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Art in Tanzania - Mwandaliwa Orphans Care Home (MOCA)

MOCA is a centre for orphaned children. The centre was established in 2003, in Manzese Dar es Salaam region, with 2 children. This centre is now situated at Boko, a 15 minute drive from the Bahari Beach volunteer house.

Currently, the centre houses 69 orphaned children; 42 boys and 27 girls from different parts of Tanzania, regardless of religious faith, tribe or colour.

The aim of the founders of this centre is to assist orphaned children who have lost their parents for various reasons, such as diseases and accidents or have been abandoned. Thus, this centre is designed to play the role of their guardians.

All the orphaned children live at the centre and attend nursery, primary and secondary schools.

Art in Tanzania has been working with the orphanage since January 2009 and have assisted with providing beds, mattresses, mosquito nets, paying for educational services and medical bills. Volunteers work Monday – Friday afternoons at the orphanage delivering English lessons, sports coaching, emotional support and behavioural guidance.

The children are very well cared for and the atmosphere is very buoyant. The children love to interact with the volunteers and many would describe the orphanage as a ‘happy family environment’.

During June 2009, Art in Tanzania agreed to pay the rent on the orphanage and have made a commitment to continue this practice in the long term. The orphanage relies entirely on donations from the community to provide food, clothing, electricity and staff salaries for the women who cook & wash clothing for the children.

Art in Tanzania is continuously looking at additional methods to support the orphanage and will shortly implement a tailoring service whereby a small number of the older children can learn new skills and ultimately generate an income from selling their products. A child sponsorship scheme is also being developed as many volunteers wish to provide on-going financial support once they leave Tanzania.

The majority of volunteers love working with the children and to date, this has been an incredibly successful and popular afternoon project.

If any volunteers wish to provide resources for the orphanage, books, sports equipment, stationary items, financial donations and toiletries such as soap and toothpaste are always gratefully received.

Volunteering fee is usd 230 per week and includes airport transports, accommodation, breakfast and dinner, orientation and project guidance.

Contact Art in Tanzania (NGO) at info@artintanzania.org and more information available at www.artintanzania.org at volunteering section.