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Description
KARIBU FRIENDS!
How are you?
My name is Baraka and together with my wife Juliana and our great colleagues/volunteers we are working very hard to support the most vulnerable children in the Arusha region by running both a home and a school in the Sakala village, close to Loliondo, Tanzania.
The project was founded in 2003 with the purpose to provide quality education and the best possible living conditions to children from our community who live in poverty. It is our vision that the students and their families will be inspired to attain their full potential and get the necessary educational foundation to reach social and economic independence through our work.
We have already accomplished quite a lot in the past couple of years. 8 classrooms were built, whereby two of them are being used as temporary dormitories for the boys, as the amount of children is growing year by year. 300 kids are currently enrolled in the school and more than 200 of them are living with us. We have 18 teachers and 9 support staff.
At the moment, we are primarily focused on further improving the living conditions for our children. The dormitories (incl. washrooms) for the girls are nearly finished, but we urgently need to build dormitories and washrooms for the boys. In addition, we would like to build a proper nursery place for our students as well as a volunteer house on school grounds, so that the volunteers will be closer to the school in the future. Furthermore, we intend to plant several trees on our campus and improve the already existing buildings at the school (such as toilets and staff room).
On top of providing general education, we run a health and education program that is dedicated to tackling the inherent health and cultural issues our community faces, such as HIV/AIDS and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
The village, Loliondo, is located in the heart of a Maasai community bordering the world famous Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Park (both considered a world biological reserve for the wildlife it contains). It is a safe place and you will find the local people to be overly friendly, welcoming and eager to get to know you! We are happy to enrich your stay with us even further by organizing safari trips to Serengetti and Ngorongoro. We can organize all types of safari trips from budget/camping options to hotels and lodges inside the parks. Since we are so close, day trips are a possibility too!
We hope you are curious to join our project as we believe that it will be a life-changing experience. Not only because you will be able to support us on our mission but also because it will change your perception of our community, our country and Africa as whole! You will be immersed into daily life, and be able to better understand our culture, history and language. You will get to know the Maasai culture, their traditions, maasai bomas, dances,maasai market and even a couple of words in Maasai language.
If you need more information, we are happy to answer all your questions and give advice on general issues such as health, culture, weather, excursions, travel, visas, safety and special events. Generally, travelling by yourself is not a problem or unsafe. We are happy to guide you all the way to us and make sure someone assists you along the way.
Please don´t hesitate to reach out to us!
We hope to hear from you soon!Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity WorkArt ProjectsLanguage practiceTeachingGardeningDIY and building projectsFarmstay helpBabysitting and creative playHospitality/TourismGeneral MaintenanceHelp with Computers/ InternetUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We believe we can offer a life-changing experience to our volunteers!!
Not only because you will be able to help us in our great challenge of keeping the school running but also because it will change how you see our community, our country, Africa!
You will be immersed into our daily lives, understand deeply our culture, our history, our language. We are sure you will learn Swahili and Massai words. You will understand Maasai culture, their traditions, their homes, dancing, the maasai market, etc.
Besides, we can organize safari trips to Serengetti and Ngorongoro parks (considered two of the bests for wildlife spotting) which are very close to our home. We can organize all types of safari trips from budget/camping options to hotels and lodges inside the parks. Since we are so close, day trips are a possibility too!
Please let us know if you also would be interested in having a certification of appreciation upon completion of your volunteer in the project, so we can arrange it for you.Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
FUNDRAISING AND AWARENESS
In order to further develop, improve conditions and keep the school running, we mostly need help with fundraising and grants. There is a lot of work being done every day, but still the biggest challenge is money.
We would truly appreciate the help of volunteers who could come up with new financing ideas, how to make new partnerships or create a way for us to make money independently. So, if you are willing and/or have experience with grant writing, fundraising, report writing or if you know organizations, people or businesses which could support us, you could make a huge difference!
We also constantly try to improve the project strategically (e.g. processes like finding easier ways of money transfers, registering/cooperating with bigger NGO’s to gain more reach and knowledge etc.).
In order to get further support in the future, we try to create more awareness for our project around the world. Thus, we invite volunteers to actively manage our Social Media sites (i.e. Facebook and Instagram) with content creation.
ADDITIONAL HELP
Volunteers are also very welcome to use the skills they have to contribute to our project, especially within our school, health program and community.
This means you can be directly involved in the available daily activities and join us in teaching English or any other subject, artwork, playing with children, help with preparing meals, help with housework, homework, general counseling, computers/internet as well as gardening.
We hope you will feel at home and introduce your own idea / project!Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Swahili (Kiswahili): FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.Accommodation
ACCOMODATION
Volunteers are welcomed to stay at our premises, in one of our project's accommodations. We offer simple but clean, comfortable living spaces. You will either stay in a single or shared (same gender) room, depending on the host situation and peak versus off-peak seasons. The bathroom is shared with other people in the accommodation. We provide volunteers with towels, bed linens and blankets laundries.
We also have plenty space around if you want to bring your own sleeping bags, camping tents, etc.
Single travellers are welcome and it is a safe place. We make sure to assist you in any way.
FOOD
Volunteers are offered three meals a day (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and vegetarian meals are also available. We offer locally available, fresh and nutritious food in meals held together with other volunteers and people working at the project as well. Please let us know in advance if you have any special restriction so we can adjust it for you!What else ...
VISA INFO AND COSTS
In order to be in compliance with the Tanzania requirements, the volunteer must get a
TOURIST VISA
This can be obtained upon arrival at the airport or border crossing. Visitors from most countries need to obtain this visa including Europeans, Americans and nationals from Commonwealth countries such as New Zealand, Canada and Australia. It is valid for 90 days.
COSTS: USD$100.00 for American passport. USD$50.00 for all other countries. In both cases to be paid in cash at the immigration office. Please check the Tanzania Tourism website for updated information.
Please note that the work permits “CLASS G1 WORK VISAS – VOLUNTEERS, NGO WORKERS, and MISSIONARIES” are usually too complicated to get and unnecessary for short periods of time (less than 90 days). For periods of more than 3 months, please email us to enquire about additional visa requirements and related costs.
HOW TO GET TO OUR PROJECT FROM ARUSHA
The closest international airport is the Kilimanjaro Airport and it is located 50 minutes from Arusha, the biggest city in our region. Also, Arusha Airport is an option if you are coming from Dar es salam or Zanzibar.
From Arusha you can reach our project location by bus "Loliondo coach" (6-9 hours, 23.000 TZS). We are happy to help you organizing your trip!
WHAT TO PACK
Besides suitable clothes for hot days, please also include some light jackets for the night / windy days. Also a rain coat, if you are coming in the raining season. And bring with you flip flops and hiking boots or shoes to allow you to explore the mountains in the surroundings.
Since it is not easy to get medication and other related items close by, please also bring sunscreen and mosquito repellent besides your normal medication. Also, some people take Malaria prophylaxis pills when traveling to Tanzania so please check if you would like to take them (however, note that our project is located in a higher area of Tanzania, with more than 1800 mt. of sea level, and for this reason it is a rare disease here). We also recommend to bring powerbank because we have electricity but sometimes breakdown may occur.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
We are based in Loliondo Arusha and we have enough for all van parking , your most welcome to our Home.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (74)
From the first… read more
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Cultural exchange:
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Communication:
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From the first… read more
I joined the School without any expectations, it was far better than anything I could have expected.
Where should I begin... maybe with the Loliondo Coach, one of the most important part of the process :) After a very, very, veryyyy long and beautiful journey through the… read more
Second, the school is a dream that come true: without even mentioning the fact that they are giving… read more
It was an incredible experience, certainly outside the comfort zone, but which allows you as a volunteer to give a great help to the school by participating in lessons or donating and building structures.
You can immerse yourself very easily in the true Maasai culture, far from mass tourism. Furthermore, Safaris can… read more
I stayed at the school for 4 weeks and it was such a wonderful and memorable time.
The bus ride from Arusha was already an adventure for someone like me, who'd never been to Africa before. But the scenery was absolutely gorgeous!!! At the school I was welcomed by everyone: Juliana, all the other volunteers,… read more
Baraka and Juliana, the project founders, are indeed invaluable… read more
Your kind words warm our hearts, and we're truly grateful for the remarkable experience we shared with you. You've become an integral part of our family, and your presence has left a lasting impact. Your dedication and contributions have been beyond words, and we appreciate everything you've done for us.
We would gladly recommend… read more
I spent two weeks here and what can I say: I had wonderful days!
This experience allows you to fully experience Africa, its culture, the local people, nature but above all the students.
More than 100 children and teenagers live within the school and living there with them allows you to fully… read more
For years I have dreamed of doing a volunteer mission in Africa and I came across this organisation by chance, I couldn't have dreamed better...
It was without a doubt the most beautiful human experience of my life... The children are great, every moment you spend with them will be moments engraved in your heart and your… read more
The kids… read more
In general, my experience was simply wonderful.
First of all, everyone is super welcoming, the kids, the staff, the teachers, and of course Juliana and Baraka (the school's directors) and Lidya (who works at… read more
We stayed at the school for 3 weeks, it was an amazing experience. Kids are wonderful and really funny. We spent time with them in different ways: we joined their lessons, we played with them, we went on hike,…
Juliana, Baraka and Lydia are beautiful people, they take care of the volunteers and make you feel at home.… read more
We spent there more or less two weeks and we really appriciated the hospitality of all members of the school.
During our permanence we had the possibility to help the teachers with their lessons, play with kids and help in cooking.
Furthermore we had a lot of experience… read more
- One thing I have to mention here is that the experience worths the bus trip sooooo much ! -
The work done at the school by Juliana, Baraka, Lidya, and all the teachers and staff members is amazing. These people are… read more
Thank you for this experiens, I really want to come back!!
For sure you made a mark on our hearts...
Thank you so much for your time, loving heart to the kids and your big support.
The kids will miss your company,dancing, etc
You spend time with us and left when we still need you, you were
Working very hard to support us,
I would recommend you to work at any project... You… read more
We were so well looked after by Juliana, Baraka and Madame Lidya (our roomie) and felt welcome from the moment we arrived. All of the staff and teachers were so friendly and they all work so hard to look after the children. We… read more
The children and the school… read more
We are very grateful for your good heart, and a big support that you gave to us.
We have also seen a lot of love to our children here at school.
You are hard working and all the time you were ready to help.
I would recommend you to come back as soon… read more
I've done an amazing experience, met so many friends and entered in connection with so many beautifull students. I came here with my little female dog, that can travel with me in the airplane. We have played with the… read more
Since it was the beginning of the school year, there was a lot of work to be done. We helped teach in all classes and subjects (even without prior teaching experience, we… read more
We initially planned to spend 5 days in the school, but then we extended to two weeks..enough to simply love it.
We felt part of the team and welcomed by the kids from the first moment We walked into the school. Mr Baraka, Mama and Lidya work hard to run the school that gives home to many kids of the Loliondo area and around.
Thanks… read more
you have became a part of familly to us. we will always recommend you to any volunteering that you will go because you are amaizing. you have done many to us that we cannot mention. thank you so much and hope to see you soon together with beatrice because the kids and school… read more
The school is located in Loliondo, a beautiful maasai area. You… read more
We slept in a room espacially for us, close to girls dormitory. We… read more
Baraka, Juliana, Lydia and all other team members welcomed us with open arms. They all are super friendly, open minded and passionated and we felt comfortable from the first moment. The volunteer rooms are… read more
I almost never had that feeling, but this time words seem to me really not enough. I’d have a “1000 reasons” to advice you to come volunteering in the school, but the most important one is that you will receive right in your face one of the best life lesson possible. Thank you guys for reminding me what was real happiness, being… read more
Honestly, living with you is like being in a family. I was supposed to stay two weeks and it turned into a month! Thanks to you I was able to acclimatize,… read more
The family of Baraka and Juliana is wonderful, very generous and the food, crazy good, the amazing chapati of the world jeje
I couldn't teach nothing at the school because was holidays but I learn a lot and… read more
My experience in this workaway was fantastic! I stayed 1 and a half month in Baraka and Juliana’s house and was one of the best experiences in my life!
The family is extremely polite ans kind, always doing their best to help you, and i had very good moments with their daughters.
Its also impossible to not to fall in love… read more
Unfortunately we arrived just before the holidays and did not get the chance to spend much time with the kids.
Volunteers must be autonomous in the project since the mission is not really defined.
However a great… read more
I can't express how grateful I am for everything you did for me and for the amazing time I sent at yours! The second I arrived I knew that the two weeks I had time to stay at yours wouldn't be enough. And I was right, the time went by so fast. Your hospitality is amazing and the food absolutely delicious, everything you do… read more
Juliana and Baraka are absolutely wonderful people. They are open-minded, ready to share everything with you if you are willing to.
I spent one and a half month in Sakala village,… read more
They treat you like a guest from the beginning, always polite and willing to help you with anything you need. The food is amazing (true african cooking), and although the house is a very simple place, they offer you as much confort as they can while you are… read more
We were in Loliondo for about one and a half month this past winter, and it felt way to short. We made friendships that will last for a lifetime during our stay. This was our first time volunteering in Tanzania and we can't wait to go back. We helped out by speaking english with the children, playing with them… read more
Tkank you… read more
It is true that you are in our memory and we are red miss you, thank you for coming to our project and we are hope one day you will come again. We love you so much.
and God be with you
Thank you
B.
Unfortunately we stayed just 1 week with this wonderful people, far too short!!! Especially the kids are amazing- if you give them a smile it is… read more
I hope you are doing well. Thank you for coming to our project, we missing you much and we are still remember you and loving you.Three weeks of Loving, caring and commitment at the school had a huge impact to the project.M&D and have been helpful to the project without considering the new environment and new culture they have… read more
We only wish we'd have brought more balls for the… read more
If you are interested in joining this beautiful project feel free to do so. It was a environment where I could safely experience a different way of life .
I spent close to a month in the community of the boarding school helping to teach English classes, edit online fundraisers, exploring the Masaai villages wildlife parks local markets, and simply feeling connected to the group of teachers and pupils, whether playing word games, maiz harvest processing, or learning a little… read more
Thank you so much for joing our project Its was really great having you here in Loliondo Arusha Tanzania you are flexible and ready for African life. The Children at school, Britten, Juliana and me we have already miss you and hope to see you again in future. Karibui sana
I am very happy for coming again in our project. I hope your enjoying to be with us. And also I hope you will go to the Masai village, let us work together. Karibu sana
And buy the way, the touristique visa is 50$ for 3 months,… read more