Street Shepherds Africa volunteer programs are practical learning experiences that vary in length. We encourage volunteers to stay for at least three weeks, but volunteers are welcome to sign up for any length of time. Long-term stays of over six months are welcome and negotiable.
However, many volunteers combine their stay with time spent doing more traditional tourist activities elsewhere in Tanzania – such as safaris, climbing and beach holidays. No matter how long you decide to volunteer, you will have a remarkable experience and will gain a firsthand understanding of how Tanzanians live their daily lives.
There are many ways in which our volunteers may choose to spend their time and contribute towards Street Shepherds Africa. Most volunteers spend a proportion of their time with the children, planning activities, outings and projects.
Malaika House Montessori School in Moshi has two timetabled sessions everyday for the week for the volunteers to take the classes, where they are free to do whatever activities they choose as guided by the care takers and teachers. Volunteers can run fund-raising projects such as Sponsor a child program, the cultural tourism with Safari ya Africa, or be innovative creating new ways of raising funds for SSA.
Much of the general running and maintenance of the orphanages and schools we support is done by volunteers: organizing and distributing donations, helping the building of new projects, managing the store room etc. Volunteers have also been caring for the children and monitoring their health; they can arrange doctor and dentist appointments, record medical conditions, regularly weigh and measure the children and administer first aid.
In addition volunteers can choose to work with the parents, running family support groups, helping develop the family rehabilitation program, and supporting the social workers.