As a volunteer teacher, you will assist students in reading and speaking skills and also in written English, as well as other subjects. Each day will be different; one morning you may be helping with a debating team, and another you may getting the students involved in a Science Club! Whatever you can offer to this programme, it will be greatly appreciated by the staff and students alike, so bring your enthusiasm and sense of fun!

Mandatory Orientation Day

On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day to familiarise yourself with the surroundings, as well as local culture. Your programme will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.

Orientation Day Schedule

• Introduction meeting, House rules, Setting Expectations, Health and Safety Advice and handling of documents.
• Introduction to Ethiopian History and culture.
• Amharic Language Lesson
• Lunch
• Visit the Local Market, St George Church and town
• Visit Lake Tana
• Dinner
• Visit a local traditional Show of music and dance.
• Meet some of our academy athletes at our training centre, help with our after school programme or visit the community children we support with our programs.

Weekly Schedule

Monday

• Breakfast
• Introduction
• Lunch
• Introduction
• Dinner

Tuesday to Friday

• Breakfast
• Kindergarten
• Lunch
• Kindergarten
• Preparation time for the next day
• Dinner

Please note:

Cost of transport to locations is not included, but will usually be around £1.50 per day.

This schedule can be changed depending on weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Evenings and Weekends

After a day of teaching excitable children as a kindergarten volunteer, you can choose to explore the area or head further afield on the weekends. Many of our volunteers enjoy mixing with their new volunteer friends during the week and plan their weekend adventures as they go!

Places to Visit

There’s so much to see in Ethiopia – here are some of our top ‘must-see’ destinations!

• Tana Kirkos
• Simien Mountains National Park
• The historic city of Gondar
• Blue Nile Falls

Bahir Dar is a bustling city with palm tree and flower-lined roads, and is located in the Amhara region where Amharic is widely spoken. In addition, Lake Tana, a World Heritage Biosphere Reserve and the Blue Nile Falls, are located nearby and transportation is available (not included).

Your accommodation is on the outskirts of Bahir Dar, about 3 to 4 kilometres from the volunteer projects. Further, you will wake up to beautiful scenery, as the house overlooks the Lake Tana and the Abyssinian Highlands.

Journey to Bahir Dar

Daily flights connect Bahir Dar to Addis Ababa, and the bus service from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar is a very comfortable bus journey of 10 hours, with wonderfully scenic views. In fact, many volunteers say they love this part of their adventure, as they get a feel for their surroundings along the way!

About the Accommodation

You will be staying in comfortable male/female dorm-style accommodation within a gated community, and the house is fully furnished, with laundry and storerooms and a well-equipped kitchen. Also, you will have a cosy living room where you can relax and hang out with fellow volunteers.

…and if you’re coming alone, don’t worry! There will always be others who, like you, are volunteering overseas, and there are staff on-site 7 days a week to help you. In fact, socialising is the norm here, so you’ll find you’ll not be short of things to do during your down-time. Wifi is available in communal areas of the volunteer house so you can catch up with friends and family – if you get the time!.

Food

 Your meals will be mainly Ethiopian dishes which consist of vegetarian spicy stews and lentils, and flatbreads. However, non-vegetarian meals will also be available twice a week (in addition to vegetarian). Tea, Coffee, and filtered water are available daily. You will be provided with 3 meals on weekdays and 2 meals on weekends.

Facilities

Supermarkets, cafes, shops, ATMs are available nearby and first aid equipment is available at the accommodation, should you need it.

Transportation

Transportation is available to all surrounding areas. However, transport costs are not included in the programme and extra provision must be made for your excursions.