VOLUNTEER SERVICE
TEACH ENGLISH
Learning English is one path out of poverty for many Zanzibaris. Volunteers are constantly needed to help with English classes in our adult education program. A teaching background is helpful but not a necessity. It's a great experience if you're considering teaching or want to test your existing skills in a new environment. But don't worry if you've never done it before. Gap year students and others with clear English accents are welcome. We custom-design the assignment to suit your interests and skills, provide ongoing supervision, assistance and liaison. We do our best to insure that your work is successful and satisfying.
TEACH COMPUTER SKILLS.
The desire to learn how to use a computer is equally strong, and very few students have the opportunity. We have an ongoing need for volunteers who can teach basic computer skills (e.g., how to operate a computer, use word processing and spreadsheets, etc.) You don't have to be a hardcore computer techie to help out with this. Basic skills and the kind of practical experience most averagely-experienced users have are all we need. We have a syllabus and plenty of students waiting to learn.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/SPECIAL PROJECTS
One of our goals is to provide technical skills which will empower our community. We are interested in working with health care providers, people with experience in community economic development and alternative technology, web page designers, business people and others who have the skills and knowledge and enthusiasm to help us improve the well-being of our community. We are happy to talk with you if you have specific skills to offer. While we can't guarantee the success of a project, our commitment is to doing our best to make it work. Good planning, community support and appropriate resources are crucial for each new venture. We will work closely with you to make sure this happens!
DURATION AND TIMING OF PROJECTS
Volunteer teaching placements are generally from 1 to 4 months. Longer placements can be individually arranged. Though volunteer opportunities are generally available all year round, school schedules can affect the availability of English teaching placements during certain months. The duration of technical assistance and other special projects are dependent on the nature of the project and volunteer and staff availability.
PROJECT SUPERVISION AND COMMUNITY LIAISON
We work together to liaise and provide interpretation as needed, we will assist you as much as possible to make your volunteer work productive. For English classes, you will be working in a classroom setting. Depending on what level of English you teach, you will either work with another teacher to provide pronunciation practice and helping with written English or on your own. Computer classes are taught to small groups of people by the volunteer directly, most often during morning hours.While patience and an ability to improvise and make the best use of limited or sometimes non-existent materials is an asset, we try our best to make sure that your work is facilitated.
VOLUNTEER QUALIFICATIONS
Willingness to help, patience, flexibility, openness, a positive attitude and humor are your most important qualifications! Volunteers should be over 18 and in reasonably good physical health. The ability to walk for several kilometers is often necessary.
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
Volunteers are housed either in a volunteer guest house on the compound. You will eat traditional Swahili cuisine--simple but healthful foods including fresh fish and chicken, rice-based dishes, chapatis and bread, fresh vegetables and fruits and juices (when available). We can accommodate vegetarians if you let us know in advance. Sodas, and bottled water are purchased at your own expense.
COMMUNICATIONS
For day to day communication, we strongly recommend using a mobile (cell) phone. SIM cards, which will give you a local number and cheap prepaid phone service, are inexpensive and easily available. Cells phones use GSM 900 and 1800 networks so US visitors need to make sure their phones operate on these networks (e.g., a "world phone") and are unlocked so they can accept a different SIM card. These are sometimes available used or over the Internet. If not, it is possible to buy a functional mobile phone here for under $70 US. We would also appreciate the donation of any used mobile phones for our volunteers or staff to use.Long distance calls may be made from your mobile phone or, slightly cheaper, from several businesses that offer phone services in Stonetown. It is also possible to use a voice over Internet protocol provider such as SKYPE over the Internet. The international country dialing code for Tanzania, as well as Zanzibar, is +255. City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)24 for Zanzibar and (0)22 for Dar Es Salaam .Web and email access are available on site for 1000Tshillings per hour.
ELECTRICITY
Zanzibar uses three-pronged English-style outlets but adaptors are available for European or American style appliances. Please note, however, that the electrical current is 220 AC so Americans and others coming from countries that use 120 current will need to check that any appliances or equipment they bring from home will work on this currency. Mobile phone and camera chargers and laptop computers will often accept variable currency. Other appliances such as shavers and hair dryers may require a "step down" converter to operate here. These are available from travel stores. Please ensure that you have one sufficient for the wattage of your appliance.
LAUNDRY
Hand laundering is the norm in Zanzibar. Laundering of linens are included in your stay. You can either hand launder your personal items or we can make arrangements for you to have someone do it for a nominal fee.
FEES AND EXPENSES
Our fees are $700 per month. This covers your placement, living expenses including accommodations and meals, airport pickup and drop-off, orientation, project expenses, interpreters, supervision.
A portion of your fees support the continuation of our program and are used as donations to the projects. Not included in this fee; Visas, restaurant meals, personal laundry and incidentals as well as airfare and travel expenses. Upon acceptance as a volunteer, there is an additional nonrefundable deposit of $150 to hold your place. When you arrive you will need to obtain a work permit for $120US. These fees are not part of the $700. per month. If you choose to pay by check, you may make payments to the following
Address your check to;"Philanthropic Ventures Foundation " and note on the "memo" line on the check - "Creative Solutions Zanzibar Fund."Mail fees to:Generosity in Actionc/o Philanthropic Ventures Foundation1222 Preservation Park WayOakland, CA 94612-1201
VISAS
Tanzania now requires that volunteers obtain an additional special visa known as a Class C Resident permit to work as a volunteer. We will assist you in obtaining this visa, which costs $120 (including processing costs) and is good for two years. You will be able to leave and enter the country again without cost during this period. It also entitles you to resident prices at some events, parks and on the ferries. We need the following items one month in advance:
2 copies of pass port
6 photos (pass port size)
2 copies of CV
CSRS application
Calendar Program - like action plan
Proposed studies - what exactly the volunteer is going to do
These items should be sent by AIRMAIL to Creative Solutions, c/o Mbarouk Saad, PO Box 4630, Zanzibar, Tanzania
OR you can scan and send us a passport size photo and copy of your passport via email and we will print them here. You will also need to get a tourist visa ($50 to $100 for most countries), either from the Tanzanian Embassy in your home country before your trip or, if this is not convenient, at your first point of entry into Tanzania (e.g. at the airport at Dar Es Salaam, Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar* or at one of the overland border crossings.) After your arrival in Zanzibar, we will assist you with getting your passport stamped with the volunteer visa by the Zanzibar Ministry of Immigration.
Learning English is one path out of poverty for many Zanzibaris. Volunteers are constantly needed to help with English classes in our adult education program. A teaching background is helpful but not a necessity. It's a great experience if you're considering teaching or want to test your existing skills in a new environment. But don't worry if you've never done it before. Gap year students and others with clear English accents are welcome. We custom-design the assignment to suit your interests and skills, provide ongoing supervision, assistance and liaison. We do our best to insure that your work is successful and satisfying.
TEACH COMPUTER SKILLS.
The desire to learn how to use a computer is equally strong, and very few students have the opportunity. We have an ongoing need for volunteers who can teach basic computer skills (e.g., how to operate a computer, use word processing and spreadsheets, etc.) You don't have to be a hardcore computer techie to help out with this. Basic skills and the kind of practical experience most averagely-experienced users have are all we need. We have a syllabus and plenty of students waiting to learn.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/SPECIAL PROJECTS
One of our goals is to provide technical skills which will empower our community. We are interested in working with health care providers, people with experience in community economic development and alternative technology, web page designers, business people and others who have the skills and knowledge and enthusiasm to help us improve the well-being of our community. We are happy to talk with you if you have specific skills to offer. While we can't guarantee the success of a project, our commitment is to doing our best to make it work. Good planning, community support and appropriate resources are crucial for each new venture. We will work closely with you to make sure this happens!
DURATION AND TIMING OF PROJECTS
Volunteer teaching placements are generally from 1 to 4 months. Longer placements can be individually arranged. Though volunteer opportunities are generally available all year round, school schedules can affect the availability of English teaching placements during certain months. The duration of technical assistance and other special projects are dependent on the nature of the project and volunteer and staff availability.
PROJECT SUPERVISION AND COMMUNITY LIAISON
We work together to liaise and provide interpretation as needed, we will assist you as much as possible to make your volunteer work productive. For English classes, you will be working in a classroom setting. Depending on what level of English you teach, you will either work with another teacher to provide pronunciation practice and helping with written English or on your own. Computer classes are taught to small groups of people by the volunteer directly, most often during morning hours.While patience and an ability to improvise and make the best use of limited or sometimes non-existent materials is an asset, we try our best to make sure that your work is facilitated.
VOLUNTEER QUALIFICATIONS
Willingness to help, patience, flexibility, openness, a positive attitude and humor are your most important qualifications! Volunteers should be over 18 and in reasonably good physical health. The ability to walk for several kilometers is often necessary.
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
Volunteers are housed either in a volunteer guest house on the compound. You will eat traditional Swahili cuisine--simple but healthful foods including fresh fish and chicken, rice-based dishes, chapatis and bread, fresh vegetables and fruits and juices (when available). We can accommodate vegetarians if you let us know in advance. Sodas, and bottled water are purchased at your own expense.
COMMUNICATIONS
For day to day communication, we strongly recommend using a mobile (cell) phone. SIM cards, which will give you a local number and cheap prepaid phone service, are inexpensive and easily available. Cells phones use GSM 900 and 1800 networks so US visitors need to make sure their phones operate on these networks (e.g., a "world phone") and are unlocked so they can accept a different SIM card. These are sometimes available used or over the Internet. If not, it is possible to buy a functional mobile phone here for under $70 US. We would also appreciate the donation of any used mobile phones for our volunteers or staff to use.Long distance calls may be made from your mobile phone or, slightly cheaper, from several businesses that offer phone services in Stonetown. It is also possible to use a voice over Internet protocol provider such as SKYPE over the Internet. The international country dialing code for Tanzania, as well as Zanzibar, is +255. City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)24 for Zanzibar and (0)22 for Dar Es Salaam .Web and email access are available on site for 1000Tshillings per hour.
ELECTRICITY
Zanzibar uses three-pronged English-style outlets but adaptors are available for European or American style appliances. Please note, however, that the electrical current is 220 AC so Americans and others coming from countries that use 120 current will need to check that any appliances or equipment they bring from home will work on this currency. Mobile phone and camera chargers and laptop computers will often accept variable currency. Other appliances such as shavers and hair dryers may require a "step down" converter to operate here. These are available from travel stores. Please ensure that you have one sufficient for the wattage of your appliance.
LAUNDRY
Hand laundering is the norm in Zanzibar. Laundering of linens are included in your stay. You can either hand launder your personal items or we can make arrangements for you to have someone do it for a nominal fee.
FEES AND EXPENSES
Our fees are $700 per month. This covers your placement, living expenses including accommodations and meals, airport pickup and drop-off, orientation, project expenses, interpreters, supervision.
A portion of your fees support the continuation of our program and are used as donations to the projects. Not included in this fee; Visas, restaurant meals, personal laundry and incidentals as well as airfare and travel expenses. Upon acceptance as a volunteer, there is an additional nonrefundable deposit of $150 to hold your place. When you arrive you will need to obtain a work permit for $120US. These fees are not part of the $700. per month. If you choose to pay by check, you may make payments to the following
Address your check to;"Philanthropic Ventures Foundation " and note on the "memo" line on the check - "Creative Solutions Zanzibar Fund."Mail fees to:Generosity in Actionc/o Philanthropic Ventures Foundation1222 Preservation Park WayOakland, CA 94612-1201
VISAS
Tanzania now requires that volunteers obtain an additional special visa known as a Class C Resident permit to work as a volunteer. We will assist you in obtaining this visa, which costs $120 (including processing costs) and is good for two years. You will be able to leave and enter the country again without cost during this period. It also entitles you to resident prices at some events, parks and on the ferries. We need the following items one month in advance:
2 copies of pass port
6 photos (pass port size)
2 copies of CV
CSRS application
Calendar Program - like action plan
Proposed studies - what exactly the volunteer is going to do
These items should be sent by AIRMAIL to Creative Solutions, c/o Mbarouk Saad, PO Box 4630, Zanzibar, Tanzania
OR you can scan and send us a passport size photo and copy of your passport via email and we will print them here. You will also need to get a tourist visa ($50 to $100 for most countries), either from the Tanzanian Embassy in your home country before your trip or, if this is not convenient, at your first point of entry into Tanzania (e.g. at the airport at Dar Es Salaam, Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar* or at one of the overland border crossings.) After your arrival in Zanzibar, we will assist you with getting your passport stamped with the volunteer visa by the Zanzibar Ministry of Immigration.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
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