Watoto wa Africa

Introduction

Watoto Wa Africa Organisation was founded in 2000 by Josephat and Rosemary Kirutu, and was registered as a Tanzanian Non-Government Organisation in 2006 (Registration#: 14NGO/1525). The primary focus of Watoto wa Africa is caring for orphaned and other vulnerable children. The orphanage run by Watoto wa Africa currently is home to 45 orphans and street children.

Statistics say there are currently more than 2 million Tanzanians infected with the HIV/AIDS virus, however the actual numbers are thought to be far greater. The number of children orphaned by the effects AIDS increases daily.

Watoto Wa Africa Organisation hopes to provide some of these children with a chance of a future. At Watoto Wa Africa, children are provided with basic human rights including food, water, shelter, clothing, education – and most importantly, love.

Our Vision
To see each child in Tanzania, and Africa at large, flourish in an environment of peace, support and stability. At Watoto Wa Africa we are dedicated to a child’s protection and development. We believe all children should be given the right to develop intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually, as well as to play and have a fun, safe childhood.

Who do we need?

Watoto Wa Africa Organisation needs people who want to make a difference. We do not require any special skills or qualifications, except for a love of children and a desire to change people’s lives. We ask that volunteers come ready for a challenge and willing to put in some hard work.

The Environment:

Watoto wa Africa is located in East Africa in Mwanza, Tanzania. Mwanza is the second largest town in Tanzania and is located on the shores of Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in the world. Large granite outcrops perched precariously on top of each other dominate the landscape in the Mwanza region.

Food and accomodation

We ask for a donation of US$300 per month from each volunteer. This covers the rent for your accommodation, water, electricity, security, and also includes a donation to the orphanage. You are welcome to join the children for meals and eat at the orphanage.

We also ask volunteers to try to organise a fund raiser before you come, to support both our orphanage, and your expenses. This is a good way for you to prepare for your trip and to get others involved in your adventure. It will also mean that the children of Watoto Wa Africa can be supplied with food, water, clothes, school supplies and hygiene products.

In return, we will give you an experience you will never forget. You will never forget the faces of the children you have helped, and you will leave feeling you have made a difference to people’s lives. You will also have the opportunity to learn to cook local foods and speak Swahili. In addition, you will learn more about yourself than you could imagine, and you will leave Tanzania a different person than when you arrived.

Project Directors

The project directors and founders are Josephat and Rosemary Kirutu. Josephat and Rosemary were deeply affected by the death of their friends and family, due to HIV/AIDS and the realisation that so many children were being left homeless and hungry. They also realised that this problem was only going to get worse. So they joined with pastors from their local church and friends to create Watoto Wa Africa Organisation.

The volunteer co-ordinator is currently Jo O’Sullivan. Jo is an Australian who has been living in Mwanza for over two years and has been working with Watoto Wa Africa and other organizations to develop their projects. Volunteers that are planning an extended stay at Watoto Wa Africa are welcome to assist with this role.

Your Job:

Volunteers at Watoto Wa Africa can help in a number of different ways depending on their skills and interests.

Teaching
The main role of the volunteers will be to teach supplementary lessons for the children at the Buswelu orphanage. The ability to speak English gives children in Tanzania a head start in life, increasing their chances of continuing education and eventually finding work.

Josephat is fluent in English, but he cannot teach the children alone. Therefore he needs the help of volunteers to extend the children’s English and mathematics skills. Volunteers are asked to assist with lessons Monday to Friday in the morning and afternoon. These classes are generally only 1 to 2 hours long.

Volunteers can also teach other important skills, such as fine and gross motor skills, sports, computers, music and singing. The children are very eager to learn.

Organisation / Coordination
Josephat and his wife run the orphanage in Buswelu on their own. Most of their days are spent in search for enough food to feed the children. They greatly need the assistance of volunteers to help organise and coordinate their programs. This includes creating budgets and accounting systems, as well as long term development plans. Volunteers can also help seek permanent funding from local and international businesses or individuals.

Building
At present the orphanage in Buswelu is in a rented property. We are currently in the process of planning and building a new home. This is likely to be complete by the end of 2008. Volunteers will be able to help with the building and construction of the new house, and help make it a home for the children.

There are always small projects that volunteers can take on, such as building new furniture, repairing items around the house, helping with farming projects, or building play equipment. We are also very welcoming of new ideas and suggestions to improve the life of our children, so please come along with a lot of enthusiasm and imagination.

Farming
At present we are working on increasing the level of our farming. Currently we have one cow, some goats and some chickens. We would like to expand this project, as well as develop a vegetable patch, so we can start to produce some of our own food. Volunteers who wish to be involved with these projects do not need any experience in these areas, but need to have a willingness to get their hands dirty.

Business Development
The next phase of development for our organization is to create some small business projects in order to allow for the organization to become more self-sustainable. Volunteers with good business or accounting skills would be very welcome to assist with these plans.

Kids Worldwide has just resumed sending volunteers since May 08. We sent volunteers back in 2006 / early 2007.