EdUKaid

Volunteers are an integral and very important part of EdUKaid’s work. The volunteers are one of the most visible expressions of our commitment to support education in the Mikindani area. With the volunteers our focus is on supporting the teaching of English both Primary and Secondary schools via volunteer teachers; however, at different times we may also need volunteers for research purposes. The research positions of course differ greatly as they are always focusing on a particular aspect of a specific project.

About Volunteer Teachers

English is a vital part of the syllabus in Tanzania. Whilst Primary lessons are conducted in Swahili, all Secondary subjects are taught in English. Therefore, it is crucial that all Secondary pupils have a very strong grasp of English to succeed during their Secondary School years and beyond.

EdUKaid has a very strong relationship with the local schools and we are determined to assist them in their efforts to provide the best possible education for the students. All the schools in the area are faced with a lack of teachers which of course just makes our support even more vital.

All of our volunteers start their placement with ‘homestay’. For two weeks the volunteer will live in an average home in one of the villages we support. The volunteer will live as part of the household which means helping in every task the family undertakes from collecting water and farming to looking after the children and cooking previously alien dishes.

It is usually the single most demanding experience that the volunteers undertake during their stay but it is also highly rewarding. It provides volunteers with an understanding of the life lived by an average family in Mikindani. Also it is the best possible manner to learn the basics of Swahili, as well as local manners and customs.

During the second week of the homestay the volunteers will gather for a couple of hours each day at the EdUKaid base house named Mottisfont. Here the volunteer coordinator will prepare the volunteers for their teaching responsibilities as well as answer any questions that may have arisen during the homestay. After the homestay the volunteers move into ‘Mottisfont’ and they will then begin with the teaching at the schools.

For us to make sure that we have the most positive impact via our projects we need to monitor and assess them. We of course have an internal system but as part of our quality assurance we also seek people from outside the organisation who can conduct high quality assessment of our projects. Also when we are looking into new projects we might seek people with a particular skill set and specific knowledge to conduct research as to make sure that we only end up establishing projects that are actually feasible. The length of a research period of course depends on the individual study but would not normally be for less than 3 months.

As with volunteer teachers, we expect that a researcher begin the stay by living for two weeks with a local family. It is a very good introduction to the area but more importantly an introduction to the life of families in and around Mikindani. It is though as most volunteers will be staying in a mud-hut with no running water or electricity and where the kitchen is a few pots and pans and a fireplace. But apart from this it is a very rewarding experience as it broadens once horizons and understanding. After the homestay the researcher will move into our house called Mottisfont. It is a big two storey house with room for ten people. It serves as a base house for our volunteers where the volunteers can relax, prepare lessons, or work on their research without being disturbed.

‘Being a volunteer for EdUKaid has been challenging in ways it is impossible to imagine from the UK. Home-stay is one of the most memorable, rewarding, fascinating and unique experiences I have had the opportunity to do. It pushes you to the limits of your ability to adapt to life in an entirely different culture; it also throws you headlong into developing your knowledge of Swahili from day one. The teachers are friendly and helpful and respond well to a motivated and enthusiastic approach.’
Sophie Hillier, Volunteer 2006-2007

‘Living and working in Africa is a hugely challenging yet rewarding experience; nothing can be predicted and improvisation and team work are crucial. This can often lead to very bizarre, amusing and unique experiences whether it is roasting food in the ground for a party or trying to dig out a lorry from mud up to its axles. The testing, varied and demanding nature of volunteering with EdUKaid means that both professionally and socially you develop immensely as a character and learn many new skills which is an excellent preparation for future work and for life in general.’
Tim Dench, Project Manager, 2005-2007.