MISSION TO TANZANIA
A UNIQUE MISSION EXPERIENCE AMONG THE URBAN POOR
Join Father Michael Snyder who is chaplain to the Catholic
Community at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Dar es
Salam. Father Mike recently returned to Tanzania after many years as Maryknoll's
Vocation animator in the U.S. He offers the following Volunteer Service
Opportunity at Msimbazi Centre, Tanzania.
Volunteer Service Opportunity at
Msimbazi Centre Tanzania
Director:
Fr. Benedict Shayo
Job Description:
Teaching business skills to students at the secretarial and tailoring programs.
Duration:
2-3 weeks teaching 2-3 periods per day. This length of time can be extended.
Housing:
Provided at Msimbazi Centre. There may be a refrigerator in the room, but no cooking facilities. The director invites the volunteer to share meals at his home on the campus.
Costs:
The volunteer may wish to take some meals also at the restaurant for visitors situated at the Centre. A meal would average $5. Local transportation (taxi, bus) is inexpensive. A taxi to the downtown area costs about $4 one way. The volunteer would be responsible for any needs she/he may have outside of the actual lodging and regular meal schedule.
Support:
Msimbazi Centre is located just 5 miles from Maryknoll residence. A Maryknoller would visit the volunteer on a regular basis and invite him/her for dinner occasionally. Also, Maryknoller’s assistant would be available to assist the volunteer should he/she need to buy anything or need similar services (travel agent, basic shopping, postal services, etc.). For communal prayer the volunteer would be welcome to pray at the Muhimbili Chapel together with our university student community.
Challenges:
Msimbazi is a well organized pastoral center with many different programs and functions taking place each day. One is never alone there! Adjacent to the Center is the provincial headquarters of the Capuchin Friars. There one can meet several English speaking friars from Switzerland. The Msimbazi complex is a safe environment, so one need not be concerned about personal security when walking around.
Volunteer Service Opportunity at DogoDogo Street Children Progam Tanzania
Director:
Sr. Jean
Pruitt & Mr. Sabas Massawe
Site Description:
This is a street children's program begun 15 years ago in Dar es Salaam. It has two major centres: Kigogo Centre which houses boys who are studying at the primary school level (ages 12-17) and Bunju Technical Training Centre for post for post-primary school graduates (17 years and older). Bunju offers training in tailoring, computer technology, carpentry, and the fine arts.
Job Description:
Varied teaching opportunities in the above-mentioned subjects as well as English. Also, someone with a specialized skill would be welcome for a specific project (eg. Former volunteer who put together a promotional DVD for the center a few summers ago)
Duration: Minimum of 2 months
Housing:
If a volunteer is interested, lodging arrangements might be possible at Bunju Center for someone working there. A volunteer should be prepared to offer $5 - $10 per day should a staff member offer to welcome her/him to their home.
Costs:
Lodging at a staff’ members home may be possible with meals provided. Local transportation (taxi, bus) is available. Bustravel is very inexpensive, but not necessarily the safest way to travel. Taxi service is relatively inexpensive when compared with the States. The volunteer would be responsible for any needs she/he may have outside of the actual lodging arrangements.
Support:
Kigogo Centre is located just 4 miles from Maryknollers residence. Bunju is about 12 miles away. The Maryknoller would expect to visit the volunteer on a regular basis and invite him/her for dinner occasionally. Also, the Maryknoller’s assistant would be available to assist the volunteer should he/she need to buy anything or require varied services (travel agent, basic shopping, postal services, etc.). For community prayer the volunteer would be welcome to pray at the Muhimbili Chapel together with our university student community. We are located close to Kigogo. However, in the case of Bunju the distance would be a factor.
Challenges:
While many people in Dar can speak some English, it is difficult to function without Swahili. The young children at Kigogo would know just a few words. The situation is a bit better with the older ones at Bunju. The classes at Bunju use both languages and there is the possibility of team teaching with a Tanzanian. A volunteer will certainly learn some Swahili quickly upon arrival and will be embraced wholeheartedly by the DogoDogo youth, so ultimately effective communication will take place. However, lack of language skills may cause some frustration.
Volunteer Service Opportunity at The Home of Hope of the Missionaries of Charity, Dar es Salaam, TANZANIA
Director: Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity
Site Description:
This is a a program for the destitute poor located in the Buruhati section of the city. The sisters care for the elderly, orphaned infants, and severely physically and mentally handicapped youth. Volunteers come on a regular basis from throughout the world. Expatriates living in Dar es Salaam also come at regular intervals to offer services. Sisters and staff provide supervision.
Job Description:
Volunteers
are always welcome to spend time with the infants, playing with, bathing and
feeding them. They are also most welcome to spend time with the elderly (both
male and female in separate dormitories). They are also welcome to give care to
the handicapped youth. Specialized skills are not required, but one must have
an abundance of patience and love for such basic services. Volunteers with
skills in physical therapy and care for seniors would find these well used. One
should be in good physical condition as the job could require lifting (getting
patients into and out of bed, having to move them while bathing, etc.)
Duration: Minimum of 2-3 weeks
Housing:
If a volunteer is interested, lodging arrangements may be possible with families in the nearby area or at a low cost hotel just a few kilometers away.
Costs:
All costs are the responsibility of the volunteer. A volunteer should be prepared to be prepared to pay $20 - $30 per day for room and board should he/she choose the hotel option. They should also be prepared to offer a gratuity should they be able to stay with a family. Local transportation (taxi, mini-bus) is available. Bus travel is very inexpensive, but not necessarily the safest way to travel. Taxi service is relatively inexpensive when compared with the States.
Support:
The Home of Hope is located just 5 miles from a Maryknoll residence. A Maryknoller would visit the volunteer on a regular basis and invite him/her for dinner occasionally. Also, a Maryknoll assistant would be available to assist the volunteer should he/she need to buy anything or require varied services (travel agent, basic shopping, postal services, etc.). For community prayer the volunteer would be welcome to pray with the Sisters of Charity who have both daily community prayer and Mass.
Challenges:
While many people in Dar can speak some English, it is difficult to function without Swahili. The Missionaries of Charity are fluent English speakers. Work among the handicapped and infants do not require Swahili. The volunteer can always learn a few Swahili words and thus should have no difficulty working among the elderly. Out in public Swahili can be a challenge. Thus, the lack of language skills may cause some frustration but should not be prohibitive for the short term basis.
