Description

During your time as an Artist at the Shanga workshop you will be working to help make crafts to sell in the shop as well as designing new products to offer for sale. You will have the opportunity to share knowledge and experience with the other artist; hopefully developing new skills from each other. You may also be asked to help with keeping track of sales, purchases and inventory in the workshop.

Since Shanga has grown and now caters to many international clients, help is needed to keep up with the many large orders and to ensure that they are sent on time. Shanga is constantly growing and hiring new employees to work in their workshop. Since many of the new employees have never worked before, or have minimal experience, volunteers are needed to guide them and work with them so that they can learn the skills that are needed for their job.
The Shanga workshop and retail shop are also constantly changing and growing to accommodate the increase in staff and demand for more and new products. Volunteers would be very beneficial to work with new staff, to train them in the designs used to make the handicrafts at Shanga.

Highlights

Shanga is an organization whose main goal is to employ as many deaf and disabled people as possible. People living with disabilities in Tanzania often struggle to support themselves and become contributing members of their society. Through Shanga they feel accepted and gain self-appreciation through work. Proceeds from the shop and restaurant go directly to the salaries of these people who would normally not be able to find employment elsewhere.

One of the main income generators and employment sources for this organization is to make and sell their own handicrafts to visitors. Volunteer assistance would be greatly appreciated in the workshop to help create new designs, develop new products and learn new crafting techniques. Many of the workers at Shanga have never had jobs before, and some have little experience with crafts. Volunteers are needed to assist staff members as well as help keep up with the large workload of the shipments. This placement is very unique and any volunteer is guaranteed to be busy and feel as though they are truly making a difference every single day!

Qualifications

Experience working with the deaf or disabled would be an asset for a volunteer interested in this placement. Also, volunteers who have an artistic background or experience in handicraft design would be greatly appreciated. Any individual with a specialty in art, metallurgy, glass blowing, and fashion design would be well suited for this placement!

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

• Art/Fine Arts

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 3.245 for 8 weeks; USD 250 each additional wk.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Upon arrival in country our staff will pick you up at the airport and return you to our Orientation Center for a safety briefing and general country orientation. For this program you are required to complete one - 4 weeks of language training and orientation which is included in the cost of the program. At the end of that week you will transfer to your placement to begin volunteering. Our staff are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should you require help of any kind.

Experience Required

yes

Volunteers MUST be comfortable working with people, both residents and tourists. It is also important that volunteers are comfortable working independently and/or as part of a team. Individuals need to be outgoing and committed to helping at a large organization such as Shanga.

Volunteer Types

• Arts
• Community Development

Typical Volunteer

We believe everyone can contribute by volunteering. Recent graduates from high school, college or university, professionals taking a career break, recent retirees, individuals or groups who are interested in a change and the chance to enrich their own life and the lives of others. If you are 18 years or older you can apply for any of the placements available. If you are from 16-18 years old you may apply for placements near our Volunteer Abroad Office and Residence, so that we are able to give you more support. Both students and professionals are needed for placements in all our countries.

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Guest House
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of Depends on the placement

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

24-48 hrs

Basecamp International Centers's Mission Statement

We believe international volunteering promotes cross-cultural learning that helps create global awareness, understanding between cultures and provides the platform for positive change. Our volunteers have taught in schools, provided disaster relief support for the International Red Cross, conducted essential research to improve the management strategies of threatened environments, built homes for impoverished people, provided vocational training and programs for street kids and have worked in co-operation with hundreds of local organizations to distribute aid and improve the quality of life for people throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Year Founded

1998