Volunteering Experience in Tanzanya

FIRST WEEK

The adventures begin! I came to Zanzibar packed with lots of mosquito repellents and an open heart. The first, orientation week, was filled with being in awe of the natural beauty of this island, trying to soak in as much of the sun as I could and enjoying getting to know how the NGO works. I was introduced to the Assalam international school with big warm smiles from everyone and to the community by hearing the famous “karibu” hundreds of times!

The week has been filled with cultural schocks and sometimes a bit overwhelming. I must admit, sleeping under the mosquito nets makes me feel like I’m a princess. Driving around the island with bodabodas or tuktuks has been so fun and just the thought of using a motorcycle as a taxi is unimaginable in Croatia! My favorite part has definitely been preparing and distributing food packages and seeing the gratefulness on people’s faces. It’s easy to take things for granted. Oh also, we distributed chicken and I learned that am I quite fond of them!

We started Swahili lesson with the village leader Babu Saidi. He’s very educated, highly motivated and very happy to have new students. I’m curious to know how the language works and very interested to know more about local customs and traditions.

Permaculture part started with theoretical lessons where we also observed our surroudings. It made me practice mindfulness and notice things I haven’t for quite a while.

And you know what? Something tells me this is going to be a wonderful experience. :)

I feel gratitude and fulfilled.

SECOND WEEK

I have become fluent in Kiswahili (read: our Swahili teacher gave me a local name - Khadija. A part of the Assalam team has adopted me as Khadija and call me exlusively by this name).

I am adapting to the island life during the rainy season. The huminidty can be unbearable, but it’s all easier in good company (hidden meaning: we complain to each other about having to shower on average 3 times daily). I have accepted the fact that I will spend the rest of my time here barefoot and with dirty feet. I’m starting to like it!

Regarding the activities, Assalam organized an event for orphans. I helped out during the Ngoma workshop, which was not only education for the children, but also for me. During the morning, children were very quiet and calm, which made all of us a bit worried for them. It all changed in the afternoon, when we played games with them. Three-legged race, jumping in sacks... They completely relaxed and were rushing to us to participate!

Permaculture part continues! We learned how to shovel correctly, identify dangerous and poisonous animals and started cleaning out a shed where we will grow mushrooms. Farid, the head of permaculture department, is a very patient man!! We are 5 girls and sometimes we need a bit more time or rest than men would need. Farid understands!

People in the campus are very friendly, welcoming and approachable. They are more than happy to talk about their culture and show you around. My group of volunteers is very colorful, cheerful and adventurous. I think we complement each other quite well!

THIRD WEEK

The horrors with the humidity persist. I have completely dadapted to the island mentality and started saying pole pole, along with not knowing what day of the week it is. I must have eaten hundreds of chapatis so far. I think I managed to learn all the names of the students in my class, but the teacher is still struggling with pronouncing mine!

I realized that permaculture is fun when you’re in a good company (misery loves company)!

This week was a bit shorter because of 1st of May. A couple of us booked a trip to the mainland. We went to a safari (!!!!!!!!!!!) and WOW WOW WOW WOW I can’t even hide my excitment with the whole experience! We also hiked to Matezuni waterfall and explored Arusha. There we saw a nearly 200-year-old turtle Grandpa Tom who was very friendly and wanted to cuddle with us!

FOURTH WEEK

My days on Zanzibar are passing by so quickly. It’s hard to believe that I have been here for a month already and that in a month I will once again be home, without my girls, without my students who welcome me so happily every morning, without palm trees everywhere I turn, and, most horribly, without a beach near me! The horrors!

Truly, it makes me happy because my days here are filled with activities, novelty and joy. It motivates me to be mindful about my time here and enjoy every moment. :)

During this week, I continued to help out in Assalam International School during the morning, accompanying the teachers and taking an individualized approach with some children. I’m happy with their progress! We’ve done another food packaging and distribution, my favorite activities. Along with that, we’ve joined another chicken coop distribution, while also helping out in cleaning a space where the chicken will be. I love going to the villages, seeing how people live and hearing “karibu” and “asante” so many times, knowing the food packages and chickens will make their lives easier for some time.

During the weekend, the girls and I enjoyed our time exploring the north of the island, snorkeling around Tumbatu island and enjoying the wonderful sandy beaches.

FIFTH WEEK

Week 5 aka Road Safety Week! Well I can say that this week was quite an adventure from the start until the end. The school coordinator gave us a different task this week. We were asked to make driving licences to all the children and teachers of our school. It was quite a task since there are SO many. We took pictures of all of them and were working relentlesly to find out all of their data. As a surprise, I made driving licences for all of us girls in my volunteering team! Seeing the joy on their faces made me very happy I made them!

We also accompanied the students on a school trip to Kwerekwe where they learned more about road safety and road signs. On our way, they were trying to identify various road signs they learned about in school. Cute!

Along with that, we went for another chicken coop distribution. Fun!

The week ended on a bittersweet note, with me ending up in the hospital. Why bittersweet, you might ask yourself. Well, ending up in a hospital might seem like an unpleasant situation for many, but for me it was quite the opposite. Being hospitalized seems like such an african experience, especially since it was the first time I spent the night in the hospital. The staff was very friendly and plesant, checking up on me constatantly so I felt cared of. Most of all, because I got a fever over the night and it was truly a blessing having caring roommates who kept waking up multiple times that night to check my temperature, putting wet washclothes on my forehead and wrists to keep my fever down, calling the hospital and arranging the transportation to the hospital! Sharing the room has many benefits, especially if you’re sharing it with the right people!

Long story short, I got out of the hospital the next day, all well. Looking forward to a new week with a brand new driving licence in my hand which I will try to use by convincing one of the drivers to let me use their vechicle. Stay tuned!

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Fatma Sümeyye Şahin

Çengelköy, Kalantor Sk. No:6 Üsküdar/İstanbul

Project Coordinator

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+90 551 256 52 46