africansmile.org

How can I help?
What is the real need of the people in the Singida region?
Where will I live during my stay in Nkungi?
What will I eat?
What is the risk that I might get a serious illness like malaria, typhoid, dysentery or other exotic disease?
Will I face dangers from snakes, spiders, scorpions, and predatory animals?
What should I wear?
How much will the trip cost ?
Will I need a Visa or passport to enter Tanzania?
What is my travel itinerary?

HOW CAN I HELP? Those who can offer construction help are especially valuable because we are remodeling some buildings in the Iambi Hospital complex in the community of Nkungi. The tattered structures seriously need repair and upgrading. The hospital is over 50 years old. We are also building new nurses dorms, a chapel and an infectious disease ward. Volunteers will be working with local men who will be hired to provide most of the labor. Volunteers with medical or health skills can provide valuable assistance in the hospital. Even if you don’t have specialized skills, motivated volunteers can help in many ways. For example, some can help teach English to the children. Others can help cook for the volunteers.

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WHAT IS THE REAL NEED OF THE PEOPLE IN THE SINGIDA REGION? The people we are helping are motivated, talented and grateful for opportunity. But their environment is harsh and denies them so many of the opportunities that we take for granted. They want to work, but there are few jobs. Those who can find employment are lucky to get $2.00 a day. Jobs of any kind are rare. A seven year drought has crippled agriculture. Food is limited. There is no refrigeration. Most people cannot afford electricity. Water for crops is prized. Medical care is modest at best. Education is a luxury. And when children finish their schooling – often after the seventh grade – there is little or nothing for them to do because the economy is struggling.

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WHERE WILL I LIVE DURING MY STAY IN NKUNGI? Volunteers will have accommodations in a large guest house. There is also a duplex. Each complex has four bedrooms and one bathroom. One unit has a tub and both have sit-down toilets (a luxury in this region). The housing units have cold water only for bathing and we advise bringing along a solar shower bag, which is available at most sporting goods stores, to insure a warm bath.

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WHAT WILL I EAT? While the African culture offers tasty foods that most of us may not be familiar with, volunteers do enjoy delicious, familiar foods including vegetables, local beef, and selections of fruit at the guest house location. (It is a good idea to avoid lettuce and spinach in restaurants). There will also be water available which has been boiled to rid it of germs.

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WHAT IS THE RISK THAT I MIGHT GET A SERIOUS ILLNESS LIKE MALARIA, TYPHOID, DYSENTERY OR OTHER EXOTIC DISEASE? While Africa is no stranger to disease, volunteers on our missions are required in advance to receive vaccinations to help guard against illness. For example, Providence Hospital Traveler’s Clinic and Kaiser Hospital’s International Travel Clinic can provide vaccinations. Mosquito nets are also provided to cover beds for volunteers and it’s important to take a malaria prophylaxis.

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WILL I FACE DANGERS FROM SNAKES, SPIDERS, SCORPIONS AND PREDATORY ANIMALS? Highly unlikely. Critters like these are scarce in the community where you will be working. When your work is complete in Nkungi, you will be visiting two wildlife parks: one is on the famed Serengeti Plains, the other is Ngorongoro Crater, which is considered one of the natural wonders of the world. You will see thousands of animals. During your wildlife safaris, you must stay inside your vehicle with an experienced driver. However, roof ports will allow you to stand and get unrestricted photographs of the wildlife and the unique environment.

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WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? The Singida region is about 200 miles south of the equator and about 5,000 feet altitude. During January, February and March, temperatures are typically 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and about 70 degrees F at night. We recommend that you bring lightweight, long sleeved shirts and full length pants. Women are welcome to wear slacks or skirts. In keeping with local customs, women’s skirts should have hems below the knees. A light weight jacket could come in handy at times. Shorts are okay for the animal parks but never in the Iambi Hospital compound.

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HOW MUCH WILL THE TRIP COST? The total cost can vary somewhat depending on the individual traveler. Total estimated expenses for 2009 will be around $4000. Due to rising fuel costs these numbers may change. Credit cards can be used in the cities and airports. Travelers pouches or belts are a good idea. Choose handbags with strong handle-straps. Also, carry several $1 bills for tipping.

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WILL I NEED A VISA OR PASSPORT TO ENTER TANZANIA? You will need both. Since it can take time to acquire these documents, it is strongly advised that you get them without delay. You will need two passport photos for your Visa and two more for your Passport. Your local post office can assist with your Passport. Your Passport must be mailed along with your Visa application to Washington DC. It is recommended that they be sent registered, express mail to reduce any risk of the documents being stolen. In your initial mailing, include a self-addressed stamped envelope which Embassy officials will use to return your processed passport. Application forms for Visas are available on line at “Tanzania Visa Forms.” The cost is approximately $50 for each Visa. Applications are to be sent to The Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania, 2139 R Street, NW Washington DC. 20008. Telephone (202) 939-6125 and (202) 884-1080. Travel insurance is also recommended.

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WHAT IS MY TRAVEL ITINERARY? This is for a two week trip. Typically, flights from Portland to Tanzania are routed through Amsterdam. You will arrive in Kilimanjaro after a flight of approximately 20 hours. You will be driven to the town of Moshi about 45 minutes away where you will rest and spend the night at a Lutheran center. The next morning, you will embark on an approximately 12 hour drive, depending on road conditions, to Nkungi, a community of about 7,000 people. Within Nkungi is the Iambi medical complex where we will be working. The following day – a Sunday – there will be time for resting and attending a church service. You will work on the African SMILE project Monday through Friday. On Saturday, you will depart for the Lutheran Center at Karatu and sleep there. Sunday morning, you will travel through the famous Ngorongoro Crater and in the afternoon travel to Ndutu Lodge located in the Serengeti. Then you will make a game drive Monday morning. In the afternoon you will make another drive as you travel back to the Lutheran Hostel in Moshi. Tuesday will be time for shopping in Moshi as you prepare to leave on the evening flight from Kilimanjaro Airport for your return to the U.S.

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THE AFRICAN S.M.I.L.E. MISSION is without question a unique experience. Its focus is to help people who desperately need help. Yet, the rewards can be great for volunteers as well as the African community we are serving. Your personal efforts to aid the welfare of others can be life changing. Grasping a culture that is so foreign to our own can also be eye-opening. While the people in Tanzania are our brothers and sisters in a global community, they live in a different world socially and economically. Despite their natural desires to live "the good life" as we do, they face countless hurdles that deny them opportunity. Their priority must be simple survival.

While in the Singida region, you will be asked frequently for help and/or money. That is common among the peoples of most Third World countries. You should not feel compelled to comply with their requests. Should you desire to offer money or help, it would be a good idea to first talk it over with your hosts.

There is no need to bring a large sum of money with you. Dollar bills for tips are handy. And your credit card will get you the best exchange rate.

Dedicated volunteers who have previously participated in the African SMILE mission have found it tremendously rewarding and humbling. They have learned to be very respectful of the African culture. That means not criticizing Africa or the people who live there. Do not photograph members of the community without their permission. Dress appropriately.

Through experience, we have found the people of Nkungi and the Singida Region to be talented, loving, welcoming, sharing and appreciative. There may be differences in our cultures, but we are all united in our desires for respect, dignity and opportunity.

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