Top Volunteer Programs in Tanzania
Top Volunteer Programs in Tanzania
Home to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, Tanzania is a land of national parks and reserves. Travellers who dare to venture the depths of this magnificent country can experience unspoilt nature, such as the mighty Serengeti and the breathtaking Ngorongoro crater.
Volunteers interested in embarking on a meaningful travel can choose to support many local causes. Vulnerable communities in Tanzania are still struggling with challenges in the fields of education, healthcare, agriculture, childcare, and more. Even with these daily struggles, Tanzania continues to be one of the few nations in Africa to be politically stable.
1. Women Empowerment
It is a fact that in some parts of the world, women still suffer from patriarchy and discrimination. Although equality should be self-evident and part of the law, they are facing challenges every day of their lives. Women’s empowerment work is one of the most important causes in Tanzania you can work towards. In this project, you get the chance to volunteer with great female personalities, give them a voice, and encourage them to fight for their own rights.
Not only will you learn a lot from their wisdom, their life experience, and their culture, but you will also have the opportunity to exchange ideas and make friends for a lifetime! Many women empowerment projects are focused on helping women to make their own income and become more independent from the men-dominated business world. That’s the reason why a lot of women empowerment projects are based in the fashion industry, so that women can be taught to become tailors. They sew a variety of clothes, make necklaces and other jewelry, and sell them on local markets, in hotels, or lodges.
Tanzania is an extremely friendly and welcoming country. The women of the project will welcome you with open hearts and all their hospitality. You will have a wonderful time empowering them and making a crucial impact on their future while at the same time enjoying the stunning nature of Tanzania!
- Skills needed: It is an advantage if you already have some idea of how you can teach the women in independence and confidence. Furthermore, having a good level of English will not only make your stay easier, but will also be a big benefit for the female community.
- Suggested program duration: Minimum two weeks
- Recommended program: VHSO
Women’s empowerment is one of the most fulfilling projects you can work on when you volunteer in Tanzania.
2. Health
Health is one of the most popular volunteer projects in Tanzania for foreigners. Hospitals and healthcare centers can be really different from what you might know from your home country. As health insurance is not common in Tanzania, the access to health care usually depends on a person’s income. Many people cannot afford any health care which is why they are dependent on the help of the government or volunteer communities.
It can be really interesting for interns and volunteers to experience the health system in a country like Tanzania where resources are limited. Public hospitals in the Arusha region are usually very crowded and health service is poor. By getting involved in the daily routines of the hospitals, the volunteers will not only learn how health clinics work in this country but also gain cultural understanding about the community as a whole. You will gain this first-hand experience while working in different units alongside local doctors and nurses.
- Skills needed: When volunteering abroad in a hospital, you should already bring along some experience and skills in health service. You should also be passionate about caring for others.
- Suggested program duration: Minimum two months
3. Education
Working with children in a kindergarten or primary school in the northern part of Tanzania not only brings you new experiences but also helps the kids build a foundation for education and a better future. In kindergartens and pre-schools, volunteers are often asked to play, read, and sing with the students, as well as teach them basic English and mathematics.
In primary schools they can teach a variety of subjects such as math, science, art, and more. They can either assist teachers or even perform whole lessons in front of their own classes!Education is the most powerful tool through which we can prepare the future leaders of Tanzania.
- Skills needed: Swahili fluency is not necessary, but a TEFL certificate will help you be an effective volunteer teacher in Tanzania.
- Suggested program duration: Minimum one month
Not only will you make a huge difference volunteering in education in Tanzania, you’ll make plenty of friends along the way too.
Top Adventure ctivities in Tanzania
4. Special Needs
Volunteers can gain an insight into the daily struggles of children with special needs. In Tanzanian society, there are many prejudices against people with disabilities, no matter whether they have physical or mental special needs. And even if the parents or the local community accept these children, there are basically no facilities where these children can get adequate support.
During your stay, you will get to know how children with disabilities live here and get the chance to play with them. You can make a great contribution to their lives by dedicating your time and making them feel loved while you are making new friends as well!
- Skills needed: The most important thing when volunteering with Tanzania’s youth with disabilities is to be loving, patient, and caring.
- Suggested program duration: 3+ months
5. Environmental Conservation
One of the major areas of need in Tanzania is environmental conservation. Climate change affects all of us, but especially poor communities face the consequences of floods, storms, crop failure, or the lack of rain the most. Working in environmental conservation projects is a great way to help maintain the ecosystem of our planet.
During your volunteering service, you can plant trees together with local communities in order to minimize the effects of deforestation. Help the people of the village to find a sustainable income! You can also go to schools and teach children in environmental conservation or help with beach or forest clean ups.
Trees are crucial for our atmosphere and the natural cycles of our earth. Planting and giving them space to grow is going to have a positive influence on our climate. Consequently, we should support these environmental projects as much as we can. Not only will the environment benefit from your work—It will be also an enrichment for your own life. You will work besides local experts and the Tanzanian society, see their daily life style, and get the chance to learn some Swahili.
- Skills needed: Identification, communication, local language, mapping skills, understanding of ecological survey techniques.
- Suggested program duration: Minimum one week
The world needs someone to speak for animals as well, and volunteer projects in Tanzania will help you do just that!
