Volunteer in Tanzania
Tanzania Overview
July/Aug/Sept now full. Book online now for October onwards.
At a rural school you can be one of few volunteers to get a real glimpse of life in this developing country. After securing your place with £125, help at this project and in return receive free volunteer accommodation and volunteer support during your stay.
Your Experience
Here you will have the opportunity to get involved in a variety of different tasks, such as, assisting teachers with their classes, perhaps teaching you own class, teaching basic computer skills or art. Your help will be needed, particularly to assist in the teaching if Maths and Science classes, even if you have no experience and can only offer printed activity sheets from Key Stage 3 or GCSE books that you can bring from home. The coordinator also takes volunteers out on visits to more remote schools and communities for informal play work and to hand out resources.
Based in Iringa in Central Tanzania and only 20 miles from 6 stunning National Parks free accommodation is provided and English is spoken by most of the staff.
Offer time and support to HIV orphans
You may like to work with orphans affected by HIV. Iringa currently has one of the highest infection rates in Tanzania, despite reports showing rates falling due to increased education. The majority of children become infected at birth or by caring for their sick relatives. Many HIV orphans live with extended family, uncles and aunts, or in orphanages although some are looked after by brothers and sisters with no adult for support. Volunteers have been giving time, organising special activities, offering day trips at the weekend and buying pens, pencils and helping with their school contributions. It is the coordinator's intention to support more HIV orphans into secondary education, which they are often prevented from, due to the increased costs of the equipment and exam fees. Despite the state schools being free, the Government requires compulsory contributions for uniform, equipment and food which can prevent many of the poorest children from attending the free state schools. For only around £4 a month, shoes, uniform, equipment, pens and exam fees can all be covered and help a child stay in school. Some ex-volunteers have already started sponsoring children they met at the time of their visit.
Get involved with orphanages in Iringa
Volunteers in their free time have been making visits to orphanages in Iringa, organising activities and outdoor games, teaching informal lessons, giving one to one care and support.
Maintenance opportunities also available
There are many opportunities throughout the year amongst the local community such as building, plastering and painting walls, laying foundations, mending fences, and installing water pipes. The need as of November 2011 was the assistance in repair of school furniture. The coordinator reports that many children sit on the floor whilst chairs and desks lay around broken. Ask the coordinator on arrival where and how best to utilise your skills. Volunteers are asked to bring a little extra money to buy materials, although the basis are cheap and should not require more than a few extra pounds a week. You may like to bring sturdy footwear and work gloves. Volunteers participating in manual work can combine this with the regular programme perhaps alternating manual work on some days with playwork and teaching on others. Couples and friends travelling together with different interests may find the Tanzania programme ideal where one may be teaching in the same location their travelling companion is painting or fixing.
Media from Tanzania
Country: Tanzania
Book your placement with £125. Then pay one-off £200 contribution to the project and volunteer with children in this wonderful country.
Video - Below you'll find all the videos for Tanzania so you don't have to search around whole the site!
Volunteer Pictures
Your memories
We have been sent some of the most lovely photos from volunteers at play and at work, they are truly inspirational.
Photo Album by volunteer Alice Hewlett
Photo Album by volunteer James Licence
Photo Album by volunteer Kate Potter
Photo Album by volunteer Lia Gutiérrez
Photo Album by volunteer Marta Rybek
Photo Album by volunteer Moshahid Miah
Photo Album by volunteer Pablo Jimenez Santamaria
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What next?
If you would like to book over the phone or simply ask more questions please call us on 01603 627 007
See related video ‘How to book’
If you know where and when you want to go, then you can book online.
You can also change your date of arrival or country at any time.
Trip info for Tanzania
Country: Tanzania
Book your placement with £125. Then pay one-off £200 contribution to the project and volunteer with children in this wonderful country.
Change lives and volunteer in Tanzania 2013 - 2014
Volunteer in Tanzania
Based in the large, scenic town of Iringa, located in central Tanzania, approximately 300 miles from Dar es Salaam, the country’s largest city. Be inspired, as your days are filled with sunshine and laughter whilst involving yourself in activities that you can be truly passionate about.
How it works
With a variety of placements on offer and no specific experience required, volunteers of all ages, from a range of backgrounds and possessing different skills are all encouraged to take part in this friendly project.
Volunteering options include
Teaching at a Primary or Secondary school
Classroom assistance
University lecturing
Coaching sports
Teaching English as a second language to adults or children
General school maintenance
Working with an orphanage
Working with a local NGO
Volunteers usually work five days a week during school hours and will have the choice to help out during the weekend, undertake some sightseeing, or simply relax and enjoy local life.
If you wish, your time can be split between working on different projects. Your local coordinator is always available to help you make the most of your time. If you change your mind about anything whilst your there, for example, changing projects, accommodation, dates or anything else, this can easily be accommodated.
Depending on your selection of placement and accommodation, you may walk or take a 10 minute local bus (dala dala) to work, or if you select a more remote location, you may have to travel a little further. However, this can be discussed and we will ensure that you do not spend all day travelling back and forth!
Projects Explained
Volunteers can choose what areas they want to get involved with after arrival.
Teaching
In this country teachers are in short supply yet the children are eager and waiting to learn. With students ranging in age from 3+ you may find that they are more passive and ‘easier’ to teach in comparison with children in your home country. Volunteers will have the opportunity to teach their own classes in a wide range of subjects, in most instances following the local curriculum and using the textbooks provided by the school. However, due to a lack of resources in some areas, volunteers are encouraged to bring their own teaching materials and come up with some creative lesson ideas.
Bring storybooks, activity/workbooks rather than the revision type books. These can be the kind of books children can actually work in, with pro-active content. You can either photocopy material to hand out or copy out activities on the blackboard. You could also introduce spelling competitions, quizzes on the books already read, or word and number games.
Any extra resources that you can bring such as some cheap calculators, children’s scissors, or a class set of mirrors would help keep the lessons interactive and interesting. However, essentials such as pens and pencils, A4 paper and glue can be brought cheaply from a local shop here.
Classroom Assistant
This is a great option for volunteers who may be feeling slightly nervous about taking charge of their very own class but want to gain some classroom experience and build confidence.
You can work together with the teacher or take a class in pairs. Some ideas could include; dividing the students into smaller groups and assigning them with different tasks before swapping them around, or working on a one to one basis with an individual student, whilst the teacher has the rest of the class. You could also simply work the children through a study guide that you bring from home.
University lecturing
There are 3 universities in Iringa, who are keen to use your expertise! In particular, the I.T departments require volunteers to lecture, help with set-up and maintenance of resources and so on. However, your help in all subjects and areas is desired and valued.
Coaching sports
Sports coaches are highly sought after for school, college and local teams. Football, volleyball, basketball, netball and athletics are some of the most popular sports here. However, people are always keen and excited to learn new sports should you be interested in coaching something else.
Teaching English as a second language to adults or children
Many people here are very keen to learn or improve their English. This is a highly valuable skill that will help with the development of the local area. The local community is keen to provide classrooms for teaching.
General maintenance work
Some volunteers, who do not wish to have a go at teaching in the school, may decide to have a go at some general maintenance work within the school grounds. This is likely to include; gardening, painting, basic repairs, carpentry, plumbing and other general manual work.
Working with an orphanage
There are many orphanages located around the area of Iringa, due to a high HIV infection rate- 14% of people here are affected by HIV, in comparison to the national rate of 7%. Volunteers are needed to help with everyday life. This may include cooking, cleaning, helping children with homework and running games and activities.
Working with a local NGO
Volunteers are needed to help with writing funding proposals, developing websites, raising awareness about the work that they do, fundraising, and gaining support from outside organisations.
Skills and Experience, specific skills and experiences are not needed for any placement in Ghana and everyone is welcome to come and try their hand to something new.
What's included
Accommodation: Free volunteer accommodation in shared volunteer rooms or at busy periods, at a school in the area altogether or when full, with local families. Friends and small groups are wherever possible placed together. Home stays are available for approximately £25 per week, including all meals. This is an ideal option for those preferring a cultural experience or or couples and pairs of friends preferring a private room.
Airport pick-up: An airport pick-up and transfer service is available from Dar -Es -Salaam and is arranged for you in advance. Pay on arrival approximately £55 for taxi to guesthouse in Dar es Salaam for overnight stay (recommended), morning taxi to bus station and bus to school.
What's not included
Flights - all travellers will need a return ticket to enter Tanzania
Visas - You will need a valid visa to travel to Tanzania
Insurance and return airport transfer - coordinator will help organise
Volunteer permit - obtained on arrival in Iringa approx. $200
Local Transport around Tanzania
Meals
We consider this project ideal if you...
- Would like to be part of a challenging placement in the heart of Africa and have the opportunity to help create and be a part of something new.
- Are volunteering in the summer and would like to escape the volunteer crowds.
- Have experience in education and would like to offer skills and expertise.
- Do not have any experience of working in an educational setting but would like to learn and help in any way which can make a difference.
What to Wear
This will depend on the placement you choose. If you are working with general school maintenance, old clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty would be ideal. Otherwise, lightweight smart-casual wear is fine. Please avoid very tight, short or revealing clothing. There is a second hand clothes market nearby selling items at very cheap prices should you require extra clothing.
What to take
Recommended:
Sleeping bag or bedding, sheet/ small pillow
Mosquito net – Can be purchased in Iringa, much cheaper than Europe
Malaria pills - Can be purchased in Iringa, much cheaper than Europe
Unlocked mobile phone. You can purchase a local sim card on arrival, making it easy to keep in touch with your project co-ordinator, other volunteers and greatly reduce the cost of calling or texting home. A sim card currently costs approximately 1000 shillings, which is just under 50 pence/ 40 cents.
Mosquito repellent (50% Deet)
Sturdy footwear: lightweight walking boots/ trainers
Lightweight jacket and sweater
Hoody/ cardigan for chilly nights
Small rucksack for everyday use
Hand sanitising gel
Basic travel first aid kit
Sandals
Sunglasses
Suncream
Imodium tablets
Aspirin
Other optional suggestions:
Playing cards
IPod/ MP3 player
Torch
Piriton
Laptop/ notebook
For Teaching:
Pens and pencils
Sharpeners
Rubbers
Other stationary
Educational posters for classroom walls
Footballs/ Volleyballs or other sports/ play equipment
Places of Interest
Iringa is only 100km from six of Tanzania’s stunning National Parks, (the nearest one being Ruaha National Park)- perfect for a weekend trip.
Only in Tanzania will you find such an incredible diversity of landscapes from herds of antelope on the Serengeti plains to masses of brilliant corals and colourful fish in turquoise seas.
Not to be missed before your return home:
The breath-taking sandy beaches on the magical spice island of Zanzibar Serengeti National Park Ngorongoro Crater Mt Kilimanjaro Mt Meru Olduvai Gorge Lake Manyara National Park Rift Valley Escarpment Tea estates in the south Isimila Stone Age site
Previous volunteers have advised:
Afternoon trips – such as visiting a dairy farm and milking cows, The Bridge of God and Isimila, large tea plantations, orphanages and rural villages.
Weekend trips: Iringa is situated between four large National Parks (you will cross one of them on your way from Dar es Salaam so watch out for zebras, monkeys, giraffes and elephants!)
After volunteering: Most volunteers will stay in Tanzania for several weeks and then head to Zanzibar - a sociable, relaxing island boasting stunning sandy white beaches, crystal clear water and the perfect opportunity to relax, sunbathe, go snorkelling, swim with dolphins, take a boat trip or attend a few beach parties!
Alternatively, some choose to challenge themselves with Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest peak.
These can all be organised after your arrival and many volunteers choose to arrange extra trips together, in order to save costs.
School Dates
The school term dates in Tanzania are as follows:
1st term: 1st week of January - 1st week of June
2nd Term: 1st week of July - end of November
Usually students are on school holidays during the following dates:
The whole of December
2nd week of June - 1st week of July
There are other short breaks (midterm breaks) for Easter (one week) and one midterm break in September.
Volunteers can still participate during the school holidays as there is plenty of volunteering work, which can be done in the community, at the University and at youth centres.
Feedback
An update from the co-ordinator:
When the first volunteer was here he coached the students basketball and helped at a school with 100 orphans. At the weekend we took him to two secondary schools in a village called Pawaga to see the difference between schools in town compared to village schools. In each school he contributed a football and gave them four science books. We also visited the Masai community where people depend on livestock and some of the parents have died. Here he contributed one football to the kids and pump for the ball. During evenings, after school, he coached basketball at Tumaini University, where the students were excited to learn something new and exciting and he was very warmly received.
Feedback from a previous volunteer:
This was my first experience of Africa and I have had a great time on this project, despite feeling slightly nervous as a girl travelling alone before I came. Iringa has a lovely relaxed atmosphere and everyone is so friendly. I felt very well looked after during my time here and the co-ordinator, Willhard, has been so helpful. I enjoyed the flexibility of choosing what I wanted to be involved in and how, dividing my time between different placements. I have met many other volunteers who I travelled to Zanzibar with and am still good friends with. Learning Swahili was a great experience, it is easy to eat as a vegetarian and the weather and scenery are beautiful. I just wish I could have stayed for longer!
Not on your own
The majority travel to Tanzania on their own. But you will never be alone after arrival as there are almost always lots of other volunteers on this busy and ever popular project. There is also the option to get in touch with other volunteers before you travel. Most volunteers do this, so that when they arrive they have the opportunity of already knowing people; some volunteers even meet up before they travel and fly to Tanzania together.
How to apply
It is quick an easy to book with Original Volunteers. You can book online or call us on now on 01603 627 007 and book over the phone.
See related video ‘How to book’.
It costs £125 to book. Once book you can go to as many placements as you want within a year without having to pay the booking fee of £125 again.
The booking fee instantly books and reserves your place for any month you choose .We are very flexible. Just let us know if your plans change and spaces permitting we will put you on another list.
Tanzania at a glance
The local language is Swahili- a phrase book may be useful and free language lessons can be arranged at your convenience on arrival.
Only in Tanzania will you find such an incredible diversity of landscapes from herds of antelope on the Serengeti plains to brilliant coral in turquoise seas.
Not to missed before you return home: the magical spice island of Zanzibar, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Mt Kilimanjaro, Olduvai Gorge, Lake Manyara NP, Rift Valley Escarpment, tea estates in the south and Isimila Stone Age site.
Hottest month: January
The time difference is +3 hours from GMT (+2 hours during British summertime).
There are occasional, short power cuts in most places throughout Africa, these usually occur about twice a week in Iringa, for periods of about 4 hours.
You will enjoy the wonderful, friendly, relaxed attitude of Iringa, but don’t expect everything to be perfect or exactly on time- after all, T.I.A- This is Africa!
Money
The Tanzanian shilling is only available in Tanzania. You cannot change any currency for shillings outside the country. You can change money on arrival at Dar es Salaam Airport and ATM’s are widely available throughout the country.
There is a Barclays bank branch in Iringa and other local banks all with ATMs. Please be aware that Traveller’s Cheques are not accepted in any shops or exchanged in any of the banks in town. US Dollars or Pounds Sterling can easily be exchanged in Tanzania for local currency- The Tanzanian Shilling. Exchange rates fluctuate, but as a rough guide on 01/11/11, £1 = 2769Ts/ $1 = 1726Ts.
Internet
There are several internet cafes in Iringa town and (paid-for) wi-fi available at 1 or 2 local cafes. Alternatively, you may prefer to purchase a modem for roughly 45,000 shillings ( £17.50/ $28) and use the internet at your leisure, on your laptop.
