AYODO TANZANIA.

AMKA Youth Development Organization (AYODO) was officially founded in 2022 by two local families from the village of Chamazi in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in collaboration with international volunteers from EU countries such as Spain, England, Germany, and France, as well as local volunteers. "Amka" is a Swahili word that means "wake up" or "raise the awareness," symbolizing our mission to awaken the potential within our community.

Our initial focus was on improving English literacy for teenagers and adults. However, recognizing the profound impact of early education, we expanded our mission to include children aged 1.5 to 6 years. We believe that every child deserves equal access to education. Unfortunately, children from public schools often lack the confidence and exposure needed for effective communication, compared to their peers in private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio in public schools, sometimes as high as 120 children per teacher, hampers individual attention and focus, resulting in less productive graduates.

In Chamazi, where our projects are based, we aim to improve educational standards from early childhood to adulthood. Our goal is to provide opportunities for these children to be taught by international volunteers, thereby enhancing their confidence and public speaking abilities in both English and Swahili. Currently, 85% of the people in Chamazi cannot speak English, and the remainder have only basic proficiency. By focusing on young children, we aim to prepare a new generation with the skills needed for a brighter future.

Where We work for

Our organization is based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's bustling and rapidly growing city with a population of 8 million people, many of whom come from low-income families. Chamazi, our village, is located 18.5 km from the city center and 21 km from Julius Nyerere International Airport. The village is surrounded by lush rainforests like Vikindu Forest and vibrant markets such as Mbagala Market.

Recently, Chamazi has seen significant advancements, including improved hospitals, reliable electricity, and access to running water. The village is known for its welcoming and friendly community, always ready to assist visitors. The nightlife in Chamazi is vibrant and not to be missed.

Travelers from Western countries do not need mandatory vaccinations like Yellow Fever to enter Tanzania. However, those coming from endemic countries are required to have the Yellow Fever vaccination. We also recommend consulting your doctor about Malaria, Hepatitis A, and Typhoid vaccinations before traveling.

Who are we looking for

We are looking for volunteers aged 18 to 70 from all over the world. Most of our volunteers are between 19-24 years old, either in a gap year before university or recent graduates. Volunteers should have at least a high school certificate and be passionate about working with children and teenagers.

Volunteers will work with both daycare children and older children aged 7 to 16. They must respect cultural diversity and demonstrate a positive attitude throughout their involvement in our projects.

Our Social Impact

Since our inception, AYODO has made significant strides in creating educational awareness within the Chamazi community. We have encouraged parents to enroll their children in our nursery schools and educational centers, ensuring that every child has access to quality education from an early age.

We have provided lifetime opportunities for children by offering them safe spaces at our daycare centers, where they receive free education. This initiative has been particularly impactful for children from vulnerable families, offering them a stable and supportive environment.

Our efforts have also extended to our local staff, helping them enhance their teaching skills through continuous training and professional development. By equipping our daycare centers with educational materials, we have improved the quality of education and learning experiences for the children.

One of our proudest achievements is the significant increase in enrollments of fully funded children from disadvantaged backgrounds. These children now have access to the same educational opportunities as their peers from more privileged families.

Additionally, we have successfully built strong bonds between the children’s families and our organization. This sense of community and mutual support has been instrumental in fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.

Through these efforts, AYODO continues to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and families in Chamazi, paving the way for a brighter and more equitable future.

We invite you to join us in our mission to educate and empower the next generation.

How We Started In 2017, a friend introduced me to the World Packers website, and in 2018, I registered my profile to meet international volunteers and improve my English. As I interacted with volunteers, I realized the community's need for similar experiences. Thus, I decided to extend these opportunities to Chamazi village. Interestingly, children were more eager to learn English compared to adults and teenagers. Their courage and enthusiasm for learning new languages were inspiring. In 2019, we decided to involve volunteers in our local nursery school. However, the existing school system wasn’t designed for international volunteers, posing language barriers and other challenges. The arrival of COVID-19 further complicated our efforts. Establishing Sara’s Daycare In 2021, we founded our first nursery school, Sara’s Daycare, specifically to provide opportunities for international volunteers to engage with our classrooms and share their expertise. This initiative was designed to facilitate better interaction and collaboration between volunteers and local educators. For the past four years, we have successfully worked with international volunteers. Many children in our community have benefited from their presence. We continue to strive for better and equal educational opportunities for all children in Chamazi village. Join us in our mission to empower the next generation through education and support.