So what exactly is it like to volunteer?
Volunteering is a fantastic way to travel abroad, give back to people who are in need and develop yourself as a person.
The experience you will get from giving up your time and care for others, will be like no other. You WILL make a huge difference and uplift those around you, as long as you stay motivated on your mission, positive and focused.
Why Tanzania?
Tanzania is a bright, beautiful and amazing country to visit. That is why thousands of travellers pass through every year. It's capital Dar es Salaam sits on a breathtaking coastline, an hour from paradise island of Zanzibar. In the north, Arusha sits under the shadows of the great Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. Tanzania is home to many famous Safari parks and game reserves where people from all over the world come to visit the spectacular wildlife. The people are warm and gracious and nothing makes them happier than welcoming you to their country. Tanzania is multicultural and has hundreds of various tribes and ethnicities, it's most famous being the nomadic Maasai tribe. Rich in culture and stunning to see, it really is an exciting part of Africa to visit.
The Problem
Tanzania has a high poverty rate, low infrastructure, low levels of educations and the impacts of that on the community is massive. There is a huge psychosocial and health impact of poverty and deprivation on the population. The government has introduced formal and informal social workers that work in affiliated social services agencies for those needing social assistance. The social welfare system does not exist as one unified standardised system, rather a network of agencies and institutions that work towards similar goals of social assistance.
Socio economic and political changes in Tanzania since the late 1970s and more particularly in the
1980s have set in motion new and complex social problems and challenges affecting both urban and
rural populations. These include high levels of urbanisation, poverty, breakdown of family relationships, poor
health, rising rate of crime, alcohol and drug abuse and problems related to HIV/AIDS. In the last
decade, Tanzania has enacted numerous policies and guidelines to respond to these challenges. However poverty and serious social issues persist at high rates. Social welfare (SW) services fall under the supervision and guidance of the
Department of Social Welfare (DSW) of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW). Many
institutions provide social welfare services including hospitals, prisons, schools, training institutions,
faith based organizations, homes and select non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
among others.
A Solution
"It takes a village..."-African Proverb
Volunteer your skills, time and compassion to a complex area that requires dedication and compassion. Boost the morale of local staff and aid in exchanging ideas and assessing complex social issues within the local community.
Your main objectives will be:
- Assist the NGO identify women in need
- Provide home visits and conduct interviews/assessments
- Assist the team in creating a care plan and plan of action for each case
- Understand the impact of poverty on psychosocial health and wellbeing
- Assist in related drug & alcohol, poverty, homelessness, sexual abuse and childcare cases
- Visit women and young girls in the community and in government departments i.e schools, hospitals etc
Your Stay
You will stay in a newly refurbished volunteer house. Providing safe, clean and comfortable accommodation, comfortable bedding, excellent breakfast and dinner and housekeeping. This will be a quiet and friendly neighbourhood only 15-20 minutes from the main hustle and bustle of town. You will have 24 hour gated security, a domestic/cook (who will happily do your laundry for a small fee) and a coordinator who will ensure you settle in quickly and comfortably into your new town. This is a shared home where you will be staying with other volunteers and guests from across the world, so you will never be on your own in your new environment. The house is impeccably clean, well kept, modern and spacious.Important VISA & Permit Information
Important VISA & Permit Information
You will be required to pay VISA for voluntary work assignment. Please enquire for details.
Where do my fees go?
Most of your fees are spent locally. Fees ensure you have above standard accommodation, that you have a personal coordinator picking you up at the airport, orientating you and you have a coordinator day to day and your program is planned and facilitated specifically for you, to match your skills and get you to provide the very best to those that need you.
Do any fees go directly to the projects?
Yes they do. Although we don't necessarily think that making financial contributions solve the complex issues faced by deprived areas, we do make a charitable donation on your behalf to your project placement. This is not mandatory. We do this as we know how challenging it can be for our partners to host, supervise and very often teach volunteers. We want our partners to know they are valued and respected for their time as best we can.
What should I wear to placement?
Scrubs are a great option as they will be kind to you in the warm weather, easily identify you as a clinical volunteer and can be discarded if damaged or contaminated. Uniform that covers your legs and comfortable shoes that protect and cover your feet.
Should I bring any gloves, personal protective equipment or medical equipment?
Remember you're going into poorly resourced area, they will not have access to the same equipment you would at home. We usually encourage volunteers to bring a box of gloves for personal use and to share with colleagues, hand sanitizer and stethoscopes. Second hand medical books/information you may want to leave behind is also a simple but great resource to share with your colleagues and refer to together on placement.
What insurance should I get?
You should ensure you're adequately covered by comprehensive travel insurance for the duration of your stay. You should also ensure you have indemnity insurance. Please check with your employers/university/college or national employment body on indemnity.
What vaccinations should I get?
Please visit the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention for excellent up to date travel vaccination information.
Where can I get cheap flights?
There are dozens of great websites online for cheap flights. It is advisable to get your flights as early as possible to be able to logistically plan your trip.
Is Africa safe for me to travel alone? Do I need to be with other volunteers?
Regardless of whether you're volunteering on a clinical mission, you're still a tourist. Forward planning is key to protecting yourself from risk as you would anywhere in the world. As a group or a solo traveller from abroad, you will attract attention but, you will also have a great support system in your volunteer coordinators, fellow travellers/volunteers and supervisors. It's important to try and be conscientious of your new surroundings and respect and follow local customs as much as possible and insure yourself from any possible risks.
Africa is a large continent with every country varying greatly in local culture, customs, rules and regulations. Research your destination as much as possible and ask as many questions as possible. We would never place you at risk or in harm's way, however it is important you take ownership of your journey and behave responsibly.
PICK UP POINTS:
Kilimanjaro Airport (KIA)
Arusha Airport (ARK)
Arusha Bus station
Still have more questions? Ask away and get in touch!
