The Global Service Corps Tanzania Program in HIV/AIDS

The author wrote and directed this play, ” Wanawake Jukwaani” or “Women Center State,” to address women’s issues while in Tanzania.

The first four weeks of my time with Global Service Corps in Tanzania, I facilitated AIDS awareness lectures with the two other volunteers. Every lecture began with speeches and prayer. In Tanzania it seems that everything begins and ends with a ceremony.

The teaching was extremely fulfilling. It confirmed how misinformed and unaware Africans are about HIV prevention. It also introduced me to one of the major contributors to the AIDS crisis in Africa: the status of women. The blatant oppression of women in Tanzania is undeniable, and its effects create many of the problems facing the country today, especially in the fight against AIDS. It’s almost a waste of time to teach a group of women how to protect themselves against HIV when they don’t even have the right to protect themselves against rape and sexual abuse.

Once it was time to begin my long-term project, I decided to focus on women’s issues. Using the various stories told to me by Tanzanian women, I wrote and produced a play about the obstacles African women face and the profound results achieved by making positive choices. “Wanawake Jukwaani” (Women Center Stage) confronted the issues of sexual assault, HIV transmission, education for women, child abuse, spousal abuse, and teenage sex. I wrote the play in English, then had it translated into Swahili.

The cast and crew were made up of local youth groups, women’s groups, and volunteers from a local Maasai village. Every day my translator and I went to one of the groups’ meeting places to rehearse the play, discuss why the cultural changes it dealt with are so important. We didn’t always see eye to eye on the issues, but we always respected each other’s opinions and appreciated each other’s comments.

The cast of the play ended up to be more than 50, half of whom were men who constantly tried to change the play to “Wanawume Jukwaani” (Men Center Stage). Sometimes men would try to play a woman’s part because she had more lines. The Maasai men even tried changing their story to make all of the women die and the men survive. I had to constantly remind everyone that the play was about women!

To promote the play, I posted flyers all over Arusha and handed out invitations (in Swahili) to every woman I saw. There was no dress rehearsal because none of the groups wanted the other groups to see their performance until the day of the play.

Miraculously, “Wanawake Jukwaani” was a huge success. All of the performers showed up on time. The play started only a half hour late, which is pretty good by African standards. There were over 200 people in the audience. All of the performers were spectacular, and the audience participation was fantastic.

In addition to the performance I began writing a column for the Arusha Times called “Women Center Stage.” In the beginning the column elaborated on the topics presented in the play, but now that I’m back in California I use it to confront a myriad of issues African women face. It’s a great way to still feel connected to Tanzania.

Before I left for Africa a woman asked me, “Do you really think you are going to make a difference there?” How can one person actually make an impact? Why was I going to Africa anyway?

Now I know how easy it is to make a difference, the easiest thing I’ve ever done. Being a part of something bigger than yourself, feeling that your actions positively impact the lives of other people is an extraordinary experience. The four months I spent in Tanzania were the happiest, most fulfilling months of my life and the experience gave me a new outlook on life.

For more information on this and other volunteer opportunities in Tanzania and Thailand, contact Global Service Corps. Please visit their website at www.globalservicecorps.org or email gsc@earthisland.org.

How You Can Change the World Through Volunteer Work?

 

  

Derek Turner at Ngorongoro Crater. Photo by Derek Turner.

Find a need. Fill a need.

For many of us there comes a point in life, when you take pause, look around and realize we have it pretty good. It’s that moment when you discover that no matter how many points the Dow has dropped, or how high gas prices have become, we still live like kings and queens compared to a lot of people in the world. Then comes the wave of guilt, compassion, inspiration – whatever it is that moves a person to say: “ I want to do something. I, (insert full name here), want to make a difference.”

This is probably the biggest step: realizing that we can, even should, make a difference. But then, after that beautiful, humbling moment of self-realization where we decide YES (I am going to change the world!), comes the more complicated and often de-motivating, “how.” This step, as it turns out, is even more difficult than first.

After that beautiful, humbling moment of self-realization where we decide YES, comes the more complicated and often de-motivating, “how.”

Volunteering is a broad term. It can be as simple or complicated as you like. It can mean anything from picking up trash, to serving bread at a soup kitchen, to serving on the front lines for a country you love. You don’t have go anywhere to do it, but if you’re like me and would rather travel than stay home, the opportunities are endless.

From the first time I flew at the age of 3 and fell in love with my flight attendant, I have loved to travel, to see new places, and meet new people. However, the more I’ve traveled, the more I’ve been haunted by that motivating whisper to make a difference in this world. So one day, standing hip deep in the corporate world of sales and marketing, I decided the time had come. Despite a new promotion and other promising job offers, I quit. I left my job, and at the tender age of 30 years, joined an old college friend on 33’ sailboat adventure around the world.

I had never sailed a day in my life, but I had traveled, and I wanted this trip to be more than just vacation. So, days before I left, a friend and I designed a website. The idea was simple: I would raise money on my website-all of which would go towards needs I saw and projects I volunteered with along the way. Then through the website I would blog about everything. Through video, picture and word, I would raise awareness and hopefully money, and those giving could (literally) watch their dollars work.

It was sort of a pipe dream at the beginning, but contrary to many skeptics, it actually worked. And, a simple idea for grassroots humanitarian work has since moved past the bow of the boat. Money was raised and needs were met. Orphans were given clothing and supplies for school. Prisoners were given books to study and seeds to plant. We even raised enough money to buy one charming, less fortunate man a prosthetic leg and the doctor’s appointments to support it.

  

“Find a need. Fill a need.” Photo by Derek Turner.

Five tips to help you find volunteer opportunities

Still, how and where do you begin? There are needs everywhere, but it can be hard to know where to start. Fortunately, there is no one right answer, but I’ve learned a few things since I began:

1. Contact Before Contact: If you’ve never been to a place and would like to get involved, the best thing you can do is find someone who’s been. Ask around. Try to find a contact who is already plugged in. If you don’t mind letting someone else call the shots, there are a number of volunteer companies that can organize your entire trip. On occasion they’ll at least provide a name or email. Personally, I started with Facebook. Asking friends or friends of friends for advice, usually (or eventually) I found someone in the country I was headed for. Not only can they help you find a project, they can help find the bus station.

2. Watch and Learn: The more you know about a culture, the more you’ll understand their true needs. If you can, learn about the culture before you visit. Read about their history, their current situation. This will also help you relate to people you may not have much in common with. But even if you enter a country, without a contact or prior information, you’ll learn a lot just by watching.

3. Ask Around: As simple as it is, nothing has paid off for me more than this. It doesn’t take long to spot a malnourished boy or a girl with no shoes, but some problems are hidden. I knew there were children with needs in the Dominican Republic, I didn’t realize children had to meet certain uniform requirements to go to school. I also would have never learned about “Viejito” (the man without a leg), had I not simply asked around a community for people with need. Even the “Tourist Information” may be able to point you in the right direction.

4. Be Flexible (in action and idea): Even if you know the project beforehand, you may be asked to do something that to you seems unimportant. Be prepared to be insignificant. Not all jobs are glamorous and often times you will be behind the scenes where neither you nor your work are obvious… And that’s ok.

5. Be Cautious: Remember that in most places, especially those with heavy need, you will be viewed as wealthy. Compared to them, you are. There is a chance when you start offering help, you will be bombarded with requests. Use discretion. I always try to respectfully verify with a second or third, unrelated source.

You know that bumper sticker you see on the back of VW buses that says “Practice random acts of kindness”? Well I don’t have dreadlocks, and I’ve never lived in a commune, but I think it’s true. I’m convinced that most things in life are self-perpetuating, which is why when someone does something nice (or not nice) to us, we in turn are moved to also do something nice (…or not nice) to someone else. You might change the world. You might find and fill some need so vital it affects an entire culture. Or you might just hammer a nail that holds a humble home for someone who’s less fortunate. You might just buy a guy a sandwich. I’m not saying you quit your job, and live on a boat, not all of us can do that. But everyone can do something.

Volunteering Zambia

Travel

 

The British Airways flight from Heathrow Airport to Lusaka (capital city) takes approximately 10 hours and prices vary. I traveled end of June last year for approximately £800. Lusaka Airport was much better than I expected; exactly what you’d imagine in a Western country.

 As I was doing charity work in Lusaka transport was provided from the airport to the guesthouse where we were saying. For those traveling independently public transport is very easy, cheap and convenient.  The main mode of public transport being little blue mini buses.

One thing to remember however is that the buses will not leave until they are full and when they are they are VERY VERY cramped!

 The main bus station is situated in the centre of Lusaka- this alone is a culture shock! It’s busy 24 hours a day, and is full of all kinds of people including beggars and lots of street sellers. They will be very persistent so be stern otherwise you’ll run out of money very quickly! I’d also suggest carrying your bags on your front and not keep valuables in pockets. However don’t let this put you off; the people are genuinely great and will be happy to help you can’t find your bus, which will happen!

There are also taxis, which you can flag down or ranks at both Arcades and Manda Hill supermarkets. Again these are reasonable, but you should decide on a price with the driver before you set off on the journey.

Top Tips:

• Girls will get more attention! But I had no trouble traveling alone on some occasions.
• Don’t take pictures whilst inside the bus station; I did once and got threatened with being arrested!
• Look out at the goods being sold! You won’t believe some of it- from spoons, to plugs, to puppies!

Visas

If you are planning a prolonged stay in Zambia you will require a visa, this can be gained by writing to the Zambia High Commissioner in London or by downloading a form from the website:http://zhcl.org.uk/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

 Be warned if you are traveling out of Zambia, even for 1 day on a safari, for example, you will be expected to pay a fee to enter a new country and then again whilst returning to Zambia.

Events and Places to Visit

Lusaka:

I was based in the capital city LUSAKA. I was placed in schools in the village CHILENJE near by. My three schools were- St. Patrick’s Girls School, Chilenje Basic School and St. Josephs Community School for orphans and vulnerable children. St. Josephs particularly was full of incredible children and teachers.

I was placed in these schools via the Lusaka-based sporting charities Sport In Action and EduSport. Both charities have websites and happily welcome volunteers, so if you fancy volunteering go for it! You won’t be disappointed it’s the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done.

 It will additionally give you a great look into local life and give you the best insight into Zambia and its people.

 Other must-dos whilst in Lusaka are to visit the local markets. There are amazing craft markets at the Arcades supermarket on Sundays (where you must barter!). It is full of African fabrics, wooden ornaments, jewelry (look out for the local stone- Malachite) and much more. Again expect sellers to be very persistent. For a bit of a culture-hit I also recommend visiting the huge Lusaka market, used by the locals to buy everything and anything!

 Not necessarily a place to visit, but somewhere helpful to know are the two big supermarkets- Arcades and Manda Hill, both are a similar size to a supermarket you’d find in the UK and sell the same kind of stuff. At both you will also find an internet café, restaurants, a pub and a few clothes shops and at Arcades you will also find- a bowling complex, a cinema, and an amazing bakery with the most incredible Chelsea buns ever! (Random I know!)

 You will also discover how much Zambians love sport so try and take in a local football game at the weekend (in most villages) or a rugby game, we watched Zambia vs. Uganda and it was a great experience, it cost 10,000 kwacha to get in (approx £1.20). If you are a rugby player yourself, get in touch with the team as a few of my friends went along to training!

 You will find plenty of options for accommodation, as Lusaka is full of guesthouses and hotels. We stayed in a very homely guesthouse in Olympia Park, just on the outskirts of the city centre, within walking distance to the supermarkets and buses.

 Livingstone:

For a break from volunteering we went on a trip to Livingstone; definitely a backpackers paradise! Amazing fun. However we traveled from Lusaka to Livingstone on a coach and it took about 10 hours! Partially because we broke down twice and because we hit a donkey! So I’d definitely suggest looking into flights!

 There are loads to do in Livingstone, and the backpackers’ hostel Jollyboys Lodge is a great base:

 http://www.backpackzambia.com/pages/hostel.htm.

 Whilst there I recommend of course visiting Victoria Falls.

 It is truly spectacular and understandably one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

I also did a Gorge Swing (attach photo), which was a big adrenaline rush in which you free-fall 53 meters in 3.5 seconds! It is said to be worse than a bungee! It definitely felt that way!

 I visited Chobe National Park (in Botswana) (attach photo) this was incredible and one of the highlights of my trip. I saw Elephants, Kudu, Waterbuck, Impala, Warthog, Giraffes, Crocodiles, Hippos, Water Buffalo and more.

If you are traveling in a big group I also highly recommend the Sunset Cruise (Booze Cruise!) As much food and drink as you want, incredible views, and traditional entertainment.  All excursions are available through Jollyboys.

Livingstone also offers plenty of restaurants and craft markets.

Extras and Essentials

Cards and money:

•  Be sure to notify your bank that you will be using your credit/debit cards whilst in Zambia otherwise they WILL freeze your account!
• You will find cash points and a bureau de change at each of the big supermarkets.
• Zambian currency is called Kwacha and is in the form of notes. 100.00 kwacha is approximately 1p!

Mobile Phones:

• Not all mobiles will work in Zambia, I use T-mobile and although I was told it would work it didn’t! Even if your phone does work however the cheapest way to do it is to buy a Zambian sim card, which costs about 80p and then credit for about £2! It even works out much cheaper to text home with it.

 Clothing:

•  The only advice I can offer regarding clothes is to not wear too many little colours, as they’ll turn orange with the dust!
• Also girls should avoid wearing short- shorts, skirts or dresses, as it is frowned upon to show your thighs. Basically just dress modestly.

Vaccinations:

Where can I start! I basically had everything going, but did have extra to consider as I was working with local people, and coaching sport (i.e. injuries and cuts put me at high risk etc).  UK doctors surgeries are very helpful and will be able to fully advice you on what you need.  You will need to consult your GP/nurse as much as 3 months before traveling as some vaccinations are given a few weeks apart.

Food:

There is a wide range of food on sale so you can eat exotically if you wish, but if you prefer sticking to what you are used to then you can! Supermarkets stock as much Heinz, Walkers and Cadburys as you want! But bare in mind this is likely to be more expensive as they are imported.

However there are plenty of opportunities to eat the local produce, which I definitely recommend. Street sellers sell locally grown fruit and vegetables very cheaply, this also offers you a great opportunity to meet and chat to the local women sellers, and support the local communities.