volunteer in Tanzania

I just returned today from 2 months of working in a Tanzanian orphanage. I cannot even put into words what an amazing experience it was… At least not yet, I’m still processing it all.

I will definitely write something much more helpful later. Until then bedai, I’m going to lala fofofo

One of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done…I loved it so much that I’m going back next January! Tanzania is a wonderful and friendly place, the culture is fascinating, the language is a lot of fun and the country is just beautiful.

Though it took some getting used to living in such different conditions from England (e.g some massive spiders!) ultimately I settled in quite nicely and the amount of difference you can make by volunteering a few weeks or months of your time is astounding. Complete this goal, you’ll never forget it!

I leave in a week… It’s really snuck up on me, not really 100% ready to go yet, I feel like I have a ton to do and no time to do it in.

The program manager keeps e-mail more and more information, or changing the information and it’s really starting to freak me out. I mean I know it will work out fine, but it’s definitley not good on the nerves.

While in Tanzania I will be keeping a blog to keep my advisor at school up to date on what I’m doing and what not, it will probably be pretty dry, but if you’re that bored you can read it @ www.ohhmorganne.wordpress.com

Now that I’m done for the semester here it has all become really real, but i am definitely looking forward to it!

I was there for 3 months, and now I desperately wish I was back there. Ha ah well, I’ve been continuing to learn Swahili, because when I left I was just starting to get the hang of it. Ah well, it was absolutely life changing and I’m sure I’ll go back as soon as I can scrounge up a few thousand for airfare :)

I will be leaving May 11th to go and work in an orphanage for 8 weeks. I’m so excited and nervous at the same time.

My main concern at this point is the culture shock… I hadn’t really thought of it until my program manager started talking about it, hopefully having oter interns my age and from the U.S. and Europe will ease some of the assimilation.

I am very much looking forward to be emerced in an entirely different culture, I’m just worried that I may not have the reaction I’d expect myself to have…

I’m sure I’ll be fine… Or hoping so at least!

I’m going to Tanzania to do Art Therapy in August!

check out their site. this is not religiously affiliated, which i thought was a plus. they have other volunteer opportunities all over the world if you decide that tanzania is not the place for you. BUT i spent my time in arusha (moshi is another option, which i think i would reccommend over arusha only because it is in the mountains, beautiful and felt more safe. the place you live in arusha is actually outside of the city in a pretty small village) and it was the most amazing 6 weeks of my life. learned a lot about the culture, lived like a local, learned swahili, made friends (both local and volunteers). check out the site for more info. perfect trip.