New Hope Volunteers

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Women's Project (Moshi, Arusha)

volunteer in women's project in tanzania
  • Care for the Maasai women and children of Tanzania
  • Empower the lives of the local Maasai women to lead better lives
  • Immerse in the life of a Tanzanian through safe, carefully-screened homestays
  • Practice Swahili while discovering a whole host of exciting African experiences in Tanzania in your downtime

How would you like to be acquainted with the Maasai culture? Volunteer in Tanzania and be immersed in the captivating culture while empowering to Maasai women! This is a unique combination-project that unites work with the Maasai women and the local orphanage. The Maasai women project aims to uplift Maasai women economically with development of different income generating projects. Hand-made traditional Maasai crafts, beads, clothes, handicrafts and other goods are later sold in market and part of this income goes to the female Maasai artists. You will further support these women, especially by teaching them the English language and improving the possibility of these Maasai women's goals to reach markets with their small products. As most of the handicrafts are sold directly to tourists, knowledge of English or improved communication skills would prove very useful. Volunteers will also be able to spend time at the orphanage, which offers shelter, education and love to orphaned children. Micro-financing builds self-reliance and gives the women the confidence to earn their own living. Volunteer and empower the lives of women and children while taking in the colorful Maasai culture and rural life!

Volunteers' Responsibilities

As a volunteer in Tanzania in the women empowerment project, you will work with the Maasai women. You will also work in the orphanage, teaching English to the children. Depending on the individual’s skills and expertise, and the needs of the local staff, your daily duties include but are not limited to:

  • If you are artist or professional with skill for creating crafts, beads, ornaments and handicrafts, you can teach them the recent techniques/designs trends that will ensure improved products and result in successful sales.
  • If you are non-professional and simply want to work and support these Maasai women, you can teach them about business and support their craft efforts.
  • This Maasai women's group also needs volunteer English teachers to give them the advantage of speaking with tourists and selling their products directly. Volunteers can also host English classes for Maasai children and local youth who can then work as tourist guides.
  • If you have marketing knowledge and skills, you can teach these skills to help the women develop marketing strategies and sell their products in both national and international market.

Upon volunteer arrival, the head of the local organization develops a work plan for a volunteer that depends up on their personal skills, interests and knowledge.

How You Can Make a Difference

Maasai women traditionally hold a weak social position. A successful way to uplift their social status is to provide them opportunities where they can generate their own source of income. The local NGOs have created arts and handcraft-related projects allowing Maasai women to use their skills to earn extra income by selling these products to visiting tourists. This program teaches and trains local Maasai women to make beads, crafts and handicrafts, which they then sell as a means of generating some income for their families. In addition to income generation, this women's group also provides housing (Maasai type) for both local widows and extremely poor women. Volunteers work directly with the women teaching English, business strategies and handicraft skills.

Skills and Qualifications

There are no specific qualifications needed to volunteer in the Women’s Project in Tanzania. However, volunteers are expected to be flexible and patient, as well as have much passion and empathy for the issues the women of today face. An understanding of Tanzanian culture and diversity can help improve the experience for you and the people you help. Consider enrolling in our one-week Language & Cultural Immersion program.

Project Location

This project is located in and around Arusha and Moshi. Arusha is one of the bigger cities in the north of Tanzania and sits at the base of Mount Meru, not far from the Kenyan border. It is well-known African congress center and contains the site where the International Tribunal for the Rwandese Genocide was held. Safari tours to the Serengeti, N'gorongoro, Manyara and Tarangire usually launch in Arusha. The city is also an excellent base for visiting the Arusha National Park, where volunteers can experience a wide range of habitats and experiences. There are lakes that serve as a gathering point for a kaleidoscope of waterfowl, the imposing summit of Mount Meru is nearby and Moshi is approximately an hour-and-a-half (90 minutes) drive from Arusha.

Moshi sits on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is an often over-looked tourist destination, but offers many intriguing cultural exposure opportunities. The Chagga people call Moshi home and it is in the middle of a major coffee growing region. Central Moshi is busy and colorful, making it an interesting walking excursion. The area around the market and Mawenzi Road is recommended, as there is a slight Asian flavor to the area and a Hindu temple, mosques and Indian traders.

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