Overview
The Volunteer Teaching in Tanzania aims at the educational development and enhancement of underprivileged children in Arusha. If you have a grip on English Language and wish to spread the knowledge among the younger ones, so that they can have a better future, then you should definitely think of being a part of this.
Volunteers interested in working for the English Teaching Program are placed in different primary and secondary schools in and around the region of Arusha. The schools are short of well-trained staff and need the assistance of volunteers for teaching children. Since Tanzania’s economy is dependent a lot on tourism, speaking fluent English will play a very important role in getting good jobs in this sector. The tourism and safari sector in Tanzania is growing every year and fluent English speakers are required in abundance. During the school holiday periods, volunteers will have the option of working at the orphanages.
By volunteering for the teaching program in Tanzania, you'll be able to make a long-lasting impact on the lives of the children and the communities you'll work with. This will also give you a chance to being with the natives and know more about their daily lives, culture, and customs.
Program Requirements
Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the time of joining the project. Participants should have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Volunteers need to be flexible, open-minded and have a passion for working with children. You should also be proactive and have the ability to take initiative All volunteers must provide a clean criminal background check report prior to joining the program. A parental consent form shall be required for Under 18 participants joining the program.
Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities
- Being a volunteer, you'll get to work alongside the English teachers and current staff in leading the classes in improving the pronunciation and conversational skills.
- Make daily plans and keep the class engaged. You can also teach Maths, Geography, and Science.
- Focus on the weaker kids, and see how you can help them out. Keep a tab on the growth of your students.
- Help in improving the vocabulary of the students. Prepare test sheets for regular assessments.
- The best would be to focus on interactive sessions and activity based learning methods.
- Involve the students in 'out-of-the-class' activities, so that they can gain more practical knowledge.
Volunteer Work Schedule
As a volunteer for the Teaching Program in Arusha, Tanzania, your general schedule would be:
- Sunday - Arrival at the destination (Arusha)
- Monday - An orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, covering the major topics such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, food, and other suggestions for things to do in Tanzania.
- Tuesday to Friday - Volunteer work at the placement.
- Weekends - Free to explore the city / Head out for wildlife safaris and much more.
- Breakfast - 07:30 am onwards.
- Working hours at the placement - 08:30 am to 12:30 pm and 02:00 pm to 03:00 pm.
- Lunch - 12:30 pm onwards.
- Dinner - 06:30 pm onwards.
The same work schedule continues from the second week onwards (Monday - Friday).
Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the particular project the volunteer is participating on.
Living
At Volunteering Solutions we try to provide best of the living arrangements to our international volunteers. So when in Tanzania, you do not have to worry about a single thing in the world and simply focus on your volunteer work.
Airport Transfer
You will be met by our representative at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Kilimanjaro region from where you are transferred to the accommodations in Arusha. Volunteers can also arrive in Nairobi and take a direct shuttle or bus to Arusha. They will be picked up at the bus station.
Accommodation
Volunteer Accommodation is provided in a Volunteer Housing / Hostel type of accommodation. The accommodation will be shared along with other volunteers. The Volunteer housing is well equipped with comfortable facilities for the volunteers. The Volunteer house has a large common area for the volunteers to relax and socialize with other participants. The house has a seperate washing area where the volunteers can wash their clothes. For volunteers safety and security, the house is equipped with CCTV cameras and is guarded by a security guard as well.
Orientation
All volunteers will be provided with an orientation session by the local coordinator. Areas like safety, locations, transportation, things to see etc will be covered in the Orientation. After your orientation is over, you will be introduced to your project and given a tour of the local area and town.
Meals
Volunteers are provided with 3 meals in a day. Typical meals include Salads, Sandwiches, Ugali, Chapatti, Chai (Tea), Bread and rice, with vegetables and fruits. Breakfast and dinner are at the volunteer house while lunch is usually packed for you to eat the placement or can be taken if you are back at the accommodation.Meals provided to the volunteers are a mix of Tanzanian and western dishes usually.If you have any special dietary requirements, do let us know in advance.
During your Free Time
Typically most of the volunteers choose to travel outside Arusha on the weekends and go for Safari trips. You have the option to choose a 2 to 3 day Safari trips to Serengeti, Tarangire and Ngorogoro. You can also head to Moshi or explore the coffee plantations and waterfalls area near Arusha. Volunteers can also go for short hiking trips near Arusha.
Program Cost
Please Note: -An application fee of £165 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.
What are you Paying for?
- 24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
- Airport Pickup at Kilimanjaro Airport or Bus station in Arusha
- Orientation
- Food
- Accommodation at Volunteer House
- Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
- 100% Financial Protection
- UK Based Support
- Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)
What's NOT included?
- Airfare
- Visa and Work Permit Fee ($200 for Work Permit payable in country)
- Return Airport Drop(Can be arranged at extra cost)
- Local Transportation
- Vaccinations
- Personal Expenses
Program Dates
| Months | 2022 | 2023 |
| January | 0209162330 | 0108152229 |
| February | 06132027 | 05121926 |
| March | 06132027 | 05121926 |
| April | 03101724 | 0209162330 |
| May | 01081522 | 07142128 |
| June | 05121926 | 04111825 |
| July | 0310172431 | 0209162330 |
| August | 07142128 | 06132027 |
| September | 04111825 | 03101724 |
| October | 0209162330 | 0108152229 |
| November | 06132027 | 05121926 |
| December | 04111825 | 03101724 |
FAQ's
Connect with Past Volunteers
To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit, Meet a Volunteer section on our website.
FAQ's Application and Program Details
As we have limited spots available in our programs and we follow the first come first serve basis, it is recommended that potential volunteers book their programs well in advance to get confirmed placements. You can book your slot by filling the application form online and pay the application fee. You can pay your program fee later and also, in installments, however, the complete payment should be made 45 days prior the start of the program. If you are volunteering in a group, you can also fill a group application form.
Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the time of joining the project. Medical Program volunteers must be at least 18 at the time of joining.
Volunteers joining the medical volunteer project must be either Pre-Medical, Medical or Nursing student or possess other qualifications related to medical and nursing field such as CNA or EMT. Medical professionals such as doctors and nurses are also welcome to join this program.
Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.
A volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
The participant must be in good health.
We encourage our participants to volunteer in a group. We take special care in providing you a placement and also customize your itinerary to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Also, we can design special group programs for groups of 5 or more. Our programs are designed to be safe, affordable and offer a great group volunteering experience to the volunteers.
In our experience of more than 12+ years we have enabled and facilitated volunteer program placements for student groups- college groups, university groups, high school groups, group of families, group of couples as well as groups of colleagues.
For our returning volunteers, $50 discount is provided for the application fee for their next Vol Sol program.
Volunteers are picked up from the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) by the in-country coordinator or representative. You will be transferred to the volunteer house accommodation in Arusha followed by an orientation session. Kilimanjaro International Airport is around 50 km drive from Arusha city and it takes around 45 minutes to reach.
Volunteers also have an option of arriving in Nairobi and then taking a shuttle bus to Arusha. Pickup will be provided from the bus station. Drive from Nairobi to Arusha takes around 5 hours. This option is chosen by many volunteers. Volunteers should note that airport pickup is not provided from Nairobi airport.
Flights and Visa
Participants also have the option to take the Visa on arrival at the airport. Tourist Visa can be obtained on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or at the border when arriving overland.
All volunteers working in Tanzania need to get a Class C Permit while in Tanzania. The Work permit costs $200 USD and you will be provided assistance by the local team in Arusha to get the necessary work permit.
Health and Safety
The following vaccinations are recommended for travelers going to Tanzania.
Yellow Fever
Hepatitis A and B
Typhoid
Rabies
Accommodation and Living
Volunteers are provided with all three meals. Breakfast usually comprises of Tea, Coffee, Bread, Jam, Butter, Eggs and/or Fruits. Lunch and Dinner usually comprise of a mix of Western and local dishes such as vegetables, chicken, rice, spaghetti, meat, and fruits. The dishes can vary on a daily basis and lunch is usually packed for the volunteers or you can eat at the house if you are there.
You will have to get an work permit, which will cost around $200. The in-country coordinator will guide you about it.
You will need to cover your personal expenses, such as bottled water, local transport, telephone, the internet, shopping, weekend trips etc. However, you should carry around $50-60 per week for your basic personal expenses. This amount can vary and you would need a higher amount if you choose to go on Safari trips. The cost of the safari trips varies between $300- $600 depending on the safari option you choose.
Airport drop is no included in the fee but we can arrange for it at an extra cost of approx $50.
