Our more adventurous volunteers spend time in Tanzania and help with building, teaching English, conducting community research projects and assisting with program planning, implementation and evaluation. Our projects have and continue to benefit enormously from their time and expertise, not least as Gloria says “because they bring new ideas and they are so motivated”.
Some have been keeping a blog going that may well inspire you and make you pack a bag.
We particularly welcome volunteers with specific skills in agriculture, setting up small businesses, health promotion and or experience in sustainable energy and water harnessing in the context of resource-poor communities. But willingness, the ability to cope on your own, a non-judgemental attitude, bags of patience and humour and at least 4 weeks of your time are enough for you to have a great time and make a meaningful contribution to the projects and the community.
We don’t charge a fee but you will have to meet all your costs. A bit of fundraising to help with the projects is always welcome though.
Could this be you? Then get in touch, telling us a bit about yourself and why you think you fit the bill. If you are aged 22 or younger, we are unlikely to be able to take you on as there is little to no supervision in the village. This is volunteering for those with a strong independent streak and an understanding of the environment that awaits them, so don’t be surprised if at first we try to put you off; it is as much for your sake as it is for ours.
testimonies
From Beth Temple – Australia
I have been travelling to Eastern Africa since 1997 but this time I had decided to get involved with the RWDA/Kanga Project because I believe in their grassroots/community driven approach. I have seen so much of the International community deciding what is needed and the problems this causes and how little help or difference it makes to the lives of those living there. I am proud to be involved with an organisation that is actually getting things done and I have seen the difference that it makes. I was involved with overseeing part of the construction of a hostel and the development of a chicken rearing project.
Beth doing a presentation on International Rural Women Day- Oct 2010
The hostel is badly needed and its completion is eagerly awaited by the school community. I was so pleased with the progress, design and quality of the building. The tradesman employed by RWDA in charge of building is hardworking, honest and reliable. The main problem we had was keeping supplies up to him as he worked so hard. I have no concerns in the successful completion of the hostel with him in charge.
The chicken rearing project met many obstacles which were overcome along the way. This is to be expected as it is the first of its kind within the village. Now there are 100 chickens in the specially built facility and the women are following the roster and feeding regime and are at last able to apply their training. They are now waiting for the chickens to start laying eggs which will be approximately one month. There are a few other groups within the village watching the project with the aim to do the same. I feel this will offer opportunities for our project with potential sales and assistance. I fully support this project as it empowers the women, increases their independence, gives them new skills and provides such a need to the community in the source of protein and resources for further projects.
I was involved with dealing with large sums of money while I was there for payment of tradesman, supplies, chickens etc. I have no concerns that every shillingi is accounted for as I continued to use the accounting system that was already in place.
The main difficulty was with the general communication system in Tanzania for getting reports and photographs back to the Kanga Project which causes delays in progress reports. The internet, fax and phone system was not reliable or was slow. It had been four years since I had been to Tanzania and I saw so much progress, so I think this will improve as well.
I met and worked with Gloria Nkungu multiple times while I was there and was impressed with her vision, commitment, integrity and energy. I am equally amazed with the dedication of people like Annie O’Connor who take on this incredible commitment while having fulltime jobs and fulltime lives of their own. The time and energy that it takes to get these projects happening is immense. I will personally keep on helping as best I can as I now feel so much part of it.
From Jane Davis – Australia
In Sept and October 2008 I helped facilitate a project run by RWDA with funding from The Kanga Project. While I was there, I realized for the first time (I thought I knew before) the challenges the people and especially the women of Tanzania face each day and live with for their whole lives. I found that I could not solve all their problems (in fact few) but that because of my upbringing in a more advanced society and my personal skills, I had what it took to offer, the people I met. a different way of looking at their lives and their own capabilities. So many people have the willingness and some of the skills to improve their lives and those of their children. They just lack the funds and the opportunity to make things happen.
These gave me some good blisters
I would recommend this experience to anyone with a genuine desire to use their skills to better someone else’s life. You don’t need any qualifications or special past experience but what you do need is a fair swag of patience, persistence, motivation and openness.
Many of the days I spent in the village were frustrating and there were many things I struggled to understand but I always felt I was of use to others. I learnt so much about another culture and how I could be part of it. I always felt that it was worthwhile me being there.
Thank you everyone for your support and the opportunity to be involved in this project. It is you who keep this going and your time and effort which will make a big difference to the people of the Singida region. It’s nice to feel part of such a team.
From Jess Harrison – Australia
It is hard to write about my experience as a volunteer for RWDA without sounded cliché. But there is no denying that this has been the experience of a lifetime. After six months in East Africa I still have those moments where I find myself thinking, “I can’t believe I’m here.”
Our longest serving volunteer
Volunteering for RWDA has given me the unique experience of living and working as part of a foreign community. The everyday experiences that come with this still excite me; sharing a traditional meal with Tanzanian friends, buying produce in the colourful market, standing in front of class of over a hundred enthusiastic students. In addition, there are those magical once off experiences that will remain with me for a life time – being the subject of a traditional welcome dance by women of the village, watching the Worldcup in a small viewing room with 50 new friends, starting an impromptu game of soccer with what turned out to involve over a hundred primary school children – to name just a few.
It is not always fun and games however. Life here is full of contrasts and I am continually torn between feelings of affection and frustration towards the place. One minute I am marvelling at the immense natural beauty and the generosity, warmth and strength of the people. The next, I find myself furious at the corruption, inefficiencies and out right injustices that are played out right before my eyes. But it is these frustrations and the challenges of living in a foreign and developing country that make this experience as truly amazing as it has been. I continually wonder how I can possibly give back even a little of what I have gained from my experiences here.
From Shelley Copelovitz – Israel
After graduating from university, I got a once in a lifetime opportunity to volunteer in Singida, Tanzania, for two months, with the Rural Women Development Association (RWDA).
The aim of my expedition was to gather information, which would help the RWDA prioritize and concentrate on the matters that needed to be dealt with most. For such purpose, I met with numerous female villagers, and among other things, learned of the manner in which they lived their lives, what bothered them most and how they thought these matters could be changed. My principal goal was to meet women, collate the information from some 14 villages and pass it on to the RWDA; I believe that my mission has been satisfactorily accomplished.
The experience I was fortunate to have is unforgettable. Starting with the culture shock, that is indescribable, through the overwhelming hospitality of the people; they made me feel like a movie star. Their stories and their longings for education and a better future for their children particularly moved me.
All this made me realize that putting this experience behind me and simply “moving on” was not an option; rather, I am determined to do my utmost to help the villagers of Singida.
I would like to thank Gloria and Annie for having faith in me and for giving me this once in a life time opportunity!
