Childcare and Education in Tanzania

By: Fleur Van Buuren

Introductory to my summer volunteering and researching early childhood education in Arusha, Tanzania

Hello! My name is Fleur Van Buuren, and I am a student at Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee, Florida, majoring in International Affairs. I am originally from Tampa, Florida, and I am extremely passionate about global development, focused on areas of child welfare and education. Alongside my major, I am completing the Global Citizenship Certificate with Honors as well as a certificate in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. My academic interests focus on how access to resources shapes opportunities for children around the world and how this influences long-term outcomes.

This summer, I will be traveling to Arusha, Tanzania as a Global Scholar with FSU. I will be volunteering in a childcare initiative with International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ). I will be working in local daycares and kindergartens that serve young children. The goal of the childcare project in Tanzania is to aid in childcare centers which need extra help as they are often under-funded and under-resourced. These centers cater to children from low-income families, providing them with education, interaction, and food. My role may include assisting teachers with early education, supporting classroom activities, and helping care for the children in a safe and engaging environment.

Along with volunteering, I will also be conducting qualitative research on the challenges that these schools face due to limited resources and how those constraints affect early childhood education. I am especially interested in how shortages in infrastructure and materials influence teaching strategies and student development. This experience will directly connect to my interest in community-based development and child welfare, since I want to gain a better understanding of how educational inequalities emerge at an early stage and how they can be addressed in sustainable and culturally appropriate ways.

I am expecting this experience to be rewarding and challenging. I am excited to build meaningful relationships, learn from local educators, and gain hands-on experience in an international setting. I also anticipate there to be challenges such as adapting to a new cultural environment and navigating potential language barriers. I believe that these experiences will push me outside of my comfort zone and help me grow professionally and personally.

One uncertainty that I currently have is how I will adjust to a different educational system and communicate effectively across cultural and language differences. However, I am approaching this opportunity with an open mind and strong desire to learn. Being a part of the Global Scholars Program also provides me with a strong support system, especially around conducting research, which makes me feel more confident as I continue to prepare for this experience.

I am extremely excited for the opportunity to learn, contribute, and reflect on my experiences throughout the summer. This experience will be an important step towards my long-term goal of working in the international development space and improving access to quality education for children around the world.