Volunteer in Tanzania: is the largest of the East Africa countries (i.e. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) and offers spectacular landscape from the coastal plains to the east; the inland saucer-shaped plateau; and the highlands and the coastal islands. The country is named after Tanganyika, its mainland part, and the Zanzibar islands off its east coast. Gaining independence in 1961, Tanzania is a stable, peaceful country with few tribal or regional divisions.
Some of Tanzania’s ecologically significant wildlife parks include the famous Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park in the north, and Selous Game Reserve and Mikumi National Park in the south. Gombe National Park in the west is known as the site of Dr. Jane Goodall's studies of chimpanzee behavior. In addition to its stunning landscape, Tanzania is home to approximately 120 tribal groups. Tribal diversity is respected and far from being a source of separation, Tanzanians place a high value on their country’s multicultural heritage.
A Broader View programs are based in and around the city of Arusha in northern Tanzania. Volunteers support in Arusha have helped hundreds of families by working in the local pre-school, at local orphanages, in a maternity clinic, regional hospital and also with HIV awareness outreach projects. A Broader View offers programs for family volunteering, medical outreach, woman vocational support and university led service trips. Many volunteers travel to Tanzania to participate in a safari, but also help the country by contributing to a community-led program.
With housing available up to 30 volunteers, A Broader View has hosted hundreds of university student groups, peace corp alternative teens and family volunteers in our Tanzania volunteer programs. If you have a group of 5 or more interested in volunteering together, customized programs can be arranged. A Broader View Volunteers has extensive experience working with students, teachers and families providing tailor-made service trips for small groups.
Visa/Permit Notes: “Volunteer Visa” is required for all program participants. The cost is US$250. Tanzania embassy information
Overview
- Project Length: From 1 week to 8 weeks
- Arrival Airport: Kilimanjaro (Code: JRO) for Arusha, and Dar Es Salaam (DAR)
- Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8 hours per day
- Requirements: Tourist Visa and Volunteer Permit
- Age Limits: Minimum 17 yrs or older for solo travelers.
- Minimum Age: 12 to 16 yrs if traveling with parents.
- Airlines: KLM, Delta, Emirates, Ethiopian and Qatar
- Vaccinations: Yellow Fever, Malaria, Hep A, typhoid wwwnc.cdc.gov
Volunteer Programs in Tanzania Dar es-Salaam
Pre Medical and Pre Nurse Students
Thousands of Tanzanian die every year because of a lack of proper medical care and equipment. Tanzania has few qualified medical professionals; this is also a reason for the high death rate. The medical center is located in the Ukonga area Dar Es Salaam City about 30 minutes by bus from the town city center. The Hospital is the biggest in the Ukonga ward serving around 500,000 residents of the Ukonga ward. The Hospital occupies 8 doctors, 40 nurses, a laboratory service, an outpatient department, a dental department, eye department, a maternity and children clinic, a labor ward and several other hospital departments.
Premedical/nurse students can volunteer in these programs. The roles include:- Assist in taking a patient’s medical history, Assist in updating charts and patient information to show current findings and treatments, Assist in ordering tests for nurses or other healthcare staff to perform, Assist in reviewing test results to identify any abnormal findings, Recommend and design a plan of treatment, Assist in addressing concerns or answer questions that patients have about their health and well-being, Assist patients take care of their health by discussing topics such as proper nutrition and hygiene. Sometimes they might even be given administrative works.
Orphanage / Child Care
Volunteering in the orphanage is quite similar to the teaching projects in the day. You’ll be helping the teachers conduct their lessons, helping with drawings, sports, games and pupil learning. However there is an added dimension - you’ll be assisting with the general care of the orphans in the orphanage. Duties such as cleaning the dormitories and clothes and helping with the cooking of meals for the children, as well as playing with and entertaining them. It’s a fuller but more demanding role than that of school volunteering, as you will be building emotional bonds of care with the children and providing pastoral support.
A typical orphanage in Tanzania is home to 60 children ranging in age from 4 to 14. A nursery school teaching program usually takes place during the day. Approximately 40 children in total will attend nursery school. Volunteers in this teaching program help teachers to do their lessons, drawings, sports, and games.
The Orphanage we place Volunteers is located in Vingunguti Area in Dar Es Salaam. It has 42 children aged between 5 and 17, has 7 staff. Vingunguti area is densely populated and among the poor communities in Tanzania with around 400,000 residents. About 60% of the population in Vingunguti are children aged 0-18 years. The project is located about 2km from the accommodation, volunteers would use DalaDala(Public Buses) to and from the Orphanage. The bus fare is 0.20$ hence 0.40$ go and return. It will take around 10 minutes to reach the Orphanage from the accommodation.
Volunteer Education / Teaching
Children are at the heart of every community in Tanzania. Education of these children is incredibly important, and Tanzanian families are becoming aware of the social mobility that can be achieved through education. However, there are many problems standing between a child and his or her education in Tanzania. Class sizes are extraordinarily large- 90 to 120 pupils per classroom is not at all uncommon at the primary level.
The majority of the schools we place volunteers with are constantly understaffed and are always in need of teaching support. Individual children suffer from a lack of personal support and attention, and their education falters as a result. It’s clear that volunteers can provide much-needed assistance with large class sizes, and help provide exposure to fluent native English. Working with teachers, you’ll help improve children’s education not only in English, but subjects like Maths and Geography are universal as well, and you’ll be looking to help out the pupils’ development in all areas.
Working with other volunteers and resident teachers, you'll build on the work of previous volunteers to help the children progress in all areas of the curriculum, through traditional teaching methods, and fun activities such as games, art, and physical activity. Working with children is fun anywhere in the world, and it is a great privilege to help a child towards a brighter future, one we’d like to share with all our volunteers. Primary school students in Tanzania range from age 5 to 13 years.
This project will help people of the Kipawa area in Dar Es Salaam. Kipawa area is in close proximity to Dar Es Salaam International Airport. Kipawa area has an estimate of around 90,000 inhabitants and around 60 percent of these are children below the age of 18 years old. The project is located around 1KM from the volunteer accommodation. Hence it is just a walking distance, around 10 minutes walking. If one is tired of walking then it is possible to use a bodaboda (motorcycle) which will only cost $4.
Special Needs Project
Most special needs schools in Tanzania have few qualified teachers and lack enough learning equipment. Volunteers need to understand that special needs children’s centers are a very new concept in Tanzania. There are very few special needs children’s centers in Tanzania and most of them are without qualified caretakers. The children do not stay in these special needs centers; they arrive in the morning and return home in the evening.
The centers lack the skilled personnel and relevant equipment to deliver the special care and attention needed to provide these children with a stimulating environment. They need volunteers to help with education and providing one on one stimulus and motivation. Volunteers may also be required to help with motion, lifting and handling, personal hygiene and other days to day tasks that the children simply cannot perform on their own.
We place volunteers at Special need school located at Kinyerezi in Dar Es Salam. The school has 40 students and 7 staff. The children range from age 5 to 8 year old. Kinyerezi is an area with about 100,000 residents, about 20 minutes from Dar Es Salaam City center. The project is located about 3km from accommodation, volunteers would use DalaDala (Public Buses) to and from the Center. The bus fare is 0.20$ hence 0.40$ go and return. It will take around 15 minutes to reach the center from the accommodation.
Medical / Nurse Internship
Thousands of Tanzanian die every year because of a lack of proper medical care and equipment. Tanzania has few qualified medical professionals; this is also a reason for the high death rate. The medical center is located in the Ukonga area Dar Es Salaam City about 30 minutes by bus from the town city center. The Hospital is the biggest in the Ukonga ward serving around 500,000 residents of the Ukonga ward. The Hospital occupies 8 doctors, 40 nurses, a laboratory service, an outpatient department, a dental department, eye department, a maternity and children clinic, a labor ward and several other hospital departments.
The hospital accepts volunteers who are medical/nurse students or medical/nurse professionals. Pre-medical students can also be accommodated. The roles include:- Assist in taking a patient’s medical history, Assist in updating charts and patient information to show current findings and treatments, Assist in ordering tests for nurses or other healthcare staff to perform, Assist in reviewing test results to identify any abnormal findings, Recommend and design a plan of treatment, Assist in addressing concerns or answer questions that patients have about their health and well-being, Assist patients take care of their health by discussing topics such as proper nutrition and hygiene. Sometimes they might even be given administrative works.
he project is located about 4km from the accommodation, volunteers would use DalaDala (Public Buses) to and from the Hospital. The bus fare is 0.20$ hence 0.40$ go and return. It will take around 15-30 minutes to reach the hospital from the accommodation. Volunteers are needed in Tanzania especially in Dar Es Salaam were the population is high and the ration of a patient to a physician is very poor. Tanzania offers the best environment for Western medical/nurse volunteers to experience working in a local African environment. Moreover, medical volunteers are given the best opportunity to help and share their skills by treating local needy patients.
Volunteer Programs in Tanzania Arusha
Orphanage / Child Care
Support three children's centers located outside of Arusha. The centers are home to approximately 20 children, ranging in age from 4yr-15yrs old. The centers are run by loving dedicated staff who have opened their hearts to these vulnerable kids and orphans. They provide shelter, food, love and education to orphans, abandoned and street children of surrounding community.
Volunteers support the orphanage by providing an extra set of hands with the daily chores; cooking, meal preparation, washing clothes. Activities with the children including reading books, helping with homework, creating games, sports or coaching, teaching songs, dance or other past times. Volunteers should have a lot of patience, an open mind and a sense of adventure. We do recommend volunteers to learn a few words and phrases of Swahili, which will be very helpful with the children. Volunteer housing is provided at all orphanages.
Visa/Permit Notes: “Volunteer Visa” is required for all program participants. The cost is US$250. Tanzania embassy information.
Education English Missions
At a local village school outside of Arusha. Volunteers support local teachers that provide free education to orphans and vulnerable children in the community. Volunteers needed to teach English and mathematics.
We do recommend you learn a few words and phrases of Swahili, which will be very helpful and appreciated by the children. Bringing teaching aids (flash cards, picture books, alphabet and number games, maps) with you is highly recommended, and needed.
Schools in Tanzania are closed for 2 weeks in late April, during August and December to January. Prior experience is not required, guidance will be provided as to what subjects to cover, but volunteer teachers will be expected to come with ideas to create and prepare lessons.
*Volunteers need a Tourist Visa to enter Tanzania (US$100) as of 2016 you can get it at the Tanzania airport. *Once in the country all volunteers must apply for a “Volunteer Permit” is US$250. All participants in the Tanzania program must secure a permit to volunteer.
Medical / Dental Healthcare
with professional credentials, or those currently enrolled in medical/nursing school are welcome at a district hospital outside of Arusha. Patient count can vary from day to day. Since many health centers lack modern facilities, or have broken equipment and lack of staff, the placements are very challenging. However volunteers will have a physician to shadow and work with. Volunteers need to bring their own medical equipment, gloves, lab coat, medical scrubs and appropriate shoes.
The type of hands on work you will be allocated will depend to an extent on your own abilities and capabilities, which is understandable given that you will be dealing with patient health and safety. You will be involved in aspects of the day-to-day running of the hospitals, observing or directly assisting, where possible. You can help out in simple but practical ways, vastly increasing your own knowledge and understanding of medical practice.
We do recommend you learn a few words and phrases of Swahili, which will be very helpful when dealing with the locals.
*Volunteers need a Tourist Visa to enter Tanzania (US$100) as of 2016 you can get it at the Tanzania airport. *Once in the country all volunteers must apply for a “Volunteer Permit” is US$250. All participants in the Tanzania program must secure a permit to volunteer.
HIV Awareness and Care
With a grassroots health organization based in a rural community outside of Arusha. As a volunteer you will support the home for children afflicted with HIV/AIDs, also contribute to the host based community outreach projects. The programs is helping hundreds of families living with HIV/Aids patients, and also does work to promote HIV education, health and hygiene information as well as a refuge for sick children. Working with this grassroots organization you will see how one person can truly help and change the life of someone in need.
Because of the remote location volunteers will help to distribute food and medicine when possible. Volunteers need to accompany the children to the clinic for health checks. Expect to support the children's home, outreach projects, home visits and other duties will depend on which projects the organization is working on when you are there. We do recommend you learn a few words and phrases of Swahili, which will be very helpful when dealing with the locals.
Due to the location and travel involved volunteers should budget $25 a week for local buses. Undergraduates, pre-medical and pre-nursing students are welcome. Public health and social workers are welcome also
Visa/Permit Notes: “Volunteer Visa” is required for all program participants. The cost is US$250. Tanzania embassy information.
Dance Projects
Dance in Africa is part of everyday life and deeply rooted in the local culture. Dance is used as a means to bring community together, also used for educative purposes at schools and orphanages. Volunteers with a background or passion in dance are welcome!
Volunteer have the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice by creating workshops with the Tanzanian dancers. Local students are eager to learn from the volunteers, and also share their knowledge of local dances. Volunteers should bring their laptop, music and camera.
Visa/Permit Notes: “Volunteer Visa” is required for all program participants. The cost is US$250. Tanzania embassy information.
Volunteer Programs in Tanzania Kibaha
Medical / Nursing / Dental
East Tanzania. All medically trained volunteers are welcome and needed at a charitable health center in the Kibaha District Council, the capital of Pwani Region, located 40 miles west of Dar Es Salaam.
The center provides health services in a community of 26,000. Medically trained volunteers support the work at the health center which sees ailments including the treatment of HIV/Aids, malaria, UTI, hypertension, peptic ulcer, skin conditions, tooth abscesses and child birth complications.
Medically trained providers will work alongside local medical staff to promote better health and practices within this extended community. The scope of the work volunteers are directly involved in depends on the volunteer’s qualifications and background. As a healthcare volunteer, you will exchange knowledge and have a multicultural learning experience with the local providers.
The health center has nine departments including:
- Surgery
- Laboratory
- Medical records
- Admission/intake ward
- Outpatient
- Pediatrics, maternal and child health care
- NHIF services
- Dental surgery
- Ultra sound department
The health center has 25 beds. There are 5 doctors and 18 nurses on staff. The health center sees about 200 patients per week. Volunteers are required to buy a volunteer permit ($250) when they arrive in Dar Es Salaam.
Visa/Permit Notes: “Volunteer Visa” is required for all program participants. The cost is US$250. Tanzania embassy information.
Pre-Medical / Nursing + Dental
East Tanzania. Currently enrolled medical students, student nurses and dental students are welcome and needed at a charitable health center in the Kibaha District Council, the capital of Pwani Region, located 40 miles west of Dar Es Salaam. The center provides health services in a community of 26,000.
An important element of this placement is learning about healthcare and dental practices in third world conditions. As a volunteer, you will gain firsthand experience of the discrepancy between the standards of care available in developed countries vs developing worlds. Medical and dental observership rotations and residency and medical/dental/nursing internships are available.
Student volunteers will be supervised locally by an attending physician. Student volunteers can expect to be involved in treating patients with HIV/Aids, malaria, UTI, hypertension, peptic ulcer, skin conditions, tooth abscesses and child birth complications. Volunteers need to arrive with their own exam gloves, stethoscope and medical scrubs.
The health center has nine departments including:
- Surgery
- Laboratory
- Medical records
- Admission/intake ward
- Outpatient
- Pediatrics, maternal and child health care
- NHIF services
- Dental surgery
- Ultra sound department
The health center has 25 beds. There are 5 doctors and 18 nurses on staff. The health center sees about 200 patients per week. Volunteers are required to buy a volunteer permit ($250) when they arrive in Dar Es Salaam.
The health center has nine departments including:
- Surgery
- Laboratory
- Medical records
- Admission/intake ward
- Outpatient
- Pediatrics, maternal and child health care
- NHIF services
- Dental surgery
- Ultra sound department
The health center has 25 beds. There are 5 doctors and 18 nurses on staff. The health center sees about 200 patients per week. Volunteers are required to buy a volunteer permit ($250) when they arrive in Dar Es Salaam.
Visa/Permit Notes: “Volunteer Visa” is required for all program participants. The cost is US$250. Tanzania embassy information.
Country Info
Tanzania Introduction
Are you ready to help people in need, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and culture of a new country and have the experience of a lifetime? With poverty, disease and a lack of skilled providers putting a strain on important services such as health and childcare in developing countries across the globe, there are many corners of the world which rely on the help of volunteer travelers like yourself.
Volunteer in Tanzania with A Broader View Volunteers a top rated non-profit charity organization, which works tirelessly to support our wonderful volunteers and serve the local communities where our volunteer programs are located. Placements in Tanzania are based in the city of Arusha. Program placements are tailored to the volunteers different interests and skill sets, but still allow volunteers time to explore the African local culture and activities during their free time.
The type of programs in Tanzania vary widely, offering everything from education to health care. Volunteers can choose between 15 program opportunities in the orphanage. International volunteer help is not only appreciated by the local community, it is severely needed by the millions of Tanzanians living below the poverty line. With thousands of children living and working on the streets, as is so often the case in developing countries like Tanzania, our volunteer programs are designed to support the needs of local teens and children in desperate need of assistance.
Many of our volunteer abroad programs cater to underprivileged women and children’s care, education and health requirements. Our extensive range of social programs near Arusha, Tanzania programs include: Orphanage Care, teaching, Medical, HIV awareness, Pre Medical/nurse students, women development and many more,. To help you settle into your placement.
Volunteering in Tanzania is an incredibly rewarding experience. We welcome volunteers of all ages and from all backgrounds to join us. Whether you’re seeking volunteer abroad programs for college students or voluntary work for over 60s, as a trusted non-profit organization which prioritizes the safety of our volunteers, we are the go-to for volunteers across the globe. We also offer customized programs with flexible arrival dates to best suit the needs of the remarkable volunteers we depend on to help us make the world a better place.
If you’d like to volunteer, Tanzania is just one of the countries we’ve taken under our wing, supplying a steady flow of volunteers and providing year-round financial support to local projects in near Tanzania. Wherever you decide to volunteer, A Broader View give you the opportunity to participate in meaningful community service work, learn a foreign language, make lifelong friends and discover that one person really can make a difference. Your search for the best volunteer abroad programs ends here – volunteer in Tanzania with us and gain A Broader View of the world.
Coordinator
Welcome to Tanzaia! 🇹🇿. Our Names are Fatima, Nelson and Innocent and we are your ABV coordinators while you are staying in Arusha. Our country has one big city, Dar es Salaam. But you will be working in Arusha. We will be ready for support 24/7 in case you need to contact us urgently. We will introduce you to your volunteer location and staff. You are most welcome to seek our assistance and don’t hesitate to ask us questions while in country.
You are most welcome to seek our assistance and don’t hesitate to ask us questions while in country.
Weather
What's the best time to go to Arusha in Tanzania? Here are some annual weather facts we collected from our historical climate data:
- On average, the warmest month is February.
- On average, the coolest month is July.
- The average annual maximum temperature is: 77° Fahrenheit (25.0° Celsius)
- The average annual minimum temperature is: 55.4° Fahrenheit (13.0° Celsius)
Reviews & Multimedia
Reviews
Personally, I found this program to be very worthwhile as this trip turned out to be one the best experiences of my life. It was very eye-opening and gave me a boost of motivation to continue my studies and inspiration for my future career.
Dr. Shithila Siriwardhana at the Medical program
Nationality: USA
Age: 32
This trip was incredible and I don’t regret coming for a second. Our trip was a month long and I think that is a perfect amount of time for first time travelers. Changing sheets, cleaning the bed frames, and washing patients will most likely take up all your time.
Ann Olsen Volunteer in Arusha Tanzania
Nationality: USA
Age: 59
This trip was incredible and I don’t regret coming for a second. Our trip was a month long and I think that is a perfect amount of time for first time travelers. Changing sheets, cleaning the bed frames, and washing patients will most likely take up all your time.
Alexis Stribbling Volunteer in Arusha, Tanzania
Nationality: USA
Age: 36
Prices for Tanzania
Program Fees
Since A Broader View Volunteers is a 501c(3) charitable organization, You can fundraise (optional) for the expenses of the trip after you get confirmed in our programs. Prices are per person and in US dollars (US$).
| Length of program | Program Fee $USD |
|---|---|
| 1 week | $960 |
| 2 weeks | $1100 |
| 3 weeks | $1250 |
| 4 weeks | $1400 |
| 5 weeks | $1550 |
| 6 weeks | $1700 |
| 7 weeks | $1850 |
| 8 weeks | $2000 |
Inclusions
- Accommodation: Volunteer House
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
- Arrival: Airport meet and greet by ABV Staff
- Orientation: Project Overview On-Site
- Support: Pre-trip written guide, In-country ABV staff available 24/7
- Departure: ABV Staff Escorted Airport Transfer
Extra costs: Flights. Entry Visa. Departure taxes. Vaccinations. Local Transportation. Travel & Health Insurance. Laundry and Internet
General Information
Meals & Food
Volunteers are usually provided breakfast, lunch and dinner at their accommodation during the week and weekends (read the website for detail description of the meals or ask our staff online). Breakfast typically consists of toast, fruit, eggs, cereal accompanied with milk, tea or coffee. Dinner usually includes: meat (cow, chicken), potato, rice, vegetables, spaghetti and a variety of western food. Volunteers can be away from their accommodation mid-day so they take a lunch bag or they go back home. We recommend budgeting between US$5 and US$10 per day to purchase lunch if you don't return to the host family, let the host family know if you change the lunch plans. If you have specific dietary requirements, our local teams and home-stays can customize to you but be flexible as well.
Start Dates
Most of our programs run year round, you can start any volunteer/internship program on any day. When you apply you will lets know your start and end dates. Our programs run year round and have volunteers arriving almost every day from many different countries.
Since our programs sometimes depend on the local holiday calendar, there are brief occasions when normal programs work is suspended. For example, schools/daycares often close for long winter/summer vacations. During these times, we arrange for alternative work programs that are similar in substance to our ongoing programs, but address the short-term, direct needs of the local communities.
If you would like to arrange your start and end dates around the local holidays, please call us at 1.866.423.3258 or email us at [email protected].
Giving Matters
A Broader View Volunteers work tirelessly year round to support our volunteers, and also to serve the local communities where ABV projects are based. As a tax-exempt 501 c(3) organization A Broader View receive 100% of our funding from volunteer contributions. Through your program fee contribution our non-profit charity organization can operate beneficial humanitarian aid programs which are successful and continuous supported year round.
Local, professional full-time coordinators, placement logistics, airport pick up and departure transportation, arrival orientation, food & local accommodations, are a major part of providing a safe, meaningful volunteer experience. When you join A Broader View, you will receive pre-trip visa and vaccination support, assistance with flights, fundraising planning, through our interactive online volunteer portal. Our local partners not only benefit from volunteers valuable contributions at the project, they benefit financially with year-round monetary support from A Broader View. In the last decade A Broader View has donated over 4.5 million dollars in international aid.
By joining A Broader View you are not only helping to make a difference during your own trip, your impact will last even after you go home.