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#Self-belief, confidence #Children's education, the meaning of happiness #Happiness is not about your environment; positive thinking
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The children were happy with nothing more than desks and chairs that didn’t fit their height, and I realized that feeling sorry for them was my own frame of mind. I learned on the dusty playground that a neatly paved road isn’t the whole of happiness. Happiness isn’t created by the environment but depends on how you live in that moment. For Africa’s bright future! Child education volunteering in Zanzibar, Tanzania Anna HyunA gap-year participant’s review |
Leaving for Africa was my long-held dream, and I fulfilled that dream during my gap year.
Hello, I’m Anna Hyun. I like travel, variety shows, films, and books, and I currently work as an entertainment producer at a production company.
At a moment when I felt I needed to refresh from my busy daily life, a forgotten bucket list suddenly came to mind.
When I was about seventeen, I volunteered for around two years translating letters from sponsored children — they were children living in various African countries. I’d long dreamed of visiting their countries, and I thought this gap year was the time to make that dream come true.
Recalling the precious memories of volunteering when she was young, Anna Hyun was looking for an environment in Africa where she could stay with children and also soothe her own heart. Through structured consultations with the consultant in charge, the Tanzania child education volunteer program was judged to be suitable for Ms. Hyun’s situation and goals, and so it was recommended!Not sure where to start or how best to create change and want a tailored plan? I strongly recommend 1:1 consulting with a gap-year specialist consultant!
A sure way to change your life: gap year 1:1 consulting
Discovering various sides of myself in a new environment.
Through this volunteer work I wanted to see what I was capable of. I wanted to check whether I had the ability to survive well even if everything around me changed..
Of course, I once backpacked through South America for about a month when I was twenty, and since I love traveling I wasn’t too worried. However, because it wasn’t moving my residence but staying with local volunteers, I did mentally prepare to adapt to the new situation.
And now, safely returned to Korea, I can be certain.That I am someone who can survive well in a new environment, and that my time in Africa has now become part of me! :)
The people I met in Tanzania filled my memories.
The best thing about my gap year in Tanzania was that I could naturally communicate with locals in a safe environment.When traveling/volunteering to unfamiliar places, one often wastes energy worrying about safety,but the local care was thorough, so I could stay without those worries.
Above all, everyone I met locally was wonderful, and my memories with them make up almost all of my recollections. The local coordinators treated me like friends (and actually became friends), and volunteers who came from Europe also stayed with us so we could share memories. :)
I overcame the difficulties on the journey with positivity and laughter.
Making friends of various nationalities in Tanzania was really enjoyable, but there was certainly a language barrier. With friendsEven when having conversations, the limits of my English meant I couldn''t express myself freely, so I often felt frustrated.I didn''t completely overcome it, but by smiling a lot I was able to make friends naturally.
Therefore,I think you''ll adapt faster if you expose yourself to a lot of English before leaving for Tanzania.In public schools they also communicate in English, and from about fourth grade they speak English much better than the average Korean level, so I felt a language barrier. Also, because most fellow volunteers are European for geographical reasons, the smoother your language communication, the easier the volunteering will be.
Also, I recommend reflecting on the teaching methods you experienced in school. Because there are few teachers locally, it''s difficult for children to receive quality education using appropriate teaching methods..If you think specifically about how to teach the children and what role you want to play, you''ll get more out of your time on the ground.
I discovered the true meaning of happiness while spending time with the children.
During the time I spent with the children, I had the chance to rethink the meaning of happiness. At first, influenced by images in the media, I imagined children struggling without desks or chairs, and I set out with a vague sense of mission to help them.But in fact the children were happy with just desks and chairs that didn''t fit their height, and I realized that feeling sorry for them was my own frame of reference..I realized in the dust-filled playground that a neatly paved road isn''t everything when it comes to happiness.Happiness isn''t created by the environment; it depends on how you live the moment.
# Confidence gained in Zanzibar, precious memories that led to change :)
How much have I changed during this gap year? I asked myself. I don''t feel I''ve changed 180 degrees, but more than 130 degrees.The biggest reason is that I gained certainty and confidence in myself. The driving force behind all these changes is the memories of the hospitality I received in Zanzibar..Until I left, I felt like a wobbly three-legged desk, Now I feel like someone who finally has all four legs, even if they still don''t quite reach the ground. Every moment I spent in Zanzibar has become a memory that supports my life more intensely and vividly than any other.
# What does a day of child education volunteering in Tanzania look like?
Schedules vary by school, but generally a day of child education volunteering in Tanzania went like this.
From Monday to Friday we usually woke up around 6:30 a.m., ate the accommodation-provided meal around 7:30, and took the local coordinator''s vehicle to the school at 8:00. We arrived at school around 8:20, finished classes by 10:50, had a break, and finally completed the last class from 11:20 to 12:00, which ended the school''s day.
After returning home and having a meal, the rest of the time was free. Usually there are local activities offered on different days, which you can join.
On Mondays/Tuesdays there were after-school evening classes run by the volunteers,
Wednesday is beach day (at Paje Beach) & pizza day
Thursday is dancing class (or beach volleyball)
From after Friday''s classes until Sunday is free.
# My tips for preparing for a Tanzania child education volunteer program!
Gap Year informed me about the documents needed to enter Tanzania, so I obtained a yellow fever certificate and applied for a Tanzania entry visa. Since many transfers were required, booking flights was a bit tricky, but that allowed me to book a ticket with a stopover in Dubai and travel to Dubai as well. And I also prepared small gifts to give the children. If you''re wondering what to bring, I recommend practical items like school supplies or pencil sharpeners!
# My Tanzania child education volunteer gap year!
Experience★★★★
: An experience worth paying extra for if you can.
Learning★★★★
: I went to teach but came back having learned.
Environment★★★★
: Compared to Korea it may be harder, but locally the accommodations and food were of a high standard.
Safety★★★★★
: Careful management by local coordinators and friendly island locals. However, East Asians tend to attract attention everywhere, so personal caution is still necessary.
Leisure ★★★★★
: Relaxed, sun‑drenched moments on the clearest, most turquoise emerald beaches I’ve ever seen.
Anna Hyunvisited by Tanzania Zanzibar education volunteer project Want to know more?!
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