Volunteer Teaching Program
OPEN NOW!
Tanzania has reopened to international arrivals. See the 'Additional Info.' section for procedures in place during the pandemic.
This wonderful project was created with the goal of helping to improve the English speaking abilities of children in Arusha and to help with other subjects and activities. English is an essential language in the area, and important for securing future employment. An ability to speak English is hugely beneficial to youth, allowing them to pursue further education opportunities and to seek employment where English is an advantage, such as the tourism sector, important in this area with large numbers of tourists. Working as a volunteer teacher means you can help many low income children learn a tool that is vital to their future success. Love Volunteers place participants in multiple schools around Arusha at both a nursery and primary school level. These are some of the poorest schools in Arusha, often situated along the outskirts of town and are extremely underfunded and understaffed. Volunteers are greatly appreciated and make a huge difference to children’s learning.
Goals of this Project:
- Provide English language skills to children in impoverished Tanzania
- Teach and interact with marginalized children in Africa
- Improve the future prospects of some of Tanzania’s most impoverished children, and help them to break the poverty cycle
- Expose volunteers and children to different people and cultures
How You Can Help
Volunteers play an essential role in helping improve the education of the impoverished children of Arusha. Through the help of international volunteers, many of the most marginalised children in poverty-stricken Tanzania now have hope for a brighter future. Volunteers are desperately needed to help with teaching English and various other activities at nursery level and running English classes or teaching a subject of their interest – eg. sports, music, art, at primary level. There are few resources, and often no text books, so volunteers must be prepared to run lessons with only a blackboard – although the local staff will assist with teaching and lesson plans. There is a national curriculum that needs to be followed, however class structure and content does have some flexibility for ideas and different teaching techniques. Volunteers may also be asked to help maintain the school facilities or work on projects such as vegetable gardens, etc. Prior teaching experience is not essential but at primary level in particular, it is preferred and can be very advantageous.
Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
- Teaching English and other subjects to children attending the school
- Assisting teachers and volunteers in classes
- Teach subjects the volunteer has an interest in (i.e. sport, music, art)
- Assist with maintaining the school facilities
- Create games in English for the students and spend time playing with students
Requirements
Love Volunteers welcomes all those 18 years and over who wish to help create a brighter future for children through the power of education. This project best suits those with experience and/or qualifications in the field of childhood development and education, though volunteers who simply wish to explore an interest in this field are also welcomed as there are many ways you can assist in the classroom. Whist not mandatory, completing a TEFL course prior to joining this project would prove to be highly beneficial. Ideally, volunteers on this project will have at least a basic knowledge of the local language in order to communicate effectively with staff and students, though this is not a pre-requisite. Importantly, all applicants must first and foremost have a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude. If this sounds like you, we want you on the team!
Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:
- Emergency contact
- Police check
- Resume
Project Location
Situated in northern Tanzania, Arusha is the capital of the Arusha Region and is surrounded by some of Africa’s most famous landscapes and national parks. Situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley, it has a mild climate and is close to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as having its own Arusha National Park on Mount Meru.
Arusha balances well the ‘city life’ with the ‘small town’ feel and that makes it even more attractive in the eyes of tourists and travelers from all parts of the world. The city is surrounded by farm estates growing coffee, wheat and maize. These farm estates are being maintained by the Arusha and Meru tribes since the 18th century. Arusha is commonly referred to as the safari capital of East Africa. This is because it is the main starting point for safaris into Tanzania. It is a vibrant town renowned for its streets filled with tourist vehicles, the Maasai warriors and the famous Central Market. Awesome!
Start Dates & Duration
This project is available year-round and programs start every SUNDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 1 week to 12 weeks. Longer stays can be arranged directly with the local team, but will be subject to availability and individual visa conditions.
Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.
For current available start dates please check the calendar on the right.
Arrival & Orientation
Upon arrival into Kilimanjaro International Airport volunteers will be collected by a representative of the local project team and transported to their assigned accommodation where they will join a short welcome session. On Monday, volunteers attend the full orientation session where a representative from the local team will fill you in on local and regional customs, traveling, rules and recommendations, and of course, what to expect from your volunteering experience in Tanzania. You will be taken on a town tour where you can purchase a SIM card so you can access the internet during your placement (you will need to ensure you have had your phone unlocked before your arrival). This is a great opportunity to get to know your hosts, meet your fellow volunteers, ask any last questions you may have, and perhaps even start to make those safari trip plans...oh yeah!
- Program Arrival Day: SUNDAY
- Program Departure Day: SATURDAY
- Arrival/Departure Airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania (CODE: JRO)
Accommodation & Meals
Safe and comfortable accommodation will be provided during your stay in Tanzania. Volunteers on this program are accommodated in a hostel run by our partner organization. The hostel includes shared rooms with either 2 or 4 people per room and a shared bathroom. There is wifi available at the hostel but remember it is unlikely to be as reliable as you are used to. As with most parts of Africa, laundry facilities are basic and most volunteers simply use the services of a local laundromat.
Volunteers are provided 2-3 meals per day at the hostel and depending on where they are working, lunch may need to be bought at a small cafe during the day. The meals provided are mostly vegetarian, local dishes. Conveniently, there is also a fridge and basic cooking facilities if volunteers would occasionally like to prepare their own meals. Easy!
Fees
That’s just USD 28 per day* for:
*In addition to the program fees listed above a Registration Fee is payable to secure your place. The registration fee is USD 299 for those volunteering with Love Volunteers for the first time or USD 149 for any subsequent volunteer placements. The registration fee includes: lifetime LV Alumni Membership, fundraising support & advice, dedicated pre-departure support, certificate of completion (on request), and exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner.
Some things are not included in the program fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, additional foods and snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country trips and excursions, return airport transfer (unless mentioned above).
Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the Love Volunteers Terms and Conditions & Refund Policy.
Additional Info
COVID-19 requirements:
All international arriving flight passengers will need to adhere to the following:
- Travellers are required to complete an online Health Surveillance Form (https://afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz/) within 24 hours of arrival. Travellers will receive a Unique Health Code (UHC), which they must present to health officials upon arrival.
- All travelers are required to present a negative COVID-19 test certificate upon arrival. The test must be a Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test, with the sample collected within 72 hours before arrival in Tanzania.
- All travellers entering Tanzania will be subject to enhanced screening for COVID-19, including through a rapid test. The rapid test cost is $25 per traveler.
Important Visa Information
An ‘STP’ or ‘Volunteer’ visa is required to volunteer in Tanzania and costs around US$100 depending on where it is obtained. Some nationalities can apply in advance from their local Tanzania Embassy, but most volunteers will obtain the volunteer visa from the airport on arrival in Arusha. Please ensure you have sufficient US$ to pay for the volunteer visa on arrival (notes must be no older than 2009). The STP-visa, which is valid for three months, can then be renewed for a further three months if required.
Note: All travelers require return or onward tickets, all documents required for their next destination and proof of funds. Currently visitors arriving from infected areas must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travelers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.