work. Your work makes a difference!
Experience with children is an asset but not obligatory. Tell us your strengths, skills and interests. We have many projects and need different profiles, talents and competences. You should be at least 18 years old and willing to stay at least one month or so. We are looking for motivated, flexible, adaptable, open-minded, communicative and pro-active volunteers who wish to immerse themselves into the African culture and traditions. While volunteering at Fonelisco, we ask that you try to keep an open mind to the new culture around you, as it is likely to be very different than your home country.
We want all of our volunteers to feel welcome and at home while living with us and we are happy to answer questions and offer advice on any issues. Tanzania is a wonderful country, known for its friendly and hospitable people, and although as a country has its difficulties, on the whole, this is a wonderful place to live. We hope your volunteer experience with Fonelisco will be a rewarding, enjoyable and full of memorable moments.