ELI works with two communities in northern Tanzania: the Meru and the Maasai. Volunteers choose the community they prefer to work with and have the unforgettable experience of living within a small East Africa community.

Meru Community

Teaching English

Many rural schools lack English teachers altogether, and the demand for native English speaking teachers is very high. Volunteers are welcome to teach English in primary and secondary schools. Volunteers assisting with English instruction will be greatly appreciated by the parents who realize that the acquisition of English Language skills is amongst the most valuable tools their child will obtain toward their future successes.

Tree Planting and Environmental Education

Volunteers can work with a nursery in Tengeru where trees are cultivated and transplanted to areas in need of reforestation. Volunteers will assist with tasks such as sowing seeds, filling the polythene seedling tubes, transplanting trees, and assisting with educational programs about the importance of trees in the community.

Special Needs Children

Volunteers can work at a primary school for developmentally disabled children. Children from throughout Tanzania are brought so they can receive the special care and education they need to master their environment. Volunteers will assist the teachers and spend time with the children.

Orphanage

The orphaning of children in Tanzania is an acutely sad and prolific problem. as many parents are losing their lives to different diseases, notably, Malaria, HIV/AIDS, typhoid and other infections. Most of the relatives of these orphans fail to provide them with any of life's daily needs. The children lose hope and end up in orphan centers or turn to the street. ELI works with orphanages that provide care to children aged 1 month to 15 years. Volunteers will spend time with the children and assist with tasks around the orphanage.

HIV/AIDS Program

Many people are suffering from HIV/AIDS in Arusha, and a growing number of young people are believed to be carrying the virus unknowingly. Volunteers can work with a group dedicated to assisting those caught up in the wake of the disease. The main activities will revolve around counseling, education, home visitation, and report writing. Volunteers may also be asked to help with fundraising and awareness campaigns.

Women's Empowerment

Until now, many women have been striving alone in the fight against poverty with little or no support or guidance. In growing numbers, women are organizing themselves into different groups to help improve the living standards of their families. Groups have been formed for business start up guidance, milk processing, pottery projects, vegetable growing, and other enterprises. The women face many challenges: how to market their goods, understanding micro-finance procedures, understanding loan application procedures, and more.

Maasai Community

Please note that Maasai projects are only for the most adventurous travelers. The living conditions are very basic. Participants stay in traditional Maasai huts made from mud.

Teaching

Though English is the international language and the second language of Tanzania, very few Maasai are able to speak English. The majority of Maasai families recognize the importance of learning even a little English, but there is a great shortage of English speaking teachers. Volunteers will teach English and assist with other subjects as well as extra curricular activities.

Cultural Tourism Program

There is a wealth of discovery to be explored throughout the Maasai community: people, history, customs, traditional food, etc. Many travelers wish to visit a small community and learn firsthand about the hidden cultural treasures. It has been a formidable challenge for the communities to prepare brochures and organize tours by themselves. Volunteers offering their creativity and guidance are welcome to assist a Maasai community with developing cultural tourism programs which can generate income and improve the living standards for everyone in the group.

Reforestation

The greater part of Maasai land is now so dry from ongoing droughts that many areas are fast becoming semi-desert. for some families with little children who lack even a little shade on their homesteads, life can be very uncomfortable. Volunteers will assist with planting trees at homesteads and on bare hills in order to improve life for future Maasai generations. Volunteers will also assist with ongoing education programs focusing on the importance of tree conservation.