Voluntary Project Overview

For this unique career break abroad, a modest initial capital is provided by the FutureSense Foundation which allows selected families to set up of small business or income generating activities in order to sustain livelihoods and educate their children. Volunteers are supported in their work by our local partners as well as our own in-country team in the selection; training and ongoing support of these HIV affected families.

The Volunteer Abroad Role

Career break volunteers work with our local in-country team throughout the process. At a start of a funding round, volunteers go out to meet the short-listed recipients with a view to make the final selection of the beneficiaries. Career break volunteers with previous business experience work with this selected beneficiaries to draw up a simple business plan before running simple business training on selling and accountancy. Once this step has been done, volunteers help with the provision of the grant and then through weekly visits to the beneficiaries train them on running a successful business.

As a career break abroad programme there are very few other opportunities that are as rewarding. Over a short period of time volunteers are able to see their work is making a difference with some families being successful enough for them to eat three meals a day and for their children to go back to school.

Career break volunteers working on this project will have a real insight of development work and of the hidden effect of HIV/AIDS in developing countries. Through this volunteer work in Tanzania you will learn to work in a culturally different environment in somewhat difficult condition taking you outside your comfort zone developing new skills which are very much in demand nowadays.

Other Volunteer Abroad opportunities

While this is a full time project, career break volunteers do get very involved with the community, sometimes teaching English at local schools or helping set up and run after school clubs or even adult English classes.

Voluntary Programme Requirements/Eligibility Criteria

We suggest a minimum of 4 years business experience to participate in a business development scheme. Volunteers need good communication skills, an open mind, lots of enthusiasm and a good sense of humour! A minimum time of three months is required to complete a full round of grants.

Volunteer Accommodation and Living arrangements

This grants scheme runs across a number of villages in and around the towns of Arusha and Moshi as well as in the Para Mountains. Volunteers are placed in an area depending upon the need. Living conditions are fairly basic in some parts with volunteers generally being accommodated with local host families where they have their own room. All meals are provided with the local family allowing you to be totally immersed in African life and culture and even learn some Swahili! For grants in and Arusha a wider range of accommodation options are available and if you are planning your career break do discuss your requirements and the options available while booking your volunteer programme.

We do have some specially prepared travel journeys for career break volunteers to explore more of Tanzania.

What’s included in your Programme Fee?

• Project selection and placement - Our in-country teams work constantly to identify and select projects that are doing exemplary work in developing countries but need your skills and effort. Our staff are in dialogue with you to ensure that we choose a project that really needs you, where you will use your skills and contribute, because at MondoChallenge, we believe that a great volunteering experience is largely dependant on matching you with the right project
• Pre Departure Briefing - Before you leave, we will arrange for a pre departure briefing where we help you with small but extremely helpful details on your chosen destination. Things like: what to pack, local culture and customs, food, safety and precautions if any - simple things to make your life easier!
• Guidance for processing visa - MondoChallenge will arrange for any relevant documents and guide you through the visa process.
• Airport Pick Up - Arriving in a new city and not knowing where to go and how to go can be quite unnerving. A MondoChallenge representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your place of stay where you can put your feet up after a long flight.
• In country Orientation and Welcome Pack - When you arrive in the city, you will be given an orientation where you could meet other volunteers from MondoChallenge, know all about the city, how to find your way around, where to get SIM cards for the phone, small bits that you will need help sorting out in the first few days.
• In Country Support - Our local co-ordinators are there to guide you through out your stay. They will make sure that you are settled at your project, are comfortable with your accommodation and provide guidance on local culture and customs to ensure that you have a memorable and rewarding experience.
• Accommodation - In most cases you stay with a local host family. It gives you a taste of the daily life of a local. You will have a single room on a non-sharing basis. However if you are travelling with a friend or partner we can arrange for twin/double accommodation. If you prefer independent accommodation, this maybe possible in certain areas at an additional cost and our Programme Managers will be able to assist you with this.
• Breakfast and Dinner - Local home cooked food, will be provided at the home stays. This gives you a chance to experience local dishes.
• Contribution to Livelihood Grant - The Livelihood Grant programme helps those who have lost breadwinners in the family due to HIV. The programme provides both monetary and advisory support to help these people build and sustain a livelihood, have two square meals and live a life of dignity. The monetary support for these people is made through our registered charity, FutureSense Foundation (Charity No: 1132101). We like all volunteers on the business programme make a financial contribution to the Foundation and this is used to help more people attain sustainable livelihoods. This is an optional contribution. You can either provide a direct contribution or fundraise the amount through family & friends and we can help you with tips to do this. This can be made as a separate payment directly to the Foundation to claim tax relief on the same.

Not Included:

• International Flights
• Visa and Travel insurance Costs
• Vaccination
• Local Transport and Travel
• Personal Expenses

Project photos

Testimonials