Our first port of call was to visit a team of Durham University students who were on a volunteer-tourism break. This included 4-days climbing Kilimanjaro, a weeks rest in Zanzibar, two weeks volunteering with Futuresense, at two separate projects, and finally a 4-day safari. Now I, like most people who see themselves as more long-term development workers, have often questioned the impact, or indeed the benefit of short-term volunteering. I did it in Tanzania in 2004, and I had to think long (still thinking), and hard about the intent, benefit, and indeed necessity for such an experience. I do, however, believe I am in a good position to argue in favour, as it catalysed a great passion in myself to continue with such work, and in truth helped to inspire this project.
As Sarah stated to us very strongly in her interview, volunteering is not always good, and indeed can at times even be detrimental. The importance lay very much in the management, and the understanding of an organisation to place people at suitable projects. Short-term volunteers (2 weeks or less) were most likely to be placed on building projects, where some good old elbow grease could really create positive results and fast. The team of Durham students were a fine example of how many hands can really make a fast and positive impact. They were working at a primary school, and an orphanage, and they were all motivated by the fact that they could, even in just two weeks, leave a truly positive mark on a community.
In addition to building projects, Futuresense helps with the supply of volunteer teachers. These can both be young, and inexperienced, who would teach primary and pre-primary, and qualified teachers, who would teach in government schools. Again, with a chronic shortage of funding, and a lack of teachers, both approaches can really make a positive addition to the local teaching staff. On the negative side, as was pointed out by Sarah, it is difficult to maintain a consistency in this respect. It is hard to ensure that a school always has support, and thus is difficult to implement regularity in the child’s education. A solution to this is not easy, as it is difficult to ensure both quality and long-term teachers. The only real answer lies in the individuals, and a motivation for trained teachers to commit to full years (or more), of voluntary teaching. Perhaps with more funding, these volunteers could be supported financially, and this would act as a further incentive to them.
Finally, Futuresense supports micro-finance business proposals, based on the fact that in Africa, a little can go a long way. Just $50-100 can facilitate an individual to set up a small business, helping to bring extra income into the household. These grants were often given to women, although not exclusively, and in this respect also helped to empower women within the community. We have seen on so many occasions now, how this can truly be a catalyst towards great community development. Within these societies, women really gain a huge amount of pride and confidence, by being able to provide for their family. Some of the projects we visited included Chicken breeding, restaurants, and shops, and all had seemingly become successes, at their own relative levels. It is a true example of a little going a long way.
After two days filming several programmes in Arusha, we headed out of Arusha, and firstly to the ‘Nice Orphans Centre’, just outside the city. This was truly a sign of a grassroots community initiative, and clearly the volunteers who had been placed there had made a huge impact. All of the ladies talked about past volunteers, with huge smiles on their faces, and although this was a project still with a long way to go, it was great to see a community, with just a little helping hand, reaching out to support those with nothing. We donated a few books, clothes, and school uniforms to them, which had kindly been donated to us, and again it was a sign of how a little can go a long way. With just a little support, be it financial, through volunteers, building, or indeed equipment, this small, community driven orphan centre, could help to transform the lives of so many. It is also again, an example of the importance of cooperation, as with the support of other such organisations, so much more could be achieved in the future.
Next it was time to wave goodbye to our fantastic community guide, Sam, and head onwards to the Pare Mountains, where we would be visiting ‘Urafiki Usangi’, another business programme set up and supported by Futuresense. Kate, an accounts manager back in the UK, had been volunteering there for approximately two months, and was driven by using her expertise to assist the project. The road up to the home-stay where Kate was based, and where we would spend the night, was interesting to say the least. It was a winding road up the side of the mountain, passing through villages, and blessing us with unbelievable views all around. Eventually the road steepened massively, and at one point, after three attempts, Phil, and an unknown helper, even had to give the car a little encouraging push. After, a huge amount of anxiety, and with the clutch giving off a familiar scent, we made it up the mountain, and to the wonderful home, where we would regret only having time to spend one night.
After, an early night, we ventured down to the village, where the workshop was located, and met the local manager, as well as the two young and talented sewers. The project produced a selection of great products, including laptop cases, iphone cases, bags, purses, and other such items. Currently the products are largely sold to volunteers both in the Pare Mountains, and at the Arusha HQ, but plans are to increase marketing to a wider audience. Kate had spent much of her time sorting out the accounts, and putting a financially viable plan into action, and had also focussed a lot of time and attention on quality control. They were hopeful of targeting the more high-end tourist sector, and thus it was important to produce good quality products on a constant basis. I was so impressed by the products, that I purchased myself a great little Iphone case, and placed an order for a laptop case, to be hand delivered by Kate, back in London. This project not only helps to give employment to young women in the Pare Mountains, but also has huge potential to grow into a scheme, which could help to fund future Futuresense initiatives. Kate was a fine example of how specific expertise, utilised in the right way, can really offer a great deal to a developing community, and again, a relatively short stay can make huge impacts.
As time was getting on, we had to wave goodbye to Kate and the girls, and head onwards towards Malawi. My lasting impression of Futuresense, in Tanzania at least, was that under the management of Sarah, they were making hugely positive strides. It cemented my opinion that volunteering was a part of development, which with careful and experienced management could be hugely rewarding. It is very possible for volunteer placements to be both pointless and detrimental, however there is also a great potential for them to work. I would encourage any individual looking to volunteer abroad to do so, but also to ensure that they set themselves realistic goals, and truly make the most of their time, to ensure a positive impact on both themselves and the community in which they are placed.
No comments:
Post a Comment