VOLUNTEER

ACC Tours

5-DAY URBAN HOME-STAY

 DAY 1: After breakfast walk to street to see the real life of street children talk with them and observe physically what they are doing.

DAY 2 : After b/fast meet with street children interact with them by playing and talking more about their future and what  are they facing problems in different matters i.e. Living style and to know their expectations and may be stumbling blocks they facing daily.

  

DAY3: Life in the city center; To meet with street children live at local center, change ideas with them and know their expectations concerning their future life also is a time to know their problems, there is time of teaching them Non formal education and playing with them.

DAY 4: Walk to local primary schools to teach pupils to practice with them to the difference activities and to talk with them concerning their further education and whole future life.  After lunch, walk to secondary schools, meet with students change ideas and know about their future education and life in general. Also to practice together in other programs at class room and school environments.

DAY 5: Meet for shortly time with local Kindergartens school talk with children, teach them, play with them and talk with their teachers and child care about what problems that they encountered.

5-DAY RURAL HOME STAY

DAY1: Travel from Arusha to the villages, arrive at late evening, Introduction to the village and dinner.

DAY 2:  After break fast walk to a rural school, work with teachers in the school until lunch, and after lunch meet with local parents and children to see the challenges and comforts of a rural lifestyle – from collecting firewoods to learn how to cook and prepare traditional African dishes.

DAY 3: After b/fast, walk to school back for lunch and then help with farming for a day, i.e planting and how to irrigate farms.

DAY 4: After b/fast and come back from school will visit local Kindergartens school and then back for dinner (similar to Day 2).

DAY 5:The last day to say good bye to pupils, students, teachers and local community members of rural area, in late morning depart back to Arusha.

 DAYS OF TRAVEL/ADVENTURE;

7-11 days of travel and adventure to  Tanzania’s National Parks, including: Arusha National Park,Tarangire National park Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Serengeti National Park or Mikumi National Park ,Ruaha National park and selous game reserve.

MAASAI CULTRAL

Very little is known about the origins of the Maasai tribe. Some believe they originate from the North of Africa along the East coast from Egypt. Others believe they are one of the lost tribes of Israel. All very romantic visions of a culture whose habits and lifestyle still remain for the most part, embalmed within the savannahs in which they now settle. The Maasai are emblematic of Africa for a reason, more so Tanzania and Kenya where they have now settled despite their long history of nomadic travels. The tribe can be distinguished by their colorful fashions of the ‘shuka’ (the blankets worn across the shoulder often in red, purple, blue and orange) and the beaded jewellery(shanga) that adorn both the men and women’s ears, wrists, ankles, crowns and necks. Their villages are still made from traditional materials of cow manure and wood and the fences woven as a protective perimeter to each village. For the time being, the Maasai are protected within their savannah with

each village leading a fairly self-sufficient life. The future however, holds a much more challenging path and one that could on one hand, lead to the end of their fascinating culture. On the other hand, through better education of the outside world and the Maasai themselves, provide a means of mutual existence.

During your programme, you’ll explore the surrounding areas of the Maasai savannahs, visiting the beautiful Lake Natron, which provides a natural habitat for hundreds of flamingos and have the opportunity to climb the volcanic giant of Ol Donyio Langai (the spiritual home of the Maasai translated as the ‘Mountain of God’).  Throughout your journey you are likely to see many different animals wandering in their natural habitats such as zebra, giraffe, ostrich, gazelle and possibly even a lion! The animals of Africa are not fenced in as such, allowing for a migration of different beasts. It’s important to remember however, that these are not safari park savannahs but home to tribal people and as such, contain fewer predators than the parks where their habitat is ‘safer’ away from the residing people and their farms. We don’t want to create another ‘safari tour’ for you but rather provide an exceptional means by which to meet the local people, see their environment and learn more about their fascinating history and culture. Depending on the aim of your visit whilst in Africa, you would be most welcome to combine a safari park or two under our other cultural tours with that of our Maasai Cultural programme, that way widening your experience of Africa and increasing your chances of seeing more of its fascinating wildlife.

After over night camping close to the shores of Lake Natron, we will take you to the Maasai village where you will meet and have tea with our Maasai family. You’ll be able to ask questions about their life (through a translator), take pictures of their home (and with permission individually, the tribal members) and get a ‘taster’ of what daily life is like in an authentic and very remote Maasai community. The village or ‘boma’ that you will visit is not a ‘cultural boma’. By this we mean that the inhabitants of this village are close friends of Arusha children centre live a very frugal and remote lifestyle and do not open up the gate of their village to anyone else. Part of the money that your fee covers is food supplies for the village as well as for the orphanage children from the nearby site  (also visited).

Following this we will take you to meet Mr ole Kipoon at  the government primary school at Manyara Ranch, head master and expert on the Maasai. My Kipoon  has lived and worked in the Maasai community for over fifteen -five years after moving from the manyara Ranch to fill the position of headmaster. The children at the school are a mixture of Maasai and Swahili locals, all very friendly and extremely keen to learn. You will be the only visitor they receive and therefore, they will be just as keen to learn about you and your culture, as you will theirs!

The second evening will be spent at the Camp  and the following morning at the school where you will have the opportunity to meet the children and assist in lessons where available, introducing yourself and giving a brief introduction to your home and culture (we will try to give you some tips on what to prepare for this!). If choosing the 3-day option, you will travel back to Arusha in the afternoon after lunch. Travelling out by a different route, you will be able to see some beautiful scenery that your guide will be happy to stop and show you.

This is no ordinary Maasai tourist programme.

The vision and aim of this programme as with all our cultural tours, is to provide a means of sustainable income into communities, as well as providing a two-way education into different cultures. It is exceptionally important however with these visits, that we are aware of the fragile and historic culture which forms the Maasai tribe. We therefore, provide as part of your payment for the programme, an additional income to the village as well as the school, including educational resources such as textbooks and pencils. We arrange these in advance of your trip so that you can present these to the school on arrival.

The three main objectives of our cultural programs are:

• To provide a two-way learning of different cultures, helping to educate future generations and encourage a peaceful co-existence within Tanzania.
• To provide educational support in rural schools through our volunteering programme.
• To educate visitors on the local environment (such as Mount Meru, OlDonyo Langai, Lake Natron…)

Enquiries

If you would like to enquire about this programme, please email us at director@arushachildrencenter.org with your proposed date. This programme can be as active or as relaxed as you wish! It can also be adapted to fit into a short time frame on the back of a game drive safari or expand to a longer duration through our volunteering scheme.

MOUNT MERU

Climbing Africa’s 5th highest mountain is a challenge unique to any other, whether as a warm up to Kilimanjaro or an experience in itself! Serving as a beautiful backdrop to Arusha Children Center  the mountain becomes a second home to many volunteers at Arusha children center. Have the opportunity to look down from the summit you have looked up to everyday.

Itinerary

Day 1 -  To Miriakampa Hut – 1,500m / 4,900 ft to 2,500m / 8,200ft (approximately 4 hours walking) 

Starting from Momela Gate, the track passes through open grassland with cape buffalo and warthogs. By mid-afternoon, you will have your first close views of the towering cliffs and the Ash Cone. Miriakampa Hut, situated in idyllic grassy glade, is reached in time to enjoy the afternoon sun and beautiful views over the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro.

Day 2 – To Saddle Hut – 2,500m / 8,200ft to 3,500m / 11,700ft (approximately 4 hours walking)

The walk from Miriakampa Hut to Saddle Hut below Little Meru is a steep sustained climb all the way. Starting through beautiful and lush montane forest, the path continues beyond the halfway point of Elephant Back Ridge and carries on uphill through the giant heather and other moorland vegetation to reach Saddle Hut for lunch. In the afternoon, you can make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3,820 m / 12,533 ft) for superb views. It takes about 1 hour to walk up and 30 minutes to walk down. The ascent is 1,056 m / 3,465 ft.

Day 3 – Summit down to Momella gate – 3,500m / 11,700ft to 4,566m / 14,980ft down to 1,500m / 4,900ft.

Summit day has an early start at around 12:00AM. There is a steep climb to Rhino Point (3,800m / 12,467ft), then the path continues along a ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point (4,350m / 14,272ft). The summit of Socialist Peak (4,566 m) is further along a steep path with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro. Depending on your speed, you can enjoy sunrise at Cobra Point or the summit. The views are stunning: the cliffs of the Crater rim, the Ash Cone rising from the crater floor, Kilimanjaro floating on the morning clouds, and the Rift Valley. The route back to Rhino Point in the sharp morning light along a narrow ridge between the sloping outer wall of the crater and the sheer cliffs of the inner wall is one of the most dramatic and exhilarating walks in Africa. Brunch and a brief rest is taken at Saddle Hut before continuing the descent via Miriakamba Hut to Momella Gate.

:

• Transfer to and from your hotel to the Mountain Gate
• All camping and cooking equipment for the trek
• Compulsory park and rescue fees
• Camping accommodation fees for 2 nights
• Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner 3 days
• Porter Allowance
• Professional guide
• Professional mountain cook

Exclusive of things of personal nature such as alcohol, energy snacks (trail mix, chocolate, energy bars) and tips for the expedition crews (porters, guides, cook).