Zanzibar

The Zanzibar Project 2012

application deadline: Monday, November 7th at 5pm

For the fifth year running, OACS is offering a 30-day service learning program in Mangapwani, Zanzibar, located on the southeast coast of Africa.  Up to 12 Vanderbilt students will be selected to participate in The Zanzibar Project, which works in conjunction with the Creative Solutions Program in Mangapwani.  Students will commence their work, focusing largely on teaching English as a second language to students, young adults, and/or children, during the second week of May 2012, though participants will have basic Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) sessions in advance of the program.  Program participants will also have the opportunity learn Swahili on the beautiful island of Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Students will live in the town of Mangapwani (meaning ‘Arab shore’), about 20km north of Zanzibar Town.  Students will live in a local village where they will study Zanzibar traditions and contemporary issues, as well as serve 15-20 hours each week in an established Non-Governmental Organization.  Visit our partnering organization for more information: Creative Solutions.

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION Zanzibar Service Project 2012

OACS 2012 Zanzibar Financial Aid Form

more on the local environment

While the tourist trade may have injected some much needed funding into the island economy, there are still major issues of poverty and economic hardship among the people of Zanzibar. Over 50% of children are malnourished. Fishermen, who once made a comfortable living with small nets off the side of wooden boats, are now losing their harvest to large commercial vessels. Students, who grow up speaking Swahili at home and in school, are forced to adjust to an English-only environment upon entering high school; not surprisingly, success is limited and many drop out. There are few jobs to be had; fewer still for those who can not learn to speak fluent English and graduate from high school.  The students who travel to Zanzibar this year have the unique opportunity to live and work alongside locals in the community of Mangapwani.

finances & logistics

The program fee for the Zanzibar Project is $850. Fees will include: TEFL sessions, room and board, meals, airport pick up and drop off, service placement and supervision, administrative fees, and Swahili classes. Participants are responsible for visas, flight costs, international health insurance and any vaccinations.

For additional information about this exciting 30-day opportunity please contact Shaiya Baer at: shaiya.baer@vanderbilt.edu or 615.429.5804.

*Travel grants: The Nichols Humanitarian Fund was established in 2006 by the E.C. and Lucile Hamby Nichols Trust.  The purpose of the fund is to enable Vanderbilt students to volunteer for local, domestic, or international humanitarian service opportunities. Support is primarily focused on summer projects or projects that take place during defined academic breaks. Funds are available for educational and other expenses. The Deadline for the Nichols Humanitarian Fund is yet to be determined. Click here for more information.

additional resources for the zanzibar project

Who we partner with in Zanzibar:  Creative Solutions: Volunteer Info Sheet

Creative Solutions Zanizbar -Volunteer-Handbook

Please Click here for General Information about Zanzibar

Click here for Zanzibar Emergency Information

See pictures from The Zanzibar Project 2009

For Parents_Zanzibar Information

The Zanzibar Program is sponsored by The Office of Active Citizenship and Service and the Office of the Dean of Students.