Voices from abroad: Chiara’s experience in Tanzania
Below is a testimonial from Tanzania from one of our collaborators
Hello, I am Chiara, and I would like to give an overview of my volunteering experience in Tanzania! :)) For the past two months, I have been volunteering on the island of Unguja, part of the Zanzibar archipelago through the European Solidarity Corps Humanitarian Aid program. The project is called the Aid with Heart for Humanity (AHH) program, a humanitarian initiative designed to make a significant impact on disadvantaged communities.
I was based in Kizimkazi, a small fishing village on the southwestern coast of Unguja, and I was working at Assalam Community Foundation, an organization which promotes “PEACE”, an acronym for Permaculture, Education, Art & Culture, Community, and Empowerment. Overall, the organization implements programs in education, community development, and sustainable agriculture to improve the living conditions of Zanzibar’s most vulnerable communities and to promote family self-sufficiency, the empowerment of young people and women, and environmental protection.
I worked with a group of four other ESC volunteers, and together we supported the organization’s programs. The core of our activities was the humanitarian aid program. Every week, we organized and distributed supplies (such as food and clothing) to families facing economic challenges. As you can see below the food distribution usually consists of a vegetable basket, rice, white flour, vegetable oil, beans, salt, sugar and dates.
As part of the humanitarian program, we also organized the collection and distribution of clothing donations for children living in orphanages in two villages on the Tumbatu Island. We distributed clothing to about 160 children living in the island, which remains one of the most isolated areas of the Zanzibar archipelago and maintains a strong connection to its traditions and it is difficult for tourists to access. Casually, just two weeks before, we had tried to visit it but were unable to disembark! After this experience, having the possibility of going back as volunteers and being welcomed by the community made me feel incredibly grateful 🙂
I also had the chance to take part in Eid al-Adha, the Islamic holiday observed during the month of Dhu al-Hijjah that commemorates Abraham’s act of submission and trust. We witnessed the ritual slaughter of the cows and supported meat distribution efforts across more than fifteen villages in just one day! Around 300 cows in total. It was not easy at all. It was tough, both mentally and physically, but also incredibly moving. Living in a Muslim community and celebrating right alongside my local colleagues made it an experience I’ll never forget.
Regarding permaculture programs, activities were partially slowed down due to weather conditions (it was the rainy season), but we still contributed to projects related to community empowerment.
To tell you in short, the Assalam Community Foundation programs help local communities reduce costs using fewer expensive chemical inputs while producing healthier crops. The goal is better food security, higher incomes, and a stronger local economy while protecting the land for future generations. As part of this project, my team helped plant fruit trees on farms in different villages and conduct workshops in schools to demonstrate how to plant using these sustainable methods. It was very interesting!! And I will not deny that it was a learning experience for me as well :))
We also contributed to the Chicken Coop Project, which combines permaculture with community empowerment to support local women’s economic independence through small chicken farming businesses. Women received training and everything they needed to get started (chickens, coops, feed, medicine, and basic farm management skills) while the organization committed to buying their first products, helping them access a stable market.
Our role was to help distribute the chickens and feed, and we also helped build an azolla pond, allowing chicken feed to be produced locally and more sustainably.
Finally, during these two months, I also worked as a teaching assistant at the Assalam International School, with a class of six and seven year olds students. It was very challenging at first but incredibly rewarding at the end! I also contributed in organizing one – day initiatives for children from local orphanages, with sports activities, group games, and creative workshops.
I can say now it has been an incredible experience. For two months I was immersed in an extraordinary landscape of palm trees, banana plants, mango trees, and unspoiled beaches, and I got to meet wonderful, welcoming people. Getting used to the humidity was not easy, especially during peak rainy season, but after a few weeks I got the hang of it!
I’d highly recommend anyone interested in an experience like this to apply for the European Solidarity Corps. I’ll leave the link with all the info here in case you’re interested 🙂
Chiara Artioli, Collaborator, Education Inspiring Peace Lab
EIP Laboratory Team administrator
The Education Inspiring Peace Laboratory team is composed of contributors seconded by the different institutional members of the association and its individual members. If you are interested in joining the Lab and contributing to its activities as an institution, an expert or an educational practitioner, contact us at sanremo@eiplab.eu.
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