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Women's Education Volunteer Program in Tanzania - Arusha

Women's Education Volunteer Program in Tanzania - Arusha

Inspired to be a Women’s Education volunteer in Tanzania? International Volunteer HQ’s Women’s Education project is a fantastic opportunity for volunteers to make a meaningful difference to the lives of women who face the challenges of gender inequality in Arusha. Volunteers gain experience supporting and teaching women by helping them learn new skills that could lead to them gaining employment and becoming more self-sufficient.

Highlights:
  • Programs start on the 1st and 15th of every month
  • Affordable fees from AU$473 for 1 week
  • Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
  • Share knowledge and skills with disadvantaged women

  • Enjoy Tanzania’s breathtaking vistas

  • Stay near Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain

Key information

Support women to gain financial independence
Based with a local NGO
Volunteer house or homestay
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Fully hosted experience from AU$473 for 1 week
Durations from 1 - 16 weeks
Add on a safari in the Serengeti
Up to 5 hours volunteering a day

This program is ideal for:

Volunteers with experience in business, health or teaching, or anyone who is open-minded and interested in supporting disadvantaged women.
Who is this program suited to?

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

Gender equality is an ongoing issue in Tanzania, where many women face challenging situations in their everyday life. Domestic violence, homelessness and HIV/AIDS are all too common, and women who have to confront these challenges are often stigmatised by society. Volunteers can make a significant difference to the prospects of disadvantaged women, helping with education and supporting them to become more self-sufficient.

As a Women’s Education volunteer you’ll be based with a local NGO that focuses on empowering women and giving them the skills to be healthy and financially independent. Many of these women would struggle to find these kinds of opportunities to upskill and support themselves without these volunteer-driven initiatives. You’ll help with a range of activities which can include:

  • Teaching English, health, and business classes
  • Distributing menstrual pads to women and girls (when available or upon fundraising)
  • Assisting on a project to teach women how to breed chickens for income
  • Helping women to get finance for their start-up businesses
  • Teaching women how to cook
  • Jewellery creation
  • Providing childcare

You can also teach the local women a range of life skills such as cooking, dancing, singing, playing games and really anything that you might like to share that can be beneficial to them.

If you would like to teach or bring any specific activity to your placement that you think would be beneficial to the local women and be of their interest, please advise, and the local team will do their best to help you facilitate the activity you wish to bring to the local women.

This project is well suited to volunteers with experience in business, health or education. Typically volunteers who have skills and qualifications on those subjects can provide better support to the local women. However, anyone who is open minded and interested in supporting disadvantaged women is very appreciated! Everyone over the age of 16 is welcome to take part in this project, including male volunteers.

Volunteers can also participate in community outreach visits. Visits take place every one to two weeks, and you’ll be able to visit women in their own homes. During these visits, you’ll provide food, companionship, counseling and medical assistance to those in need. Although transportation is provided by the local team, these outreach visits are fully coordinated by volunteers, being responsible for funding food or any other donations they wish to bring to the local women.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #5: Gender Equality

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #5: Gender Equality

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful and sustainable world. Nearly 60% of women work in the informal economy, which puts them at greater risk of falling into poverty. Education and long-term employment opportunities are key to combating this.

Why do Women's Education volunteering in Arusha with IVHQ?

When you volunteer with women in Tanzania you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

  • Helping women overcome gender inequality issues
  • Teaching women new skills
  • Developing your communication skills
  • Gaining experience working with women
  • Immersing yourself in Tanzanian culture
  • Discovering Africa’s incredible wildlife

Volunteer requirements

  • Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or friend who is over 18 to participate in this program
  • Volunteers aged 16-18 are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program independently, and may be asked to provide additional documentation to the local team
  • All volunteers are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure, or if aged under 18 need to provide two character reference letters instead
  • All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
  • All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

Apply For Free

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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

CR
Carem Rosito Mercio
04 Mar 2024

During this experience I’ve changed the appreciation for life! I’ve met wonderful women with an amazing internal power to always seek to the bright side of the situation! I am grateful for the learning!

...
LW
Lisa Whalen
14 Dec 2023

Volunteering in Tanzania was an absolutely life-changing experience. That is saying something coming from a 56-year-old! For anyone with fear or trepidation, know that there is a lot of support available in country. You aren’t just left to fend for yourself.

...
ST
Sharon Thomas
13 Dec 2023

The IVHQ portal was easy to navigate and defined expectations and requirements. Any questions I had of the program manager were answered. I am very appreciative of the assistance along the way.

Sincere appreciation, courage, a sense of global commitment.. These are just a few of the intangible gains from volunteering at my women's education placement. Forever grateful to have had the opportunity to travel across continents and oceans to connect with people on the same mission to uplift others.

Trust in you and your ability to vibrate positively with new people to make a difference in the life of someone.

...
AW
Amy Williams
17 Oct 2023

The local team was outstanding- they did a great job looking after us, setting things up for us and troubleshooting any and all problems. There aren’t enough words to describe the extraordinary experience I had in Tanzania. First, the volunteer work was rewarding and fulfilling and I left having made a difference to real people. The excursions were amazing and so affordable. It was a great combination of cultural immersion, helping and fun. I am an older volunteer, age 57, and there were many others, my same age. We all stayed together in a homestay, so it was very comfortable, and I now have many new friends who live all over the world! I would not hesitate to recommend this experience to anyone and plan to do more in the future.

...
JF
Jessica Folbigg
21 Jul 2023

Volunteering at my Women's Education placement had a massive impact on me. It has inspired me to continue my psychology degree and strive to spread awareness about women's health in countries such as Africa. It has made me much more grateful for living and growing up in Australia, and I want to use my privilege to help more people. I have gained so many new and amazing relationships and friendships with people from all over the world. I gained so much more knowledge about a different culture that will stay with me forever and, I think, will unconsciously infiltrate into my daily life. I also gained more drive and passion for projects and ideas that I hadn't before this trip. For anyone hesitant about joining this program, I would go back repeatedly; you meet so many amazing people and make lifelong friends. You will also connect to so many beautiful people that you will be able to help while, at the same time, they are giving so much to you as well.

...
DI
Donna Isbell
04 Jun 2021

This experience is life changing. IVHQ is safe, reliable and they care about their volunteers’ safety. During orientation, you will most likely receive a list of word translations that will help you navigate the country. IVHQ will be there every step of the way as they check on you during your program, making them an excellent choice for placement and support. Not only will your life change for the better but you will build relationships with the community that will last forever.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit through International Volunteer HQ and Intern Abroad HQ.

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Volunteer Abroad in Tanzania with IVHQ

Location

The IVHQ Tanzania volunteer program is based in Arusha, a small city often used as the base of many safari trips into the Serengeti and other national parks. It’s also near Africa’s highest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro. Tanzania as a whole is known for its seemingly boundless areas of wilderness where African animals roam, sometimes migrating in vast groups across the plains; and also being the country where the oldest human skull and even older fossils of human ancestors were found.

Despite its many attractions, communities in many parts of Tanzania still lack access to the basic necessities of life. Volunteer projects based in rural and urban areas around Arusha and nearby help to provide better access to healthcare, education and childcare.

Arrival and orientation

The program orientation begins on the 1st and 15th of every month and volunteers need to arrive in Arusha on the day before orientation.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) in Arusha. Your airport pick-up is included in your program fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation. When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Arusha. Your accommodation is covered by your program fee and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are travelling in Tanzania prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Arusha on the day before your program orientation. Orientation is hosted by our local team at one of the volunteer houses in Arusha. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date. If your start date falls on a weekend or a public holiday, your orientation will begin on the Monday or day following the public holiday. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Tanzania – an introduction to Tanzania, Tanzanian customs, rules and expectations, language lessons (Kiswahili), safety, travel opportunities in Tanzania, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.

Volunteer schedule example

First Day

On the first day of the volunteering placement, you will be escorted to the project by our local staff and introduced to the staff at the project you will be working with.

Weekdays

Work and hours are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at. A typical volunteer day would be as follows:

7:30 AM Breakfast at the volunteer house or homestay.
8:00 AM Volunteers leave home and travel to their placements. Work and hours are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at.
1:00 PM Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel home for lunch at their accommodation, prepare for the next day or do some shopping and sightseeing.
8:30 PM Dinner at the volunteer house or homestay

Weekends

Tanzania is a wildlife lover’s dream. In your free time you can venture out on a safari and see Africa’s Big 5 - lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhino - as well as the mind-blowing number of other species that call Tanzania home.

In Arusha itself you can find great markets, take a few days to hike up the nearby Mt Meru, or learn about the Maasai and Meru tribes of the area. You can also take take a short flight down to Zanzibar for a weekend of sun and sandy beaches or save some time before or after your program to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Accommodation and WiFi

Volunteers in Tanzania are accommodated in dorm-style volunteer houses or homestays located in Sakina, Arusha. In the volunteer houses, volunteers can expect to share a room with one to ten other volunteers of the same gender; however, the majority of rooms accommodate 4-6 people.

Currently, there are two homestays available, located next to each other. One homestay can accommodate up to 10 volunteers, and the other can accommodate up to 6, with rooms also being separated by gender. Typically, rooms can fit a maximum of 4 people.

Living conditions are basic, but the volunteer houses and homestays have running water and electricity. It’s important to note that there are often power outages, which can affect the availability of hot water and electricity. There are cooks who prepare meals for the volunteers, and each volunteer house has a security guard.

Please be aware that private room upgrades are not available in Tanzania.

If you would like to stay connected during your stay, we recommend bringing an unlocked mobile phone and purchasing a local SIM card when you arrive in Tanzania. The local team can assist you with purchasing a SIM card and data during your program orientation. Additionally, you can access WiFi at cafes and restaurants in Arusha.

If you wish to arrive a day earlier than your recommended arrival date or spend a few extra nights after finishing your program, we can arrange extra nights of accommodation for you at US$35 (approximately AU$56) per person per night, including meals, subject to availability. You will be able to book extra nights via your profile after you register.

Meals

Tanzanian cuisine varies across the country due to differences in produce found inland and along the coast. The immigration of Khoja Indians has influenced local dishes with Indian flavors. Staple foods in Tanzania include rice, ugali (maize porridge), chapatti, and beans. Please keep in mind that rice and beans are significant components of meals in Tanzania, so you can expect to be served these quite often.

Volunteers are provided with three meals a day at the volunteer houses and homestays. Breakfast typically consists of eggs served with pancakes, mandazzi (deep-fried dough balls), or cake, along with plenty of fresh fruit, bread, and a selection of jams and other spreads for toast.

Lunch and dinner usually feature a traditional meat dish (chicken or beef) alongside a vegetable dish, beans, lentils, or cooked vegetables served with rice, pasta, chips, or chapatti.

Meals are served at the accommodations, but lunch boxes with fruits and sandwiches can be provided upon request if your placement is scheduled to finish after lunchtime.

Bottled water is readily available in Tanzania, and volunteers should budget approximately $5 per week for 2 liters a day. Filtered water is also available at the accommodations, and you can choose between purchasing bottled water or using the free filtered water provided in the houses.

If you have any special dietary requirements, please inform us so that the local team can make arrangements for you. They can provide vegetarian meals and options that are dairy and gluten-free; however, please note that vegan, halal, and kosher options are not available. Keep in mind that your eating experience may differ from what you’re accustomed to at home. The local team will do their best to accommodate your needs and ensure volunteers are well taken care of, but it’s essential for volunteers to remain flexible.

Pricing

  • USD
Duration
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
  • USD
1 week AU$472 Equivalent to AU$68/day
2 weeks AU$664 Equivalent to AU$47/day
3 weeks AU$945 Equivalent to AU$45/day
4 weeks AU$1169 Equivalent to AU$42/day
5 weeks AU$1410 Equivalent to AU$40/day
6 weeks AU$1650 Equivalent to AU$39/day
8 weeks AU$2155 Equivalent to AU$38/day
10 weeks AU$2683 Equivalent to AU$38/day
12 weeks AU$3212 Equivalent to AU$38/day
16 weeks AU$4270 Equivalent to AU$38/day
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • In-country program orientation
  • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
  • Airport pick-up
  • Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
  • Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
  • Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
  • Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

  • All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately AU$528) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in AUD.
  • A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
  • Independent volunteers under the age of 18 will have an additional cost of US$80 per week added to their program fee to cover extra logistical support provided by the local team.
  • Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, public transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
  • Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Tanzania generally find US$75-100 per week to be sufficient for expenses.

Free-time experiences & tours in Tanzania

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Tanzania! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Tanzania program.

Kifaru Safari
Kifaru Safari

A 2 day safari in Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater where you will have the opportunity to see amazing wildlife in their natural habitat.

AU$558
Maasai Village Tours
Maasai Village Tours

Gain an authentic insight into the Maasai way of life. Volunteers can choose between half or full day trips.

From AU$128
Moshi Trips
Moshi Trips

An opportunity to visit Moshi Town, the last village before the Kilimanjaro National Park. Volunteers can choose between 1 or 2 day trips.

From AU$112
Maasai Village Tours
Maasai Village Tours

Gain an authentic insight into the Maasai way of life. Volunteers can choose between half or full day trips.

From AU$128
Kifaru Safari
Kifaru Safari

A 2 day safari in Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater where you will have the opportunity to see amazing wildlife in their natural habitat.

AU$558
Rafiki Safari
Rafiki Safari

A 4 day safari in Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater where you will have the opportunity to see amazing wildlife in their natural habitat.

AU$1091

Check what's required to visit Tanzania

Safety and support with IVHQ

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

  • All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
  • All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
  • All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
  • All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital Dodoma
Population 58 million
Languages Swahili and English
Currency Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
Time zone UTC+03:00

Weather and climate

Tanzania is hot throughout the year and is humid on the coast and dry on the central plateau. The heavy rains last from March to June and can make unsealed road travel difficult. The hot, dry weather in January and February attracts the most tourists. The best time to visit the Serengeti is from January to March, when the grazers are calving and there are plenty of lions around. Or witness the wildebeest migration to and from Kenya, which occurs at the onset of the dry season and again with the first rains, usually around the beginning of June and mid-November.

Other projects you may be interested in

How to get started

Pick a destination + project and apply for free
Meet your personal volunteer travel expert
Pay the Registration Fee to secure your place and upgrade your MyIVHQ account
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