🇹🇿 VOLUNTEER IN TANZANIA 🇹🇿

Most Affordable – PMGY’s programs are accessible to everyone who wants to make a difference, through low fees and high-impact projects.

 

Best Support – Our international and local teams provide extensive around the clock services to assist you every step of your PMGY adventure.

 

Safety Prioritised – With safety a PMGY number-1 priority, we have taken all necessary precautions to ensure our programs are as safe and structured as possible.

 

Extraordinary Experiences – With PMGY, you have the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in amazing cultural and travel experiences, ensuring you leave with unforgettable memories.

 

Friendships for Life – Your PMGY experience not only opens up a doorway for new experiences and exciting memories, but also life-long friendships when meeting new people from around the world.

TANZANIA CHILDCARE VOLUNTEERS

As a childcare volunteer in Tanzania with PMGY, you will brighten up the lives of young children, making a vital and important contribution to their daily lives. International volunteers with children in Tanzania work to support centres in Arusha, organising educational activities and games whilst assisting in tasks to complement the work of local staff.

 

Background to the Childcare Program

 

It is estimated that around 1.4 million Tanzanians are infected with HIV. Furthermore, for every 1,000 births, almost 6 women die in childbirth. These factors along with general widespread poverty and minimal state welfare have resulted in an alarmingly high level of abandoned kids and street children in Tanzania. PMGY Tanzania childcare volunteers work with a number of centres in Arusha that strive to address this issue.

 

The day care centres you will be supporting during your time volunteering in Tanzania help to provide adequate childcare for children who often have single working parents, and cannot afford childcare. The daycare assists in allowing for their parents to be able to work to make a living whilst providing an opportunity for the children to gain early childhood education before beginning school, which they would otherwise not have.

 

Children attend the day care centres during the day and then return to stay with family, friends or relatives in the afternoon. PMGY Tanzania currently supports four centres within Arusha, where the efforts and enthusiasm of PMGY volunteers are greatly appreciated.

 

Childcare Project Examples

 

Sunshine Day Care – This is situated in the Meru district of the Arusha region, in Machumba village, around 15 minutes away from Arusha city. The day care houses 15 kids aged 5-10 years (8 girls and 7 boys). In addition to the kids who live on-site, 30 children attend the nursery classes that are offered daily from Monday to Friday, returning home to their families in the afternoon. Sunshine Day Care employs 8 local staff, 3 house mamas, 2 nursery teachers and 3 cooking/cleaning staff.

 

Each day on this volunteer program in Tanzania will begin with very basic English lessons. During this time, volunteers with children in Tanzania are expected to create and lead activities that promote the fundamentals of the language. During the remainder of the day, participants will spend their time entertaining the children, frequently resulting in time spent in the garden! There are a number of different toys and learning tools for the children to use during their time at the childcare volunteer abroad project. In addition to assisting during mealtimes, volunteers will continue to get involved during nap time. During this period, as a childcare volunteer in Tanzania, you will assist staff with additional tasks such as gardening, food preparation or general upkeep of the centre. Naptime is scheduled after lunch to ensure the children get plenty of rest and proper nutrition for their childhood development. The responsibilities as a childcare volunteer in Tanzania noted here are similar in the two further project examples below.

 

Liberty Day Centre – Liberty Day Care tends for children too young for primary school, from the ages of one to six years old. The centre provides activities for the kids to learn and play in a fun and safe environment during the day, allowing their parents to work. When working on our abroad volunteer programs, participants support and complement the work of local staff members. This ensures that these children receive the attention and support that they deserve.

 

Happy Day Care – Founded in 2020, this centre was created with the aim to provide support to the surrounding community who were struggling to afford childcare after the pandemic. Happy Day Care hosts children from ages 1-6 and are able to provide nursery and pre-school education to local children. Based in Sombetini, this centre is located about 15 minutes from the Volunteer House. As a newer centre, the support and extra hands volunteers can offer goes a great distance in helping this centre run and expand it’s support to the local community.

 

Your Volunteer Role & Typical Childcare Day

 

Volunteers with children in Tanzania are required to support and assist with the daily care, attention and interaction with the children across the day and prepare activities accordingly. Whilst each project is different, the typical working hours are 8:30am-1pm Monday-Friday. There may be the opportunity to work up to 3pm upon request.

 

The homes PMGY Tanzania childcare volunteers work with are typically understaffed and highly overcrowded. Volunteer roles will range from teaching basic English to feeding and helping to prepare meals, organising games and sporting activities, or simply spending time with the children. Most of our participants play an active role in the general care of the children but have a primary focus on basic English lessons and class activities. Free time in the afternoons after the project can be used to prepare sessions, chill in the Volunteer House or to explore Arusha.

 

Transport to the childcare volunteer in Tanzania project is not included in the Program Fee. Some of the childcare projects are within walking distance from the Volunteer House, but many are further afield. In these latter cases, you will be required to take a Dala Dala (local bus) to placement. It can take up to 45 minutes to travel to your volunteer work in Tanzania. Our local team will guide you through the local transport methods during your in-country orientation. You can also always ask them if you are unsure of how much you should be paying for a journey.

 
 

TANZANIA ENGLISH TEACHING VOLUNTEERS

As a volunteer teaching English in Tanzania, you will work to encourage students to develop a skill that will help them to achieve their future goals. Conversing with fluent, native English speakers greatly improves their language skills, essential for future employment. This project, therefore, provides the perfect opportunity for international volunteers to teach English in Tanzania. Develop your leadership skills and make a profound impact on the lives of disadvantaged children in Arusha.

 

Background to the Teaching Program

 

Early in this century, there was a large push from the Tanzanian government to get all children into education. This success was largely achieved through a drop in primary school education fees across the country. As a result of this movement, it’s estimated that a staggering 96% of primary-school-age children are now enrolled in a school. However, despite this progress in the education system, the average primary school class consequently host approximately 53 pupils to one teacher. This statistic is even more dramatic in rural areas. International aid is also faltering since the global recession. Together, these factors are heightening the concern towards the quality of education offered across Tanzania.

 

To make matters worse, teaching methods in Tanzania are largely based on learning through repetition and aimed at passing exams. This has led to a situation where, though the children can reel off information, they have very little understanding of what they are saying, particularly in relation to learning English. As most secondary school classes are taught in English, this way of learning causes problems later in the education system. For this reason, improving the methodologies of learning can lay the foundation for increased learning potential in later life. In turn, this can improve the employability of Tanzanian students during adulthood.

 

Over a third of people in Tanzania live below the national poverty line. Education is one of the essential skills for children to develop and is their doorway to a bright future. Tourism is big business in Tanzania. This means that typically, the ability to speak English dramatically increases the opportunities for young people to gain meaningful employment.

 

PMGY’s volunteer teaching English abroad program in Tanzania aims to support local schools and childcare centres to maximise their impact. PMGY’s international volunteers working in Tanzania teach children English, Maths and other subjects, whilst transferring skills and sharing cultural perspectives. As a teaching volunteer in Tanzania, no previous teaching experience is required – you just need is to be creative and proactive! Our team will help you settle into a role, allowing you to make the biggest impact, and gain valuable skills yourself.

 

We predominantly support primary schools, however, volunteering opportunities within secondary school locations may be possible upon request. Additionally, many of the childcare projects we support have nursery schools for children of pre-school age. In these locations, PMGY participants wishing to teach English in Tanzania are also able to assist here.

 

Teaching Volunteer Placement Examples

 

Huruma Nursery School – This school is located on the street of Ngusero Arusha, Tanzania. This region is renowned for its poverty and lack of opportunity around education. The school has been open for over 7 years, hosting approximately 25-30 students at a time, aged between 3-5. The founders of the school recognised a great need for education for families with very little income. If a school such as this wasn’t around, there would be very little other opportunities for education. Every morning, the founder collections students from their homes so they don’t have to walk a long distance to school.

 

Upendo Nursery School – ‘Upendo’ meaning ‘love’, this nursery school was founded in 2012. The school started with a low capacity of only 6. However, having grown over recent years, the school now hosts up to 60 children per day. Within the school are two classes: Class 1 (3-4 years) and class 2 (5-6 years). Pupils at the school are incredibly passionate about learning.

 

During your time as a volunteer teaching English in Tanzania, you will be required to think and act creatively and pro-actively, to ensure that your classes as enjoyable and productive. You will be playing an important part in supporting local teachers at the school. Many of the students will also benefit hugely from having someone who is fluent in the English language teaching them in Tanzania.

 

Your Volunteer Role & Typical Teaching Day

 

As a volunteer teaching English in Tanzania, you are expected to plan and lead your own lessons. Participants sometimes work as assistants to the local staff and English teachers. However, there is usually an expectation from the staff for international volunteers to lead the majority of lessons. To teach English in Tanzania, you must use a lot of initiative and creativity to succeed in your role. There may also be times across the project where participants work as assistants to the local teachers in Tanzania.

 

All lessons are taught in English apart from Swahili language lessons. The schools have a basic curriculum, which is followed, however, participants have the freedom to introduce new ideas/topics. It is important that volunteers spend an hour or two each day preparing for the following day’s lessons

 

Whilst each volunteer program in Tanzania is different, the typical working hours are 8:30am-1pm Monday to Friday. Around 3-4 hours a day are spent teaching basic English, with the remainder spent assisting with mealtimes and/or arranging activities. As a volunteer teaching English in Tanzania, you are usually welcome to stay at the project longer if you wish to.

 

Staff shortages can be a regular occurrence in the under-resourced schools that we work with and participants are encouraged to adapt and be flexible with this. If you are new to teaching, your confidence will grow massively once you have taught a couple of classes! Additionally, the more time spent planning, the easier classes will be to run.

 

Transport to the childcare project is not included in the Program Fee. Some each English in Tanzania projects are within walking distance from the Volunteer House, but many are further afield. In these latter cases, you will be required to take a Dala Dala (local bus) to placement. It can take up to 45 minutes to travel to your volunteer work in Tanzania. Our local team will guide you through the local transport methods during your in-country orientation. You can also always ask them if you are unsure of how much you should be paying for a journey.

 
 

TANZANIA MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS

As a medical volunteer in Tanzania with PMGY, you will have a fantastic opportunity to gain first-hand experience and insight into Tanzanian health care. If you are thinking of a career in healthcare, or you are studying a health-related subject at university, this program will offer you essential first-hand experience to assist in your career development. On this medical volunteer abroad program, you will learn from local staff. By supporting them, you will gain exposure that you are unlikely to obtain in your home country.

 

Background to the Medical Program

 

Like many African countries, Tanzania faces an acute shortage of healthcare workers. Low pay, poor working conditions and limited training programs contribute to the problem. The situation is further amplified by the rising burden of HIV/AIDS treatment. Unfortunately, health standards in Tanzania have declined so much that it trails most other developing nations.

 

The leading causes of death in Tanzania are malaria, HIV/AIDS, respiratory diseases and cardio-circulatory diseases. Many of these major causes of death and serious illness are difficult to avoid. The work of the healthcare system in Tanzania largely centres on treating immediate cases. However, it also extends to educating patients in preventative measures.

 

As a medical participant with PMGY, you will have a unique and exciting opportunity to experience health care in Tanzania first hand. PMGY collaborate with a government hospital and community clinic within the Arusha and Meru district of the country. PMGY’s medical program offers a fantastic opportunity for individuals to gain volunteer experience to further their career. The various departments across these settings that offer a variety of exposures to participants looking to further their medical background and experience. Additionally, the program allows individuals to explore one of the most amazing countries in the world!

 

Medical Volunteer Placement Examples

 

Tengeru Hospital – On this medical volunteer abroad program, we place volunteer overseas at a government hospital located in the town of Tengeru, a neighbouring town of Arusha. This tends to be the main placement for our medical participants. Having started originally as a women’s health centre, the hospital currently caters to all kinds of general health matters.

 

The hospital is a 24/7 facility, treating around 50-80 patients each day. The hospital has a strong maternity ward with an average of 500 newborns delivered each month. This, therefore, makes this is a very good placement for midwifery students. There is also a recently opened Dental Ward, ideal for dentistry students who wish to promote dental hygiene education.

 

Often, we are able to place medical volunteers in Tanzania at the following departments: Dental, Diabetes Clinic, General Medical Consultation, Laboratory, HIV Awareness and Testing, Midwifery & Labour Ward, Newborn Care and Immunisations, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Optical, Paediatrics, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy (part-time), Prenatal Care & Antenatal Care, Radiology Surgery (Minor and Major) & Tuberculosis Wing. Any preferences can be noted within your application, however, please note that these can never be guaranteed.

 

Volunteers will be working alongside qualified local staff during the time spent in each department. On your first day, you will receive a full introduction from the matron. The matron will discuss with you what departments you’re interested in and devise a work schedule for you. You can choose to spend your time within a number of different departments or focus on one or two. We typically recommend participants to spend a minimum of one week within a department.

 

During your time, you will likely witness a range of cases you may never come across back home. This could include Typhoid and TB. There will also be the chance to learn about tropical diseases such as Malaria, Yellow Fever and Dengue. Working in a government hospital will come with its own set of challenges. You should be prepared to experience some strong emotions with the standards of the facilities and limited equipment available.

 

Things tend to be a lot more laid-back in Tanzania. This lack of urgency can be frustrating, as well as the impersonal way many of the Tanzanian medical staff treat their patients. Please, therefore, be prepared for some eye-opening experiences, which may be difficult to cope with at times. However, remember to throw yourself into the experience and challenge yourself to learn. Do this and you will have a really rewarding time, and assist in making a positive impact.

 

Community Clinic – Our second medical placement is a local community clinic. This centre offers affordable healthcare to some of the poorest people in Arusha and surrounding areas. It is the first full-service charity clinic in Arusha. The clinic sees up to 3,000 patients per month, although it is relatively small in size. At the clinic, patients are able to see a doctor. Following the consultation, if needed, patients can receive any necessary blood word or prescription treatments for a very nominal fee.

 

The clinic has the following departments: General Medical Consultation, Minor Surgeries (largely fractures), Laboratory, Pharmacy, X-ray, Ultrasound. Volunteer in Tanzania participants will have the chance to work in multiple departments. The head doctor and his team will mentor you throughout your time at the clinic. They will go out of their way to get you involved in as much as you can.

 

In the small surgery room, there may be opportunities to learn and assist as procedures. This could include circumcision, abscess/cyst/growth removal and drainage and stitching. Within the pharmacy, you will learn about the different medication prescribed – mainly antibiotics, anti-worm, or antimalarial treatments. This placement is open to people of all medical backgrounds, including school leavers and university students. You will get to witness a range of cases, largely malaria and typhoid. Other frequent cases tend to be in the area of obstetrics, basic dentistry and the urinary system.

 

Your Volunteer Role & Typical Work Day

 

As a medical volunteer in Tanzania, you will have the opportunity to learn and work alongside qualified staff. Those with little or no medical experience will assume a largely observational role. If you are studying a medically related degree, then you may get the opportunity to undertake some more basic hands-on involvement, at your discretion. However, the opportunity for this is dependent on a participant’s relationship with the doctors/nurses you work alongside and permission of patients.

 

In general, during time as a medical participant in Tanzania, your role should predominately be seen as an opportunity to learn about a healthcare system in a developing country. It is a chance for you to learn about differences in practice compared to those you would find in your home country. You will have the opportunity to learn about common health problems within a third world country and understand how these are dealt with. International volunteers can expect to be on the project for 3-5 hours per day. Typical working hours are 8:30am-1pm or 11am-4pm, Monday to Friday. Participants are usually welcome to stay at the project for longer if they wish.

 

Transport to the medical volunteer in Tanzania project is not included in the Program Fee. You will usually be required to take a Dala Dala (local bus) to placement. It can take up to 45 minutes to travel to your volunteer work in Tanzania. Our local team will guide you through the local transport methods during your in-country orientation. You can also always ask them if you are unsure of how much you should be paying for a journey.

Flights

 

After confirming your place on a PMGY volunteer program, we strongly advise that you book your flights as early as possible. This is since it will help ensure that you get the lowest airfare. You can choose to book your flights independently or we can help you with arranging them. PMGY has a wealth of experience in travelling to and from our host countries. Therefore, we know the most affordable ways to travel and the best airlines to use. Therefore, if you would like any assistance booking your flight, you can request an optional flight quote during your online application. Alternatively, feel free to contact us on the phone or by email.

 

For your volunteer trip to Tanzania, you should book your flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport on the Sunday start date. The airport code is JRO. Volunteers in Tanzania can arrive at any time on their designated Sunday program start date.

 

Travel Insurance

 

Importantly, having an appropriate travel insurance policy during your time abroad is essential. Therefore, it is mandatory for all of our international volunteers to be appropriately covered across all of their trip dates. This includes your travel to and from the host country, as well as any onward travel. Although PMGY does everything to ensure your trip is safe, inevitably things can go wrong. Therefore, having a travel insurance policy in place helps you effectively deal with any problems you may encounter during your time away.

 

We have partnered up with the insurance company battleface to create an affordable and comprehensive optional policy. This has been designed with our international volunteers in mind, to cover our participants for all of their travel essentials. The policy is available to anyone across the globe, up to the age of 65 years. The document will cover you for your time on any PMGY destination and any onward travel (excluding the US and Canada). You can purchase PMGY Travel Insurance during your online application or you can contact us directly to arrange it.

Our International Team will work hard to provide extensive levels of support in the build-up to your trip. From our online chat service to email support and telephone conversations, our team are always ready to help. All international volunteers with PMGY will receive a Volunteer Handbook. This detailed hand guide will provide you with all you need to know in the build-up to your trip. From visa guidance to suggested packing lists, this will be the ultimate guide, helping you plan for your volunteer trip abroad.

 

We have Facebook groups for each of our destinations. Here you can find members of our international and local teams, as well as past, present and future participants. These pages, therefore, provide a great forum for participants to network, share experiences and community updates year-on-year.

 

Sometimes it can be difficult to picture yourself abroad without yet being there. We, therefore, do our best to further manage expectations before you arrive through a variety of informative and action-packed videos on our PMGY Vimeo channel. These clips help provide you with a visual perspective of what you can expect during your time volunteering with us. Our webinars are not to be missed either. Running on selected Tuesdays, at 4pm UK time, our International Team provides invaluable advice for your upcoming trip. Each webinar covers something different. Our pre-departure webinar covers all of the essentials you need to know and do before joining us abroad. Our program preparation webinar is more project-specific, with advice and information for the time you will spend on placement. Finally, our safety webinar offers you some top tips on how to manage your safety and wellbeing across the pond. For those who are simply interested in learning more about PMGY, our team also run an introductory webinar. This provides an introduction to the volunteer organisation, our background, goals and volunteer opportunities overseas.

 

Teaching and childcare participants may wish to take their program preparation even further, through a 60 hour online TEFL course. This is the perfect introductory course for working with children and teaching English abroad. Participation in this course enables international volunteers to acquire key skills whilst working towards an internationally accredited certificate.

Our volunteer programs in Tanzania are based in Arusha, located in the Kilimanjaro region of the country. This is approximately 60 minutes away from Kilimanjaro Airport. Also known as A-town or Arachuga, Arusha is set amongst a backdrop of the impressive Mount Meru. It’s a really beautiful setting. Arusha is a vibrant town, with good nightlife and a friendly atmosphere. The town is also the gateway to Tanzania’s top safaris and the spectacular Mount Kilimanjaro. This means that there is an endless choice of things for volunteers in Tanzania to get up to across their weekends! From incredible safaris, climbing mountains and visiting traditional Massai communities, there is something for everyone! You will find our two most popular weekend trips are our Wildlife Safari Trip and Zanzibar Chill Out Trip excursions.

 

You will find all the amenities you could need in Arusha including banks, supermarkets and international standard hospitals. It is a welcoming area and really is the perfect setting for a volunteer program. There are plenty of bars and restaurants in town where you can hang out in your free time.

 

Our volunteer opportunities in Tanzania run from 2-24 weeks, beginning on the first and third Sunday of each month.

PMGY’s volunteer opportunities in Tanzania program are run by our dedicated and experienced in-country local teams.

 

All staff have been fully vetted by our International Team. The committed local community networks provide the structure for your stay with us as a volunteer in Tanzania. Our local team will arrange your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, in-country orientation and 24/7 emergency support. Whether you are teaching English in schools, volunteering with children or interning in a hospital, our local team will support you. Our team provides a great framework for you to enjoy a unique volunteering experience with us in Tanzania.

Your arrival into Tanzania will be on a Sunday. Your orientation for your volunteer program in Tanzania will begin on Monday. You will spend the day learning about life in Tanzania and preparing for your upcoming volunteer program. Our local team will teach you about Tanzanian culture, the Swahili language and safety issues.

 

The day will begin with the theoretical aspects. This will include important health and safety information for your time as a volunteer in Tanzania. Additionally, your coordinators will talk through your project. The team will brief you about what is expected from you and what you can expect. You will then head off into the centre of Arusha for your tour of the area. Our team will teach you how to locate every essential you may need during your time, from the nearest shop to ATM to bus stop! There will be a chance for you to purchase some lunch, as well as a SIM-card, should you wish. Your evening is then free to relax, catch up on sleep, and get to know your fellow participants before your first day volunteering on Tuesday.

Please make sure you arrive into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) on Sunday.

 

Day 1 (Sunday) Arrival

 

Karibu! On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by a member of the PMGY team who will take you to our Volunteer House in Arusha. The journey takes around 1 hour. The rest of the day you can relax, meet other participants and begin to enjoy your first glimpses of Tanzania.

 

If you arrive early in the morning and if you are not too jet-lagged, you may get the opportunity to begin your orientation period early in the afternoon. Otherwise, the local team will be able to help you arrange anything you may require in this first day in order to settle in.

 

Day 2 (Monday) Orientation

 

Your orientation as a volunteer in Tanzania will begin on Monday. You will spend the day learning about life in Tanzania and preparing for your upcoming volunteer program. Our local team will teach you about Tanzanian culture, the Swahili language and safety issues.

 

The day will begin with the theoretical aspects. This will include important health and safety information for your time as a volunteer in Tanzania. Additionally, your coordinators will talk through your project. The team will brief you about what is expected from you and what you can expect. You will then head off into the centre of Arusha for your tour of the area. Our team will teach you how to locate every essential you may need during your time, from the nearest shop to ATM to bus stop! There will be a chance for you to purchase some lunch, as well as a SIM-card, should you wish. Your evening is then free to relax, catch up on sleep, and get to know your fellow participants before your first day volunteering on Tuesday.

 

Days 3-6 (Tuesday-Friday) Volunteering Begins

 

It’s time to start your volunteer placement. Our local team will travel with you to the project on your first day to ensure you receive a comprehensive introduction to the project. This will give you the opportunity to meet your new colleagues, learn about the project and the role you will uphold as a volunteer.

 

As the week continues, your confidence will grow and you will begin to really come into your own at the volunteer project. Should you need anything whilst at the project, remember our local team are only a phone call away! They will always be very happy to help you in any way that they can.

 

Days 7-8 (Saturday-Sunday) Weekend

 

Whether you are looking for a relaxing weekend by the beach, an adventure to Dar es Salaam, or a more cultural experience – Tanzania has it all! As a volunteer in Tanzania, our team both welcomes and encourages participants to explore the country’s wonderful treasures. They will be very happy to help you plan your weekend opportunities and outline any travel tips.

 

Here is an idea of what you could be getting up to:

 

• Climbing Mt Meru – The sister mountain to Kilimanjaro, this is a great option for those who don’t have the time to climb Kilimanjaro. The Mt Meru treks generally take around 4 days and 3 nights. It’s also considerably less expensive than Kili and will include park fees, camping accommodation, meals etc.

 

• Arusha National Park – Although the smaller of the national parks in the area, it is one of its most beautiful and most topographically varied. Typical costs are between 180-250 USD per day, although this price will largely depend on the number of people in a group. You should also budget for a tip of around 25 USD to 40 USD per day to the guides and cooks.

 

• Shopping at the Maasai Market – A shopper’s paradise; this is the perfect place to find traditional African arts, crafts and paintings. Time to practise your bargaining skills! If you have some extra time before or after your placement you may also want to consider…

 

• Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, the rooftop of Africa – Costs start at around 1,400-2,000 USD per person, depending on group size. This includes all meals, camping accommodation etc. You are also expected to tip between 5% to 15% of the total cost of the trek for the guides, porters and cooks.

 

• Spotting the Big 5 at Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti National Park – It is recommended to spend at least 3 days on safari as the deeper you go into the parks, the more you will see. The cost is around 180-250 USD per day for all accommodation, meals etc plus a tip of around 25 USD per day to the guides and cooks.

 

• Zanzibar Island – On certain dates across the year, our local team also assists volunteers in Tanzania in arranging a trip to Zanzibar Island.

 

Please note there is a strong customary tipping culture when it comes to partaking in safaris or climbing Kilimanjaro/Meru. Staff such as the driver, guide, porter and cook are paid reasonable wages. However, the tips are relied upon by the staff to supplement their wages and so your consideration of their hard work is appreciated. The amounts vary, specific to which activity you complete and can also be relative to the group size; but as a guide budget 25-30 USD per day for tips on safari and 50-65 USD per day for tips when climbing Kilimanjaro/Meru.

 

The Following Weeks

 

Your next week(s) will follow a similar pattern, as you will be volunteering from Monday to Friday. Time will fly so make sure you make the most of it!

 

Our local team are there to support you throughout your stay. Whether you’ve lost your phone, want some advice for weekend travel plans or just need someone to talk to, they are there for you.

 

Last Day (Sunday)

 

Sunday is your last day with PMGY as a participant in Tanzania. If you are heading home, then we can help you arrange your return airport drop off. Please note that this is not included in your Program Fee. A taxi from the Volunteer House to the airport will cost around 50 USD.

If you have not travelled much before, it is really hard to know what to expect. When anticipating their time overseas, many international volunteers (and their loved ones) are often concerned about safety and security. Although we can never guarantee experiences to be 100% trouble-free, we have taken all necessary precautions to ensure our programs are as safe as possible. Every program that PMGY offers has been personally inspected and selected by a director of PMGY. We have lived in the accommodation, experienced the orientation and worked on the projects. Through our frequent visits and daily communications, we have built strong, trusting relationships with our local staff.

 

In the unlikely event that something was to happen, participants have various layers of support available to them:

 

• Volunteer in Tanzania Local Team
• Project Staff
• PMGY International Team

 

Projects are monitored on an on-going basis to gauge participants’ experiences. With the help of feedback, we are able to continually improve our placements and opportunities. Security and safety are frequently assessed as part of this. We ask our participants to raise any concerns with our local or International Team. This ensures that these can be addressed and/or resolved as readily and appropriately as possible.

 

Through pre-departure and in-country guidance, we do our best to prepare our international volunteers for their time in Tanzania. All participants are provided with a comprehensive safety briefing during their orientation period. Our local teams will go through everything from project introductions, to emergency procedures, how to use local transport and cultural differences. During this period, our team also provide participants with a full list of the important contact numbers.

 

Listed below are some general safety tips:

 

• Be modest with the amount of jewellery worn in public
• Do not drink tap water
• Be cautious of beggars or crowds. Incidents can occur when is confusion to distract you.
• Be cautious about removing money in public
• Always try to know where you are going before you attempt long journeys. Be especially careful at night
• Use reputable transport only. Our local staff will be able to recommend some during orientation
• Try to keep in groups at night and never walk alone along dark, empty streets
• The recognised tourist areas can be considered potentially high-risk areas for pickpockets and thieves
• Leave your valuables behind before a night out in the town
• For traffic safety, always keep looking to the left and right and walk slowly when crossing the road
• Do not accept drinks or food from strangers

The climate of Tanzania is best described as tropical, although this varies from region to region. Along the coast, the weather is quite humid. However, the further you move inland, the notably cooler it becomes, especially during the evenings in mountainous areas. The warmest time of the year to visit Tanzania is December through March, with the cooler months being June through October.

 

Tanzania has two rainy seasons. The lighter short rains (Mvuli) fall during November and December/January. The heavier, long rains (Masika) have their downpour March-May. The shorter rains generally occur at night and during the early hours of the morning. Typically, these are then followed by lovely long afternoons of sunshine. The longer rains occur at more frequent intervals and are both heavier and longer. The environment in and around Arusha gets quite muddy during the rainy season. It is therefore important to pack some sturdy walking shoes and avoid white clothing. This also means that it can be very dusty in the hotter months!

 

Despite its proximity to the equator, Arusha enjoys a cool and dry climate, due to its high elevation from sea level. The average temperature is 25-degrees Celsius, although it does get quite cold at night so please pack some warmer clothes. Furthermore, it can get quite cold in the months of June and July, so please pack accordingly.

ACCOMMODATION

• WI-FI YES (FREE)
• PEOPLE PER ROOMUP TO 8
• SINGLE SEX ROOMSYES
• WESTERN BATHROOM FACILITIESYES
• AIRPORT TRANSFER1 HOUR
• NEAREST ATM & SHOPS5 MINUTE WALK

• BREAKFAST PANCAKES, EGGS, TOAST, JAM, COFFEE
• LUNCHNOT INCLUDED
• DINNERPASTA, BEANS, RICE, CHAPATI, SWEET POTATO

Transport to and from your volunteer project is not included in your Program Fee. Some projects are within walking distance from the Volunteer House, but many are further afield. In these latter cases, you will be required to take a Dala Dala (local bus) to placement. It can take up to 45 minutes to travel to your volunteer work in Tanzania. Our local team will guide you through the local transport methods during your in-country orientation. You can also always ask them if you are unsure of how much you should be paying for a journey.

PMGY welcome volunteers of all nationalities and backgrounds. The minimum age to join the program is 17 years and there is no upper age limit. All volunteers need to have a good level of English, although it does not need to be your first language. You do not need to speak Swahili. However, you will find that learning a few words in your days with us in Tanzania will go a long way!

 

All participants must be able to provide a clean criminal background check in advance of volunteering with us abroad. In general, no formal experience or qualifications are required for the projects, just lots of energy, enthusiasm and preparation!

 

In order to confirm your place on a PMGY program, you need to pay your Registration Fee of 249 USD. The remaining fee is then due no less than 60 days prior to your program start date. During this period if you need to make a change to your trip (destination, program or date) then this can be facilitated free of charge.

 

Please check out our Application Process for more info on how to join our volunteer projects overseas.