The teaching bit
Placements can last from 3 months to 1 year, although we've found that 9 months is usually the norm. If you have no teaching experience there really is no need to worry! There is a simple and easy to follow programme of study and you will receive full support from the school you teach at as well as from past volunteers. During your orientation week in Zanzibar you will discuss which subjects, School and class you will teach. You will then be matched with a Teacher from that School and they will become your Mentor for the experience
Although we are desperate for Maths and Science teachers we also are looking for English and Geography teachers too. The selection procedure commences as soon as you contact Zanzigap, and well before any payments are made. The on-line application simply assesses your suitability for the project, and the decision is made quickly. We also partner with organisations which can provide grants of up to £2000. If you would like fund-raising advice, all you have to do is ask! Teaching in Zanzibar is an experience you will never forget, the students are eager, cheeky, fearless and funny and there are options to teach in Primary or Secondary Schools- or both!
The Cultural Bit
So what is it all about you ask? Well we can tell you, the first few weeks are when you feel like you have literally been extracted from Western life like a prize from an arcade machine and dumped into a whole new world. Your experience will turn the mundane into challenges, what you took for granted into gratification and will open your eyes to a whole new way of life.
Local accommodation is provided for your stay, this will generally be a 'school house' very close to the school in which you will be teaching. However there are also options for Home stays where you will live with a family from the village. The standard of accommodation varies greatly from one village to another, and it may be that you will have no electricity and/or internal running water. Your meals will be provided for you by a local family who will 'adopt' you, meals are cooked using all fresh ingredients from the farms and cooked on an open fire-Yum! Although teaching is your main purpose of your experience we cannot deny that the lifestyle is going to be an even bigger part, you will interface with the very heart of an African community.
The rest of it
There will be lots of opportunities to get together at weekends and during holidays with the other people in the programme. Most volunteers chose to 'go on safari' during their gap experience to places such as mainland Tanzania, Kenya and Malawi. Zanzibar, as you can imagine is a very popular tourist location offering an abundance of fun activities for you to do. Teaching is brilliant, fun and amazing, but we understand sometimes, you just need a break! For information on 'tourist' activities to do during holidays check out Zanzibar Tourism. If however you prefer more culture or natural adventure then Ali Mcha, your village advisor is the man to speak to.
We have merely touched on the details of the gap experience here, however we will give further information for those of you that have successful applications.
| “ | I now see England as a very rushed and busy place, and a very money-orientated country | „ |
—Cris Brightman | ||