Volunteer
VOLUNTEER AT THE RIFT VALLEY CHILDREN’S VILLAGE
Our main goal at the Children’s Village is to ensure that our children feel loved and valued each and every day. In short, this may be the most difficult and the most rewarding work you have ever done.
Volunteering at the Rift Valley Children’s Village is a wonderful experience for both our volunteers and children. Volunteers are crucial to our day-to-day operations as well as achieving the strategic goals of the Tanzanian Children’s Fund. Volunteering involves hard work, going without many of the comforts and luxuries to which you might be accustomed, and throwing yourself into tasks and projects that may be completely new to you.
If you chose to volunteer at RVCV, then you are someone who loves children, thrives in group settings, likes to take initiative, and doesn’t mind getting dirty. We usually have 5-10 volunteers at a time, and volunteers are assigned to various jobs based on their skills and interests, and our needs, but are expected to pitch in whenever the occasion warrants. Volunteers are adaptable and flexible, taking on new and challenging tasks, at times learning alongside the kids they are working with.
At the Rift Valley Children’s Village, our days begin early (6:00 am) and do not end until our last child has been put to bed (around 7:30 pm). On any given day the tasks that you will be asked to perform will vary widely. You may be called upon to conduct a class, soothe a child who has just scraped his knee, design an art project, or help tutor a child.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
If you are interested in volunteering with us, please keep in mind the following:
We are unable to host volunteers who are under 21 years of age without a chaperone.
Our minimum length of term for volunteers is 3 weeks. This is a strict requirement as it takes at least three weeks to become accustomed to our routine and develop meaningful relationships with the children.
We are in particular need of volunteers from March to May and September to December.
VOLUNTEER ROLES
We are actively recruiting volunteers for the following roles (some of which are only available seasonally). If you don’t see a role that aligns with your skills and interests, reach out anyway! We are always happy to work with you to find a way that your unique skillset can support our work.
You can contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@tanzanianchildrensfund.org to learn more about the available roles and to request our Volunteer Packet.
Please keep in mind that our Volunteer Coordinator is located at RVCV in Tanzania, where internet and email connections can be unreliable. If you have not received a response within three working days, please reach out again or contact us at info@tanzanianchildrensfund.org.
Early Childhood Education Support Volunteer
Background or passion for early childhood education or child development.
Core responsibilities include providing support for Tanzanian teaching staff, assisting in leading age-appropriate lessons and activities, and promoting English language exposure through story time and daily interactions.
Agriculture and Sustainability Volunteer
Ideal for those with a background or interest in sustainability, environmental science, and permaculture.
Core responsibilities include collaborating with staff to improve and expand our sustainable farming practices, developing and implementing child-focused sustainability lessons and activities, monitoring and documenting progress of sustainability initiatives.
Digital Media and Social Content Volunteer
Ideal for those with a background in communications, social media marketing, photography, or videography.
Core responsibilities include supporting the Rift Valley Women’s Group in developing content documenting their work and growing their presence on social media and web platforms.
Ideal for those with a background or interest in design, product development, fashion, textiles, or handicrafts.
Core responsibilities include working with the Rift Valley Women’s Group in refining product offerings and developing new designs.
Health Education and Wellness Volunteer
Ideal for those with a background in public health, health education, or social work.
Core responsibilities include teaching healthy and hygienic lifestyle practices in age-appropriate and culturally-aligned ways, and assisting staff members in developing and promoting healthy routines and lifestyle practices.
Ideal for those with a background or interest in youth recreation, outdoor education, or physical education.
Core responsibilities include developing and executing safe, structured outdoor activities for a range of age groups, and promoting curiosity, teamwork, and safe movement among young people.
Ideal for those with a background in Special Education or a similar field.
Core responsibilities include working with Tanzanian education and social work staff to identify and support students with special needs, with a focus on capacity building for educators and caregivers to ensure continuity of support.
Library and Literacy Volunteer
Ideal for those with a background or interest in library science, childhood literacy, and childhood education.
Core responsibilities include promoting English-language exposure through various reading activities, developing organizational and classification systems for library books, and encouraging a culture and love for reading among children and staff.
Ideal for those with a background in Speech and Language Pathology or Communication Disorders.
Core responsibilities include working in collaboration with local staff to identify and support children with speech disorders, maintaining patient confidentiality and upholding ethical standards, and prioritizing capacity building among local staff to continue support beyond stay.