An Autumn in Zanzibar…
DATES: 21st October- 12th December 2012
Go Make A Difference has recently visited the island of Zanzibarand was inspired to serve the Anglican Diocese which struggles with raising funds for outreach and ministering in a heavy Muslim society. Go MAD hopes to send a team of volunteers out to work with the Diocese of Zanzibar this Autumn for 7 weeks. The volunteers will be building toilets for church communities, renovate 5 shop blocks and a café for the mother union, this is a development scheme which will provide income for the rural parish of Mahonda. As well as working with and playing with the children in the diocese’s schools and nursery’s. For those interested in Health care there will be an opportunity to get involved with the Diocese home-care HIV/AIDS project.
The Projects:
Go MAD teams can help the Diocese in numerous ways.
Building projects:
There is a real need for toilets (pit latrines) for the Church Parishes. There are 6-7 Anglican parishes on the island, with congregations ranging from 30-60 people. There is often only 1 toilet, if at all, for all these people and they can be unhygienic and at risk of failing in on itself. We hope the summer team could begin to build these pit latrines for several of the parishes
In the village of Mahondathe Diocese has constructed 5-6 brick shop blocks which they plan to use to sell stationary supplies and provide printing facilities. They have also given one block to the Mothers Union with the purpose of turning it into a café. The income from these shops will benefit the parish, provide employment and the café will act as a means of outreach.
The buildings have a good roof, but are in need of doors, floor, and windows, inside furniture and to be connected to the electric line.
Teaching and helping in the Nursery:
Volunteers could assist in the Mahonda nursery as well as the Anglican school based in Stonetown. The Mahonda nursery has two classrooms, a junior class for 2-5 year olds and a senior class for 5-8 year olds. The nursery teaches English, Math, Art and Kiswahili; there are little resources and only tables and chairs are available for the senior class. The school is privately run by the church; children pay 3000 TSH to attend per month (£1.50) which often families struggle to pay. The nursery relies on donations from the church to keep it running.
Volunteers will be staying at the Anglican Diocese’s Hostel St Monica’s, next to Christ Church Cathedral which stands on the location of the former slave market of Zanzibar. The diocese compound is on the eastern side of Stone Town within short walking distance of the main market.
The Cathedral and the underground slave chambers are available for tourists to view and receive a short explanation of the sites historical stories.
Activities- There is a variety of activities you could do during your weekends off, including:
- Visiting historical ruins
- Touring spice plantations
- Swimming with dolphin and sea tortoises
- Sailing and deep-sea fishing
- Exploring the forest of Jozani home of the Red Colobus monkey
- Buying fresh seafood at the food markets in Stone town
- Snorkeling the islands coral reefs
- Relaxing on the many gorgeous beaches with miles of white sand, coconut trees and warm blue seas
The island of Zanzibaris really easy to get around, and a driver and guide from the Diocese will be provided for the duration of the trip. They will take you to all the best places to eat shop and relax.
£ 1800 (approx) Costs include- accommodation, transport, driver and guide, insurance, food and water
Costs exclude- flights, visas, vaccinations, tourist trips and safaris
To apply go through our partner, Tearfund and their website - Here.
Any enquiries can be emailed to Abbi Burt: abbi@gomad.org.uk or Matt McClure: matt@gomad.org.uk
Check our our Image gallery of Zanzibar here!