The children of the orphanage are divided into two groups depending on the level of their disability. The less severe group can read and write. Volunteers will freely interact with this group and teach them English and other subjects. You’ll also teach them nursery rhymes and children’s stories. There are games you can participate with them also.

The most severe group can’t read and write. You’ll be assisting the staff during physical and speech therapy and while playing games. Volunteers are encouraged to learn the therapies and organize the therapy on their own. You’ll however be supervised by the staff member.

You’ll require patient and flexibility to volunteer in the project. Working conditions and people’s mentality in Tanzania are very different from that you’ve back home; without flexibility and open-mindedness, you won’t be able to cope and perform. These are however not difficult to practice as you’ll be volunteering only for a short period. You should also have passion to care for the disabled. No specific skills and qualifications required other than that.

Rustic arranges room, food, and supervision for volunteer from the start to the end of program. Volunteers stay with a host family, project hostel or in a Home Base. We’ll arrange a separate room and shared bath for volunteers. Staying with a host family is a wonderful opportunity for you to learn about local culture and life style of ordinary Tanzania. You can find the details of the room/food accommodations in the placement sheets. Rustic main office is in Dar es Salaam, the director of the local project will be the immediate contact for volunteers.

Handicapped children projects are available in Dar es Salaam (home to Kaole Ruins, Botanic Gardens and Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve), Moshi (Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park) and Arusha (close to Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro and Great Rift Valley). Tanzania is renowned for its beautiful natural landscapes and its fused African culture with more than 120 different ethnic groups. Tanzania is full of distinction; from it rural traditional culture and history to its modern infrastructure and amenities you would expect from any city.

Volunteers/travelers can organize several combinations of potential excursions during and after the project to visit places of interest. There is a tourist infrastructure already in place that the volunteers can use during weekends. For example: national parks & harbors, snorkeling, markets, museums, restaurants, nightclubs, gardens, waterfalls, mountains, Eco Tours, craters beaches, hotels, and many more.