Volunteers Experiences
Lareina's Story
The 4 weeks I spent in the Summer of 2008 working with Light in Africa with other Newcastle University students, was literally the best experience of my life. Every single child I met there, each with their own story of how they came to LIA, touched me in so many ways. Their sparkling personalities and just seeing their beaming faces for the slightest thing we did for them meant I grew incredibly close to them. They opened my eyes to how important the work that this amazing place does and how it is capable of so dramatically changing children’s lives, giving them a real chance at an amazing future. I loved how I was able to see with my own two eyes how our fundraised money was put to use and how far it went, whether in helping to build a house for Tudor Village, or funding the operations for people we met on our dispensaries.
It was this experience that has driven me to spread the word about LIA, and encourage as many students from Newcastle University as possible to sign up to volunteer there, so they can help in whatever way possible with the incredible work Light in Africa does for children and the local communities in Tanzania.
Libby's Story
It is impossible to describe how it makes you feel when you see a smile on the face of one of the children at Light in Africa. From the moment you arrive in Tanzania, you are welcomed with open arms into LIA’s family. Many of the children have horrific stories to tell of their lives, but through LIA they have been given a chance of a loving and happy childhood, and it is a privilege to be even a very small part of it.
The great thing about volunteering with LIA is that you can be really hands on. I have wonderful memories of taking some of the kids swimming for the first time, of their faces when we brought out the chocolate at the film night we organised and helping little Pamela to walk! Simple every-day events stick in my mind too- playing football at Pilgrim house, helping with wash-time with the girls at Malaika – who would have bath-time it could be so much fun! And of course, visiting the nursery and cuddling the babies before they are put to bed.
You can get involved in long-term aspects of LIA’s work too; we helped build one of the new orphanage buildings, ran medical dispensaries and distributed hundreds of lunches in food kitchens. And this is with the support of Mamma Lynn and her amazing team at LIA, who are inspirational in their care for every-body.
If you even have the slightest idea to volunteer with LIA, I urge you to do so, you will gain so much and be left with life-long memories and friendships.
Emma's Story
I spent four weeks in Tanzania volunteering with Light In Africa and had the most incredible and eye opening time. The charity really is amazing. The amount that Light in Africa has achieved - the amount of people it has helped, whether they be children - orphaned, neglected or abused - or adults - starving, ill or isolated - is staggering. Visiting the charity and meeting the people who make it all work was an honour and an inspiring experience.
Personally the children were what made it so particularly special for me; their happiness and enthusiasm, even when many of them had awful stories to tell of their backgrounds, was incredible. Visiting the childrens' homes and doing the most simple things with them - playing football, making masks, painting faces or playing with balloons - could generate such laughter and fun. I really miss them!
Another experience which particularly stood out for me was helping out on one of the food kitchens, which Light in Africa runs six days per week. The HIV positive people who were attending had nothing, yet their warmth and gratitude to Light in Africa for providing them with food was humbling. The song that they sang as a thankyou to Mama Lynn, founder of light in Africa, was immensely moving.
The time I spent with Light in Africa was, simply, unforgettable and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to visit this fantastic country and meet wonderful people.
