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Volunteer Abroad in Arusha Tanzania: Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteer Abroad in Arusha Tanzania: is located in northern highlands of Tanzania and is surrounded by some of Africa's most celebrated landscapes and national parks. The bustling town lies in the shadow of Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley. Arusha is called the safari capital of the country, and hosts many international visitors embarking on the popular northern safari circuit.

With its pleasant year round climate and close proximity to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha is considered a great place to visit and volunteer. We offer volunteer placements within Arusha town, and in the surrounding rural communities. Arusha has its own airport, mainly serviced by domestic flights from within Tanzania. International travelers mainly arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. There are also regular buses from Nairobi, and Dar El Salaam.

With our volunteer programs we allow you to discover the wonders of East Africa, while doing meaningful and rewarding community work. This is a great opportunity to explore life in rural Tanzania, live and work amongst the locals and realize one person can make a difference.

We offer the following programs in Arusha:

Program Length: 1 to 24 weeks
Accommodations: Local Host Family
Meals: 3 meals a day
Program Date: Flexible Start & End Date
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 hour per day
Requirements: 17 years +, open-mindedness to new adventures.
VISA: You must ask for a "Volunteer Visa Class C" when you apply for your visa, if you get the wrong one you will have to get a new one in Tanzania (US$120), we will give you a support letter

Volunteers are required to apply for a residence permit in Tanzania:

As per the government of Tanzania, all volunteers working in Tanzania are required to get class "C" resident permit in Tanzania. You can apply for the permit upon arrival at the Immigration Bureau in Dar Es Salaam or in Arusha. The cost of resident permit for three months is $120. The fee is volunteer's responsibility.

Tanzania Consulate

Orphanage Assistance

Volunteer at a local orphanage on the outskirts of Arusha. We work with two orphanages, each having 15-25 children, mainly 4yr-15yrs old. The orphanages are run by a loving dedicated couple who opened their hearts to the vulnerable kids and orphans. They provide shelter, food, love and education to orphans, abandoned and street children of surrounding community.

Volunteer tasks: As a volunteer, you will primarily assist with the daily care of the kids; including preparing meals, bathing and brushing teeth. You can play games, arrange activities, create arts & crafts projects and share your time and caring with these wonderful children. Prior experience not necessary, volunteers should have a lot of patience, an open mind and a sense of adventure. We do recommend you learn a few words and phrases of Swahili, which will be very helpful with the children

Teaching Opportunities:

Teachers are need to help in an orphan school outside Arusha. Volunteers support local teachers that provide free education to orphans and vulnerable children in the community. Volunteers needed to teach English and mathematics. Placement also available in primary schools in the rural communities.

Typical work schedule: 5 days a week from 8 AM to 12 PM, 2PM-4PM. Schools are on break for 2 weeks in April/May, during August, and December/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 prepare lessons. This is a great opportunity to help orphan children gain an education, while experiencing life in northern Tanzania. Volunteer should have an open mind, caring spirit and a compassionate nature. 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.

HIV / Aids Awareness and Care Campaign

Work with a local grassroots HIV/Aids organization helping in rural communities around Arusha. As a volunteer you will support the home based care projects to hundreds of families living with HIV/Aids including teaching about nutrition and health, providing food, basic amenities and micro-grants, cleaning and caring for the patients.

In some occasion Volunteers will be helping to distribute food and medicine when large international donations are received. Volunteers may also visit local Clinics however their daily activities will commonly be conducting home-based care to people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The home-care will include counseling to the caretakers and distributing medication and food supplies to people suffering with HIV or AIDS. Other duties will depend on which projects the organization is working on when you are there.

*This is a good program for public health students and professionals, pre-med and pre-nursing students.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to travel to small remote villages outside of Arusha. You will need to budget $25-$30 a week for transportation cost. Working with this grassroots organization you will see how one person can truly help and change the life of someone in need.

Experience not necessary, those wanting to make a difference and help with the HIV/Aids crisis in Africa are welcome.

Medical Opportunities:

We are partnered with hospitals and local clinics in various destination here in Arusha and around the nearby small town and village located in Arusha region.

A wide range of clinical and medical opportunities are possible including: pediatrics, obstetrics / gynecology, General Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmaceuticals or Physiotherapy, but we can also arrange more for specialist fields on request. The type of 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. You will get a good general feel of the hospital by working and/or observing in most departments. You will be given basic and general on the job training by your supervisor, and further jobs should become available for those with medical experience. (Pre-medical and pre-nursing students will be limited to observation, non medical tasks, assisting the nurses with patients etc)

Construction / Building Project

*This is a good option for high school/university groups.

Volunteers are needed for the on-going construction and expansion projects at local orphanages and for primary schools in disrepair. Volunteers work along side skilled and unskilled local workers. Tasks including digging holes, stacking bricks, hauling rocks and dirt, cement work, painting. Prior experience is not necessary, but skilled workers are very welcome. This is a very hand on, hands dirty sort of program. Enthusiasm, a good sense of humor and helping spirit are required. Volunteers are asked to raise extra funds ($200-$300) to help with buying materials, paints, gloves and other needed supplies.

Program Includes:

Orphanage program: On-site Housing or Host family option available.
Teaching program: On-site orphanage housing, or Host family option
Construction / HIV/AIDs program: Host family accommodations Airport pick up at JRO (Kilimanjaro Airport). Three meals a day are included. Airport drop off (Kilimanjaro).

ABV Project Director will provide orientation briefing on arrival, introduction to work placement and housing arrangement. ABV Project Director is available 24/7 in case of emergency, advice or assistance.