The document discusses the author's experience volunteering as an English teacher at Mavinuni Primary School in Tanzania, where they helped students prepare for standardized tests required to advance to secondary school which is taught in English, and also volunteered at the Nkoaranga Orphanage caring for young children. Some challenges included overcoming the language barrier since the author did not speak Swahili, adjusting to the slower Tanzanian way of life, and communication issues, but the author found the experience gave them a new perspective on education and valuable professional experience.

1. B.N. International Summer
Education in Tanzania Jacqueline
Teaching English at Mavinuni Primary School:
of Service Primary school in Tanzania is taught in the native Swahili. After 7 th Stedman
grade, students must take a standardized test and do well enough to
Initial Goals: be able to go on to secondary school, which is taught in English. This
The concept of “being with,” to me, means a change in language is a huge challenge for many Tanzanian students,
mutual learning-helping-sharing experience, by especially those in government schools.
getting to know the people, the customs, and
the community. Through my work in Tanzania,
I hoped to get another perspective on
The Playground Nkoaranga’s Babies
education in comparison with what I have
Nkoaranga Orphanage:
learned through classes at Duke. In addition to
Due to irregularities in the schedule at the
helping students learn English, I hoped that by
school because of exams and a two week
teaching I could gain some professional School Yard My Students My Fellow Teachers vacation, I also started working at Nkoaranga
experience to help further my future plans.
My Work: Orphanage. When I was there, Nkoaranga had 23
• Mavinuni Primary School is a government school that serves over kids, ages 0 to 5. After they turn five, the children
600 students. It has no electricity and very limited resources get sponsors to attend boarding school. The Small
available for its students. For example, since none of the students Things, an organization founded by volunteers,
have their own books, the teachers must write every question and partners with the orphanage to provide support
detail on the board for students to copy, which takes a lot of for the children, staff, and volunteers. As a
valuable classroom time. Each class had between 60 and 70 volunteer, I helped to feed the children, change
students, frequently sitting three to a desk. their diapers and clothes, play with them, and just
My Fellow Volunteers Mama Gladness
• Initially, I worked with the class 5 English teacher to plan lessons provide much-needed love and attention.
and create teaching aids that were implemented in the classroom.
In addition to grammar and vocabulary, I taught the students songs
and dances, such as The Hokey Pokey and The Chicken Dance.
• In addition, I also began working with class 7 to help them prepare
for the upcoming test for secondary school.
Volunteer House Challenges:
View of Mt. Meru
• Language barrier: I went into the summer not knowing any Swahili.
from Tengeru
Tengeru, Tanzania: Even though I learned basic words and phrases while I was there, it
A small town located 15km outside of was sometimes difficult to teach without being able to communicate Vicki Maureen & Pendo Andrea
Arusha, known for its bi-weekly market that in the native language. I also had many communication mishaps, Special Thanks to…
floods the streets on Wednesdays and which could be frustrating at times, but I just had to learn to laugh. • ELI for connecting me with The Green
Saturdays. I lived in a volunteer house outside • Tanzanian Time: In Tanzania, the way of life is slower and more Foundation in Tanzania.
of Tengeru with two other volunteers and two relaxed. This sometimes translated into a lack of efficiency, which • The Green Foundation for helping me get all of
Tanzanian guys who worked with the Green could be frustrating. However, things like the importance of the the logistics set up for my job and
Foundation. I also had a host mother, Mama greeting ritual in conversation or being invited for tea or juice every accommodations in Tanzania.
Gladness, who lived around the corner from us time we went to visit Mama Gladness show how the less hurried • The B.N. program for making this entire summer
and ran the Green Foundation. lifestyle also allowed for people to take more time for each other. experience possible.