Next-Gen | Volunteer Projects
Back

Environmental leadership

Mafia Island [COAST], Tanzania

Notes

This project is suitable for a person who enjoys working outdoors, willing to share leadership roles, and having a sense of adventure. Those who are interested in other cultures, working with children, open minded, flexible and able to work under limited resources and minimum supervision. English and Kiswahili will be working languages but you do not need to be fluent.

In partnership with

Environmental leadership is an experiential leadership program focusing on the big questions: Can we design sustainable communities for the future? It is aiming to bring participants to live and work together on the beautiful Island of Mafia and have the opportunity to explore the social, economic, spiritual and ecological issues and skills needed for developing sustainable life practices.


Description of the Work

The project is organized along four themes:

1) Holistic worldview: The big picture: why do we need to be developing sustainable communities? Listening to nature, celebrating life, discerning your role and creating your dream.
Ecological: Bioregionalism, defining a watershed, introduction to local food issues and permaculture techniques.

2) Social: Building and embracing diversity, introductory communication skills.

3) Economic: Shifting the global economy to sustainability, understanding the global versus local argument, analyzing your ecological foot print careers in sustainability.

4) Hands-on activities may include: Establishment and management of tree nursery at the Youth Center to increase supply of various trees spices needed for conservation in the Island; Planting trees in various open and public areas in the Island; Environmental cleaning and waste management in the public areas and sea show (Beach) including provision of garbage separation demonstrations; and Climate change education and awareness on Islands sustainability through workshops and other creative means including sports, arts, music and exhibitions.


Accommodation & Food

Accommodation will be at the Youth hostel. Basic accommodation facilities like water, electricity and toilets will be available. Rooms will be shared. Food will be provided at the project designated site. Vegetarian meals will be available.


Location & Leisure

Mafia Island is located along the east coast of Tanzania. It offers a good variety of places to visit including Marine Park, swimming and other water sports, eco and cultural tourism.


Requirements

The volunteer's English level should be sufficient for daily communication and comprehension. C2 level is not required.


Appointment

Volunteers will be picked up at Mafia Airport or Kilindoni sea Port on arrival. Volunteer wishing to inter the island by ship may be picked up in Dar es Salaam and have organized trip to Mafia Island, this will be done on request and more details will be provided.


Host Organization

UVIKIUTA is a Youth development organization established in the year 1983. The organization came to its existence a respond to the challenges facing today�s� young people socially and economically. UVIKIUTA is working towards improving the living standards of the youths by facilitating them to be self employed, having permanent shelters, getting income, improving education and skill so as to be self reliance. UVIKIUTA activities are categorized under income generation, Eco village development and Development education. More details about these programs can found in the UVIKIUTA main website. International Volunteer Projects: For the last fifteen years UVIKIUTA has been involved in these projects which have been very famous as International workcamps, Medium and long term volunteer programs and community services. International volunteer projects are activities which involves individuals and groups of people who volunteer and live together on a project which has been identified by a local community or a project working with that community. This is a personal-building experience, a journey not only through the geography of our planet, but also a Journey through the several cultures of our world, a self-discovering journey. The program aim at bringing together people from different cultures and backgrounds, promoting through practical actions, mutual understanding and lasting peace. International volunteers� projects are a practical tool to demonstrate that living, working together and sharing knowledge is not only possible but rewarding. In the International Volunteer projects we see the possibility of people to exchange experiences, learn more about other social, cultural, political and living conditions. Program Philosophy: International volunteer projects seek to provide an experience that connects service, culture, professional and personal growth. While the service we offer does improve the quality of life for others, it is equally important as a time to reflect on our own lives. The significance of what we do is more than social charity; it is an encounter with real people in the real world. Projects go beyond the familiar road of commercial society, taking us outside of our comforts so that we can spend our time in someone else's shoes. By working with people in various cultures, we learn to recognize the world we all share. We realize that our lives are interconnected and that our stories have common threads. We hope that by serving others you will discover you and better understand your own values and responsibilities as global citizen. What to Expect in International volunteer Projects: Volunteer projects are organized in very simple but comfortable enough. While most projects are not extreme difficult, positive attitudes, flexibility, and openness to new experiences are essential for every volunteer. The groups who have the best time at the projects are those who can most successfully adapt to their surroundings. Although the projects and living conditions are different for each project, they all share some basic universals. You can expect to eat, to sleep, to shower, do useful things in the community through volunteering, to play, and most importantly, to have fun! At the project you'll get to meet and volunteer with lots of people from the community and from all over the world and cultivate friendships that last much longer than just the time you will be there. Website: www.uvikiuta.org (Under construction)