Teach porters in Tanzania
(news from Kilimajaro Guides and Porters Ltd)
How amazing would it be to spend three months teaching English in the foothills of the tallest free standing mountain in the world? Be only hours from the famous Serengeti plains and National Park. Now is your opportunity. Through our Volunteer Kilimanjaro programme, you will receive training, lodging, support and a place to teach for three months. It is an amazing chance to be immersed in a culture that is one of the most endearing in the world. Here is how it works:
Volunteer Kilimanjaro offers participants a fantastic opportunity to teach porters and guides on the slopes of Kilimanjaro and Arusha, and to live as a family member in a local home-stay.
Where will I live?
Each volunteer lives with a local family as a member of the household. The families have received training on how to accommodate guests and will provide two meals a day and have boiled water available for drinking. The meals consist of traditional foods such as banana stew, rice, and ugali (a maize based porridge) amongst others. You will be eating what the family eats, with the foodstuffs grown locally.
All of the home-stays are in small villages located on the slopes of Kilimanjaro or in the bustling town of Arusha. Many of the families are of the Chagga tribe. As part of the family participants also become an integral part of the village community. In all village placements participants can experience traditional Tanzanian culture whilst at the same time be an hour's public transport ride away from the many Western amenities in the towns of Moshi and Arusha.
What is typical training?
As the training is intended to be on-going and permanent, it is our hope and expectation that the porters and guides will benefit from it in the long term.
Besides the training in English, the porters and guides will also get to know about:
. First Aid
. Social Health and H. I. V. / AIDS
. Culture and customs of different people in the world
. Conservation of the environment and the importance of helping the local community to understand this
The training will be held in classrooms and, possibly, outside when practical. The classrooms are at Machame (Kilimanjaro) and Arusha.
Classes are from 2pm to 4pm (Arusha) and 3 to 5pm (Machame), Monday to Friday.
In Arusha classes are held at Diplomat House, Mianzia - on the Arusha – Nairobi Road and at Machame in Kialia village, both at the offices of Kilimanjaro Porters and Guides Union Ltd.
Do I need to speak Swahili?
No, as you will be teaching English it is the language of instruction, whilst Swahili is not used in the classroom it would be helpful to have a working knowledge of the language to gain insight into the culture. Swahili language books are recommended and the orientation phase is designed to give people a basic knowledge of Swahili, which is not a difficult language to learn.
Who may participate?
Anyone over the age of 18 may participate in the programme. Professional teachers are particularly desired in the subject areas of English, Biology, First Aid, and Computers. Acceptance as a volunteer is dependent upon gaining a Tanzanian entry visa, the cost of which varies from country to country – please check with the Tanzanian High Commission or Embassy in your own country.
Orientation Phase
An orientation phase lasting some three to four days will take place on arrival for the volunteer. This will cover a basic course in Swahili, guided tours of the locality and an introduction to the host family and students as well as some local history.
Programme Dates
The programme runs throughout the year, although low season months (March to June and October to December) are better attended. We require at least a two-month commitment from participants.
Suggested Language Books
• Simplified Swahili by Peter M. Wilson
• Swahili Made Easy by J.F. Safari
• English-Swahili Dictionary
Programme Costs
• A $200 dollar donation to facilitate programme co-ordination and support for the Union
• Airfare to Tanzania
• Transfer costs from port of entry to Arusha/Moshi
• Immunizations
• Three month entry visa in Tanzania
• Additional living expenses
• Medical Evacuation Insurance
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