Families of various compositions serve with us in Tanzania nearly every month school is not in session: parents and teens, grandparents and grandchildren, aunts, uncles and nephews and nieces. The contrast of life in a Tanzanian village with your teen’s own lives comes up time and again as the greatest lesson for all. And, despite material poverty, village life is full and joy-filled. The following are just a few of the many parents’ reflections on why their family volunteering in Tanzania was so meaningful:
“I know why we brought the kids to Tanzania, although at first I was skeptical. When you put a face on poverty, it changes you forever. Our kids are teenagers, and this was the last chance to do it while they’re young, before college and their own families, a last push for social responsibility to the world, their community, their neighbors. They learned more than I could ever have imagined.”
Jamie Ford, volunteering with wife Leesha and their seven children
“My children came to feel as though they became “kin,” and still do after all this time. I can assure you that every team member feels the same. You’re in the best hands, as you’ll see from the responsiveness of Global Volunteers, and for every moment you’re on the ground with the team. Global Volunteer has created a unique, loyal, and lasting legacy in their projects, especially in Tanzania.”
Amy Kleissler, three-time Tanzania volunteer with her sons
“While we were teaching the Tanzanians, they were teaching us – about community, joy under extremely difficult living conditions, hope amidst poverty, and disease and the crushing reality of AIDS – and how they are going to overcome it. The beauty of the land and the people combined into another world which is unforgettable. We can’t stop thinking about the experience – all of us. What I think was unique for me as a parent was volunteering as a family, to be part of a larger group with a purpose, especially when the boys are teenagers and could relate easily with other kids as other teenagers just in a different part of the world.”
Shauna Doyle de Brun, Tanzania volunteer with her sons
Parents and guardians are expected to supervise their teenage volunteers, and collaborate with our staff and local partners to maximize the service experience for everyone. Teens are invited to offer their own perspectives in team meetings and fully participate in free-time activities. In this way, your teen gains a personal understanding of the Tanzanian culture as well as the role and responsibilities of being a team member. They likely also will create life-long friendships with Tanzanian youth who share their interests and experiences – and make a permanent impression on all who serve.
Global Volunteers’ Tanzania Country Manager is Makarios Mdegella, an ordained Lutheran pastor. Before joining Global Volunteers staff, Makarios served for three years as a pastor in Iringa and two years as a youth representative for Lutheran World Federation. He was also a Research Director at the African Center for Peace and Conflict Research in Dar es Salaam. He is committed to helping rural communities in his beloved Tanzania.
