FAQ

Wanawake Tunaweza Tanzania is a foundation, born of a Tanzanian-Dutch cooperation. It seeks to advance women’s prospects by focusing on economic empowerment. Wanawake Tunaweza is operating in the Arusha Region of Northern Tanzania. With the support of volunteers across the globe, the foundation aims to provide women’s groups with knowledge and skills to become financially independent, as well as relevant legal knowledge, to enable them to stand on their own feet. For that purpose, it organises online coaching sessions.

Wanawake Tunaweza Tanzania is a foundation established through a Tanzanian-Dutch cooperation. Dedicated to enhancing women’s opportunities, it focuses on economic empowerment initiatives. Operating in the Arusha Region in Northern Tanzania, Wanawake Tunaweza collaborates with volunteers worldwide to equip women’s groups with the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance their social and economic position. To accomplish its mission, Wanawake Tunaweza conducts online coaching sessions facilitated by dedicated volunteers, supported by staff on-site.

Our activities take place in the Arusha Region in Northern Tanzania. However, our coaching sessions are conducted online and remotely, enabling volunteers from around the world to effectively reach and coach women.

We expect our volunteers to bring enthusiasm, dedication, and a genuine interest in topics such as bookkeeping and business planning. They should be willing to coach women in launching a group business, initiating regular savings, and enhancing their economic and social position. Volunteers should be available for approximately 4 to 6 hours per month, dedicating time to coaching the groups remotely twice a month for one hour each. Additionally, they will need to allocate time for preparing meetings and updating group overviews. While prior knowledge of economic topics is beneficial, it is not mandatory; however, having some familiarity with these subjects is preferred.

Signing up as a volunteer offers you a number of benefits, including the opportunity for intercultural learning and immersion into a new culture. It allows you to meaningfully contribute to a small scale project, providing invaluable support to underprivileged women who are eager to learn and improve their economic and social position.

Volunteering with Wanawake Tunaweza Tanzania is entirely free, requiring only your time and dedication. However, we greatly appreciate any financial contributions volunteers are willing to make to help cover the costs of the project. All donations are utilised to sustain the program on-site, directly benefiting the women we serve. It’s important to note that board members do not receive any remuneration.

The application process for volunteers with Wanawake Tunaweza Tanzania typically involves several steps:

1. Initial inquiry: interested individuals usually start by expressing their interest in volunteering either through our website or email.
2. Application form: volunteers expressing their interest, will be asked to fill out an application form, providing basic personal information, relevant skills, experience, and availability.
3. Interview: after the application form has been received, applicants will be invited for an interview via video conferencing. In this interview, Wanawake Tunaweza Foundation will be represented by one of its staff members on-site and by one of its board members. This interview helps both parties assess the suitability of the volunteer role and clarify any expectations or questions.
4. Training: accepted volunteers will be guided to familiarise themselves with Wanawake Tunaweza’s mission, values, and specific procedures related to their volunteer role, as well as with the available training materials.
5. Placement: once the application process is complete, volunteers are assigned as coach/mentor to one of the groups and provided with the necessary support to begin their volunteering activities.
6. Ongoing support: throughout their volunteering experience, volunteers receive ongoing support from Wanawake Tunaweza staff and board members, including regular check-ins.

Yes, you can visit the group you coach on-site. Additionally, you are welcome to visit other groups as well. During your visit, you will be accompanied by the staff at the location, who can assist you with accommodations and provide recommendations for places to visit. They will also accompany you during group visits and be available to offer support and answer any questions you may have. It’s important to note that visits by volunteers should not interfere with ongoing coaching sessions. Volunteers are responsible for covering the costs of their visit, including some expenses incurred at the location.

As a volunteer with Wanawake Tunaweza Tanzania, you absolutely can make a difference. Rather than replacing local workers, your role as a volunteer complements and enhances the efforts of our team on the ground. Your unique skills, perspective, and dedication bring added value to our program, allowing us to reach more women and communities effectively.

Your contributions as a volunteer can have a tangible impact on the lives of the women we serve. By sharing your knowledge, providing mentorship, and offering support, you empower women to develop new skills, gain confidence, and improve their economic and social standing.

Volunteers play a crucial role in expanding the reach and effectiveness of our program, enabling us to achieve our mission of empowering women for positive change. Your commitment and passion make a real difference in the lives of those we support, and we deeply appreciate your contributions to our cause.

We expect our volunteers to bring enthusiasm, dedication, and a genuine interest in topics such as bookkeeping and business planning. They should be willing to coach women in launching a group business, initiating regular savings, and enhancing their economic and social position. Volunteers should be available for approximately 4 to 6 hours per month, dedicating time to coaching the groups remotely twice a month for one hour each. Additionally, they will need to allocate time for preparing meetings and updating group overviews. While prior knowledge of economic topics is beneficial, it is not mandatory; however, having some familiarity with these subjects is preferred.

No, it is not possible to volunteer for a shorter period than 18 months. It is crucial that a group of women works with one dedicated coach to ensure the effective execution of the program and to prevent confusion from differing opinions.

However, during these 18 months, there are options for another volunteer to step in when you are unavailable or when there is a topic with which you are less familiar. Additionally, you may be asked to occasionally assist other groups. This structure helps maintain consistency and support for the women involved in the program.

Yes, it is possible to volunteer from around the world; however, it’s essential to consider the time differences. The coaching sessions typically occur around 10 am or 1-2 pm local time during the weekly meetings of the groups. These timings are chosen to accommodate the women’s other responsibilities during the day, making it challenging to adjust. As long as you can manage the time difference from your location, you are more than welcome to join as a volunteer. Another requirement is proficiency in English. Translation will be provided during the meetings by one of the staff members.

You can apply to volunteer at any time throughout the year. However, the timing of when you can start coaching one of our groups depends on when we begin working with a new group. Each group may be at a different phase in the educational curriculum, so the start dates for coaching may vary. Additionally, there is an option to extend the coaching trajectory by a maximum of six months, allowing for a duration of up to 24 months. This means that new coaching opportunities will be available throughout the year.

What sets Wanawake Tunaweza Tanzania apart is our commitment to global participation. Our coaching program is conducted online and remotely, allowing individuals from across the globe to join us if the time difference allows. However, if feasible, volunteers are welcome to visit the groups on-site. Your contribution to Wanawake Tunaweza Tanzania yields tangible and measurable results.

We prioritise direct community engagement, focusing on providing impactful support. To ensure the sustainability of our projects, we maintain a manageable number of volunteers/coaches to meet the needs of our initiative.

At Wanawake Tunaweza Tanzania, we take pride in our reputation for accessibility and responsiveness. We strive to promptly address any inquiries or concerns, providing unwavering support to our volunteers. Your success in making a difference is our priority.

Volunteering with us offers the opportunity to forge meaningful connections and lasting friendships. The bonds formed through volunteering endure a lifetime, enriching both personal and professional experiences.

You can trust the credibility and legitimacy of Wanawake Tunaweza Tanzania through our official status as an international non-governmental organisation (iNGO). We are registered both in the Netherlands and Tanzania, and our constitution and annual accounts are filed with local authorities, including the Chamber of Commerce. All relevant official documents are readily available on our website for transparency and verification.

While there is no specific minimum age requirement for volunteers, the skills and responsibilities expected from our volunteers may not be suitable for individuals under the age of 18. We recommend that volunteers possess a level of maturity and experience commensurate with the demands of the role.

No, you don’t need experience as a volunteer. What we expect from our volunteers is bringing enthusiasm, dedication, and a genuine interest in topics such as bookkeeping and business planning. They should be willing to coach women in launching a group business, initiating regular savings, and enhancing their economic and social position. Volunteers should be available for approximately 4 to 6 hours per month, dedicating time to coaching the groups remotely twice a month for one hour each. Additionally, they will need to allocate time for preparing meetings and updating group overviews. While prior knowledge of economic topics is beneficial, it is not mandatory; however, having some familiarity with these subjects is preferred.