About Us
My name is Musa Mwawalo, and I am a teacher and community-minded person from Mkwajuni, Songwe, Tanzania. I help lead Cacilia Pre and Primary School, a local school dedicated to giving children access to quality education, care, and opportunities to build a better future.
- Our Story:
Cacilia School began with a simple but meaningful dream: to create a welcoming place where children can learn, grow, build confidence, discover their talents, and dream big. Our school is part of the local community, and we work together with dedicated teachers, parents, and community members who believe that education can create positive change.
- Our Mission:
Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive, and inspiring learning environment where every child is encouraged to develop academically, socially, and personally. We want children to gain knowledge, confidence, good values, and skills that will help them become responsible members of their community.
- Why We Welcome Volunteers:
We believe volunteering should be a two-way experience. Volunteers can support our children through teaching, English practice, sports, creative activities, games, arts, cultural activities, and sharing their own knowledge and skills. At the same time, volunteers have the opportunity to learn from our teachers, children, families, and community.
- Cultural Exchange:
We welcome volunteers as friends and members of our community. You can experience authentic Tanzanian life, learn about local traditions, food, language, family life, and community values while sharing your own culture and experiences with us.
By joining Cacilia School, you are not simply visiting Tanzania—you are becoming part of a community. Your time, skills, kindness, and ideas can contribute to children's education and help them grow, learn, and dream big.
We believe that when people from different backgrounds come together with respect, friendship, and an open heart, everyone has something valuable to offer.
Program at a glance
Why choose us?
We chose Host & Volunteer because we are looking for a platform that connects local schools and community projects with people from different countries who want to travel, learn, volunteer, and make a positive contribution. We believe your platform matches the values and vision of Cacilia Pre and Primary School.
Our goal is not only to receive volunteers, but to create a genuine cultural exchange where everyone can learn from one another. Volunteers can support our children through teaching, English practice, sports, creative activities, games, and sharing their knowledge and skills. At the same time, they can experience Tanzanian culture, local food, traditions, language, community life, and the beautiful environment of Mkwajuni, Songwe.
We chose your platform because we hope to reach responsible and open-minded people who are interested in meaningful travel rather than simply visiting a destination. We want volunteers to feel welcomed as part of our community.
Requirements
We welcome responsible, respectful, friendly, and open-minded volunteers who are genuinely interested in education, cultural exchange, and community activities. You do not need to be a professional teacher, but patience, creativity, flexibility, and a willingness to work with children are important.
Volunteers should respect Tanzanian culture, local traditions, school rules, staff, children, and community members. A positive attitude and willingness to learn are highly valued. Basic English is helpful, especially for teaching and communicating with children and teachers.
Volunteers should be reliable, willing to participate actively, and comfortable with simple community life in Mkwajuni. We ask volunteers to follow child-safeguarding and school policies and to always treat children with kindness, dignity, and respect.
Most importantly, come with an open heart, a spirit of teamwork, and a desire to share your skills while learning from our community.
Volunteer experience
A typical volunteer day at Cacilia Pre and Primary School is a friendly and active experience, with time for both meaningful work and cultural exchange.
- Morning: Volunteers usually have breakfast before heading to school. The morning may include helping teachers in the classroom, supporting English lessons, reading, mathematics, creative activities, educational games, or helping children practice communication and teamwork.
- Midday: Volunteers take a break for lunch and have time to relax and chat with teachers and other community members.
- Afternoon: Depending on the school schedule and the volunteer's interests, activities may include sports, arts and crafts, music, games, gardening, school improvement activities, or helping with community projects.
- Evening: After finishing the day's activities, volunteers have free time to rest, explore Mkwajuni, meet local people, learn Kiswahili, and prepare activities for the next day.
Free
Volunteers stay in a safe, simple, and welcoming local environment in or near the Mkwajuni community, close to Cacilia Pre and Primary School. Accommodation is designed to give volunteers an authentic experience of everyday Tanzanian life while providing a comfortable place to rest after their activities.
Volunteers have access to a private or shared sleeping room, depending on availability and the agreed arrangement. Basic facilities such as a bed, bathroom, electricity, and clean water are provided where available.
We provide a friendly environment where volunteers can feel at home and interact with local people. Volunteers are welcome to learn about Tanzanian food, traditions, language, and community life during their stay.
Accommodation arrangements will be explained clearly before arrival, including the type of room, meals, facilities, location, and any additional costs. Our team is available to support volunteers throughout their stay.
We provide volunteers with breakfast, lunch, and dinner during their stay. Meals are mainly prepared using fresh, locally available ingredients and traditional Tanzanian foods.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to experience local dishes, learn about Tanzanian food culture, and sometimes participate in cooking or food preparation with our host family or community.
We can discuss dietary preferences and food allergies with volunteers before arrival so that we can understand their needs and plan meals as well as possible.
Meals are included as part of the volunteer stay, and we encourage volunteers to enjoy the experience of sharing food and stories with the local community.
During their free time, volunteers can relax, explore Mkwajuni, and enjoy authentic Tanzanian community life. Activities may include:
- Exploring the local village and meeting community members
- Learning basic Kiswahili and local traditions
- Playing football, volleyball, or other games with local people
- Visiting local markets and trying traditional Tanzanian foods
- Cooking and sharing meals with the host family
- Walking, cycling, and enjoying the surrounding countryside
- Joining cultural activities, music, dance, and community events
- Visiting nearby towns and places of interest
- Spending time with other volunteers, teachers, and local families
- Using weekends to explore other parts of Tanzania, depending on personal plans
Volunteers are free to choose activities according to their interests while respecting local customs, safety guidelines, and the community.
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