VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES & PROJECTS Volunteers
would be useful in lending their support and manpower to these initiatives using whatever skills and knowledge they have that may be useful to this project.
PROGRAMME LEGNTHS Volunteers need to be on the programme for at least 2 months up to 6 months.or more Working hours are from 8am 4pm.
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS Volunteers will be accommodated at the Orphanage Project Site or Project Coordinator direct where Hotel is good for Volunteer . Meals are available at the Orphanage Project Site and will include both western and traditional dishes if Volunteer does not like that ,volunteers she/he seeking another food for that .
TRANSPORT The volunteers will be transported by public transport, also public transport can also be used during free time as it is safe, reliable and reasonably priced.
VOLUNTEER ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES Volunteers will be picked up from the Mwanza airport, which is 12-14 minutes away from the project by car. The volunteers will be picked up by the Project Leader or another member of the project. The volunteers can arrive any day during the week. On the day of departure, volunteers will be transported back to Mwanza Airport in order to catch their plane home.
VACCINATIONS AND MEDICATION Volunteers need to obtain a valid yellow fever certificate, no less than ten days prior to travel. It is imperative that volunteers obtain malaria prophylactics before entering Tanzania. Volunteers are also strongly advised to bring with them any other precautionary items. E.g. insect repellent and mosquito nets. Volunteers are also advised to get immunized against cholera, polio, hepatitis A & B, typhoid and tetanus before coming to Tanzania.
It is strongly advised that volunteers obtain medical insurance prior to entering Tanzania. Furthermore, if volunteers are on medication, it is advised that they bring this medication with them rather than trying to purchase it in Tanzania.
FACILITIES There is a doctor / medical facility very close to the project. Banks and Foreign exchange facilities are available at the airport and in all major towns. Banking hours are from 8:30 12:30 pm Monday to Friday. And 8:30 - 13:30 on Saturdays. Visas and Mastercards are accepted at most hotels and shopsVolunteers are advised to bring US Dollars cash or traveller’s cheques. Tipping is forbidden, but is still accepted as a friendly gesture. Please note: Volunteers must only drink boiled or bottled water, or bottled or canned drinks.
LANGUAGE & CULTURE The official language is Swahili (Kiswahili), which is spoken predominantly with a few other local languages. Kiswahili is the language the primary schools teach in. English is the second official language and the country’s commercial language. English is also the teaching language for all the scientific subjects in secondary schools and higher education institutions. Arabic is widely spoken in the coastal areas of Tanzania, particularly in Zanzibar. It is advised that volunteers try to learn a few KiSwahili words before coming over, as this is greatly respected by the local people.
Some useful KiSwahili Greetings:
Greetings (to locals) = Habari gani
Greetings (to foreigners)= Jambo, shikamu
Thank you (correct reply to greeting) =Marahaba
Thank you = Asante
Rafiki (ma) = Friend (s)
Goodbye = Kwaheri / Tutaonana
Where are you going? = Unakwenda wapi?
You are welcome = come in Karibu
Tanzania’s culture is a result of African, Arab, European and Indian influences. The African people of Tanzania represent about 120 tribal groups. The largest groups are of Bantu origin including Sukuma, Nyamwezi, Haya and Chagga. Traditional African ideals are deliberately adapted to modern life. The Tanzanians are friendly people, to foreigners and amongst themselves. Politeness, respect and modesty are highly valued. Handshakes are very important and you may continue holding hands during conversation. Note that the right hand is usually used for eating, while the left is traditionally used for toilet duties. Immodest attire, public affection and open anger are disrespectful to the Tanzanian people. In Zanzibar it is important for women to dress modestly out of respect to the Muslim cultural beliefs. Men should not wear shorts on the main island, and women should wear dresses that cover their shoulders and knees
CLIMATE
There are three main climatic areas in Tanzania; the coastal area and immediate hinterland, where conditions are tropical with temperatures averaging 26.°C (80°), rainfall varying from, 40 to 76 inches and high in humidity; the central plateau, which is hot and dry (rainfall 20 to 30 inches), although with considerable daily and seasonal temperature variations and the third region is the semi-temperate highland areas, where the climate is healthy and cool. There is seasonal variation in the Lake Victoria area. The eastern sections average only 30 to 40 inches of rain, while the western parts receive up to 90 inches. A small area north of Lake Malawi receive 100 inches of rain. There are two rainy seasons; from November to December and from April to mid-June.
Introduction
Situated in East Africa, just south of the equator, mainland Tanzania lies between the area of the great lakes; Victoria, Tanganyika and Malawi - with the Indian Ocean on its' coastline to the east. It has land borders with Uganda and Kenya to the north, Mozambique and Malawi to the south, Zambia to the southwest and Zaire, Burundi and Rwanda to the west.
The country lies at an altitude of over 1,000ft, apart from a coastal strip varying in width from 10 to 40 miles. The greater part of the country is made up of plateau averaging 3,000 to 4,500ft in height. Mountains are grouped in various section. The Pare and Usambara ranges are in the northeast and the Livingstone Mountains in the southwest. Kilimanjaro (19,340ft) in the north is the highest mountain in Africa.
On the borders are three large lakes; Victoria, the second-largest freshwater lake in the world, Tanganyika, second only to Lake Baykal as the deepest in the world; and Lake Malawi. Lakes within Tanzania include Natron, Eyasi, Manyara and Rukwa.
Even though three great African rivers; the Nile, the Zaire and the Zambezi, have their origins in Tanzania, the country has few permanent rivers. During half the year, the central plateau has no running water, but in the rainy season flooding presents a problem. Lowest Point: Indian Ocean 0m Highest Point: Kilimanjaro 5,
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