Empower communities in Tanzania through computer literacy

Portugal

5

The best host I could have chosen, I always felt welcomed by Jovin and his sweet wife, attentive to my needs, always concerned about my safety, and honest above all, I loved our nights out. Thank you for everything, I brought much more than I gave I will never forget you❤️❤️

mais de 1 ano atrás

Noruega

3

I had a amazing time at Jovins house bacause of the other volunteers and the wonderful kids. There are a lot of things that were great about the experience, but there are some things that could be improved for the next volunteers. Things that were promised were not there, like free wifi, free drinks, discount on different things, free tours and so on. I had a wonderful time with the kids, but i think more information about curriculum and more engangement from the teachers are necessary. Sometimes you can feel pressured to donate more money to the schools, wich could feel uncomfortable.

1 ano atrás

Jovin respondeu

Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you had an amazing time with the children and other volunteers. Your insights are invaluable for us to improve the experience for future volunteers.

We acknowledge the issues you mentioned and have already taken steps to address them. We’ve installed free WiFi, added customized mirrors in each room, and fixed the sink. Regarding the free tours, while they aren’t 100% free since volunteers cover transportation and food costs, they do include a local guide from our team, offering a rich, local experience.

We understand the importance of providing structured curriculum information and teacher engagement. We’re conducting seminars to better prepare our schools and teachers for effective collaboration with volunteers. Our local teachers have a syllabus in place, but we encourage volunteers with an educational background to contribute their own ideas and methods to enhance the learning experience.

We also recognize the cultural differences, especially concerning disciplinary practices. We aim to address these sensitively and constructively in our orientations for both volunteers and local staff.

Thank you again for your valuable feedback. It helps us grow and improve our program. We hope to see you again in the future and wish you all the best in your endeavors.

Best regards,
Jovin

Espanha

4

An unforgettable experience. The children are wonderful, grateful and loving, a part of me stayed with them. However, this volunteering offers many things that are not true: there is no wifi, no discounts of any kind, no bicycles, etc. It should be noted that you are in a Tanzanian village, without sinks, mirrors and a hole in the ground is used as toilet. The food is based 85% on carbohydrates (rice, pasta and potatoes), only eating protein a couple of times a week. Joseph, a colleague of the organization, was our real support, he has became a friend. The volunteers made this experience amazing

1 ano atrás

Jovin respondeu

Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re delighted to hear that the children and your fellow volunteers made your experience memorable.


However, we apologize for any discrepancies between your expectations and the reality of your stay.We strive to provide clear and accurate information about the amenities and conditions in Chamazi village.

We acknowledge the absence of certain amenities like WiFi and mirrors. However to make it accurately, we serves protein nutrients in the meals, our typical lunch is rice or pastas served with beans, peas or Tilapia fish and avocados, we serves fried chicken, beef on regular basis.

While we are working to improve the internet facilities, we assist volunteers to get local Sim Card for internet connections which works pretty well.

We’re grateful for Joseph's support and the positive impact he made. Your insights are invaluable, and we will use them to enhance future volunteers' experiences. Thank you for your dedication and understanding.

Reino Unido

2

Mixed experience however one I will cherish. Jovin provides little support for volunteers and seemed to not care, even leaving for a week. Giving vague direction, and no plans. I found all my support in other volunteers and Joseph. What's listed on World packers is unrealistic, there is no WiFi nor workspace, amenities are limited, and I would have appreciated at least a sink. Joseph is amazing taking us to places and keeping us safe, experience would be completely different without him. Kids are incredible, They still hit the children, something that was deeply uncomfortable to witness.

1 ano atrás

Jovin respondeu

At least you could be fair enough to say apart from this volunteering mission i work in friend's travel company the one I told you when I was about to leave for a week while you were on three days safari holiday.


In 2024 the organization doesn’t need just one individual guy to run everything, I delegate the authority to my colleagues like Joseph and volunteers like Samantha so that they can cooperate in decisions making.

I strongly believe the experience could be way more better if you could at least put some trust to local host which eventually happened on the last days of your stay and I don’t blame about this because the situation put you in position to not trust a local host.


May be this volunteering mission isn’t for everyone especially the ones who’s likely to stay in his comfort zones. For the first two weeks someone can easily recognize unwillingness of Jake to cooperate in the organization’s projects. He was more harm in organization until he decided to change his rudeness behavior and humble his pride.

Alemanha

1

I, Carolin, originally planned a 4-week stay with Jovin but had to leave 10 days early. My experiences were overwhelmingly negative. I felt isolated as the only volunteer in a vast area and had to travel long distances for activities. What deeply troubled me was the morally unacceptable disciplinary methods used on the children, including physical punishment. Additionally, I felt uncomfortable in the house, often dining alone and being avoided. Despite discussions, the problems persisted, resulting in financial loss. Due to these concerning aspects, I strongly advise against this experience.

1 ano atrás

Jovin respondeu

Thank you for your feedback Caroline. I’m very sorry to hear about your experience and apologize for any inconvenience caused.


However since it’s one sided review, I would like to provide some few more narrations about the allegations.

First of all Caroline arrived a week earlier before a second male volunteer arrived, we introduced her to the entire staff and gave her the orientation and schedule of the school and organization.

We were bringing her to our non profit daycare and picked her up every day, as we always do to all solo female volunteer until they get used to it. The distance is 10 minutes walking to school.

The problem about Caroline I think she’s a little bit introvert, closed minded and racist. She judges everything from wrong point of view which makes us feel embarrassed.

We as local people, we have our own traditional cuisine which we like to cook some days like Ugali the stiff porridge from corn flour and local spinach (Matembele ) which we found not very exciting for international volunteers, that’s why we came up with this idea of having two different dishes the international cuisine like Spaghetti, French fries and rice for volunteers as well as local cuisine Ugali.for us local people, since we like it mostly.

Caroline wasn’t interested from very first place to try this local dishes which we totally understand and accept her preference that’s why we were making two different dishes few days in a week, the international cuisine for her as a volunteer and local dishes for us, we as a local people who are working for this project.

This may seems to be isolating volunteer from wrong perspective but it can also seems to be a special care and treatment for volunteers from the right perspective. Since we respect her right of choice of having the typical western cuisines.


Caroline developed the intimacy and romantic relationship with this male volunteer which was quite fine and lovely until the day he left to Kenya for another project which made Caroline struggling to accept the loneliness from this guy and then she started to make some silly excuses about leaving the project because of her feelings of loneliness.

Remember, she was here for a week before the guy and it was all good until the day he left to Kenya and Caroline started to feel desperate, crying all day, bought the flight the same day and left the same night as his boyfriend leaving to Kenya.

Apart from this immature behavior of not able to control her own feelings, she could be an amazing volunteer if she could be able to understand the life in different point of view especially being an open minded to learn new cultures and a way of life as the main purpose of this platform to exchange culture.


As the host of this project JOVIN, I can declare that, i have so many experiences from solo female volunteers like Uma, Pauline and Filomena and it was always great experience from both sides except for her.

Bélgica

5

Jovin is an amazing host! I had the best time here working in the school and teaching the children. Jovin and his family make you feel so welcome and became my home away from home. Whatever you need or wish to do they help and accommodate for. They are the absolute best and I can only recommend this project for anyone wanting to experience the real Tanzania xx

mais de 1 ano atrás

Reino Unido

5

Jovin is a wonderful person. He invites you into his beautiful home and family with so much love and generosity. My heart is so full after this experience and my life is changed for the better. I will never forget my time in Tanzania. We had the best experiences, at the school and in the community as well as travelling Tanzania on a safari. Jovin and his family go above and beyond for your comfort and happiness. Everyone in the village is so kind and happy, it is amazing to experience the different culture. Jovin makes you feel so safe and truly like a part of the family. Thank you jovin 💚🖤💙💛

mais de 1 ano atrás

Reino Unido

5

Volunteering in Chamanzi, Tanzania, was nothing short of amazing, and with our incredible host, Jovin. From the moment we set foot in his house, we were welcomed with warmth and hospitality, instantly making us feel like part of the family. His genuine enthusiasm and friendliness made our first World Packers experience truly unforgettable. The time spent with the children at the school was lovely. Teaching them basic English, engaging in games, and dancing. We couldn't have asked for a more for-filling experience, Chamanzi become like a second home! Nakupenda :)

mais de 1 ano atrás

Bélgica

5

I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer at Sara's day care center for a month and it has ben en unforgettable experience when I arrived I was warmly welcomed by my host Jovi and his friend Josef that made me feel like part of the family. During my time at the center I had the chance to interact with the children and witness there enthusiasm for learning, It was heartwarming to see there smiles an laughter witch made every moment incredibly rewarding. Jovi was an excepcional host always ensuring that I felt comfortable he made sure I had a meaningful experience.

quase 2 anos atrás

França

5

This experience changed my life forever. Thanks to Jovin, Lina and Joseph for everything ! It was a perfect place to get an immersive local experience and it's really easy to visit the country, to get taxi and everything. They helped me a lot and were really welcomed. The children are so cute and full of energy. They become second family, they get my heart for sure !! Thanks a lot, take care !

quase 2 anos atrás

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