I’m Lotta. I’m currently in my third semester of studying Social Work and completed my volunteer service at the Mbigili Children’s Village in 2022/2023. Now, nearly 1.5 years later, I’ve returned to Tanzania and to the children’s village to carry out an eight-week internship as part of my studies. I’d like to share with you how it felt to come back to this place where I once learned so much—about Tanzania, and above all, about myself—and what new experiences I’ve been able to gain during this return.
Since my return from Tanzania to Germany in September 2023, I’ve often found myself wondering when I’d finally get to board a plane back to Tanzania—and hoping that day wouldn’t be too far off. In Germany, very little reminded me of my time in Tanzania, and hardly anyone could truly grasp the weight of the experiences I had gathered during my volunteer service. The other (former) volunteers weren’t nearby either, and so I arrived back in Germany feeling unsteady and with a heavy heart, often overwhelmed by loneliness. Time passed, I began my studies, and gradually, I started to feel that I had found my place and discovered what truly suited me. I thought I had put my volunteer experience behind me. Yet, every time I looked through photos from that year or heard about former fellow volunteers traveling back to Tanzania, a deep longing would rise within me. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled when I learned that I could do my upcoming internship during the spring break of 2025—and that it could even take place abroad, as long as I organized it myself. My first thought was: Tanzania. I quickly decided to reach out to Mbigili to inquire about the possibility. I longed to see everyone again—the children, the house mothers, the staff, and all the familiar faces—while also gaining new professional insights through an internship with the two social workers at the children’s village. To my delight, my previous residence and work permits were still valid, making this opportunity feel truly perfect. After just a few final phone calls, everything was settled, and I finally booked my flight—excited, nervous, and deeply grateful for the chance to return.
When I finally drove back into the Amani Orphans Home Mbigili at the end of 2024, it slowly dawned on me that I would now be back home at Mbigili for two months. Now that those two months of my internship have come to an end, and my time in Tanzania is drawing to a close, I reflect on the journey with deep gratitude and warmth. I had the joy of rekindling old friendships, nurturing new ones, and celebrating these connections together with laughter and heartfelt moments. The children remain as lively, joyful, and full of humor as ever, and they are being wonderfully cared for by both the volunteers and the house mothers. Being back in this familiar, loving environment has reminded me once again why this place holds such a special place in my heart.
It was a new, exciting, and deeply valuable experience for me to see and understand how social work functions in Tanzania. Professionally, social work here is still a relatively young field. However, in communities—especially in rural villages—there are long-established and reliable support systems rooted in family, neighborhood networks, and faith-based institutions such as churches. I’ve heard stories about this before, but now I was able to witness it firsthand: how people genuinely come together to support one another in times of need. I had the opportunity to accompany staff on home visits, school visits, and even hospital trips, gaining insight into the everyday realities faced by families and children. One particularly enriching aspect was the HBC program (Home-Based Care), which is funded and facilitated through the Orphanage. This program ensures that children receive access to education and, when necessary, basic food security for their families. Unfortunately, in Tanzania, the need for support far exceeds the availability of state-funded social assistance. The children’s village and the HBC program play a crucial role in bridging this gap within the underdeveloped public social safety net. That’s why I am truly grateful that so many children at Mbigili Children’s Village are being cared for and supported—because they deserve a future full of dignity, opportunity, and hope.
In addition to my work in the office and external visits, I was fortunate to also find moments in between to play with the children, help them with their homework, and have meaningful conversations with the house mothers. A few things have changed since my volunteer service—there’s now a small laundry house behind the kitchen, the children have grown taller and many have learned to speak more clearly, and there are also a few new team members. It was especially heartwarming to meet the many new children who had joined the village in the meantime and to see how quickly they’ve settled in, feeling just as at home and loved as the others. All in all, Mbigili Children’s Village remains exactly as I remembered it—welcoming, peaceful, and truly a home. Fortunately, I haven’t had to say goodbye completely yet. Before I return to Germany at the beginning of April, I’ll make one last trip to Iringa and then come back to the village one final time to say my proper farewell—“Kwaheri” (Goodbye, until we meet again). Already, I find myself wondering: when will the next happy day be, when I’ll once again be filled with anticipation, stepping onto the path toward Mbigili, knowing that I’m returning to a place that feels like home?
Thank you very much for being here and helping to maintain and shape this place.
Lotta B.