Community Development Program and Internship in Tanzania

  Tanzania

• Other Cities in Tanzania: 
Arusha

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: Monthly Start Dates throughout the year.

Description: Acquire in-depth knowledge of international development through first-hand experience working with community development organizations while living with a host family in Tanzania.

Global Service Corps' Community Development Program allows participants a chance for hands-on development experience in Tanzania. The program involves two parts: four weeks of community training workshops on HIV/AIDS education and prevention or Sustainable Agriculture methods; and then an assignment with a community organization to assist with program implementation.

Community development interns will spend the first month of their time in-country facilitating workshops with local Tanzanian counterparts to community groups about issues pertaining to HIV/AIDS Prevention and Awareness or Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security. Then participants will join a local organization in assisting with program development and implementation.

Community Development assignment options for HIV/AIDS Prevention participants include assisting GSC in-country staff with AIDS education and prevention program development, supporting GSC's Peer Education Health Clubs with HIV/AIDS prevention training and materials, working with a local community organization like Women In Action, and working with local orphanages.

Community Development project assignments in Sustainable Agriculture include activities such as improving and expanding GSC's sustainable agricultural program and demonstration plot, working with local farmer groups on their own plots and marketing programs, and working with GSC's Peer Education Health Clubs to develop family subsistence gardens. Other community development assignment options may be available, since GSC is continually being contacted by community groups requesting assistance.

Highlights: Homestays: Volunteers experience true cultural immersion by living with a local Tanzanian family. GSC places volunteers with hosts who enjoy learning about other cultures and appreciate the unique opportunity that hosting an international volunteer gives to their family. Host families have been carefully chosen by GSC and our partners, and many have hosted volunteers over the course of several years. Whether you are learning Tanzanian games or sharing a plate of ugali (corn meal) and sakuma weki (greens) with your Tanzanian Mama, your homestay experience with GSC hosts will provide memories and friendships lasting a lifetime.

Tanzanian Partners: The experience of GSC volunteers is greatly enhanced by their daily interaction with local counterparts, whether a nurse at a hospital, a teacher at a school, or a college-bound translator, Volunteers and their Tanzanian partners build mutually beneficial and often long lasting bonds of friendship. Local partners assist Volunteers with obtaining local transportation, finding the best local restaurants, learning local language phrases, meeting community leaders, and giving tips about and often participating in social activities. Counterparts play a vital role in providing a true cultural immersion experience while helping to insure that the volunteers interaction with and service to the community is appropriate and effective.

Cultural Orientation and Technical Training: All Tanzania Service-Learning programs include in-depth cultural orientation including Swahili lessons, a tutorial on how to use the dala-dala bus system like a local and an insiders tour of Arusha. Volunteers also receive technical training on relevant topics such as HIV/AIDS in a Tanzanian context and hands on agricultural training at the Global Service Corps demonstration plot.

Qualifications: Interest in international development a must. All nationalities are welcome. Proficiency in English is required. No experience is necessary, although many of our volunteers have school or professional experience in the area in which they volunteer. Must be at least 18 years and willing to work hard.

Cost in US$: 9 Week Programs start at USD5,030

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A typical Global Service Corps volunteer has interest, energy, a willingness to learn, and a desire to serve and have an enriching cultural immersion experience.

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Tanzania Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 5-12

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Global Service Corps's Mission Statement: Working from offices on three continents, Global Service Corps is dedicated to fulfilling our mission of designing and implementing effective service-learning programs that provide maximum benefit to our program participants and the communities we serve. Through the hard work of our staff, support of our advisory board, collaboration with our partners and the participation of hundreds of volunteers each year, Global Service Corps has earned its reputation as a leader in international volunteerism, service-learning and community development.

Year Founded: 1992