MEHAYO - Healthcare (TZA-19)


Type: Health: Disability - Country: Tanzania

Brief description and main aims

MEHAYO is a Tanzanian non-governmental organization established with the aim of helping mentally handicapped people in Morogoro.

Mental disability is still a big stigma in the Tanzanian communities, especially in the remote villages. Families still discriminate and often hide their disabled or mentally handicapped children from the rest of the village as it is considered shameful.

MEHAYO was founded to combat this prejudice by teaching some practical skills, such as pottery, gardening, painting, sowing or bracelet making, and by raising better awareness of mental disabilities among their parents and the local population.

The organization provides shelter for 42 mentally handicapped people, ranging from 7 to 42 years of age; most of them live at the centre.

Main Activities

The staff is composed entirely by local and international volunteers. Although most of them are not trained in the field of mental disability, their aim is to support MEHAYO by contributing with their knowledge, skills, time and energy. MEHAYO was founded in 1995 by Linda Ngido and registered as an NGO in 1998. 

The centre generates a small income by selling home-made products, including the food they cultivate. Other sources of finance are occasional donations provided by individual benefactors.

Volunteer tasks

Volunteers can join a series of different activities scheduled daily:

  • Helping with gardening, arts and crafts or pottery making
  • Teaching music, painting or sowing
  • Going to school with the children who attend primary school
  • Remaining at the facility to assist children who are unable to attend school
  • Helping the local staff in the farm, which is a short distance from the centre
  • Volunteers are encouraged to develop their own work according to their strengths and areas of expertise
  • At MEHAYO, the staff members always welcome any new ideas brought by volunteers and is always open to learn new skills
Volunteers are encouraged to develop their own work according to their strengths and areas of expertise. At MEHAYO, the staff always welcome any new ideas brought by volunteers and are always open to learn new skills.
 

Volunteer requirements / Skills

This project is suitable for volunteers who:

  • Are at least 18 years of age at the time of arrival
  • Have a good knowledge of spoken and written English
  • Are adaptable and open minded
  • Have a desire to help others
Having previous experience working with people with disabilities is an advantage, but not a requirement.

Location

Morogoro town, approximately 5 hours from Dar es Salaam. Morogoro is a mountainous area with a colder climate compared to Dar Es Salaam. Morogoro is quite small; however it has a very lively nightlife with plenty of bars and clubs. Mikumi National Park is just nearby and can be accessed in an hour.

Hosting Situation (Board and Lodging)

The volunteer stay in project’s hostel nearby that offers a shared room with another volunteer sometimes, two meals a day while volunteer can get lunch at the project, and boiled water. Volunteer will walk for approximately ½ Km from/to the project.

More Information

MEHAYO is focusing on becoming self-sustainable, and is working on a number of income generating projects. Currently, the children make cards to sell. Card stock and art supplies are always greatly appreciated. Beads are also always in demand for jewellery making. Any other supplies for children are appreciated (books, toys, clothes and anything that can help children with disabilities).

Short-term volunteers will need to pay for their travel from  Dar  es  Salaam  to  Morogoro  by  bus, and  two nights at the lodge. 

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