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 elctricity 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 at least 20 years old and come for no longer than three months initially. You may come for a shorter period as well. If things are going well and they want to extend, then it will be discussed with the Director.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. 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 cleaning supplies, toilet paper, facial tissue and toiletries will also be purchased by the volunteers.
UPDATE: As of January 1, 2009, the volunteers will be required to pay for their own electricity. We are changing to a prepaid system, and the monthly bill will be divided among the current volunteers.
Transportation to and from home country needs to be provided by the volunteer. Volunteers will be picked up from the Kilimanjaro (KIA) 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 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 $120 dollars. We can apply for it from here in Tanzania. The government is very strict on this, so even if you are only staying for a week or two, it is required.
- We will need the following items mailed to us at least two months before your arrival:
- Front page of your passport (two copies)
- Five passport size photos
- Money order for visa cost (120$)
- Visa application Form (2 copies)
- resume/CV (two copies)
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 or less, 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 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.
Leave and Vacation Time
- Volunteers receive two free days a week, to be determined with the Director of CoL.
- Vacation time can be taken either before or 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:
- No smoking, drinking or drugs or use of foul language.
- Respect the beliefs and culture of others, however different they may be to your own.
- Obey the laws of Tanzania
- Observe local dress customs: no shorts, short skirts, tank tops, sleeveless or revealing clothes should be worn around town or in public.
- No visitors are allowed into the compound without the permission of the CoL or ADRA director.
- 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.
- No entertaining of individuals of the opposite gender in bedrooms and no overnight guests.
- Music and other entertainment should be kept at a reasonable level and/or with headphones.
- 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:
- Taking care of infants and toddlers. Including cleaning, feeding and associated activities.
- Assisting the laundry, kitchen and housekeeping staff
- Shopping for food and other essentials
- Greeting visitors and showing them around
Note: It is hoped that volunteers will 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, a set of twin bed sheets (that you are willing to leave here for CoL's use after you leave). If you are a married couple coming, please bring a set of queen sheets.
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.