There have been about a dozen volunteers at WATU, the first one in 2009. We have welcomed their help, commitment and enthusiasm and both staff and students benefit from such visits though, as Nadine Christenson has said, the experience is mutually beneficial.

Volunteers' Stories

2012 July - August Nadine and Emilie Christenson
(university students from Switzerland)

We helped with accounting and budgeting charts, researching and preparing grant applications and giving students computer lessons and leading English conversation classes. A highlight was our organization of a fundraising event in Moshi.

We met incredible people, felt safe at all times, stayed in a very cheap and simple hotel near the Moshi office, had time to go on safari and wished we never had to leave.”

2014 Charlie Barnes (student from UK)
September-December, returning in November 2015

“I set off for Africa (a first experience for me) with an exciting destination, WATU Secondary School and the home of the Tanzanian Director of WATU, Josiah Mchome, where I would be staying. 
I had the most amazing three months of my life meeting people I will never forget. I felt so comfortable in this completely new place because of the welcome I received at the school where everybody is committed, hard-working and determined to make this school a success.”

2016 FEBRUARY-APRIL
MANUELA BAECHLER  
(UNIVERSITY GRADUATE FROM SWITZERLAND)

“My stay (3 months) at the Watu Secondary School was a great experience. The director Josiah is a very supportive and helpful person. The teachers are great - from the beginning of my work I felt very welcome. The students are kind and motivated - it was a pleasure to work with them! At the beginning I first had to learn a lot. The school is very different from what I knew from Switzerland. The main working utensil is the blackboard (no beamers etc.). The students share their books (about 5 per class) so you really have to write a lot on the blackboard but after a certain time you get used to that.  

I had a very close relationship with my students so my departure was very difficult for me. The school organized a goodbye ceremony for me which was very nice and emotional. I will always remember that day. But also every other day in school was an adventure. Every day you learn something more!  I go home rich in experiences and memories.”

If you would like to contact me with questions about accommodation, leisure options, shopping etc. please email me manuela.baechler@hotmail.com 

2018 JANUARY-APRIL
karen weyergang vartdal
(UNIVERSITY GRADUATE FROM Norway)

Karen is from Norway. She is in Moshi with her husband who is on a study visit at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC). She started work with us in January and will be with us until April, 2018.

Here are her impressions:-

Students at WATU Secondary School are very eager to learn. They are hardworking, disciplined, polite and friendly to each other and to their teachers.  They are also very open- minded.  I teach them English but we also have discussed world affairs issues and they enjoy knowing more about my country, Norway. I really appreciate teaching these students and I wish I could stay longer.  The teachers are friendly and supportive and I would encourage those who want to go abroad for volunteer work to consider WATU Secondary School. You will not regret it.

You might also be interested in our Useful Information for Visitors