My Volunteer Placement!

I depart in just 18 days... it seems unblievable! Today I received my volunteer placement from CCS with details on where I'll be volunteering for my 6 weeks in Tanzania. I couldn't be happier with my assignment. I'll be teaching at Bridge Nursery School just outside of Moshi. My students will be ages 3-5. I've never taught kids that young before so I know it will be a wonderful challenge. Here is the description of the school given to me by CCS...

Mission and Needs of the Partner Program
Bridge Nursery School started in July of 2008. It is an English Medium Nursery School, which is run by a board of directors. The school is situated in Moshi municipality in a shanty town area near the International School of Moshi. It is about three kilometers from the town center. The school has two female teachers and 11 pupils aged from 3 to 5 years old. The subjects taught at the Bridge Nursery School are Mathematics, English, Art, Singing, Stories and Games.

Volunteer Activities/Duties of Caring for Infants and Children
· Teach English and basic mathematics (counting, addition)
· Teach games and songs (singing action songs are great: Hokey Pokey, Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, etc)
· Asses the development and progress of students (help create testing procedures)
· Organize projects and activities for the children.
· Work with the teacher to develop pre-school activities and materials that can be used for years to come (using creativity to create things with little supplies and modern equipment)
· Participate in cultural exchange with the children and teacher

Goals of the Partner Program
Long-Term
The long-term goals of this partnership are to provide quality education for the children of Kilimanjaro, to encourage an exchange among teachers in order to gain new teaching and learning methodologies, and to improve students’ and teachers’ facility with the English language.

Short-Term
Each volunteer’s short-term goals may include: establishing relationships with students and teachers, engaging in meaningful cultural exchange, preparing and implementing creative lesson plans for all of the above mentioned subjects, and to provide an opportunity for formal and informal English lessons.

Ideas to Bring with You
· Please begin brainstorming ideas for activities for your placement. Be sure to review the “Activity Bank” section of the Placement Guide you received in your Welcome Packet for suggestions and ideas from previous volunteers and in-country staff.
· The Home-Base has a well-stocked Resource Center with locally purchased supplies and materials such as crayons, paint, paper, and glue that you can use at your placement. Please do not bring supplies with you.
· People will be very interested in learning about you and your life so it would be nice to bring “show and tell” items, such as photos of your family and things representative of your daily life.


Work Attire/Dress Code
· Skirts below the knee for women and loose pants or khakis for men (No shorts or jeans)
· Short sleeves or polo, knitted-type shirts (No thin-strapped/strapless tops)
· Sturdy sandals, tennis shoes or sneakers
· Clean clothing without stains, tears, or that drag on the ground
· Please be sure that all tattoos are covered.


Things to Remember
· Keep a positive, open-mind.
· Interact with children and teachers.
· Be patient, flexible, creative, friendly and respectful.
· Try to observe the routine as much as possible during your first week.
· Take initiative – plan activities in advance and always ask how you can help.

I couldn't be happier with the assignment I've been given!
As always, more to come!