Work in our own project!
For many years, STEP Africa's dream as a volunteer organisation has been to set up its own charitable projects in order to make efficient use of the experience gained in our numerous partner projects over the years and to be able to support other target groups. When the coronavirus pandemic broke out in 2020 and no volunteers were able to come to Arusha for several months, we realised that we couldn't just sit idly by, but that it was time to turn dreams into reality and make an even more active contribution to supporting our community in Arusha. In the meantime, the NGO L.I.F.E. (Local Community for Family and Education) has been founded by the STEP Africa Team. In addition to initiating the construction of a community centre, Tiny Steps Daycare was opened in 2024.
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About Tiny Steps Daycare
The ‘Tiny Steps Daycare’ for babies and children aged 6 months to 3 years in the Lemara district of Arusha is dedicated to caring for the very little ones. With the daycare centre, we want to meet the high demand for free childcare for families affected by poverty and illness in Tanzania. So volunteers who enjoy working with babies and toddlers are in the right place here! The children are looked after from morning to evening in the daycare centre so that their parents/guardians - who are often single parents - can look for work, study or pursue their work without having to worry about their children. In this way, the daycare centre helps families to help themselves by guaranteeing their children's fundamental right to safety, education and care, thus relieving the burden on the families.
The new daycare centre has places for up to 30 babies and toddlers. Our Montessori teacher Mwajuma, our lovely cook Pendo and local volunteers work tirelessly to create a loving, safe and secure environment for our children. Tiny Steps Daycare is all about playing and having fun and not, as in many other kindergartens in Tanzania, about starting lessons at a young age. We aim to promote the children's development through play and without pressure. International volunteers are actively involved in everyday life and are free to plan play and craft sessions and are happy to contribute their talents and interests to the early education programme.
When the children are 3 1/2 years old, school sponsors enable them to attend the Davis Preparatory School in Shangarai, Arusha - they can then attend the school first as preschoolers and later as primary school students. A sponsorship programme is currently being set up for this purpose in collaboration with our Austrian partner association ‘Mabawa Tanzania’, founded by two STEP Africa alumni. Sponsorships are also already possible for Tiny Steps children so that the daycare centre can become sustainable. Volunteers actively contribute to the sponsorship programme by helping us keep track of the children's development, writing updates and sharing their experiences at Tiny Steps Daycare with friends and family.
Become part of our team and experience an unforgettable and meaningful time in Tanzania!
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About the Organization
We are STEP Africa – Exchange for Change, a Tanzanian social enterprise that was founded in German-Tanzanian cooperation in 2014. We organize and supervise meaningful and ethical volunteer placements and internships in Arusha, Northern Tanzania. Till date we have hosted over 1000 interns and volunteers from all over the world.
With our programs we aim to contribute towards international understanding and give our participants intercultural and global ability to act. With the support of our participants we are committed to worthy projects and initiatives in Tanzania. We believe that working together in intercultural teams by exchanging ideas and viewpoints will let everyone involved, Organizations such as volunteers and interns, benefit in the long run.
Our team combines relevant qualifications and many years of experience in project coordination, volunteer mediation and social work in Tanzania and abroad. Our supervisors are available as contact persons on site at any time for our volunteers and projects. We offer our volunteers the opportunity to use their knowledge in Tanzania to get involved in meaningful projects and to gain valuable professional experience in different fields such as Social Work, Women’s Rights, Primary Schools, Daycare Center, Health Care, Animal Welfare and Environmental Protection.
We firmly believe in the power of change through intercultural exchange. With our programs we promote and demand equal rights and cultural tolerance. We place our volunteers exclusively in projects in which they can gain valuable experience for their future. Our volunteers do not replace local employees. Volunteers are assistants who offer support to local staff and, for example, perform tasks for which there is otherwise too little time. It is important to us that we only place our volunteers in projects that share our values towards international volunteering.
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Further important Information:
Wishlist for the Tiny Steps Daycare
If all our children have a sponsor, Tiny Steps Daycare can become self-sufficient in the long term. Until then and for additional supplies, we are dependent on the support of STEP Africa and our volunteers. Monetary donations can be used to pay for food, care products, electricity and water bills, doctor's visits and salaries on site. But we are also infinitely grateful for donations in kind. Volunteers are very welcome to bring the following items from home:
- Hygiene Products (Diapers, Wipes, Baby Oil and care products, Water / Milk Bottles & Toddler Cups, bottle brushes)
- Food (milk formula 6 month +, baby cracker, snacks etc - sugar free)
- Medical supplies (first aid equipment - we do have a small first aid kit that needs to be kept full and functioning!, herbal cough syrup, multivitamins for kids, arnica)
- Clothes (used / good condition clothes age 0-3, bibs, shoes)
- Play Equipment (balance bike, bobby car, tricycles, Lego Duplo Building blocks, Play Dough, Play Carpets, Musical Instruments, Montessori Learning Toys, Wooden Toys, Sand Toys, pop-up play tents and tunnels, games...) - please no plastic toys that can break easily!
- Teaching / Learning Materials (baby and toddler cardboard books, art and craft supplies, wall stickers, stationary...)
- Other Equipment (bottle warmer, bedsheets and blankets for kids, mattress cover, light weight baby stroller, travel beds, foldable boxes for toys in all sizes
- anything else you would find useful and suitable for the daycare!
Preparation
Preparing for a volunteering assignment abroad isn't always a simple task as there is a lot to keep in mind. Our team will be there for you along the way. We have our own STEP Africa online volunteer area. Once you apply and we confirm your application you will get online access to this area where you find a detailed preparation handbook as well as many further updates & information and the contacts of other volunteers traveling at the same time as you. In case of any questions you will always be able to reach us via E-Mail or Phone / WhatsApp.
On the Ground Support and Emergency Availability
The whole STEP Africa Team is on the ground in Tanzania. You will always be able to talk to us in case of any problems, questions or if you simply want to have a chat. We are there for you! Of course we are available 24/7 in case of any emergency.
Vaccinations/ Medical Care in Tanzania
We recommend that you consult your trusted travel doctor for individual advice on travel vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis. There aren't any mandatory vaccinations for entering Tanzania and the risk of contracting malaria is considered very low in Arusha due to the altitude. If you plan a trip to the island of Zanzibar or arrive from countries with a high risk of yellow fever, you will need to get a yellow fever shot before arrival.
Arusha has some decent private medical facilities, so in case you fall ill you will be in safe hands.
Booking of Flights and Insurances
Booking your flights and respective travel insurance is not included in our fees and will be your own responsibility. This however is an advantage for you, as you will be able to scan for the best and most affordable offers from your home country or country of residence. Of course we are always happy to help and offer advice in case you are unsure what is the best solution for you. Our arrival day is Thursday and our departure day is Wednesday. Please take this into account when booking your flights.
Visa
In order to volunteer in Tanzania you will need a Visa for Humanitarian and Charity Activities which costs $100 for US-citizens and $50 for citizens of all other countries. This visa is valid for 3 months. Those planning to stay for up to 6 months will need a visa extension which costs approximately $300 ($250 for non US-citizens respectively)
COVID-19
Tanzania received the "Safe Travels Stamp" from the World Travel and Tourism Council. There are currently no entry requirements such as PCR-Test or vaccination.
Disease Prevention
In order to prevent the transmission of diseases and especially not to endanger the little babies at the daycare you should always adhere to strict hygiene measures such as regular hand washing.
Maximum Number of Volunteers and Early Registration!
Tiny Steps Daycare can accept up to 8 volunteers at a time who work in a two shift system. If there is no more space available at Tiny Steps on the desired date, we have numerous other meaningful projects that are looking forward to motivated helpers.
