Ever wondered what it’s really like to volunteer with MGRC? Follow Sarah, a recent volunteer, through a day in the life of a volunteer at our center in Tanzania and discover the joys, challenges, and profound rewards of hands-on service.
“Every day here challenges me to grow while showing me the incredible impact of simple acts of love and education. These girls aren’t just being rescued — they’re rescuing me right back by showing me what courage and hope really look like.”
Life of a volunteer
6:00 AM — Morning Preparations Sarah wakes to the sounds of rural Tanzania — roosters crowing and gentle morning conversations in Swahili. She reviews her planned activities: English lessons with the younger girls and helping the older ones write letters to their sponsors.
7:00 AM — Breakfast and Morning Circle The day begins with shared breakfast and morning circle, where girls share their dreams for the day. Sarah practices her Swahili while the girls giggle at her pronunciation and patiently correct her.
8:30 AM — Educational Activities Sarah leads English lessons, using games and songs to make learning fun. She’s amazed by how quickly the girls pick up new vocabulary and how eager they are to practice conversations about their hopes and dreams.
10:00 AM — Creative Time Art therapy and creative expression time. Sarah helps girls create artwork to send to their sponsors, marveling at their creativity and the stories they tell through their drawings.
12:00 PM — Lunch and Cultural Exchange Shared meals become cultural exchange sessions. Sarah learns to eat ugali properly while teaching the girls about American foods and traditions. Laughter transcends language barriers.
2:00 PM — Life Skills and Personal Development Sarah teaches the journaling technique — helping each girl write what she loves about herself. Watching shy girls find their voices and strengths becomes the highlight of her day.
4:00 PM — Community Exploration A supervised trip to the local town gives Sarah perspective on daily life in rural Tanzania. She experiences being in the minority while observing the resilience and joy of the local community.
6:00 PM — Reflection and Planning Evening planning session with MGRC staff. Sarah shares observations and receives feedback on how to better support each girl’s individual needs and learning style.
8:00 PM — Evening Stories and Songs The day ends with storytelling and songs. Sarah shares American folk songs while learning traditional Maasai songs, creating bonds that transcend cultural differences.
Ready to experience the life of a volunteer?
Ready to experience the transformative power of volunteering? Apply to volunteer with MGRC and discover how service changes both you and the lives you touch.
Frequently asked questions about life of a volunteer at Maasai Girls Rescue Center
For general volunteering questions: [email protected]
How is volunteering a rewarding experience for both visitors and Maasai girls?
We rely on volunteers for our daily operations and to achieve our goals in empowering Maasai girls. Volunteering in Tanzania involves hard work, adapting to new tasks, and being comfortable with getting dirty. We can accommodate 2-4 volunteers at a time, assigning them tasks based on their skills and interests. Volunteers must be flexible and willing to learn alongside the girls they work with.
Our days at the Maasai ecoVillage are long, starting early and ending after the children are in bed. You’ll have a diverse range of tasks, from helping on the farm to teaching cooking or sewing classes, assisting with bike riding lessons, and providing tutoring or mentoring support to children.
What important roles do volunteers play?
As a volunteer, we want you to share your culture with the girls at MGRC to help open their minds to a chance of a brighter future and to let them know that they have the capability of breaking free from cultural norms, poverty, and oppression. When you come to the rescue center, you are bringing them hope and opportunity for a better tomorrow.
When you share your culture with the girls, it does not just have to be in the form of stories of your daily life in your home country or your plans and dreams for the future. You can help develop their minds through physical activities, like teaching them volleyball or conversational English at our learning center.
What we want for the girls at the rescue center is for them to understand that they are responsible for their own future and what they want to do with it, not anyone else.
What type of volunteer skills are we looking for?
We welcome a variety of skills, including:
Teaching skills (any subjects)
Medical skills (health education)
Child Care & Development
Education/Counselling
Farming/Gardening
Livestock Care & Feeding
Sewing/Cooking
Computer and internet skills
Building/Repair
What is included in the $100 per day room and board fee?
The $100 per day room and board fee includes a clean room with two bunk beds and three meals a day served in our dining hall.
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