Our project aims to provide volunteers with practical experience and development opportunities in the field of Social Work on the island of Zanzibar. It provides hands-on practical training, local mentorship and support to prepare volunteers for effective intervention, advocacy, awareness and guidance for individuals and communities facing diverse challenges.

There are three programmes: disabilities with children, HIV/AIDS and addictions. These areas carry huge stigma in Zanzibar, so volunteers help break down these barriers, give much needed attention and help support locals trying to better the lives of communities affected. 

It is perfect for those studying, qualified or experienced in Counselling, Social Work, Psychology, Physiotherapy, Special Education, Occupational Therapy or a related field or for those able to teach sign language. 

Disability programme- volunteers need to know Sign Language

Children and teenagers with disabilities are facing many challenges in Zanzibar and struggle to do tasks that ordinary people do, as well as gaining an education and navigating a complicated health care system. The prevalence of disabilities in Zanzibar is significant, with estimates suggesting that around 10% of the population may have some form of disability. These disabilities can be physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental health related.

Children with disabilities in Zanzibar often face barriers to accessing education. Limited resources, lack of specialized support services, and stigma contribute to low enrolment and high dropout rates among children with disabilities.

Individuals with disabilities in Zanzibar may face challenges in accessing healthcare services. Physical barriers, lack of specialized care, and social stigma can hinder their ability to receive proper medical treatment and support. Added to that people with disabilities in Zanzibar encounter difficulties in accessing employment opportunities and participating fully in the workforce., inaccessible workplaces, and lack of skills training programs contribute to high unemployment rates among individuals with disabilities. Stigma and discrimination against people with disabilities persist in Zanzibar, leading to social exclusion and marginalization. Negative attitudes towards disabilities can impact individuals’ self-esteem and quality of life.
This Social Work Experience programme is designed to enable changes for the lives of those with disabilities by promoting disabled children’s rights, opportunities, decision making and access to the full benefits of our society.
The Social Work Experience is providing this opportunity for volunteers and interns who are willing to spend time with children with disabilities, as well as providing health care, teaching sign language, etc.
Aim: to help change the lives of those with disabilities such as speech impediment, deafness, problems with legs, or multiple disabilities.
Role of the volunteer: taking care of the children at the centre, teaching them sign language, and basic hygiene, feeding them, playing with them, help the staff in day-to-day work and other administrative tasks, design an education curriculum that would help these children grasp some subjects, etc.
Aimed at: Those studying or qualified in Psychology, Psychiatry, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Special Education, Teaching with a focus on hearing impairments or the blind, and for those who know how to do sign language and are experienced in supporting those with disabilities.

Addictions programme

Zanzibar has a high use of drugs in east Africa, and many drugs addicted people are in treatment and rehabilitation centres known as “sober houses” around the island. The Social Work Experience project welcomes interns and volunteers to come to Zanzibar and help those trying to recover from drugs as well as giving an opportunity to interns and volunteers who want to conduct research and gain practical experience in dealing with these social issues in a foreign country.

Zanzibar’s strategic location along major drug trafficking routes, particularly in the Indian Ocean, makes it susceptible to the influx of illicit drugs. The island’s proximity to drug-producing regions and its porous borders contribute to the availability of drugs within the region. Young people in Zanzibar are particularly vulnerable to drug addiction. Factors such as unemployment, poverty, lack of educational opportunities, and social marginalization make them more susceptible to drug use as a coping mechanism or as a means of escape.

A variety of drugs are prevalent in Zanzibar, including heroin, cocaine, and various synthetic drugs. Heroin, in particular, is a significant concern and has a high addiction rate among users. Drug addiction has serious health consequences including increased risk of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis due to needle sharing among drug users that inject. Additionally, drug overdoses are not uncommon.

Drug addiction has profound social and economic impacts on individuals, families, and communities in Zanzibar. It can lead to broken families, loss of livelihoods, and increased crime rates, including drug-related crimes such as theft and violence on an island that is already struggling with social-economic issues.

Stigma surrounding drug addiction remains a significant barrier to seeking help and support. Individuals struggling with addiction often face ostracization and discrimination, which can exacerbate their problems and deter them from seeking treatment.

Goal: to help young people trying to end the use of drugs and addiction

Role of the volunteer:  providing counselling and therapy services, explaining the effects of being drug addicted, assisting with mental health and positive behavioural support, providing civil educations, assist with teaching English, help with crafts and painting, personal development, entrepreneurship etc

Aimed at: Those studying or qualified in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Research, Health Studies, and other related fields.

HIV programme

Many communities in Zanzibar have limited access to education about HIV/AIDS. To help address this, a dedicated HIV programme has been developed to provide accurate information and support to those affected. The programme is based at a HIV care centre that supports approximately 47 children and young people (ages 10 to 20, both male and female) who are living with or affected by HIV.

The programme focuses on:

• Education about HIV prevention and transmission,

• Ongoing support on how to live with and manage the condition,

• Mental and emotional care to help youth cope with the social and psychological impacts of living with HIV.

The primary modes of HIV transmission in Zanzibar include:

• Unprotected sexual intercourse,

• Mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding,

• Less commonly, injection drug use and male-to-male sexual contact.

Certain groups are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection, including sex workers, people who inject drugs, and mobile populations such as truck drivers and migrant workers.

Gender disparities also play a significant role. Women and girls are disproportionately affected due to factors such as gender-based violence, unequal power dynamics in relationships, and limited access to education and economic opportunities.

While Zanzibar has made efforts to address the epidemic—through promoting condom use, expanding HIV testing and counselling, providing antiretroviral therapy (ART), and preventing mother-to-child transmission—challenges remain. These include:

• Limited healthcare infrastructure and resources,

• Persistent stigma and discrimination,

• Low awareness or understanding of HIV in some communities,

• Barriers to accessing services, particularly among marginalized groups.

The HIV care centre is located in a more rural area of Zanzibar and provides both accommodation and structured daily activities for the children and youth. The boys and girls live at the centre in separate dormitories and follow two different school schedules during the day.

Volunteers can support the centre in two key areas:

1. Health Education – Assisting with HIV-related health awareness, hygiene, nutrition, and safe living practices.

2. Mental and Social Support – Providing companionship, emotional support, and engaging the youth in recreational or educational activities that build resilience and confidence.

Many of the children at the centre are classified as TND – "Target Not Detected". This term comes from HIV viral load testing, which measures the amount of HIV RNA in the blood. When a result is TND, it means:

• No virus was detected in the blood sample,

• The viral load is below the test’s limit of detection.

This is a positive indicator that the individual’s treatment (ART) is effective, although it does not mean the person is cured. TND individuals are also considered unlikely to transmit the virus through sexual contact, in line with the U=U principle (Undetectable = Untransmittable).

By joining this project, volunteers help create a safer, more informed, and supportive environment for children and youth living with HIV—while also contributing to broader efforts to reduce stigma and strengthen health education in Zanzibar.

Goal: To prevent new infections from taking place and to improve the quality of life for HIV positive people.

Role of the volunteer: engaging with youth at a childcare centre  providing HIV/AIDS education, providing counselling, participating in behavioural change campaign, providing health care education

Aimed at: Those studying or qualified in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Researchers, Health Studies, Counselling, Psychiatry, Child Care and other related fields.