FAQ

The Mugeta school project, which is a community-based education project, has a focus on bridging the gap between the well-off families and disadvantaged families. Built on an equity and “sharity” principle, wealthier families and poor families work together to build a stronger community, instead of marginalizing the poor. These families agreed to contribute to the school budget to reduce the school financial dependence on donors and the founder. The contribution still sits lower than any other independent schools. The highest contribution is 800,000 Tanzanian Shillings (equivalent to CAD$470 per year) for well-off families. Families with moderate-income contribute 400,000 per year (equivalent to CAD$235), and poor families contribute through other means eg. helping with constructions and other volunteering activities. These contributions pay for students’ breakfast and lunch (provided for every student) and workers’ wages. We are supporting more than 45 students who are from less fortunate families.

The more funds we receive the more we increase the enrolment of students from less-fortunate families. Our target is to reach an enrolment of 320 students by 2022, with the ratio of 170 students from contributing families to 150 children from less-fortunate families. 

Volunteering with the Mugeta school is fun and eye opening. You get to go to the heart of the country (Tanzania) where there is very little, if not any foreign influence. You learn the culture of the people, visit the locals, make friends, connect with the children and talk to them about their worries and their ambitions. You will teach, encourage and nurture the children’s creativity through class and play, helping those truly in need and growing as a person yourself.  

Anyone interested in working with children or elementary school students is welcome. Please fill out the volunteer form as a first step. We will notify you in 48 hours or less if we have a spot.

Yes! Thanks to Norma Rose Point School (Vancouver) who helped the Mugeta school to get electricity. There are various phone providers (Tigo, Vodacom, Airtel, Halotel etc.). You can have a sim card on the same day you arrive (takes 20-30 minutes to register). Please bring an unlocked phone if you can.  You can access the internet through Data. With CAD$10 you get data for the whole month, and CAD$1 gives you 20 minutes to call US and Canada. Thanks to UBC Hope For Happiness, Carnegie Mellon RoboTutor PLC and our supporters for helping us to get a well that provides safe and clean water. You can also buy bottled water for drinking if you wish. CAD$5 will get you 10 liters.

Mugeta and Tanzania (the Island of Peace) are very safe. You do not need to worry about your safety. The hostel is self-contained, and you do not need to go outside at night. In addition, there is security and a watchman taking care of the school property and the hostel. 

The biggest expense is the plane ticket. You need to buy a ticket to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. And a local flight ticket from Dar es Salaam (Dar) to Mwanza (a nearby city 3 hour drive from Mugeta). The local flights from Dar to Mwanza cost around CAD$100 for a round trip ticket if booked at least a month prior via Air Tanzania. Then a school representative will pick you up from Mwanza or the nearest point which is Bunda. Dar to Mwanza is 1.30hrs flying time. Mwanza to Bunda is 2 hours by bus/private car. Bunda to Mugeta is 45 minutes.

There is a small hostel for volunteers. A furnished room is provided for free, but you will need your own mosquito net!

Anything you can do to help! A list of things to help with include:

• You can help train the teachers and students in using programs like excel, ppt, word as well as basic computer literacy. We have a small computer lab, courtesy of Carnegie Mellon University.
• You can teach if you have a passion for teaching. Subjects include math, science, social studies, computer literacy, music (piano, guitar, or any instrument)
• You can help to create learning resources for children, i.e., online reading materials, online exam questions.
• You can help with the school farm and garden.
• Organize, sports and performances class wise, i.e., puppet show etc.
• Help teachers to organize and use school supplies.
• Give the children a sporting chance 
• Sponsor a student
• Build a classroom, a library, a playground (or send playground equipment)

Volunteering in Mugeta gives you a chance to visit the animal park, the Serengeti National Park. The park is a 1.5 hours drive from Mugeta. Please see the estimated budget if you are interested to visit.