Volunteering with Special Needs Children in Tanzania

The "Building a Caring Community" (BCC) program provides therapeutic care and educational services to children and young adults with special needs in various day centers within the urban area of Moshi, Tanzania. The activities in the different facilities are tailored to the needs of the children and young people.

BCC cares for about 200 children in Moshi, with half of them attending one of eleven day centers daily. Here, the children receive meals, basic schooling, and various therapies customized to their individual needs. These include physiotherapy to improve motor skills and posture, occupational therapy for managing daily life, and psychosocial support from a psychologist. Adolescents also receive vocational training. Since not all children can be cared for in the day centers, there is a Home Support program where BCC staff visit families at home and train parents on how to care for their children.

BCC organizes annual check-ups for the children at St. Joseph Hospital in Moshi, where children who are sick can also receive free treatment if needed. To financially support the families, BCC creates jobs for parents within the day centers and operates a microcredit program that enables mothers to start small businesses. Some parents also create handicrafts, which are sold to generate income.

As a volunteer or intern, you will work closely with children with special needs. You will support them through educational activities, therapies, and skills training. This includes teaching basic academic skills, assisting with physiotherapy and occupational therapy, and encouraging participation in daily tasks like cleaning or meal preparation. You can also participate in home visits to train parents on how to care for their children and support adolescents in vocational training. Professional special educators, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and a psychologist are available as supervisors. Volunteers with professional expertise can also contribute to improving the knowledge of local staff. The positions are unpaid, but they give you the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience, expand your skills, and make an important contribution.