Our aim of the volunteer scheme and cultural tourism centre is to ensure the long-term sustainability of the other work we are carrying out in the area.
Our Work
In 2007 we built accommodation in the village of Uchira which is owned by V2V. We are able to host a number of volunteers and guests at any one time. WE recruit volunteers to assist with the English teaching in Uchira Primary school, and the after school English club open to the whole village. English is important as without it students are unable to progress from primary school where the language of instruction is Swahili to secondary school where children are taught entirely in English. Volunteers on this placement are also able to support our straight talk group once a week and work in a local orphanage. Volunteers are also able to get involved in assisting with the sustainable agriculture project helping with research, site clearing and planting. We will soon be in a position to begin setting up the demonstration area trialling various techniques and opening these up to the public. There is also the chance for volunteers to live in Hedaru during their stay at the orphanage we support, for this placement volunteers will spend some time in Uchira where they will be given intensive Swahili classes. As we also have links with a local safari and trek company we are also able to offer development experience trips which combine some volunteering and also the option to go on safari, trek Mount Kilimanjaro or the Pare mountains and visit Zanzibar. These options are also available to volunteers. Visitors on shorter stays are able to help out and are asked to be flexible and see where their input is most needed at any given time.
Why Cultural Tourism?
As travel becomes easier trips to Africa are on the increase. Community-based tourism is an opportunity for tourism companies to develop alternative models of making profit based on ethical dealings with rural communities and their natural resources. While potentially challenging and not necessarily straight-forward, ultimately community-based tourism can make a great deal of sense - it's good for business, good for local people, and good for the environment. Community-based tourism, if done well, can make a substantial difference in incomes for local communities and help improve natural resource management and conservation at local level. The tourism industry in Tanzania has seen a significant rise in the past few years worth $259.44m in 1995 it increased to $746.02m in 2005. Voluntourism the coined phase for individuals wanting to spend some of their vacation volunteering is said to be one of the fastest growing sections of the travel industry.
Support us by:
Volunteering on one of our projects, visit on a short stay or take a development experience trip.
Recruiting other people to volunteer or travel to Tanzania on our behalf.
Marketing and promoting our volunteer and community-based tourism scheme in your area.
