PROACTIVE-Join in and organize activities for the toddlers, see what needs to be done for the other babies or to assist the staff.
PATIENT-Things move slowly in Africa. Relax and enjoy the slow pace. Remember that life here is not as organized and predictable as life in America or Europe!
FLEXIBLE-Plans change and we need you to “go with the flow” so to speak. For instance you may be working with the toddlers for the most part, but we may need to have you work with the babies, if a caregiver is not at work.
CONSIDERATE-We do not have a lot of rules and restrictions for our volunteers. However, we do ask that you respect the ones that we do have.
RESPECTFUL-There are times when you may not agree with, or understand our decisions or direction. Although your suggestions are welcome, your faith, respect and consideration for our long term work and commitment will be appreciated.
FRIENDLY-Tanzanians are warm and friendly people. Don’t be afraid to make friends and learn some Kiswahili. You may learn more about Tanzanian life and culture than you ever thought possible.
TOLERANT-The food, culture, smells and sounds will be unfamiliar to you at first. We recommend that you experience Tanzanian life to it’s fullest. You will be surprised at how quickly you will adapt.
SENSE OF HUMOR-Once again–Life here is NOT what you are used to! The electricity WILL go out. The water supply WILL cut off. You WILL have to take cold showers and use candles from time to time. Service WILL be slow in restaurants, banks, supermarkets… Keep your cool and use your sense of humor while still being respectful. Learn to handle difficult situations with patience, tolerance and a SMILE.
DEDICATED-We trust that you are coming to volunteer to truely reach out and touch the lives of others. This is not a vacation (although you will have time to travel and see around), and this is not a way to escape issues that you may have with family or situations back home! Volunteering is about helping others and learning that when you do that, you will find happiness in your own life.
Context for volunteering:
- Volunteers should be female, at least 21 years old and come for no less than three months. If you are wanting to come for a shorter amount of time, then you will need to find other accomodation, as our apartment is for longer term volunteers. A volunteer is an individual who offers to provide full time work for Cradle of Love Baby Home (CoL) over a designated period of time.
- We ask that you do some fund-raising for the Home before you come. We are only funded by donations, so whatever you can raise on our behalf is very much appreciated.
- Every volunteer is expected to work at least 30 hours per week at the Home. You will be asked to work on a rotating shift basis with the salaried workers. The work is hard and long hours, but we need our volunteers to become part of the the team while they are with us. Our overhead costs for salaries is far too high and we are needing to cut back and use more volunteer labor.
- Volunteers are not paid a salary.
- Volunteers who stay on campus must be back within our compound by 8 pm each week night and 10 pm on Friday and Saturday nights. There will be no exceptions as it poses a security risk to the campus. It is preferable to be back on campus before dark. It is not safe to be out at night, it causes a security risk to our campus and to your personal safety. We have had several volunteers who were mugged while walking in the town of Arusha at dusk and dawn.
- Volunteers will be provided an individual bed and a shared bathroom. The bedroom may be shared with an individual of the same gender. Cooking facilities are available in the volunteer apartment and meals will be the responsibility of each volunteer. Personal supplies such as toilet paper, facial tissue and toiletries will also be purchased by the volunteers. We expect you to work together with the other volunteers to keep the apartment clean, organized and in good working order.
- Volunteers are required to pay 25,000 TZ shillings per month for the cost of electricity and to cover cleaning supplies and apartment upkeep. (20 U.S. dollars)
Transportation to and from home country needs to be provided by the volunteer. Volunteers will be picked up from the Kilimanjaro International Airport in TZ as long as we are aware of your arrival and departure times. We are located 30 minutes drive from the airport. Please be aware that your luggage may not arrive when you do! Pack a change of clothes and any medication you may need, in your carry-on luggage, just in case.
- Passport, Visa, immunizations and medical care are the responsibility of the volunteer. Volunteers need to obtain a Volunteer Visa. (Class C)This costs $120 dollars. We can apply for it from here in Tanzania. The government is very strict on this. ( People from immmigration come every few months to check on our volunteers and make sure they are not “working” illegally!)
- We will need the following items mailed to us at least THREE months before your arrival:
- Every page of your passport (two copies)
- Six passport size photos
- Money order for visa cost (120$)
- Visa application Form (2 copies)
- resume/CV (two copies)
- Cover letter from us
- contract between you and us
We will add an invitation letter and copy of our registration to the paperwork and apply for your Class C visa. If you are staying 3 months we can obtain it in 3 working days. Then we will meet you at the airport with the visa when you arrive. This means that you DO NOT need to purchase a tourist visa at $100.(IF we get all your paperwork and money well before your arrival) If you are staying longer than three months, then we have to send the paperwork to Dar es Salaam for approval. That will take longer–maybe 3 months.
- Laundry facilities are available to the volunteers. However volunteers are responsible for doing their own laundry and cleaning of housing area. The laundry room will be closed from Friday night sundown to Saturday night sundown, as we observe Sabbath during that time.
Leave and Vacation Time
- Volunteers receive two free days a week, to be determined with the Director of CoL.
- Vacation time can be taken after the volunteer contract period, or if prearranged, during the course of the contract. This will be arranged at the discretion of the Director and should be planned well in advance.
- Director may require coverage for CoL during weekends or holidays, in her absence. Volunteers are expected to provide such coverage, as prearranged.
Rules and Guidelines
- Volunteers should abide by the rules and guidelines of CoL. These include:
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- No smoking, drinking or drugs or use of foul language.
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- Respect the beliefs and culture of others, however different they may be to your own.
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- Obey the laws of Tanzania
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- Observe local dress customs: no shorts, short skirts, tank tops, sleeveless or revealing clothes (cleavage) should be worn at CoL or in public.
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- No visitors are allowed into the compound without the permission of the CoL or ADRA director.
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- You are never to be alone with a child behind a closed door in the Baby Home, or to physically or severely discipline the children at CoL. Bring any discipline need to the attention of the director.
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- No entertaining of individuals of the opposite gender in bedrooms and no overnight guests.
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- Music and other entertainment should be kept at a reasonable level and/or with headphones and meet Christian standards.
Do not bring items of great value with you to TZ. Either monetary value or sentimental value. There is always the danger of theft or damage. Elements of Job Responsibilities
- Volunteers will take on responsibilities as assigned by the Director of CoL. These may include:
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- Taking care of infants and toddlers. Including bathing, changing diapers, feeding and associated activities.
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- Assisting the laundry, kitchen and housekeeping staff
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- Shopping for food and other essentials
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- Greeting visitors and showing them around
- Assisting with office duties
Note: Volunteers should be self-motivated and find things around the Home that need to be done.
Volunteers May NOT:
- Make administrative decisions for Cradle of Love
- Decide on expenditures or dispense contributed funds or any other funds belonging to CoL, whether the funds have been solicited by the volunteer or not.
- Provide medications to the children without supervision.
Things to Know
You might get homesick or experience culture shock while you are here. Feel free to come and talk to the director’s family, or if you need a shoulder to “cry on”. We have all been through it and can empathize. No one is immune to culture shock and it would be wise to do some reading on the subject before you come. It can manifest itself in many ways and is different for each person. It is no respector of gender or age, so prepare yourself.
We often experience power cuts, so be prepared with a flashlight and candles in your room.
CoL is located at the base of Mt. Meru, which is the 4th highest in Africa. The immediate area is green and lush with many fruit trees, flowering shrubs, and a stream that borders the property. Although we get some hot weather, it is never unbearable. May-Sept is cool, with night temperatures getting downright chilly.
It is important to be aware of your valuables and the potential for theft. The neighborhood where the Baby Home is situated is friendly and safe, however, keep in mind that it is poor and displaying signs of wealth is not appropriate. It is important to keep your doors locked to keep your things safe.
It is best to tell your family and friends not to send you packages. You will have a bad surprise at this end when the postal customs service charges you a large sum to receive your package. However, anything that can fit in a large, padded envelope, can be received with no problem. It is expensive to telephone home, so the best communication is e-mail. The campus has internet connection and there are many internet cafes in town. There is a full-service post office within walking distance of the Home, in Usa River.
Medical Issues
Be sure that you are in good health and do not have dental problems before you leave for Tanzania. There are dentists and doctors, but none reach the standard you would receive at home. All volunteers are responsible of their own health care and adequate medical insurance coverage is advised for all volunteers.
You may be asked for your medical certificate of vaccinations when entering TZ or entering your home country. Vaccinations that are useful are: Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus booster, yellow fever and typhoid.
Things to Bring
Insect repellent, sunscreen, towel, camera, sewing kit, flashlight, pictures of your family and friends, first aid kit, sunglasses, CD player, CD’s and DVD’s, books, crafts, light jacket, laptop computer (optional), US dollars, visa bank card,
Fundraising for CoL
The Baby Home is expensive to run and we are only funded by individual donations. We ask that you organize a fund raising event for CoL in your own town, church, club etc. before you come out. Whether you raise $100 or $5,000, we feel that it is important for you to do this before you arrive so you can help to raise awareness for us, and then see where your donations will be spent.
The Director of Cradle of Love Baby Home will provide a performance evaluation and referral upon request, at the completion of the service period.