Love Volunteers is a not-for-profit organisation that provides fun, rewarding, safe and affordable volunteering opportunities in developing countries around the world.
Programs in Tanzania for volunteers are offered in and around Arusha in the north of the country. Love Volunteer’s local partner organisation began its work in 2007 when a group of friends came together with the aim of making a difference in one of Tanzania’s poorest communities.
Three years on, that organisation now has 30 local staff, approximately 6-10 international volunteers in Tanzania, and multiple community projects. So far, the organisation’s training and orphanage programs have benefited 160 members of the local community. With this team of competent, passionate staff and volunteers in Tanzania it is hoped that the program can be expanded to reach every member of the community as well as branching out to reach neighboring towns.
The population of Usa River includes many widows and abandoned women, as a result of HIV. Social stigma means that on many occasions a woman who admits to having HIV will be abandoned by her husband, although it may be from him that she contracted the infection. Often, the community turns its back on such women and their children, who will then have to fend for themselves. Lacking skills, these abandoned women are rarely able to find jobs.
Our local partner’s goal is to eliminate the social stigma associated with HIV/AIDS through social and sex education, and to provide the widows with job skills so that they can support themselves and their families and be re-integrated into the community.
Currently 45 women are enrolled on the one-year program, which focuses on learning about agriculture. This helps them understand how to grow vegetables from seeds in order to sell the produce for a profit; to construct animal housing and purchase chicks and piglets to be raised and sold. Financial skills are also taught. By the end of their year on the program, the women have money in the bank and are able to stand on their own feet financially.
The following year we accept a new group of 45 women who are fostered and mentored by the group that just graduated. This creates a supporting community in which women can work together to generate revenue and put their children through school.
For this project volunteers are sought who have experience with small business or project management. We also need volunteers who can teach personal finance, agriculture and sexual education. We also welcome volunteers in Tanzania who lack experience but have a desire to learn.
Fees for volunteer programs in Tanzania start at US$210 for the first week, which includes accommodation (with a host family), food, an airport pick-up, orientation and 24/7 in-country support.
Please note that to volunteer in Tanzania you will need a work permit. Love Volunteers can serve as a liaison with the Immigration Department to obtain the work permit for you within a day or two of arrival, or you can obtain this from your nearest Tanzanian diplomatic mission before you travel.
For more information please visit: http://lovevolunteers.org/programs/volunteer-hivaids-programs-tanzania-volunteer-widows-tanzania
How to apply
Please visit: http://lovevolunteers.org/user/register