Hi! We’re Shannon McCready, Anna Sharkey, Aisling Carolan, Jane Carolan, Carrie McMahon, and Faye McGloughlin — final-year Occupational Therapy students from Ulster University, Derry

This January 2025, we’ll be travelling to Arusha, Tanzania for a volunteer placement with Plan My Gap Year. We’ll be working in local childcare settings, supporting children and families who have very limited access to therapy, education, and essential resources.

Arusha is a region where poverty is widespread, and many families struggle to meet basic needs. Schools often lack supplies, and children attend class without clean water, enough food, clothing, or proper learning materials. Despite this, the children are eager to learn, and local teachers work tirelessly with what little they have. Across Tanzania, over 3.3 million people live with a disability, yet the country has a little over 300 occupational therapists.

About Occupational Therapy (OT)
Occupational Therapy is a healthcare profession that helps people of all ages live independent and meaningful lives. For children, this often means developing everyday life skills such as dressing, feeding, writing, and playing — all through fun and engaging activities. As dual-trained practitioners, we take a holistic approach, focusing on both mental and physical wellbeing.

During our time in Arusha, we’ll be:

* Delivering therapy sessions to help children build key life and learning skills

* Providing equipment and materials to support their development

* Working with teachers and families to share sustainable strategies

* Creating a sensory play area for children with additional needs

The centres we’ll be volunteering in have very limited resources, so we’re fundraising to provide therapy materials, sensory toys, adaptive equipment, and classroom supplies. We’re also happy to accept physical donations such as pens, pencils, colouring books, stickers, sanitary products, football jerseys, and other helpful items.

We’ll be covering 100% of our own personal costs (flights, accommodation, vaccines, etc.), so every donation will go directly to supporting the children and schools in Arusha.

Every contribution — big or small — will help us make a lasting difference by promoting independence, inclusion, and opportunity for children in Tanzania.

Thank you for your support :)