Teaching sewing with Zuwena in Moshi

The program at Give a Heart to Africa is very structured. In November 60 students are interviewed and chosen for the one year program that begins in January. Students are divided into three groups. They rotate through a Business Class one day, English Class the next then two days in Vocational. As volunteers we assist the teachers. Each volunteer brings their own personal touch to the classes. The first 4 to 6 months in vocational are sewing, after that it is bead jewelry making, tie dye, cake making and decoration, soap making type things. I helped in Sewing. Classes are M-T 9am to 1pm. Fridays are a home visit to a student. I loved those visits! The students are all women, ages 20 to idk maybe 45. Strong beautiful women. The home the volunteers live in is part of the school. It’s very comfortable, modern bathrooms. Dinner is provided five nights a week. There are lots of good restaurants around, reasonably priced. The staff were super helpful. Zuwena accompanied me into town, to the bank, shopping in the markets for food and fabric. Some volunteers feel okay going into town on their own. You can walk or take a bijagi (other areas call it a tuk tuk). I wanted a local person with me. The level of hand holding depends on the individual. On weekends the volunteers I was with did trips together, a day safari in Arusha National Park, Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Tour, Kilimanjaro National Park, Rau Forest Reserve to mention a few. If you have time I would suggest tacking a safari and / or a trip to Zanzibar on the front or end of your volunteer time. I would recommend this volunteer program with my whole heart. I loved being part of it and interacting with such wonderful Tanzania people. The teachers at the school are all former students. Just an absolutely wonderful experience.