Earthrising Foundation and Baobab Home Natural Building volunteer camp in Tanzania 20096 weeks, Mid September to End October 2009Back ground
Baobab Home is developing a beautiful acreage just outside Bagamoyo into a home site for small children. Baobab’s work includes providing housing and care, schooling, and other outreach work in the community. In 2008 Earthrising Foundation funded the planning of the site and the construction of the beautiful cob center. Volunteers and local builders worked together with Elke Cole and Adam Perry. Please see our blog and Tanzania page for stories and information.
The building: Ubuyu 1
Ubuyu 1 is the first home for the site. It consists of two sleeping rooms, a living space, bathroom and covered outdoor cooking and laundry area. We choose earthen building for this site to keep the footprint low and costs down. Many areas in Tanzania have always built with mud, and continue to do so. Earthen buildings prove to be more comfortable in the hot season. Sadly people see earth houses as less desirable and dream of a cement-block house instead.
We wish to set an example of a beautiful, quality earthen building, showing that adapting traditional techniques to modern needs is feasible. Skilled volunteers will support less skilled helpers and all participants will work in support of the local builders. We expect the building to be completed in a two to three month time frame, including volunteers primarily for wall building.
The Camp
Our volunteer camp will be set up on the farm. Everyone will sleep in tents (bring your own). While at the farm, all meals are provided- food is primarily local food, we hope to be growing vegetables by then, right there on the land.
Participants will be working alongside and in support of our local builders. Those with more experience may be able to take on some leadership.
We ask that volunteers work a minimum of 3 days /week (or equivalent), builders here work 6 days. Scheduling will be done according to need on site and also considering everyone’s plans and ability. Time off is your own time- you may like to spend a few days in Bagamoyo where there’s more social life and a beach! Or consider taking a side trip. Tanzania offers many interesting options for tourists, and we encourage you to look into other things you will want to see. As organizers we will not plan specific trips for you, but we can certainly help get you on your way. It is very useful to learn some basic Swahili, since not many people speak English.
Volunteers will have a local support person in Bagamoyo who will give first orientation and ongoing support. Accommodation in Bagamoyo is available at several guesthouses starting at approx. $15/ night for double occupancy.
Simple local meals cost from $1.50- $8 and a beer costs $1.50.
Near the farm you can catch a Dalla-dalla (minibus) to town, there are also cars and motorbikes for hire as well as bicycle rentals.
Cost: in $ US
6 weeks: $ 2000 4 weeks $ 1700 2 weeks $1200
This includes your project contribution, camp, food and volunteer support/ leadership
Other costs, not included and not provided:
Travel, insurance and healthcare (vaccinations etc.) not included
Volunteer Visa : $200 (3 month visa)
To apply please fill out our volunteer application |
