Description
The Tanzanian
Children’s Fund (TCF) is dedicated to improving the lives of marginalized
children in the Karatu region of Northern Tanzania. The Rift Valley Children’s
Village (RVCV or the Children’s Village) was created in 2003 to provide a
loving home and a life of opportunity for orphaned children. Today, almost 100
children lead happy, healthy lives at the Children’s Village. They receive far
more than food, clothing, and shelter – each child at the Children’s Village
grows up securely knowing that they are loved and that they are an integral
part of this unique community. They are not up for adoption; the Children’s
Village is their permanent family, nurturing them to become productive citizens
and future leaders of Tanzania.
Volunteer at the
Rift Valley Children’s Village in Tanzania:
Volunteering
at the Rift Valley Children’s Village is a wonderful experience for volunteers
as well as for our children. Volunteering involves hard work, doing without
many comforts or luxuries to which you might be accustomed and throwing
yourself into tasks and projects that may be completely new to you.
Our days begin early
(6:15a.m.) and do not end until our last child has been put to bed (about
7:30p.m.). The “work” you will be asked to do may vary according to
what you are assigned to. Everyone at the Children’s Village is expected to
chip in whenever a gap needs to be filled – soothe a child who has just scraped
his knee, assist with afternoon and weekend activities, help with bath time,
and help with tutoring our children. Our main goal of the Children’s Village is
to assure that our children feel loved and valued each and every day. In short,
this may be the most difficult and the most rewarding work you have ever done.
Still interested? Read on…
If you have chosen
to volunteer, then you are clearly someone who loves children, likes to participate
and take initiative, doesn’t mind getting dirty, and who thrives in a group
setting. Volunteers are assigned to a specific job(s) during their time here
based upon his or her skills and interests and our needs, but are expected to
pitch in whenever a need arises. Our Volunteer Coordinator and our other
volunteers are always there to help guide you through your first days until you
are comfortable with our routine. You are rewarded daily for your efforts – a
smile on a child’s face, a group hug from the kids, an appreciative word from
other members of the staff – whatever amount of yourself you choose to give,
you will get back tenfold in so many wonderful ways.
If you are
interested in volunteering at the Rift Valley Children’s Village, please keep
in mind the following policies:
- We are
unable to host volunteers who are under 21 years of age without a
chaperone. - Our
minimum length of term for volunteers is 3 weeks and our maximum is 6
months.
How
to apply
To apply to
volunteer at RVCV, please emaila copy of your current resume to our volunteer
coordinator Heather Sibet at volunteeratrvcv@gmail.com.
You will additionally need to fill out our volunteer application, sign our
release agreement, and provide Volunteer Fees for Room & Board,
Administrative Fee, and the Tanzanian Residence Permit.
