Volunteer responsibilities?

• The Centre is looking for professionals willing to pass on their skills within their taught professional areas as well as enthusiastic young people looking to teach English. The center’s management is especially interested in acquiring new skills, learning about new teaching methodologies and technological progress.
• Volunteer responsibilities primarily focus on teaching English and providing assistance to the Centre’s staff regarding the preparation of teaching materials and providing supplementary methodological training for the teachers (e.g. team work, self-guide learning, etc.). According to your personal skill set you are also invited to teach further classes. Even though a teacher will be present at all times self-initiative and flexibility are absolutely necessary for a successful placement at the Centre.
• Both at the Centre and in daily life the prominent saying of „pole, pole“ (slow, slow) has become part of Tanzanian mentality. Patience thus is a most important quality every volunteer should administer to avoid frustration and misunderstandings.

What to expect?

• Pioneer work – the Centre is accepting volunteers to the school for the first time, as this possibility has only recently been made available through embedding the Centre into an NGO. Even though our second chairman of the board and a further member of Bonfaremo are currently offering English tutoring classes, the two are not full-time volunteers at the Centre. Self-initiative, flexibility and a certain amount of courage will thus be necessary to succeed (Please note: Msafiri English Medium Pre- and Primary School is within a 10 minute walking distance. Usually the school is hosting numerous volunteers giving you the opportunity for exchanging ideas, socializing, etc.).
• Kiswahili classes and a lively introduction into the Tanzanian culture
• In the school and in the house you will be warmly welcomed and lovingly accepted into the community. Gasiano Senzighe in particular, due to his many years of experience, has a way of making each volunteer feel specially welcomed
• Even if the school is prepared for European visitors, culture shock is not to be avoided. Specifically the different approach to education, the often lacking respect for women, general unreliability, and a restricted sense of privacy can lead to discomfort. Experienced volunteers might be uncomfortable with the diminished sense of independence: in Tanzania, it is considered good form to accompany one’s guests everywhere, be it on foot or by car. If this is a source of discomfort, volunteers are strongly advised to communicate their readiness to be independent – which will become easier to assert over time.

What should you bring?

• Pre-requisites for a stay at Kisangara are openness, curiosity, a little bit of adventurousness (from Mt Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti, East Africa has much to offer), and joy at the prospect of working with people of very different cultural and social backgrounds. A volunteer must accept the fact that integrating into local culture will not be an easy task and openly approach the cultural exchange.
• Although experience in pedagogic areas or an attained profession are of an advantage, these are not required for a placement at the Centre
• Good to advanced English skills are compulsory.
• Fluency in Kiswahili is not required. However, due to missing secondary education, only few students speak English. Acquiring basic proficiency in Kiswahili is thus most helpful in facilitating communication and integration into the school’s community as well as life in Tanzania in general.

Who will be your contact person?

• Gasiano Senzighe, the director and founder of Malage, will be your dedicated contact person in Tanzania. Having lived in Europe and being able to draw from his employment as safari guide Gasiano is well adapted to accommodating the needs of foreign guests.
  Msafiri English Medium Pre- and Primary School is within a 10 minute walking distance from the Centre. Grace Mngara (56), the dean of the school, has more than 15 years of experience in welcoming volunteers from all around the world. She will also be at your disposal should you encounter any problems and should be in need of additional assistance.

Where will you live?

• Two rooms in Gasiano’s house on school campus have been set aside for volunteers. Clean beds, running water, electricity and meals are provided. Sanitary facilities are very basic meaning you should be willing to make sacrifices regarding your personal standards.
• Visitors from home (e.g family or friends) are also welcome to stay with the project, however, are asked to contribute to food and accommodation.

What are the costs?

• For food and accommodation you will be asked to contribute 11 EUR per day in the first 3 weeks of your stay and 8 EUR per day starting in week four. Payment is to be made in advance to your stay through Bonfaremo.

How to get to MALAGE WORKSHOP & VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE?

• The Centre is conveniently located between Tanzania’s economic capital Dar es Salaam and the city of Arusha, approximately two hours from Kilimanjaro Airport. Airport transfer can be arranged at costs of approximately 65 USD.
• Nairobi and Dar es Salaam are other possible flight destinations. Please note that no airport transfer can be offered, however, we are happy to provide you with assistance regarding transportation from the airport to Kisangara.

How to apply or get more information?

• All volunteers should apply through our sponsor organization Bonfaremo (volunteer@bonfaremo.org).