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CCS is an organization that helps volunteers go abroad and learn from local communities
about culture and the reality of other countries on a community level.
It has a mission of drawing people closer together
through cultural understanding and service.
So it's bridging the gap between cultural misunderstanding
and developing cultural understanding.
It's also an organization that's deeply committed to bringing those volunteers back
and giving them the tools they need to make a difference
back here in their home country
and staying involved in global issues.
The program that we've had in Arusha started in January of 2003.
And, it's really one of the most popular programs that we have,
and everybody that comes back just talks about how amazing it is
to be in the community, not in the sense of being a tourist,
but really living and working with local people
and getting to meet them in a friendship situation.
It could be that people volunteer to do a semester abroad,
or they want to see the world and they just want to be of service,
and it's really an amazing thing.
Many volunteers say that they think it's a strong program.
They like the people who surround us
and the people whom they work with.
I think it's giving them a very big experience.
They are not coming in as tourists.
I'm working here in the Ziwi classroom with the deaf children.
I have a brother who's deaf, so I've worked a lot with the deaf at home in America.
So I know American Sign Language.
The sign language that they use here- it's similar
so I've been able to kind of use that, pick up things, teach new things.
I've mostly been working on body language and to be able to express themselves
to people that don't even know sign.
And then I make up games and try to bring in some of the education they use in America
with the deaf children.
So that's been my main goals here.
It's really opened my perspective and I think just changed
what I appreciate and how I think.
The best part for me has been getting to know the students,
and realizing that teenagers are teenagers
whether they speak in Swahili or they dress in green uniforms.
They're still teenagers.
Very much similar problems as to teenagers in the U.S.
The people appreciate the support that they get from the volunteers
They take it as an opportunity to be able to integrate
with people from all nations.
Because, had it not been for this program,
it would have been difficult for them to meet people from different nations.
I like the people and the environment
and everyone's so friendly.
My favorite thing is when we get to go outside and play and dance.
[Singing]
I spent 6 weeks in Tanzania.
I worked at the Nkoaranga orphanage
which is for orphans from the ages of infancy to 8.
It was a great place to work because you know that you're needed.
It doesn't matter who you are - a pair of hands makes a difference.
So, it's fun to play with all the kids.
I have loved my time in Tanzania and I hope to come back soon.
The best part is that I actually have, like, taught these kids something.
It's not a lot, but like, one little girl didn't know how to write her name,
and I taught her how to write her name.
And all it took was like 5 minutes of personal attention.
Because they can't get that here.
They're just so appreciative of tiny little things.
Just about a week and a half ago I was placed at Patani at the autistic school.
And that has been absolutely amazing.
Each day is different and interesting.
And I've learned so much just in a week and a half.
So, to be able to help and to have them tell me that I'm doing a good job and that they're happy to have me
has been absolutely amazing.
The teaching's great and my placement is wonderful,
but being in such a different place and going out and meeting people
really is an eye-opener that, that people don't live the same way that you live in the states.
That people are completely different from you.
But completely the same.
And just seeing that things can exist so differently but work so well
is really just fantastic.
They are learning a lot of new things from the volunteers.
From nursery schools, primary schools, secondary schools, teacher training colleges,
vocational colleges, ***/AIDS, hospitals,
they are sharing the teaching styles
They are also sharing different ways of coming up with different
teaching materials for the kids.
And I take it as a two-way traffic.
Giving and receiving - both ends.
And every end is benefitting from one another.
I would encourage people in the world to join the program.
This is a nice place for gathering a good learning experience.
[Music playing]
Whether you choose Tanzania or one of our other programs around the world,
Cross-Cultural Solutions allows you to see the country
through the eyes of its people.
Contact us today to start on your path to international volunteering