HIV/AIDS Project Tanzania

HIV/AIDS Education and Care Project Tanzania

Project Overview

   Despite global concerns and efforts AIDS is deadly disease which is still a huge killer in Africa. HIV/AIDS prevention and counseling projects in Tanzania are an attempt to prevent further transmission through education and awareness. The projects also provide moral support to those affected and help them to build self esteem and hope in their lives.

   Volunteers in this program will care for HIV/AIDS infected children and adults and get them involved in educational activities with focus on safe sex. Educational materials are provided.

   Volunteer involvement  

 Volunteers help with the following activities:

• Care for and encourage HIV/AIDS patients.
• Counseling and education in hospitals and communities.
• Encourage young men and women by involving them to actively participate in HIV/AIDS preventive education in the district
• Help various HIV/AIDS organizations in their community outreach programs such as hospice care, recreational and educational programs, voluntary HIV counseling and testing, seminars and conferences on the virus within the community.
• Counseling for the caretakers and distributing medication and food supplies.
• Assist with homecare visits to HIV positive people.

   Medical training is not necessary for all aspects of the program but a background in HIV/AIDS and basic health care is preferred.

   Volunteers without medical background will help to educate and entertain children and other practical tasks.

   You will almost certainly be asked to help with informal teaching for children and adults. Your role could include activities in nurseries, children’s homes, with HIV/Aids victims, helping adults to practice their English and arranging fun activities.

Volunteers will need to be pro-active in organizing activities they particularly want to get up and running.

Location

   The Project is located in the centre of Arusha Town and is roughly one hour away from Kilimanjaro International Airport or 10 minutes drive from Arusha central coach station.

Accommodation and Food

  Accommodation is down to the choice of the individual volunteer. There is the option of staying with a host family located near to wear the project is based or to stay in our volunteer house.

   Each has its own advantages. Staying with a host Family will allow you to really immerse yourself into the local culture and learn the local language.

   The volunteer house will allow you to meet other volunteers who are on the same project as you or working on other projects in the area. It is a great change to share ideas and support one another in you experience.

   The house provides a comfortable, safe, homely environment and includes shared living facilities, running water, hot showers, western style bathroom facilities and TV/DVD sitting room for rest and recreation in the evenings.

   Three meals will be provided each and every day at both accommodations, and normally consists of a variety of local style foods, Meats, seafood’s and vegetarian options.

Qualification requirements

   There are no specific qualifications that are necessary to our volunteer programs. Just a good dose of enthusiasm and any previous experience is warmly welcomed. Whether you are a gap year student, undergraduate, on a career break, looking for some thing different from life or retired everyone is welcomed onto our programs.  

Skills requirements

   You need to be able to work comfortably by yourself and be self motivated as there are times where you are left to your own devises.

Physical fitness

   Volunteers need to be physically fit as the project requires movement from one place to the other and at some times being on you feet for long periods of time. Also the local environment can take its toll on some people especially those who are not use to tropical weather or the African heat. This climatic condition can tier some people very quickly and in some cases if spent to long in the sun can make you feel ill.

 Typical Working day

   The typical working day starts at 9 in the morning after being provided breakfast by your host family or at the volunteer house. The morning working session will take you up to 1.30 in the afternoon where you will normal receive lunch at the project you are working with. The afternoon session will commence at 2.30 and finish anytime from 3 to 5 depending on the work required of that day. The typical working week is 20 to 30 hours.

   On the first day of the project you will meet the project co-coordinator who will explain your role as a volunteer. The orientation will cover all the relevant information about your project including safety issues. An individual time table will be worked out with depending on the hours you want to work and the tasks that the projects have at that time.

Know before you go

   Remember that there is addition Visa costs which will be dealt with in country. Also take care in knowing what medical insurance and vaccinations to take before your departure. Will we provide you with all the relevant information and advice once you have signed up to this project?

Program costs

   Costs vary depending on length of stay, ranging from 400 USD for 2 weeks, up to 900 USD for 12 weeks, and includes airport pick-up (not for boarding school), room and boarding during entire stay, Project manual, Travel expenses to and from projects, 24-hour emergency support, assistance from a local coordinator and introduction days.

Extra Activities

   Located on the foot hills of Mt Meru which creates a beautiful landscape view, Arusha provides a large diversity of activities and adventures. Having Arusha National park boarding the town and being the base point for the national parks in the Northern safari circuit such as Lake Manyara, the Serengeti, Tarangrie and Ngorogoro creator not to mention Mt Meru and Kilimanjaro national parks makes Arusha a truly wonderful place for holiday makers, travelers, and Volunteers.   

      With Tanzania allocating more its land to National Parks than any other country in the world, most located near Arusha, you are sure to find the animal and natural environments that you desire. Here you will find the big five including over 25 000 other animals and over 400 bird species, not forgetting that over 120 tribes exist in Tanzania many of them living in Arusha so making it a colorful and truly vibrant culture.  

     There is also the option of a range of cultural trips available. With the Maasai tribe inhabiting the land in and around Arusha it is most recommended to visit a Boma, a small family unit in which the Maasai live, and experience their unique way of living. Also available are the coffee plantation tours in which they’re riff in the area and the Tanzanite cultural experience, the opportunity to learn about and purchase a jewel stone a 1000 times rarer than diamond and only found in Tanzania. Other trips include water fall and forest hikes, cycle rides and canoeing safaris.

    Arusha Town also boosts a large number and diversity of Hotels, lodges, backpackers and restaurants, providing beautiful, relaxing locations with great food and drink at very low costs.

 Enrolment

 To enroll, fill in our volunteer application form located at  our site

Please add a letter of motivation in English describing yourself and explain why you wish to work as a volunteer, attached with a picture of yourself.

Upon receipt of your enrolment, we will mail you a confirmation, an invoice, and a pre-departure handbook.

Before you leave you will receive detailed information about your local coordinator, project and accommodation.

To read more about your program placement location, fees and date in Tanzania then go to our site page.

Your program fee contributes towards personalized volunteer placement, project donation, language instruction, cultural education, meals, accommodation and transportation to and from all placements and programs. It also contributes towards pre-departure guidance from headquarters staff and 24 hour access to in-country staff.

Let us serve the poor, the unfortunate and the lonely according to the graces we have received. Let us do the humble work adventurously with enthusiasm.

Whenever you think, you alone won’t make much a difference to the deprived

Remember: You alone matter MUCH to them.

Contact info

Executive Director

P.O.BOX 14,950 Arusha -Tanzania

Tel/Fax; +255 272546233; mobile;+255 655 707 352