FAQ: What you should know about volunteering with help2kids in Tanzania
Leaving the comforts of home behind to travel to Africa can be an exciting adventure, especially if you don’t quite know what to expect from volunteering in Tanzania. We want to make your trip as smooth as possible, so we’ve compiled this list of frequently asked questions from former volunteers for you.
Here you will find initial information and the costs for our volunteer programs in Tanzania with help2kids: Volunteer General Information
We wish you an exciting and eventful time with help2kids in Africa.
The help2kids volunteer programme
Does help2kids offer short-term programs? If so, is a minimum length of stay required?
Our volunteers can stay between two weeks (minimum stay) and three months or longer. Stays of more than three months require a somewhat more complicated visa procedure. However, we are here for you and will be happy to help.
When do the programs start?
Our volunteers can start on any day/month. There are no specific start days for the individual projects and programs. It is usually good to have one or two days or the weekend to settle in before you start volunteering. The availability of the projects depends on the school vacations in Tanzania, the vacation program can be very different from our normal program.
What will I do as a volunteer in Tanzania?
We will assign you to one or more of our projects.
Let us know your preferences during the application process and we will try to take them into account. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to assign you to your desired project, as we also have to consider the capacities and needs of our projects.
Volunteer activities include:
- English lessons and support for children with their homework
- Lessons in reading, writing, math, computers, sports with small or larger groups
- Individual tutoring with children who still need to catch up on lessons
- Singing songs and playing games or other child-friendly learning methods
- Assistance in lessons at partner schools and our help2kids Day Care Center
Normally, our volunteers leave the house between 8:00 and 8:30 am and have a lunch break around 1:00 pm before going to the afternoon projects for a few hours. Saturday and Sunday are free for volunteers.
What is included in the cost of volunteering?
The costs include accommodation in a shared or single room in our beautiful help2kids Friendly Gecko Volunteer House on campus, as well as breakfast and lunch from Monday to Friday. This includes drinking water dispensers, daily room cleaning, laundry service, internet, on-site support, administration and security. Our management is available on site 7/24h (languages: English and German).
We also have private rooms, which cost a little more. The airport transfer is not included in the costs.
All travel costs, visas and insurance are the responsibility of the volunteer.
Is it possible to change my selected project while I am there?
We will do our best to place you where you feel most comfortable and where your skills are most useful. You can always discuss with the Volunteer Coordinator if you want to change projects so that you can get the most out of your stay. Every week there is a volunteer meeting with all volunteers and the coordinator to share problems, successes and experiences. A timetable is drawn up, which can be adapted if necessary.
Can I extend my stay?
As long as we have places available, you are welcome to extend your stay with us at any time. We can easily organize this while you are here with us.
Can I get a refund if I leave earlier than planned or travel between my volunteer assignments?
Unfortunately, there are no refunds if you decide to end your volunteer work before the original departure date or if you are away on excursions or trips for a few days during your volunteer assignment with us.
Does help2kids organize excursions or activities in the evening or at the weekend?
We can recommend restaurants where you can have dinner or even take part in quiz and karaoke evenings. At the weekends, we can help organize excursions such as safaris, visits to Zanzibar or adventures in the surrounding area. The volunteers often go on an excursion or to a restaurant together.
Where do I arrive and how do I get to the volunteer house?
You should book your flight to Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We will make sure that you are picked up from here and driven to the volunteer house, which is about an hour’s drive away. If you are arriving by ferry from Zanzibar or from somewhere else, please let us know during the registration process and we can organize the pick-up in most cases.
Visa
What type of visa do I need?
In order to volunteer in Tanzania, you must apply for a visa online in advance. The cost is USD 50 for most countries of origin (USD 100 if you are from the USA) and the visa is valid for 90 days. Our volunteer coordinator will provide you with more detailed information during the registration process. The e-visa saves you a lot of queuing at the airport and you only have to go through passport control.
For stays of more than 90 days, a different (and more expensive) procedure must be used. Contact us directly if you would like to find out more.
Can I pay for the visa by card or do I need cash?
The visa is paid for online as part of the application process.
Money
Should I bring US dollars?
It is not necessary to bring US dollars unless you want to manage your money this way and prefer to exchange rather than withdraw from an ATM. If you choose to bring US dollars, remember that only banknotes issued after 2006 are accepted and larger notes (USD 50 – USD 100) offer a better exchange rate.
How can I exchange and/or withdraw money?
The Tanzanian currency is called Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). There are exchange offices at the airport and we can show you exchange offices in the area around Kunduchi.
There are several ATMs at the airport where you can withdraw money immediately. Around Kunduchi there are several shopping centers and gas stations right on the main road and easily accessible by bus where you can withdraw money. These accept Visa, Maestro and MasterCard.
How much will I spend in a week?
Your main expenses on site are transportation to and from the projects, food, drinks and weekend activities. How much you spend will depend largely on whether you are looking for a “western” lifestyle and food or exploring local life.
Here are some examples of everyday costs (in Tanzanian shillings):
Transport
- Bajaji (Tuk – Tuk) trip to Daniel Chongolo School: TZS 5000
- Bajaji (Tuk – Tuk) to Mbezi beach Primary School: TZS 5000
- Bajaji (Tuk-Tuk) to the supermarket: TZS 5000
Food
- Packet of pasta: TZS 3000
- Bar of chocolate: TZS 5000
- Jar of Nutella: TZS 11000 (for a small jar)
- Cereal (for breakfast): TZS 10000
- Big Jar of pasta sauce: TZS 14000
- A bottle of water (1l): TZS 800
- A bottle of beer: TZS 2000 – 2500
- Meal in a ‘mzungu’ (Western) restaurant: TZS 15000 – TZS 30000
- Meal in a local restaurant: TZS 2000 – TZS 5000
Local fruit and vegetables, as well as avocados, are available very cheaply at the weekly market.
Activities
- Entrance to local beach resort: TZS 15000 – TZS 20000
- Boat to Mbudya + island entrance fee: TZS 55000
At the Volunteer House
What is the accommodation like?
Our Friendly Gecko Volunteer House is located on the upper floor of the help2kids campus. We have a cozy kitchen with a view of the Indian Ocean and a separate outdoor area just for the volunteers. There are three shared rooms with shared bathrooms and two private rooms.
Who will be in the Volunteer House?
The upper floor of the building is reserved for the volunteers. However, as the volunteer house is located on the help2kids campus, there are usually other employees and some children around the house. The Reach Tanzania Medical Clinic is located in the lower part of the volunteer house.
What about electricity?
Although we experience occasional power cuts here in Tanzania, they are usually only for a few minutes or hours at a time. Mostly spontaneous and unexpected, but occasionally they are announced the evening before.
What about drinking water?
Drinking water is always available in the volunteer house. Coke, Fanta, Sprite and beer can be bought cheaply nearby. On the way, you can buy sealed drinking water everywhere for little money at the roadside.
Is there a Wi-Fi?
We have Wi-Fi on campus, but despite the high costs, it is not comparable to the European standard. We therefore ask volunteers not to upload and download large quantities of photos, videos and films.
Health and safety
What vaccinations do I need? And what about malaria prophylaxis?
It is important to note that we cannot tell you whether you should take malaria tablets or not – we strongly advise you to make an appointment with a travel doctor and discuss your trip with them. This way you can make your personal decision based on their advice. Your doctor can also recommend various vaccinations.
Whether you take pills or not, you should bring a good insect repellent and use the mosquito net on your bed (all our beds are protected by nets).
It’s also worth remembering that malaria can be easily treated – if you fall ill during your stay, we will accompany you to a nearby clinic for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.
Is volunteering in Tanzania safe?
Tanzania is one of the most peaceful countries in Africa and is generally a very safe place for volunteers. When you arrive, we will inform you of some simple steps you can take to ensure that you are safe during your stay.
What if I have certain dietary requirements (gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.)?
We serve breakfast every day consisting of toast, butter, jam, peanut butter, coffee and tea, as well as a day-specific extra, such as eggs, local pastries, juice or fruit. You can eat lunch on campus during the week, where our kitchen team cooks traditional Tanzanian food for the staff and children of the help2kids Campus Day Care Center. If you let us know your wishes during the registration process, we can find a solution together.
Volunteers are allowed to cook their own dinner in the fully equipped kitchen.
Packing
What kind of clothes do I need to wear?
While working in our projects or visiting Dar es Salaam, it is important to dress more conservatively and wear clothes that cover the knees and shoulders. Bikinis can be worn in all resorts, hotels and on private beaches, but shoulders and knees should be covered on public beaches.
What is the weather like in Tanzania?
Tanzania has a tropical climate with a hot, humid and rainy season. The heaviest rainfall is from mid-April to May/June. From the end of October to December there are lighter, smaller rainfalls. Even if there are no rainy seasons, it can rain at any time! It is always a good idea to pack a light rain jacket just in case.
Do I need to bring a towel?
No, we provide you with towels and bedding. However, you should bring your own towel for the beach.
Do you have any further questions? You can find out more about volunteering in Tanzania on our volunteer information page, or contact us at volunteer@help2kids.org. See you soon with help2kids!
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