Volunteering in Tanzania in 2009

My trip to Tanzania is probably the most valuable thing I have ever done in terms of my own personal growth and my current career. I have just started my first year as a primary school teacher and part of the reason that I have come to be in the place I am now I believe is due to my experience in Tanzania. The experience gave me such valuable skills in terms of teaching but also life lessons and challenges that have made me stronger as a person. It was a few years ago now that I went to Tanzania but it still often comes to my mind and the memories are still very clear and will always stay with me. I kept a diary when I was there which I would highly recommend! There are so many things that happen day-to-day, its good to get them written down so you don't forget when you look back in years to come.

My experience in Tanzania was one of the most enjoyable things I have ever done. I lived in a house with 4 other volunteers and it was just really good fun and we all supported each other. We also met up with some of the other volunteers who lived in other areas at the weekends so there was always a really strong support network of people who are going through the same experience.

Day to day, I was teaching in school in the morning. I would then usually go home and mark a big pile of books! Then in the afternoons we often went to volunteer at one of the orphanages. We also set up a creative club one day a week after school which the children loved. The house we were living in did not always have running water but it made it all the more satisfying when we did eventually get to have that shower (even if it wasn't always hot!). When it was the school holidays we went on a trip to Zanzibar which was absolutely amazing. We also went on a safari which was an unforgettable experience seeing all of the Big 5 and staying in luxury accommodation!

One of the main challenges I found was just being away from friends and family for such a long time as well as living in very basic accommodation. But this did become easier as time went on and I would recommend staying as long as you can as I found that when I got home it was more of a disappointment than anything! Once your home you can't go back so make the most of it while you can.

Overall I think Oyster is great if you want to volunteer in somewhere like Tanzania. You feel more of a sense of security and it means that everything is organised for you when you are there as well as having other volunteers to share the experience with. I would highly recommend it!